Travelling through sundrenched San Diego

It's been a while, but I have finally found the time to reacquaint myself with my laptop and update everyone on the past few days. Barbra has kept me so active making sure I see as much of this great Island as possible before I fly out on Tuesday.














Today is Sunday the 5th July Barbra has started her new job today and I am slowly coming down off my high that is Independence Day - it's hard to not get carried away with the amount of festivities on offer here in Coronado.....

From all the people I have spoken to they have all said Coronado is the place to celebrate 4th July - and given the last three days, it appears I wasn't the only foreigner here. People have been slowly heading over the Bay Bridge since Thursday and securing their parking space all over Coronado - the population has grown by 400%!

So I hear you ask.... What have I been up to? Well.

Wednesday 1st July

Leaving the house at around 1pm it wasn't long before we all arrived at the San Diego Natural History Museum. The Museum is a grand 4 storey building overlooking Balboa Park. The Bodyworlds 2 exhibition was one that we had all wanted to see - as it involves the display of real human bodies showing the muscle, bone and vein structure - it was really fascinating.


After wandering through the two level exhibition for close to 2 hours we headed back to Coronado Island for a late lunch at a fantastic Mexican restaurant "Miguels"- We ordered and when the Margareta's arrived, the laughter and conversation continued filling the room.

With the time now quickly approaching 5pm, we headed back to the family home to allow a quick shower & change of clothes - It was Happy Hour so I had to be fast.



Barbra and I walked down the beach esplanade towards Hotel Del pasting the main Life Guard tower on Coronado Beach to see if her good friend Damon was working - he was and invited us up the 3 flights of stairs to enjoy some great vistas of Hotel Del, the Beach and beyond.



Moving on and after a short drink at one of the local bars, Barbra and I headed to the San Diego Yacht Club to catchup with some of her previous workmates and friends. The beer garden was packed with many family's enjoying the perfect weather and upcoming 4th July celebrations.

The hours passed with ease and I soon noticed it was beyond 9pm as everyone starting to pack away their belongings.

Not one to head back early - Barbra called Georgia (her Aunt) and we all headed to (yet another) local bar where we all listened to good music, shot some pool and drank the night away....


At around 3am the barman called last drinks and before we knew it we were walking the endless Orange Avenue towards an institution with local Coronadians (after the bars have closed) - it's called Night & Day Diner essentially you can order pretty much anything.... two selections I tried were the Cheeseburger Deluxe with an... egg? and the deep fried zucchini? what the? - it's great hang over food......















Thursday 2nd July

With the good intention of going to my second class of Bikram Yoga (I mean why wouldn't you?) unfortunately not likely to occur - given my sleep in (9.30am), Jim and I headed out for a well deserved game of golf at one of his local courses Bonita Golf Club.








On the way, Jim and I stopped in at his warehouse/office for Active Signs. He showed me around the different types of screen printing types and completed signs. After about half an hour we were back in the car driving the short distance to the course.

The course has been in San Diego for over 50 years and is quite open in parts with a little water so it can be a little challenging - especially when your cousin Jim smuggles in enough Crown Royal, Bohemia beers and cigars to keep you well hydrated for the 4 hour round. Final score James 91 - Jim 93.



After our round we headed to the 19th hole for some refreshments mostly Gin and Bourbon and started the 15 minute drive back to Coronado with Jethro Tull playing in the car.

Getting home around 5pm, I quickly got changed and headed out down to the Coronado Jetty for a nice dinner at Il Fornaio one of Coronado's better Italian restaurants with one of Barbra's closest friends.

Friday 3rd July

Waking on the later side of 10am I was glad to see that I had at least had some decent rest as today was once again filled. It was going to be Barbra's 10 year High School reunion I chance to see all her old school friends as well as see her boyfriend Abraham - so naturally she was excited - even more so than usual.







The reunion wasn't scheduled until early evening around 6pm so after getting dressed and eating some breakfast (including a side serving of carrot/orange juice) Barbra and I headed off to one of Coronado's beaches to catchup with Georgia, husband Dave their two children Anthony and Elliana and Barbra's Bikram Yoga buddy & close friend Molly and her daughter Coral.


Dave had brought his surf boards so we both headed out after setting up the tents and chairs. The surf wasn't all that big but it was still enjoyable to be surfing with family (& a friendly seal) in California.

At around 4-5 pm we all finally packed up our belongings and headed back - Barbra had left a little earlier (to prepare for the reunion) so I was dropped off at Jim & Linda's house thankfully saving me the mile and a half walk.

Moments later, Barbra's boyfriend Abraham (Abe) arrived so after some quick introductions I headed to the shower to get ready and head out to dinner with Molly, Dave and Georgia before joining Barbra at her reunion a little later in the evening.

Riding our bikes through Coronado toward the main streets, we/I decided on Sushi and upon our arrival Dave promptly ordered "Saki Bombs" for those who may not be familiar, half a glass of beer with a shot of Saki drop it into the beer and drink. After about 6/7 (unable to remember) Saki Bombs and a great meal, we "gingerly" headed over to Barbra's reunion.

The reunion was a lot of fun (it may've been the open bar - I'm not sure) with Barbra and Abe thoroughly enjoying themselves. Barbra introduced me to several of her friends and we all continued on at the reunion well into the night.



It was a great evening.

Saturday 4th July - Independence Day (Not to be confused with the movie starring Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones).

Happy 4th July!!! was the call as I rolled out of bed a little earlier this time (around 8am). Barbra was already ready with her Dr. Seuss (Cat in the Hat) hat... which she refused to take off for the whole day!!
















Before heading off to the the highly anticipated Coronado Parade, Jim, Linda, Barbra and I walked the 5 or so blocks to Georgia and Dave's house to partake in a "few" Bloody Mary's - Georgia even made sure Barbra and I had one or two for the parade - hidden in a cleverly disguised take away coffee cup - thank you Starbucks.

The main street (Orange Avenue) of Coronado was covered with people by the time we wandered up. We all found a open space and watched the parade go by. As Coronado is home to one of the larger naval bases in America, the parade has a strong community/military flavour with jets and helicopters circling above.




At around 1pm the four of us headed over to a restaurant named Tent City for a late brunch - it is called Tent City because when the Hotel Del was being constructed in the mid to late 1800's all the workers lived nearby in tents... hence the name. Anyway after several drinks and being in the sun throughout the day Barbra and I were happy to head home.

On the way home Jim decided to pick up some refreshments for our BBQ which he would prepare. Jim is a real whiz on the BBQ so I was secretly looking forward to the lunch. Georgia and her children Anthony and Elliana arrived with the smell of hamburgers filling the house.















After lunch I decided it wise to have a siesta - I woke around 6pm and started to get ready to watch the fireworks from the local golf course. As I was getting ready, Barbra received a call from her friend Molly who invited us both to watch the fireworks on one of the boats at the local yacht club - a great vantage point so I agreed (Barbra had decided to spend time with her boyfriend Abe who was at nearby Mission Beach celebrating his 1st 4th July as an American citizen).




The fireworks were spectacular and they were synchronized with music so the crowds of people were really enjoying the spectacle which seemed to go on for quite a while.



Riding home on Jim's bike around 12.30am I was sound asleep in minutes - my first 4th July experience was over but my memories would last forever.

James.