This year, last Friday actually, I attained the status of septuagenarian. To “celebrate” that “achievement,” my daughters, son, and son-in-law joined me in SoCal. (Not so far a trip for Dillon, as he lives in Oceanside.)
(Thanks to sister Annie [Aunty to the rest] for underwriting most of the travel expenses.)
As the two granddaughters remained back in New Hampshire for the short (Wed-Sun) visit, this was an adult excursion. Instead of Disneyland, the Zoo, etc., we concentrated on what makes San Diego famous — craft beer.
Thursday, the beer drinkers (i.e., sans Julia) did a mini-brewpub crawl. We started at Bagby Beer in Oceanside, trying two rounds of four tasters. Here Meredith is savoring one.
We then moved on to Belching Beaver in Vista for the same. We finished up at Mother Earth in Vista, literally a thrown-beer-bottle distance from Belching Beaver.
Belching Beaver was the newest and most advanced, with the most beers — 66 on tap. We tried two rounds of tasters. I really liked Viva la Beaver, a chocolate stout using Mexican chocolate. Then again, while I liked the taste it was not as beer. I can’t imagine drinking a whole pint. Here are a couple of pictures from Belching Beaver.
Friday started with brunch at Beach Break Cafe in Oceanside, our favorite breakfast/brunch spot in North San Diego. Three of the four ordered the great corned beef hash and Julia had banana crunch french toast(!).
Beach Break is right on the Pacific Coast Highway, a couple of blocks from the Pacific.
In addition to the beach location, the cafe is essentially decorated with surfboards, many hanging from ceiling, etc. And the mural in the men’s room is pretty cool.
Hit the Marine Corps Exchange and Commissary at Camp Pendleton on the way home. Winter wanted the special high-and-tight haircut only trained Marine barbers can give and we needed some veggies.
After relaxing just a bit on the deck,
we cooked dinner — ham (also from Annie/Aunty)(spiced with Jack Daniels horseradish mustard), garlic mash, and asparagus, with great beer (Stone IPA in the green can) and Hafner “Next Red” wine.
I attended a meeting of the Anza-Borrego Foundation board via computer Saturday morning, and then we headed to Las Brisas, my favorite taqueria, for lunch — tacos, quesadillas, etc.
On our way down to San Diego for a BC hockey gamewatch in late afternoon, we headed a bit southeast to Alpine, Calif., home of Alpine Beer Co. I often enjoy Alpine Duet IPA at our gamewatches. I had Alpine Nelson on my only other visit to the brewery a couple of years ago and have been puzzled at how difficult it is to find, even around here. I learned at Alpine that it is only available for growlers and on tap. More reason to take new and returning visitors to Alpine.
We joined Brian and Lissa Tsu, and 5-year-old Margot at the gamewatch. Their company was certainly more enjoyable than the 4-3 BC loss to North Dakota.
It was a short, but very enjoyable visit, at least for me. I guess if I had to turn 70, this was one of the best ways to do it. 🙂