Technically I (Elisabeth) should not travel until I visit with my doctor in Montana next week. But, after that horrible week in bed, we decided to take advantage of Chris's four days off and find some sun and warmth. We knew San Diego would be the best choice to go on a travel trial run. I always thrive in San Diego and this trip did not disappoint! Plus - we wanted to go and do something exciting to celebrate being married for six months, me being home for a month and improving, and just to celebrate the victories we have been achieving.
Our flight went very well and it was really short...I have a feeling we will be making this trip often. We arrived before 11 am and were excited to have the whole day before us. After our rental car place's shuttle was not working - we took a taxi to get our car. Our taxi driver was not the jolliest man ever and he almost did not get paid! What a grump! But we got our car and we were off exploring the harbor before we knew it.
First stop was showing Chris around the harbor and a drive downtown. We ate our picnic lunch along the water right next to the USS Midway and the Bob Hope Memorial. We rested in the sun and soaked it all up. We started out bundled up in Salt Lake City...and found ourselves (tastefully and discreetly) stripping off layers of clothing. AH! The warmth was amazing!!!!
We walked along the water and explored the many options of things to do down by the waterfront. We then made our way to my beloved Aunt's house and spent the rest of the day visiting, resting, and eating a feast with family.
The next day we planned to wander about and find things to do. Our list is huge - things I really want to show and experience with Chris, new things to see together and so on. It's impossible to do everything in one day, so we will just have to go back!
We decided to visit the Maritime Museum on the waterfront and explore the many ships and boats that they have on display. We spent almost 4 hours there and only once did I feel the need to sit and rest. A victory!!!
We explored the following....
The 1904 "Madea", a gentleman's steam yacht. It was very elegant!
Of course we had to take some obligatory photographs...
Then we explored the 1898 "Berkeley", a steam ferryboat that operated on the San Francisco Bay.
The upper deck was a dream!
I snapped this picture while on top of the 1974 B-39 Soviet Navy Submarine. Not for the claustrophobic or anyone who has a phobia of rusty iron and Soviet workmanship. But, it was still pretty cool. This particular sub shares the harbor with some of the ships she once hunted.
We also toured the "Dolphin", a 1968 U.S. Navy submarine. She holds a record of reaching extreme depths that are still classified.
And...my favorite... the 1863 "Star of India". She is the "oldest active merchant sailing ship in the world". One of the first sailing ships with an iron hull. The "Star of India" has been around the world and served many historic purposes. I can't believe I did not take a picture of her!!!
Then, we took a bay cruise and tour in the museum's 1914 Pilot boat. We cruised around the harbor and saw the USS Ronald Reagan (nuclear aircraft carrier) over on the Navy's side. It is being fixed up and getting ready for it's next tour. We turned back when we were close to the Coronado bridge. Our guide did a great job and told us lots of history of the Navy airfield on North Island (circa 1911), the Navy base and fleet, Coronado, and the San Diego Harbor. We also enjoyed (the always) fun sight of a few dolphins in the harbor and a sea lion bathing in the sun.
We had such a wonderful time on the waterfront, it was difficult to leave! But, we wanted lunch and our next stop was calling!
Coronado was our next stop! We drove down to the beach where the Navy airfield runway lights are. One of my favorite spots (thanks to my cousin taking me there a few years ago.) We ate our lunch on the beach and dipped our toes in the ocean. It was difficult to remember it is only January. People were playing in the water and on the beach. It was not "hot" but warm enough to feel confused about what month it is! (This is coming from an East Coaster when it's normally freezing and snowing in January)
The number one reason I wanted Chris to see this spot was because of being able to get really close to the Navy planes coming and going. BUT - not a single plane came or went! Huge bummer! But, we still had a great view of Point Loma (on the list for next time) and the Hotel de Coronado (also on the list and on my bucket list to stay there.)
The sun and warmth of San Diego is truly magical and we loved our visit there. We had to head home on Tuesday, but hope to visit again really soon.
We were not able to get on the first flight home, so we spent several hours exploring the newly renovated Terminal 2. We met two other couples and chatted with them for a bit. One of the couples thought we were LDS and seemed disappointed that we were not. We get that a lot - we both look younger than we are, married "young", and live in SLC - so many people assume we are LDS. Nope - it was Salt Lake City or Fresno....it was a given which one we would want. ;-P
We took off just in time to catch a beautiful sunset over the (cloudy) ocean. Turned to the east and then north...and back home.
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