We started the weekend by going out on the bay Saturday morning. Our neighbors, Bud and Mona, invited us to join them. Donna and Mona took stand-up paddleboards while Bud and I followed them in kayaks. We paddled out of De Anza Cove and entered the bay. We made our way around to Rose inlet where we pulled out after about an hour and walked back to the park. I wish I had pictures, but I was afraid to take a camera out on the water.

When we returned, Donna cooked a mushroom frittata for the four of us. We enjoyed our breakfast outdoors, under clear blue skies. The weather has been dominated by high pressure over the desert to the east. This creates airflow from east to west, what they locally call an offshore flow. The offshore flow keeps the marine moisture well out to sea. The skies remain clear along the coast.

Sometimes the high pressure over the desert can become extreme. When that happens, high winds blow over the coastal mountains and through the valleys to the coast. These high winds are called Santa Ana winds. They can become problematic as the air is very dry. The dry wind can quickly fan the flames of any fires and cause wildfires to spread.

So far, we’ve only had mild offshore flow, which creates very nice weather conditions. The offshore flow is forecast to continue for several more days. We should have temperatures in the 80s by Wednesday.

Around 11:30am, my daughter, Shauna, picked us up and we drove to Sun City to visit my step-dad. Along the way we stopped for lunch at Hana Sushi in Menifee. We gorged ourselves with sushi rolls (maki) and nigiri. While we were eating, my cell phone rang and the display showed “Restricted Call.”

This display piqued my curiosity. I stepped outside and took the call. It was a San Diego police officer. He told me they found our trailer abandoned in Kearny Mesa. I wasn’t expecting this at all. The trailer is in an impound yard now. I don’t know what condition it’s in.  I’ll talk to my insurance adjuster this morning and see what my next steps are.

We spent a couple of hours visiting my step-dad, Ken. We talked about having him come down to San Diego and spend Thanksgiving with us. We booked a room for him in Old Town for Thanksgiving night. I’ll bring him down here for a couple days.

Yesterday, I spent the day lazing around the coach and catching the NFL action. Close games in New York, Baltimore and Chicago. I didn’t fare well in the football pool. Inconsistent defense did the Chargers in as they lost to Denver.

While I watched the Chargers game, I sampled a couple of beers brewed in San Diego. San Diego is a hotbed for micro breweries. Yesterday, I drank India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer from Ballast Point Brewing. The first one is called Big Eye IPA. It is 7% ABV, and hopped with American Columbus and Centennial hops. The other IPA from Ballast Point is called Sculpin. This popular brew is made with undisclosed hops, is also 7% ABV and has a citrusy flavor. Both are good examples of the IPA style of beer.

Ballast Point IPAs

Today is Veterans Day. In honor of our country’s veterans, a trip up to the Mount Soledad Memorial may be in order. You can read about it here.

Mount Soledad, San Diego (file photo found on flickr)

Today I’ll cruise with Bud and do some shopping. He has a few things he needs to pick up and I’ll shop for new tools.