DAY 98- San Antonio, TX...

I woke up to a thick fog.  At first I could barely see the interstate that was running along outside of my window.  Later it became lighter out and I could see the interstate but the tall downtown buildings were lost in the fog.  I turned on the local news and they were showing accidents and backed up traffic all around the area.  I had considered a morning bike ride but I didn’t think it would be safe now.

Photo- A foggy morning in San Antonio, TX.

I went down for the grab and go breakfast at the Red Roof Inn where I was staying.  A muffin, some orange juice, a coffee and US Today paper, I was back up in my room.  I figured I would just wait out this fog thing.  The weatherman said it would clear as it warmed up during the day.  It was supposed to rain later that night and bring in a slight cold front.  The temperatures would be in the upper 60’s; sounded pretty good to me.

A while later, I found myself at the yellow trolley stop a half block away sitting on one of two benches.  There were two black guys there that were sitting on the bench not waiting for a trolley but taking a work break from the auto repair just down the street. I talked with them for a bit while I waited.  As the trolley (which was a regular bus) came I wished them a good day.  I rode the trolley over to the San Antonio Market Square stop.

Photo- Outside at the Market Square in San Antonio.

San Antonio’s Market Square is a colorful walking mall area where there are a lot of Mexican goods for sale.  It has a very festive air and there’s a whole variety of things to look at.  It was rather fun window shopping.  I walked around for a little bit and then decided to get lunch.

Photo- Inside the Mi Tierra's Cafe and Bakery.

I went to Mi Tierra’s Café and Bakery that says it’s always open.  I walked in and was enveloped by some wonderful smells.  Upfront, there’s a glass enclosed counter where there’s a whole selection of mouthwatering freshly baked goods.  Yummy!  I went up to the hostess stand and she started to take me back.  “Where would you like to sit?” she asked me.  She asked if I would like to sit at the counter or a table.  I said whichever is more interesting.  She gave me a perplexed look.  I asked about the covered patio area and she happily sat me out there; looking a bit relieved to be rid of me.

Chips and salsa were brought to the table and I ordered one of the specials of the day just picking something at random.  Their prices were very reasonable.  A very hot plate was served with a cheese enchilada, Spanish rice, a covered container of warm tortillas (corn and flour), and a huge chicken leg.  It was all tasty.  While I was enjoying my lunch, a table of Latino men were sitting and chatting in Spanish.  It was someone’s birthday and one of them was getting a hard time.  A short bit later a trio of guitar players showed up at their table along with a group of restaurant employees.  It was birthday song time; all sang in Spanish.  The birthday boy was turning all shades of red.  It was so cute.

After lunch I walked around the Market Square a bit more.  I went in a few shops and was tempted to try on some of the cute colorful clothes but I didn’t have the room in my car; so I thought I better not.  I caught the yellow trolley back to my hotel where I jumped in my car and drove to one of the Mission Churches in the area.  There are four of them in the area and they are a National Park.  There are guided tours that they do at a few of them and I thought it might be interesting to catch one of these.  So with my Google directions in hand I wandered south through San Antonio.  I went south on St. Mary’s which changed names twice before I came to the San Jose Mission and it’s visitor center. 

The tour was given by a National Park’s employee named Nanette.  She was a cute native Texan gal with an amazing unique southern drawl that almost had a hint of Spanish accent.  It was just amazing listening to her as she gave the tour.  She talked about the history of the Mission San Jose and pointed out the different areas along the way.  We got to see the “apartments” where up to 20 Indians would live.  It made my Salt Lake City one bedroom apartment look like the lap of luxury compared to these two linked rooms; one of which had a fireplace where cooking was done. 

Photo- The cute Nanette with the wonderful Texas drawl accent.

Photo- The outside of the little "apartments" that line the outside wall of the San Jose Mission.

Nanette talked about what was expected of the mission Indians and what an average day for them would have been like during this time frame.  Most of their life was centered around the church.  They would get up and attend church in the morning; go back to their “apartments” for breakfast and then report to whatever work area they were expected.  Then, at the height of the day would be siesta time.  Then after their nap they would be expected to attend church again.  Then, it would be dinner and they had free time in the evening time.

Photo- The Famous Rose window.

During the tour, we steadily worked our way over to the church part of the mission where she ended her tour.  She told of two different legends regarding a Rose window on the side of the church and said we could decide which one was true.  The actual church was not part of the National Park.  Though, it was open to the public.  It’s an active parish church and run by the San Antonio Diocese. 

Photos- San Jose Mission Church, outside and inside.

After that I wondered around taking pictures and reading some of the displayed signs.  It was all very fascinating.  I walked over to the milling area which was just outside the wall areas.  It was the miller’s day off but normally they would have someone that would be operating the mill.  It was the only one of the four missions that had a working mill.  Most of the missions had been somewhat restored in the 1930’s.  It was while viewing this that I had this kitten rubbing up against me and getting all friendly.  It was a sweet thing but I wasn’t taking it home if that was what it was hoping for.

I headed back to the hotel where I did a quick shower and change before going over to the River Walk Area.  I got some change at the front desk just in case I decided to take the trolley back after dinner.  I walked over the 6 or 7 blocks to the River Walk taking a bit of a different route now that I was getting to know the area.  I walked along almost all of the River Walk area trying to decide where I wanted to eat dinner.  I went by almost every restaurant; checking quite a few menus.  I must have walked about 2 miles in all; nothing seemed to be sparking my interest.

Photo- Lighted carriages you can rent in the River Walk area.

Great deals of the restaurants along the River Walk are Tex Mex, Italian, and BBQ.  I finally decided to turn around and go back to the Waxy O’Connor Irish Pub.  They had a lamb stew that sounded rather good and it did turn out to go very well with a draft of Blue Moon.  I was enjoying the outdoor table until rain started to sprinkle just a bit.  I asked the server to move in and finished my meal indoors while watching a bit of Monday night football.  The rain started to come down a little harder and I ordered another beer in hopes of waiting out the rain.  It finally calmed down and I walked back to my hotel.

Photo- One of the restaurant areas along the River Walk.

 

DAY 56- Shopping, Getting Lost, & Monday Night Football...

The night before I went to do a bit of shopping and grab a bit of dinner at the District which is a shopping area in Santa Ana.  It is within a few blocks of the La Quinta hotel where I was staying.  I take a turn in with a left turn signal and get about half a block and stop.  It’s backed up traffic for the entire area.  I eventually get to a stop sign area where they have a woman directing traffic through the area. 

Then, I realized I am in the wrong lane to get to where I was going.  So I go back around and end up in basically the same place only one lane over.  But I’m just amazed with how busy it is and it’s a Sunday afternoon.  I have my windows rolled down because it’s beautiful southern California weather.  I say out loud,”OMG! How do they ever get any shopping done here?”  Next to me, an Oriental guy and his girlfriend in a black sports car just looked at me in a bit of disgust but didn’t say anything.  I guess I must have said the wrong thing?

Photo- The District shopping complex in Santa Ana.

I finally managed to park out in the boondocks of the Target parking lot and head in.  The store is literally packed.  I’m in a bit of cultural shock here; because if I was in Utah I would have any store that was open almost to myself.  I quickly found what I needed and headed to the shortest line in the place which is still 6 deep.  There’s 4 gals in their early 20’s who look like they are purchasing the entire stock of cotton balls that they have in the place.  A run on cotton balls?!??  That’s a new one.

Next I literally drive through heavy traffic again to get out of the Target parking lot and across the street to a brew pub where I decided to have dinner.  Almost 5 minutes later I’m parked out in the boonies of another parking lot and really questioning my own sanity for even venturing out; so much for the green energy efficient world.  The heffe beer was good and I had some spicy buffalo wings; all on special during the Happy Hour which I felt like this was the only thing that was going right for the night.  Back to the hotel, I went after all of that.

I got in my room and the front desk is calling to check to see if everything with my room was alright.  I mentioned that one of my key cards wasn’t working and the other one I had to play with a bit but past that everything was fine.  The next thing I knew the front desk gal was at my door with two new key cards and making sure they worked for me.  Now THIS is service!  In fact, the next morning I go for breakfast and the lady attendant offers to make me a waffle as I go through the door.  I was wondering if I had a “Need Waffles” sign on my forehead.  But I will say this, if you ever need to stay in Santa Ana, I would recommend the La Quinta.

The goal of this day was to find the Crystal Cove State Park which my friend Diane had recommended to me.  I got the directions off of Google again.  Yes, I know I have not had the best of luck with Google.  Well, this proved to be another failure of Google combined with me; not a good combo.  I skipped to the third line in the directions which was south on Interstate 405.  I asked the helpful gal at the desk how to get to I-405 South.  Next thing I know I’m zooming along south on I-405 looking for an exit number and street name.  Then, I’m looking at the exit numbers and discovering that they were getting smaller and I must have missed it in my skip forward area of the directions.  I turned around at the next exit; taking a right hand turn from the left lane in front of three other cars and no one honked!  DAMN!  These people are too nice or maybe they were glad not to be on the same road as me?

I head back north looking for the exit and the exit numbers jump a couple of numbers; completely skipping the exit number I need.  Oh, this is SO not good!  Okay, I know the general direction of which way I need to go and I see a Harbor Blvd exit sign.  I took it and hoped that it eventually ended up in a harbor by the ocean.  Yes, it’s sad to say but some days that is the extent of my line of reasoning.  I ended up driving west through Costa Mesa and ended up finding Hwy 55 which I found went in the direction I needed and took me to Hwy 1.  My screwed up logical way of thinking paid off. Yahoo!

Photo- The boardwalk path that leads towards the beach at Crystal Cove State Park.

I arrived at my destination and paid a state park fee to get in.  Later, I found out I could have foregone the state fee and gotten a parking validation to a lot more south and across Hwy 1.  Live and learn seems to be the way I go.  I parked the car, put sunscreen on, put misc. stuff in my mini backpack with a towel and off to the beach I went.  It was a gorgeous beach and Diane you were right; it is a relaxing haven along the coast.  I got down the path to the beach and decided to sit down and just relax for a bit.  I spread out my towel and watched a family of three boys with their parents along the beach.  I ate a sports bar and what was left of a diet soda.  I had a pesky seagull eyeing me and my food.  He kept edging towards me.  I put all of the food away and then the gull went off somewhere else.

Photo- Part of a family walking along the beach at Crystal Cove State Park.

Photo- The pesky seagull that was eyeing my sports bar.

After a while, I headed down the beach where I could see cottages and more people.  It was probably about a mile or so and I carried my sandals and walked along the edge of the ocean waves.  It was beautiful weather; blues skies with wispy clouds and right about upper 70’s.  What a way to spend the day, I thought as I walked along.  As I got closer to the cottages, I saw that quite a few of them were actually abandoned old cottages which were owned by the state park service.  There was a fence cording them off from the beach and warning signs were posted. 

Photo- A seagull army looking out to sea?

As I continued along, I saw a stand and a restaurant.  The restaurant was called The Beachcomber; how appropriate.  I walked up to the restaurant and found out that there was an hours waiting time for a table inside or longer if I wanted one outside. Whoa!  I asked if there was somewhere nearby that I could get something cold to drink.  Sure, just go inside and you can sit at the counter.  One, with no waiting! Yes!

Photo- The Beachcomber Restaurant where I had lunch at the counter. No waiting!

I ordered a diet soda and an appetizer of a pita pizza with bacon, sweet sun dried tomatoes, and onions with a bit of brown sugar on it.  Yum!  I watched the people all around in the restaurant and the kitchen staff too; who were right in front of me.  I turned around sometimes to look out the door to where the beach was too.  It was a busy fun place to be.  I watched two guys at a table near me playing rock, paper, and scissors for the last artichoke appetizer they ordered.  It’s so fun people watching.

After that, I headed down the beach the way I came.  I again passed a gal with a metal detector that I had said hi to on the way down.  I asked if she had found anything.  She just shook her head and said,” Just a few coins that’s about it.”  I wished her a good day.  The tide was down quite a bit from where it was on my walk down the beach.  I could see more of the rocks on the shoreline where before they were just bumps of a rock out of the water; now I could see almost all of the rock.  I walked along and heard a vehicle.  A coast guard pickup truck was driving along the beach.  He waved at me as he passed.

I headed back up the path to my car and left the park.  I turned south onto Hwy 1 and within a short bit I was slowly driving through Laguna.  I saw quite a few art galleries but I just wasn’t in the mood to stop.  I’m sure I already was a bit sunburnt even though I put sunscreen on.  I also wanted to get to my hotel in Chula Vista before it was too late in the day.  I wasn’t sure what to expect for traffic in San Diego. 

Photo- Monday Night Football rush hour traffic on the interstate
and motorcycles zooming between cars.

BOY, I was in for a surprise!  I ended up getting stuck in the middle of rush hour traffic for Monday Night Football.  I never thought to check the Monday Night Football schedule before heading into San Diego.  Note to self- check sports schedules the next time you go to a large city that has sports teams.  San Diego was playing the Bronco’s and it was a popular game to see I guess.  It was solid bumper to bumper traffic for almost 12 miles.  The only vehicles that were really moving were the motorcycles that were driving between cars.  That is the way to travel if you are in southern California on a nice day.  But I still found it unnerving watching them go along at quite fast speeds between the cars.  It was probably a good thing that I wasn’t wearing Bronco orange driving through this lot.  Then, I would have never been able to get over for my exit. 

Photo- An oasis from a stress filled day at the El Primero Boutique Hotel.

I eventually got to Chula Vista and got checked into my room and before sunset too.  Tonight I’m staying at El Primero Boutique Hotel which is located in the Third Ave downtown area of Chula Vista.  I located the hotel on the hotels.com website and looked small private and inviting.  The room certainly looked inviting tonight.