Crater Lake – A Wizard Encounter

Crater Lake – A Wizard Encounter

It was 1986.  We had given, sold and stored away our life’s possessions, left our business to the management of a trusted friend, bought a small camper, and headed north on April Fool’s Day on a nine-month journey around the North American continent.  We were now about a month into our journey and reveled in the beauty of Oregon.

Sardinas of San Diego

Sardinas of San Diego

Now that Mark and I have been to Italy and back, we know from Italian food!  There’s this best-kept-secret of an Italian restaurant right here in San Diego, but sometimes you have to go around the world, then return to Square One, to recognize the assets of your own backyard.

San Diego Hard Rock Hotel

San Diego Hard Rock Hotel

The San Diego Hard Rock Hotel has quite a storied past. Once upon a time there was this parking lot on the most prime piece of property in San Diego, near the Convention Center and Petco Park and right next to the Gaslamp marquee.

Lyons Valley Desert Hike

Lyons Valley Desert Hike

Deep into January, the rest of the country is usually cloaked in snow.  But here in San Diego County, winter is the best time to don a pair of hiking boots and go tramping in the local high desert mountains. One weekend a few years ago, Mark and I hiked with a small group of people to a spot near Lyons Valley. It was a hot and sunny day. So we kept on descending a steep sandy trail in hopes that at the bottom of the canyon there would be a refreshing pool of water in which to dangle our feet.