In search of Fall weather

                                   

Last weekend we headed out of town in search of cooler weather.  We're desperate for cooler weather. Knowing that the next two years will feel like we're afloat in a sauna we're in dire need of cooling off before heading.  In a little more than an hour we were in Julian, renting a cheap cabin, stuffing our faces with pie, hiking and enjoying what others refer to as Fall.

In typical Nance style we hit up the local brewery for a quick try. Nickel Beer Brewery offers a wide array of tasty beers. We enjoyed everything from Pale Ales, to a creamy stout and somewhat enjoyed their Apple Pie Ale. However if you try their habanero beer, hold on to your hat. This "beer" will scorch your throat the entire way down to your rectum. 

The girls LOVED spying on the wild animals that freely walk through Julian.

Is it bad that watching giant wild turkeys roaming around the woods made us hungry for Thanksgiving dinner? 

We hiked the Stonewall Peak Trail which offers switchbacks for two miles then a straight ascent that last .2 miles to the top. 

Cutest little hiker.  Ever

It was a great view from the top and made the hike well worth the effort. Unfortunately, the view was also a stark reminder that Southern California is suffering a horrible drought for the third straight year. As far as the eye could see if looked like a tinder box.


As quick as we made to Julian is as quick as we made it home. Home to where the illusive pending boat project list, now made into sticky notes lives.  As cruisers come into our marina to get ready for the Baja-HA-HA, we've met some great people and other families.  The Baja-HA-HA is a rally that leaves in less than week from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas.  To date there's 171 boats all going down together, 9 of these boats are "family boats" (see Mom, we're not the only crazy people).  Some of these cruisers will just chill in Mexico and eventually make their way to La Paz or other various locations, others will join the Pacific Puddle Jump and cross the Pacific to Tahiti starting in late February.  This week there's plenty of Baja-HA-HA parties to attend including the one our marina is throwing.  Did someone say margaritas?? No we are not joining the Baja-HA-HA, but we sure are enjoying meeting other cruisers who are doing the rally, some of who we hope to meet up with again in Mexico.

We recently met Tom, Kelly and Sophie (a kid boat with a  little girl who turned 11 last week!) who are leaving on the rally. Tom shared with us the great idea of using sticky notes to post our never ending boat project list.  So there they are...post it notes stuck all over the boat. Yippie. Actually we're dwindling down to the "important stuff" and we've taken off some sticky notes, crumpled them up and said "screw it" while tossing the note over our shoulder. This little post it note game could go on for years if you let it.