Popemobile at the Oceanside Harbor

The harbor was calling our name today so we loaded up the popemobile and head out.

We left fairly early to avoid having to walk around too many people.  

We have always enjoyed Sunday mornings at the harbor.

“If a man knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind.” 

The harbor is still open, on both the beach side and Harbor Drive, as long as you don't need to rest along the way.

We walked to the Fishing Pier, which is closed, and watched the seal lions do their angry sea lion thing.  There is never a dull moment.

M Dock has a very nice collection of painted rocks.

Popemobile on the San Luis Rey Trail

Today we rode for 9 miles round trip on the San Luis Rey Trail.  The whole trail is 21 miles round trip, which Eric has done twice this week, but we just did a portion of it today.

This is one of my favorite parts of the trail, which is just a mile from our house, where it goes under the 5 freeway, and next to a now decommissioned off-ramp,  which is sometimes used for commercials and photoshoots.  

Seriously, this is how desperate I am for wildlife.  

I stopped riding my bike to take a picture of a snail.  

The popemobile is what we call A1's new bike trailer, since she is in a bubble.

The trail follows the San Luis Rey River so, besides snails, we saw lots of birds and flowers along the way.  Thank God not EVERYTHING is closed.  I need the outdoors to function. 

Dom Pérignon

Yeah, that is right, we are poppin' Dom to celebrate our anniversary!  

This is the first time we have ever tasted Dom Pérignon, but it will not be the last.  In fact, we think it will be a yearly thing.  Actually the more we drink about it the more it seems like it should be a daily thing. 

Dom Pérignon was a French monk and a wine pioneer in the later 1600s.  His work with wine contributed to the production of champagne.  It wasn't until 1921 that the first vintage of Dom Pérignon champagne was sold.  (Vintage just means that all of the grapes were grown the same year, and that the year was a good year for grapes.)

2006 was a spectacular vintage.  

And 2018 was an even better one. 

Easter is Canceled This Year, Kids

Since an outdoor Easter egg hunt is out of the question we did an indoor Easter egg hunt, which was just as much fun.  A1 got a few new books, a hat, plastic eggs filled with air, and an egg puzzle, which we hid in various conspicious locations. 

 

We can't travel to Canada now, but we can enjoy Quebec maple syrup. 

Later we walked around the neighborhood and found evidence that Easter used to exist.

Virtual conversations don't replace real visits, but it is better than nothing.

The jury is still out for A1.

The success to looking this good while holding a phone, is not holding the phone.

Lucky for us we took our Easter pictures a few weeks ago, before Daley Ranch was boarded up!

It is all about being ahead of the curve, while simultaneously flattening it.  

Oceanside Not So Wildflowers

There is something about days of rain, and weeks of quarantine, that really make you appreciate being outside in the sun.

I just had to get a glimpse of the ocean, even if just for a brief moment, before doing our Wrong Side of Coast Highway Walk.

This side of Coast Highway means we have blocks of insight about who is coming/who to avoid. 

The coast is clear.

They aren't wildflowers but at this point any piece of color emerging from any crack in the sidewalk is a breath of fresh air.

I know some people (a lot of people) just can't understand it, but I love this city.

Oceanside Now

Wish I was there too! 

So close but so far away. 

They closed the pier before they closed the beaches. Which means no more walking, running, swimming or surfing in Oceanside anymore.  

The pier has no fisherman. 

Restaurants are selling TP. 

And wine makers are making hand sanitizer. 

Times are a changing. 

So much for thinking I am going to spend the pandemic taking long walks on the sand! 

Oh well, we enjoyed it while it lasted.  

Popemobile on the San Luis Rey River Trail, Day 1

Today is day one of A1's new popemobile.  It has been too long since my bike's tires have left their tread on the San Luis Rey River Trail.  Way too long.  It feels so good to get out.  For so many reasons.  My favorite parts of the trail are going under the bridges.  I think going under Interstate 5 is the best.

We are back, baby!