USA Adventure - Fall '24

Well we have seen and heard a lot about the weather in the US, they are obsessed by it and I love Fox weather!  After having to change plans to fly to Tampa, Florida, because of Hurricane Milton (Gulf of Mexico is the hottest on record and with Hurricane Helene has proved a devastating year) and the predicted storm surge problems for Chris' colleagues, we flew instead to San Diego for 3 weeks in California. We arrived in Temecula to 35 degree dry heat, then moved to Oceanside to a lovely 21-24 degrees once the morning fog had burned away. We had mist descend during the day on our visit to Laguna Beach, which gave the place an unsettling, eerie feel before the sun came out again. The biggest change was the flight east to Oklahoma City, where the forecast was for thunderstorms, torrential rain, flooding and the odd Tornado. I was slightly worried as we were flying on a small Bombardier jet but we managed to get a gap in the weather for landing and the lady Captain gave us a fairly sm...

Chris and I felt very connected to our former military life in San Diego County. From our Oceanside balcony, we watched a US Navy vessel on exercise with Viper and Venom helicopters and Ospreys from nearby Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. Chris flew with their helicopter Squadron in Gulf War 2 and the base is one of the largest marine training camps in the US. Watch Netflix film 'Purple Heart' if you want to see more and Oceanside (love story between a Marine and a singer that Annie told us about). Chris's company is staffed by former military personnel (from a 3-Star General downwards) and others still serve at nearby March Air Reserve Base. He is still surprised at being 'thanked for his service' over here, as in a 25-year career in the RAF, often on the front line, it didn't happen much! Veterans are revered here; even contemporary servicemen and women have their photos displayed in the park outside City Hall, Old Temecula. Veterans also have priority...

Needing a fix of plants and gardens, I encouraged Chris to head north towards Dana Point (whale and dolphin capital) and Laguna Beach (gorgeous clifftop gardens) for an aquarium visit, spot of Sunday lunch and Niguel Botanical Preserve. The aquarium was a research centre and we got to touch a horned shark, stingray, rays and sea stars This featured Mediterranean plants and others from hot climates like South Africa which could be grown sustainably in Californian gardens, with the aim of attracting pollinators like hummingbirds as well as the usual bees and butterflies. Monty Don would have been in his element, but like me, he wouldn't have been keen on preserving the Rattlesnakes. The best time to visit this area is in spring after rain  when there is a lot of colour, and not autumn when many plants die back to sustain themselves after near drought conditions over the summer. Still, I found beauty in their form and tone. Later that week I headed to San Diego Botanical Gardens ...

Our Fallbrook Airbnb was a lovely, bijou Casita with a west-facing balcony yielding amazing views and sunsets. It was located in the grounds of a beautifully decorated hilltop house owned by Kathy and Ron, who proved to be extraordinary hosts. Kathy asked if I'd walk with her to Guajome Regional Park and another morning to Santa Margarita River Trail Preserve. This special place is one of the last free-flowing wild rivers in Southern California, and part of the South Coast Ecoregion, a global diversity hotspot but with many species under threat. The A-board when we arrived listed an incredible range of species sitings including a mountain lion and I was slightly concerned about the amount of snakes, but in the end I only saw a duck and a rabbit! As well as a love of wildlife and walking, Chris and I discovered that we shared a love of wine with our hosts. In fact, Ron had an extensive wine cellar and accompanying knowledge, and after drinks one night, Kathy confirmed we were h...

The photos describe La Jolla better than words. We ate at a popular Mexican fish market; I had fresh fish Tacos and cabbage slaw and Chris a grilled calamari steak and salad, washed down with a bottle of Mexican Pacifico. 25 degrees and bright sunshine; a lovely way to spend a Sunday. On a serious note, the area where we parked was dominated by many buildings of the  Scripps Institution for Oceanography. It has been at the forefront of oceanographic developments, one of the earliest identifiers of climate change, including a former student who died in 2019 aged 101 years,  Walter Munk, who as an ocean expert helped plan the timing of D-Day. It also owns Birch Aquarium which we'd like to visit if we have time.

On a walk around the expansive Oceanside Marina one day, I saw a large raft covered in Sea Lions. They were also lying on the boat pontoons with signs to keep away as they were dangerous. Their bark is similar to a dog's and one little poodle walking past was obviously confused! Pods of dolphins would swim parallel to the surfers at Oceanside, in deeper water. Chris and I did a fantastic 5 mile walk or trail linking the beaches, coves and cliffs of La Jolla, the 'jewel' of San Diego, located 30 miles south of Oceanside. It is close to Miramar, once home of TOPGUN (now in Fallon, Nevada) and several celebrities including Alicia Keys. It is a beautiful coast and a huge Marine Protected Area and from the cliffs we saw seals, sea lions, pelicans (very smelly) and cormorants. On Saturday we had a BBQ with the retired General Ty and his wife Leah in their lovely home, near Bonsall, in the heart of avocado country (in fact they have 30 trees in their garden and we are still eating...