Bye Bye San Diego

Much to our chagrin, our time in San Diego has come to end and we’re off to spend several day in Anza Borrego before traveling homeward, rain or shine. This year proved much warmer and sunnier than last which makes departing more difficult, especially when news from home tells of cold and foggy conditions. Our condo in San Diego was outstanding; spacious, modern, and overlooked the beach. Our senses became accustomed to the harmonious sound of breaking waves lapping the sinuous shoreline of Pacific Ocean. In hind sight, two weeks was not nearly enough time. Perhaps next winter, we’ll stay for a month. San Diego is definitely at the top of our list as a great winter retreat. The region has much to offer; a diverse culture through its people and a multitude of outdoor activities due to its location. Unlike the Los Angeles area, traveling east from the coast of San Diego, the region becomes hilly and mountainous immediately. Bye bye San Diego, see you next year! Click on the link below to view all my pictures in PICASA.

From Bye Bye San Diego

Birds of San Diego

Once a birder, always a birder. Click on picture below to view a slideshow.

From Birds of San Diego

Big Waves

Timing is everything! In San Diego, the timing of high tide and off shore wind generates bigger than normal waves closing the Ocean Beach Pier.

From Big Waves

Sun n Surf in San Diego

What a difference a day makes. Four hundred miles south and we are beyond the reach of the cold central valley fog and the gloom of winter. Sun and surf is what it's about here along the shores of Pacific Beach in San Diego.

From Sun n Surf: San Diego

Streets of Vietnam

Life on the streets of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

The Face of Vietnam

The face of a country is its people.

Burger and Brew

Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! To celebrate Kay's birthday, we lunched at the Burger and Brew in midtown near 15th and R streets. We had been hearing from friends who are aficionados of the American burgers that it was one of the better eateries in town. Now was as good a time as any to see for ourselves.

The ambience is casual with a self-ordering counter, noisy with an eclectic youthful energy, and rustic with its red brick walls. The styling is typical of old converted brick warehouses from our past and sparsely decorated with some interesting posters; otherwise it's more about function. Although it was an hour pass noon when we arrived, it was still very busy with nearly a full house and a longish line for ordering which wound through the seating. Though busy, service throughout our lunch was great and I moved through the line quickly. I do not normally have patience for lines and this was not even close to setting off my nerves. That's service for you! Our meals were served within a reasonable timeframe, tables were bused often and quickly, and we were even asked if all was well. So far so good!

So how's the burger? I had a plain no frills burger and Kay had hers with avocados. One was medium well while the other a medium and I did notice a slight difference in the meat. We both agreed that this is one of the better burgers in town. Nicely balanced appearance, great tasting meat and a good quality bun. For me, the bun is often the overlooked ingredient on an otherwise good burger. I won't say "best burger in town" only because there isn't such a standout for me. There are a number of good eateries where I partake in a good burger and this is one of them. Will I come back? You bet! The only downside to my lunch was the garlic fries, but that's a another hunt and a different story. Go with the curly fries.