I'm runnin' so hot right now I could blow flames out my eyeballs. First, I blame the unrelenting west Texas wind. Does it ever stop? Then, I'm blaming a mysterious white pickup driving through the property. Then, the rattlesnake that came way too close to Teresa. And then, the gun shot that really put a hitch in my get-along.
I can't do anything about the never ending wind, but suffice it to say... It really chaps my fanny. It blows and blows and blows. As for the other stuff, here's what happened. By the end of it, I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or just go to bed.
A mysterious white pickup drove north through the property along our 'main street.' It happens all the time. Nosey Parkers drive through the ranch. We chase after them every time we see them. Sometimes, we catch 'em. Sometimes, we don't. The times when we do they usually say something like; "Just wanted to see what you had here."
We didn't find the white truck. So, we decided to check and make sure the gates we kept locked were indeed still locked. They were. So we returned to the pavilion and this is when my anger meter due to the wind escalated from DEFCON 3(ish) to DEFCON 5+.
We got out of the truck. Teresa headed for our kitchen. I was walking around the back of the truck. Then, "BILL!!!! OH NO!!!"
"There he is. See him?"
"What?"
"By the kitchen door!!!"
Wouldn't you know it, the absolute first time in about a year that we haven't told each other to 'watch for snakes,' there's a big rattler stretched out on the threshold into our kitchen.
"Get the gun!!"
"Okay, okay. Just stay there."
I get the 20-gauge and load up two shells. The snake at this point has turned around and is headed back toward a hole in the deck. But, he's still up against the kitchen wall.
I have a safe shot. I take it. But believe it or not.... I MISSED! How in the world do you miss a rattlesnake's head from less than 10-feet with a 20-gauge shotgun. I dunno, but I did.
Strangely, snakes don't zoom off when being shot at with a 20-gauge. They kind of dare you to try again all the while rattling like crazy.
This is the point of a gun safety story that would include something like... Always know what is behind your target. No, I didn't shoot Teresa.
The snake was slithering back into its hole. It's head was already out of sight, but I had a good shot at its fat body.
I took the shot and within seconds I knew I'd made matters not just a lot worse, but a likely very expensive a lot worse.
I did hit the snake, but I also hit the MAIN WATER LINE into the kitchen that was behind the snake.
Water began spewing everywhere. The snake, as you know if you've ever shot a rattler, just kept on rattling at me and moving more and more into its hole.
So now, I have either a dead or semi-dead four foot rattler in a hole and by the looks of it, he's only a matter of inches from the shot up water line that now needs professional repair.
I can't ask a plumber to work on the repair knowing full well there's a big dead or almost dead snake next to the work area. So now, we're called out a snake removal service to cut open the decking to get to that snake plus others that may be under the wood.
I blame it all on the wind and the mysterious pick up truck.
Bill Robertson
Love to Love Ya & Delivery is FREE!
Teresa and I just finished driving about 175-miles within the last 36-hours and we never left Snyder or Scurry county. In fact, we never ventured too far from College Avenue which is Snyder's main drag. You might say; We drive for LOVE!😘😘
This marks our second year helping to deliver Valentine's Day flowers for our friends Theresa and Rodney Dupree, who own and operate The Blossom Bucket in Snyder America.
Both years have been a little different, but each year has also had one thing in common and that is.... BUSY!!!! The volume of flowers going out is staggering.
Theresa & Rodney had two teams delivering the day BEFORE Valentine's and FIVE TEAMS delivering on the big day. Keep in mind that while we, the deliverers of LOVE are pulling up, packing up and driving off with our bounty of bouquets, "The Inside Squad" is working shoulder to shoulder creating arrangement, after arrangement, after arrangement!
It's not brain surgery delivering LOVE. In fact, it's usually a chance to knock on someone's door or visit them at work or wherever they are and they're actually happy to see you. I think the only few rules are: Don't wreck the van, Don't break the flowers or lose the balloons. And always, smile!
I gotta admit that sometimes the smiling is forced but probably not why you might think.
It's easy to smile when you're greeted with a smile. But I guess I'm surprised by how many who get flowers... just take 'em out of my hand without any emotion at all.
Sometimes, they look sad. So, the only thing I know to say is, "Aren't they pretty? I hope you enjoy them." Sometimes, they look at me like, "It's about time." All I can say then is, "Enjoy." And believe it or not, there have been times when the look I get is, "Is that it?"
There are a lot of things I want to say to that reaction but usually none apply to the sender. My reaction is more about the creators who put genuine time and effort into making something pretty for someone they probably don't know. So in these cases, I generally go with a smile and hopefully a mood changer like: "I watched Theresa make 'em. She thought you'd like 'em a lot." It's a lil' lie, but if I said what I really felt like saying, I'd probably get hit and The Blossom Bucket would take a hit, too.
The good news is that most of the times we're met with giggles and glee. The bad news is no matter how infrequent we get the other responses, it's still sad for everyone from creator to receiver.
Flower sales are big business at Valentine's Day, duh! I 'googled' it. Each year, about 110-millions roses are sold in the U.S. on February 14th. And, that's just February 14th!
We started delivering roses on February 13th and it's a very safe bet that Theresa and Rodney began arranging roses and more long before the anniversary of LOVE.
In fact, I pinned Rodney between the roses, the tulips and the chrysanthemums and asked, "What percentage of your business is Valentine's Day?"
Me: "Just a ballpark. How big is this day?"
Rod: "Umm, big. But we stay busy all year with lots of other events."
Me: "Okay. Can you give me a percentage? Is Valentine's Day the biggest day for y'all?"
Rod: "That and Mother's day. But this is big. Probably 8-10% of our business. Maybe a half months worth of business."
That's Rodney is the picture to the right. I thought I'd snap a quick pic while he was on the phone, but before I knew it he was off and moving.
I know the expression is; Off and running. But, Rodney doesn't run. Instead, he's continually moving. If he doesn't have a phone in his ear taking orders, he's writing down orders, or he's counting inventory, or for his deliverers' he's organizing our next outing.
Watching him reminds me of a traffic jam on the interstate. Of course, we want to go the speed limit of 70-or so. But if we keep moving at 25-40 mph we really feel like we're getting somewhere.
Rodney's not a drive the speed limit type of guy on these days we help deliver for them. He's more of a 'steady' kind of guy. The funny thing is.. He's not called 'Hot Rod Dupree' for nothin'. His passion is drag racing. You know, the big long snouted cars that go from 0-to-300 in less time than it takes to blink. Still on Valentine's Day and later on Mother's Day, Rodney's the pickup driver who had enough sense to get off the interstate and take the frontage road. Sure, he's not making great time but he's moving and moving ALWAYS means progress.
That's Theresa Dupree in the picture to the left. I don't know where to begin with Theresa.
The picture will tell the story if you take a good look. She's on the phone taking an order. Meantime, I count at least four arrangements that she's working on simultaneously.
Theresa's long time Snyder. She knows absolutely everyone. It's a blessing of a small town. Theresa has an uncanny ability to know who's ordering and for whom and to know what that recipient would like. It's really a tremendous peace of mind knowing that when you're handing off something as important as love to grief that Theresa knows what would make the recipient joyful.
Our conversations usually begins with Rodney and usually by text message...
Us: "Hey Rod. Would y'all put together or send something to so-in-so.?"
Rod: "Sure"
Us: "Our price range is ____. Please just ask Theresa to work her magic."
Rod: "👍"
Every time, Theresa puts together something that without fail ends with us receiving a phone call from the recipient saying a big thank you.
As usual, we had a great time delivering for The Blossom Bucket. It's a nice feeling delivering smiles. Thanks y'all.
If you'd like to see more of The Blossom Bucket please check out the following link.. https://www.facebook.com/Blossom-Bucket-1686775421545326/
Bill Robertson
(Great working with Dedra Driggers, Susan Scott, David & Denise Brown, Mrs. Ann Everett's team and Dana Munkres' team)
Dedra: Hold onto the BALLOONS!!!
 |
| The Blossom Bucket/Snyder, TX |
Both years have been a little different, but each year has also had one thing in common and that is.... BUSY!!!! The volume of flowers going out is staggering.
Theresa & Rodney had two teams delivering the day BEFORE Valentine's and FIVE TEAMS delivering on the big day. Keep in mind that while we, the deliverers of LOVE are pulling up, packing up and driving off with our bounty of bouquets, "The Inside Squad" is working shoulder to shoulder creating arrangement, after arrangement, after arrangement!
The Blossom Bucket/Snyder, TX
|
It's not brain surgery delivering LOVE. In fact, it's usually a chance to knock on someone's door or visit them at work or wherever they are and they're actually happy to see you. I think the only few rules are: Don't wreck the van, Don't break the flowers or lose the balloons. And always, smile!
I gotta admit that sometimes the smiling is forced but probably not why you might think.
It's easy to smile when you're greeted with a smile. But I guess I'm surprised by how many who get flowers... just take 'em out of my hand without any emotion at all.
Sometimes, they look sad. So, the only thing I know to say is, "Aren't they pretty? I hope you enjoy them." Sometimes, they look at me like, "It's about time." All I can say then is, "Enjoy." And believe it or not, there have been times when the look I get is, "Is that it?"
There are a lot of things I want to say to that reaction but usually none apply to the sender. My reaction is more about the creators who put genuine time and effort into making something pretty for someone they probably don't know. So in these cases, I generally go with a smile and hopefully a mood changer like: "I watched Theresa make 'em. She thought you'd like 'em a lot." It's a lil' lie, but if I said what I really felt like saying, I'd probably get hit and The Blossom Bucket would take a hit, too.
The good news is that most of the times we're met with giggles and glee. The bad news is no matter how infrequent we get the other responses, it's still sad for everyone from creator to receiver.
 |
| The Blossom Bucket/Snyder, TX |
Flower sales are big business at Valentine's Day, duh! I 'googled' it. Each year, about 110-millions roses are sold in the U.S. on February 14th. And, that's just February 14th!
We started delivering roses on February 13th and it's a very safe bet that Theresa and Rodney began arranging roses and more long before the anniversary of LOVE.
In fact, I pinned Rodney between the roses, the tulips and the chrysanthemums and asked, "What percentage of your business is Valentine's Day?"
Me: "Just a ballpark. How big is this day?"
Rod: "Umm, big. But we stay busy all year with lots of other events."
Me: "Okay. Can you give me a percentage? Is Valentine's Day the biggest day for y'all?"
Rod: "That and Mother's day. But this is big. Probably 8-10% of our business. Maybe a half months worth of business."
 |
| Hot Rod Dupree/The Blossom Bucket |
I know the expression is; Off and running. But, Rodney doesn't run. Instead, he's continually moving. If he doesn't have a phone in his ear taking orders, he's writing down orders, or he's counting inventory, or for his deliverers' he's organizing our next outing.
Watching him reminds me of a traffic jam on the interstate. Of course, we want to go the speed limit of 70-or so. But if we keep moving at 25-40 mph we really feel like we're getting somewhere.
Rodney's not a drive the speed limit type of guy on these days we help deliver for them. He's more of a 'steady' kind of guy. The funny thing is.. He's not called 'Hot Rod Dupree' for nothin'. His passion is drag racing. You know, the big long snouted cars that go from 0-to-300 in less time than it takes to blink. Still on Valentine's Day and later on Mother's Day, Rodney's the pickup driver who had enough sense to get off the interstate and take the frontage road. Sure, he's not making great time but he's moving and moving ALWAYS means progress.
 |
| Theresa Dupree/The Blossom Bucket |
That's Theresa Dupree in the picture to the left. I don't know where to begin with Theresa.
The picture will tell the story if you take a good look. She's on the phone taking an order. Meantime, I count at least four arrangements that she's working on simultaneously.
Theresa's long time Snyder. She knows absolutely everyone. It's a blessing of a small town. Theresa has an uncanny ability to know who's ordering and for whom and to know what that recipient would like. It's really a tremendous peace of mind knowing that when you're handing off something as important as love to grief that Theresa knows what would make the recipient joyful.
Our conversations usually begins with Rodney and usually by text message...
Us: "Hey Rod. Would y'all put together or send something to so-in-so.?"
Rod: "Sure"
Us: "Our price range is ____. Please just ask Theresa to work her magic."
Rod: "👍"
Every time, Theresa puts together something that without fail ends with us receiving a phone call from the recipient saying a big thank you.
As usual, we had a great time delivering for The Blossom Bucket. It's a nice feeling delivering smiles. Thanks y'all.
If you'd like to see more of The Blossom Bucket please check out the following link.. https://www.facebook.com/Blossom-Bucket-1686775421545326/
Bill Robertson
(Great working with Dedra Driggers, Susan Scott, David & Denise Brown, Mrs. Ann Everett's team and Dana Munkres' team)
Dedra: Hold onto the BALLOONS!!!
Herding Jackasses with Cat Food & Calling Hulk Hogan
Donkeys, Jackasses or Mules... We're not sure, but we had two unexpected long-eared equine visitors at the ranch.
The duo dubbed "Bonnie & Clyde" showed up while we were on our west coast adventure. Our neighbor, who happens to be the area's Game Warden, texted me. I've included the actual text.
The text is dated January 20th around 7:44pm. I think at that time we were doing anything, absolutely anything, but thinking about a conversation that would include animals, much less donkeys.
What do you do when your 1,444.6 miles from home and your neighbor texts you to ask if you have donkeys? Of course, you begin to wonder... what?!!!!!!!!!
I'll spare you another text stream, but suffice it to say our electronic conversation continued with our Game Warden neighbor. Ultimately, we found out that Bonnie & Clyde belong to another neighbor, who it so happens is a younger, less hulkier Hulk Hogan look-a-like. Business in front---Party in the back.
Wondering animals aren't that strange out here in west Texas. Bonnie and Clyde's appearance wouldn't be that unusual if they were cows or dogs, but they're donkeys. Who has stray donkeys?!
Apparently, Bonnie & Clyde went on a 'walk-a-bout.' First, they wondered onto our busy highway. Then, the Game Warden herded them to a third neighbor's property. Then, the donkeys either jumped our fence or squeezed through the wire to our property.
After that, it became a search for their owner and an effort to get them back home. The problem at the time was, everybody from the Game Warden to the donkeys' owner to our deer hunters said, "We can't find them."
Guess they weren't looking too hard because Teresa and I found Bonnie & Clyde. We drove to 'Josie's Tank.' A tank is a pond in west Texas. They came to us like puppies at dinner time.
T & I weren't prepared for such success, so quickly. We didn't know what to do. We drove off, but the Long-Eared couple followed. I had to speed up to out run them. It's not everyday that you come face to face with a couple friendly, curious donkeys.
It took us about 24-hours to re-group and re-plan our 'donkey removal plan.'
Here's what happened the next day. First, we addressed the 'cute issue.'
Teresa: "They're cute. I don't mind them. What harm are they doing if "Hulk" doesn't want them?"
Me: "I like 'em too. But let's see how they affect cows, deer, and other stuff"
If you know nothing else about Teresa you should know that she makes Colombo, Kojak and Castle look like amateurs. Within minutes, T googled... "Donkeys affect on ranch/farm livestock & wildlife."
Teresa found out that the bottom line is/was: Donkeys run off hogs and predators but don't really have a harmful affect on cows, horses or deer. The rub is, our deer lease friend, who pays a pretty penny, debated donkeys potential harmful affects on a property's deer population.
Me: "We don't need any donkeys. They could affect our deer population. We don't want to upset that relationship. Let's clean out the stock trailer, put 'em in it and haul 'em back to "Hulk. I'll tie 'em up to his front porch with a note that says... Hello human! We're home! We missed you."
Teresa: "No you won't! I bet they'll just follow us to the corrals. Really, get some cat food in a bag. Shake it. Drive slow and they'll follow us."
Me: "Uh... okay, but I'd rather leave 'em on Hulk's front porch."
I'll be danged if she wasn't right. We found Bonnie & Clyde. We clicked and cooed to get their attention. They immediately came to us.
I slowly drove west on the ranch. Teresa dangled the cat food out her passenger side window. Every now and again, she'd shake it to make that sound every animals knows as supper.... Shish, shish, shish.
Bonnie & Clyde walked, trotted and even lopped behind us. At one point, Bonnie or maybe it was Clyde, stopped. He or she put their nose in the dirt, dipped down and took a good hearty roll in the dust. Then, he or she got up and caught up with us.
I don't know how far it was that they followed us. But when we drove into our west corrals, all the while rattling cat food into the pen, Bonnie & Clyde followed. A stray heifer inside the pens gave us fits for a bit, but eventually Bonnie & Clyde were safely pinned with water and feed at their snouts.
Hulk the neighbor came for them and he even bladed our roads. So, we're down two donkeys but our roads are a lot smoother. Gotta love the country!
Bill Robertson
 |
| Bonnie or Clyde?/Windmill Ranch |
 |
| Do You Have Donkeys? |
The text is dated January 20th around 7:44pm. I think at that time we were doing anything, absolutely anything, but thinking about a conversation that would include animals, much less donkeys.
What do you do when your 1,444.6 miles from home and your neighbor texts you to ask if you have donkeys? Of course, you begin to wonder... what?!!!!!!!!!
I'll spare you another text stream, but suffice it to say our electronic conversation continued with our Game Warden neighbor. Ultimately, we found out that Bonnie & Clyde belong to another neighbor, who it so happens is a younger, less hulkier Hulk Hogan look-a-like. Business in front---Party in the back.
 |
| Here Donkey, Donkey/Windmill Ranch |
Apparently, Bonnie & Clyde went on a 'walk-a-bout.' First, they wondered onto our busy highway. Then, the Game Warden herded them to a third neighbor's property. Then, the donkeys either jumped our fence or squeezed through the wire to our property.
After that, it became a search for their owner and an effort to get them back home. The problem at the time was, everybody from the Game Warden to the donkeys' owner to our deer hunters said, "We can't find them."
 |
| They're They Are!/Near Josie's Tank, WRP |
T & I weren't prepared for such success, so quickly. We didn't know what to do. We drove off, but the Long-Eared couple followed. I had to speed up to out run them. It's not everyday that you come face to face with a couple friendly, curious donkeys.
It took us about 24-hours to re-group and re-plan our 'donkey removal plan.'
Here's what happened the next day. First, we addressed the 'cute issue.'
Teresa: "They're cute. I don't mind them. What harm are they doing if "Hulk" doesn't want them?"
Me: "I like 'em too. But let's see how they affect cows, deer, and other stuff"
If you know nothing else about Teresa you should know that she makes Colombo, Kojak and Castle look like amateurs. Within minutes, T googled... "Donkeys affect on ranch/farm livestock & wildlife."
Teresa found out that the bottom line is/was: Donkeys run off hogs and predators but don't really have a harmful affect on cows, horses or deer. The rub is, our deer lease friend, who pays a pretty penny, debated donkeys potential harmful affects on a property's deer population.
Me: "We don't need any donkeys. They could affect our deer population. We don't want to upset that relationship. Let's clean out the stock trailer, put 'em in it and haul 'em back to "Hulk. I'll tie 'em up to his front porch with a note that says... Hello human! We're home! We missed you."
Teresa: "No you won't! I bet they'll just follow us to the corrals. Really, get some cat food in a bag. Shake it. Drive slow and they'll follow us."
Me: "Uh... okay, but I'd rather leave 'em on Hulk's front porch."
 |
| C'mon Lil' Fella/WRP |
I'll be danged if she wasn't right. We found Bonnie & Clyde. We clicked and cooed to get their attention. They immediately came to us.
I slowly drove west on the ranch. Teresa dangled the cat food out her passenger side window. Every now and again, she'd shake it to make that sound every animals knows as supper.... Shish, shish, shish.
Bonnie & Clyde walked, trotted and even lopped behind us. At one point, Bonnie or maybe it was Clyde, stopped. He or she put their nose in the dirt, dipped down and took a good hearty roll in the dust. Then, he or she got up and caught up with us.
I don't know how far it was that they followed us. But when we drove into our west corrals, all the while rattling cat food into the pen, Bonnie & Clyde followed. A stray heifer inside the pens gave us fits for a bit, but eventually Bonnie & Clyde were safely pinned with water and feed at their snouts.
Hulk the neighbor came for them and he even bladed our roads. So, we're down two donkeys but our roads are a lot smoother. Gotta love the country!
Bill Robertson
Those Cali Missions are Gnarly Dude
A lot has happened in the last few days here in SoCal leaving little time to reflect and write about it. So with time to spare before the next train to who knows where, here are some opinions and observations from the last 72-96 hours.
I know as I've gotten older that I've taken more of shine to history stuff. Frankly, I didn't have anywhere to go but up considering I slept through most my high school history classes. But now as a 50+ guy, my interest in the past, in this case the way past, even surprises me.
Teresa and I first visited San Luis Rey Francia Mission in Oceanside. It's considered "The King of the Missions." By the way, there are 20-California missions.
Founded in 1798, did I say founded in 1798, what a walk and adventure back in time. The day we walked through the grounds we practically had San Luis Rey all to ourselves. Long story short: a Franciscan Monk named Padre Fermin Lasuen founded in the mission. Like the others, the Padre and other monks served and ministered to the native people.
Next, we caught the 2:59 Metrolink to San Juan Capistrano. San Luis Rey was founded in 1798. It's a child compared to San Juan founded in 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra.
Like the other missions, San Juan served and ministered to the native people. In this case, they were the Acjachemen tribe later called the Juanenos because of their life at San Juan.
That Padre Serra who founded the San Juan mission... The picture to the left is the chapel on the mission grounds named after the Padre, where he actually celebrated Mass. The giant, gold altar was brought over from Spain and added to the Serra Chapel after the 1812 earthquake that destroyed the original 1776(ish) Stone Church in the above photo.
Padre Serra established nine missions and converted about five thousand Native Americans. His personal motto was "Always Forward. Never Back." Padre Serra died in 1784.
The California Missions returned to the Mexican government in the 1800s. They sold the properties for practically a pittance. It was President Lincoln who signed a proclamation, only weeks before his death, returning all the missions back to the Catholic church.
Now to the things I'm pretty sure we wouldn't see anywhere else but SoCal.
The photo on the right is looking south in Encinitas. We found a pedestrian walk-way to the edge of the cliff and then down to the water. The coastline, at least what we've seen of it, ranges from mildly steep to severe drop-offs like in Encinitas and so many other places. One thing we found out, almost the hard way is, cars don't necessarily have the right-of-way.
Surfers and bikers are everywhere. We saw surfboards crammed into trucks, sticking out the back of SUVs, on top of cars even strapped to bicycles.
Another thing, surfers come in all shapes and sizes and surfers are riding the waves pretty much from sun up to "last light" as they call sunset out here.
By the way, a female surfer is called "Betty" and when a surfer's paddling out they do a "duck dive" when a big wave's about to crash down on them.
If you're reading this, I'd bet good money that there's not a lot of color outside your front door. But not here! Somebody didn't tell all the trees and flowers out here that January's not exactly a big player in any region's growing season.
The cactus flower to the right is everywhere here in SoCal. Before they wilt, they remind me of what a peacock looks like with all its feathers standing at attention.
Something else that's everywhere are the succulents. Homeowners have created vertical succulent gardens growing up their outside walls. One day on TV, the meteorologist gave a "succulent advisory" because so much rain was in the forecast. We bring in our pets and tender vegetation for extreme heat and cold. Out here, they bring in their succulents to avoid too much moisture.😊😏
Now to the stuff you'll see only in Cali...We'd heard about the drinking straw issues, but they're really not kidding out here.
You won't get a straw if you don't ask and in some cases people have personal straws they take with them from place to place.
The sign on the left is from a little French breakfast/lunch spot we found in Oceanside. If you're a coffee drinker who likes maybe a little cream, milk or sweetner, don't expect the usual, little plastic stirrer. This place offers dried pasta to stir your java.
Here's a good example of the many signs we didn't expect to see. "Park at Your Own Risk." The picture doesn't do it justice but that's a steep cliff.
The ocean's in the background. Teresa and I got out, read the sign and quickly got back into the car. We parked down the street all the while dodging surfers either skipping work or surfing during their lunch hour.
That's the thing about this area... There's little city after little city lined all up and down the coast. All of them are right on the water with houses built to the very edge. Sometimes, it's a shack. Sometimes, it's a mansion and cliff or no cliff life on the beach is apparently worth the risk and/or insurance.
And one more thing, we probably wouldn't see or in this case hear back in west Texas or probably anywhere else outside of Cali. I actually heard a waitress use the word 'gnarly' in a sentence. I've heard referenced many times but mostly as a joke. Not in this case. I think she said, "Dude, it was a gnarly somethingortheother."
Bill Robertson
 |
| San Luis Rey Mission/Oceanside, CA |
Teresa and I first visited San Luis Rey Francia Mission in Oceanside. It's considered "The King of the Missions." By the way, there are 20-California missions.
Founded in 1798, did I say founded in 1798, what a walk and adventure back in time. The day we walked through the grounds we practically had San Luis Rey all to ourselves. Long story short: a Franciscan Monk named Padre Fermin Lasuen founded in the mission. Like the others, the Padre and other monks served and ministered to the native people.
 |
| San Juan Capistrano Mission/San Juan Capistrano, CA |
Next, we caught the 2:59 Metrolink to San Juan Capistrano. San Luis Rey was founded in 1798. It's a child compared to San Juan founded in 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra.
Like the other missions, San Juan served and ministered to the native people. In this case, they were the Acjachemen tribe later called the Juanenos because of their life at San Juan.
 |
| Serra Church @ San Juan |
Padre Serra established nine missions and converted about five thousand Native Americans. His personal motto was "Always Forward. Never Back." Padre Serra died in 1784.
The California Missions returned to the Mexican government in the 1800s. They sold the properties for practically a pittance. It was President Lincoln who signed a proclamation, only weeks before his death, returning all the missions back to the Catholic church.
 |
| Encinitas, CA |
The photo on the right is looking south in Encinitas. We found a pedestrian walk-way to the edge of the cliff and then down to the water. The coastline, at least what we've seen of it, ranges from mildly steep to severe drop-offs like in Encinitas and so many other places. One thing we found out, almost the hard way is, cars don't necessarily have the right-of-way.
 |
| High Tide/Carlsbad, CA |
Another thing, surfers come in all shapes and sizes and surfers are riding the waves pretty much from sun up to "last light" as they call sunset out here.
By the way, a female surfer is called "Betty" and when a surfer's paddling out they do a "duck dive" when a big wave's about to crash down on them.
 |
| Winter Flora & Fauna/Oceanside |
If you're reading this, I'd bet good money that there's not a lot of color outside your front door. But not here! Somebody didn't tell all the trees and flowers out here that January's not exactly a big player in any region's growing season.
The cactus flower to the right is everywhere here in SoCal. Before they wilt, they remind me of what a peacock looks like with all its feathers standing at attention.
Something else that's everywhere are the succulents. Homeowners have created vertical succulent gardens growing up their outside walls. One day on TV, the meteorologist gave a "succulent advisory" because so much rain was in the forecast. We bring in our pets and tender vegetation for extreme heat and cold. Out here, they bring in their succulents to avoid too much moisture.😊😏
 |
| Only in Cali |
Now to the stuff you'll see only in Cali...We'd heard about the drinking straw issues, but they're really not kidding out here.
You won't get a straw if you don't ask and in some cases people have personal straws they take with them from place to place.
The sign on the left is from a little French breakfast/lunch spot we found in Oceanside. If you're a coffee drinker who likes maybe a little cream, milk or sweetner, don't expect the usual, little plastic stirrer. This place offers dried pasta to stir your java.
 |
| Watch Out Below |
The ocean's in the background. Teresa and I got out, read the sign and quickly got back into the car. We parked down the street all the while dodging surfers either skipping work or surfing during their lunch hour.
That's the thing about this area... There's little city after little city lined all up and down the coast. All of them are right on the water with houses built to the very edge. Sometimes, it's a shack. Sometimes, it's a mansion and cliff or no cliff life on the beach is apparently worth the risk and/or insurance.
And one more thing, we probably wouldn't see or in this case hear back in west Texas or probably anywhere else outside of Cali. I actually heard a waitress use the word 'gnarly' in a sentence. I've heard referenced many times but mostly as a joke. Not in this case. I think she said, "Dude, it was a gnarly somethingortheother."
Bill Robertson
Bill and Teresa's Excellent Adventure: 5) San Diego to The Top Gun House
The thing about writing a blog while traveling is; The good stuff happens so fast that many times my camera phone gets left in my pocket. I wish I could show a video of what happened today at Camp Pendleton.
We made a wrong turn and ended up at the camp's Del Mar gate. No biggie, I thought.
Me: "Hey marines! We'll ask for directions and be on our way."
Marine: "Sir?"
Me: "Hi. We're lost. How do we get on the 101 to get the San Juan Capistrano?"
Marine: "Sir. Give me your driver's license and turn around after the cones."
Me: "Oh, okay."
I got my license from another marine who was armed to the teeth and sped off. About that time, Teresa's added... "That just shows you how authentically stupid we are." My words don't do it justice. These guys weren't kidding. Scary!
All the above happened before I could even reach for my phone... probably a good thing considering the marine's arsenal. But the speed also applies to finally meeting up with Jack and Allison in San Diego, more specifically Pacific Beach.
We drove down instead of taking the train (almost a big mistake.) We went by their place which is perfect. It's just what it should be for a young couple beginning their adventure. I suppose at times, maybe many, they argue that bigger would be better. But if I could see the future, I'd bet a lot of money that they'll look back on their time in Pacific Beach as practically perfect in every way.
We spent our time with the young Robertsons visiting, eating and visiting. We ate street tacos at El Prez and listened to the surf off the patio. But before too long, T & I returned up "the 5" to Oceanside but not before the beach walk to end all beach walks.
We walked a long way on the beach. Then when it was time to get up to the main drag, the only option was the giant hill in the picture to the right.
If you can enlarge it, there's a fire hydrant. We walked to that first. Then, there's that big truck. We walked to that next. Then out of picture, on the left, is a stop sign. We called it quits at that point. It was a very big hill.
Our visit with Jack & Allison in San Diego included a lot more but nothing too extraordinary.. just fun. The real good stuff began when we all got back to Oceanside. T & I came home after the big hill and a late supper. Jack and Allison came up Saturday and stayed the night to watch the SAINTS defeat those pesky Eagles Sunday.
We had a great visit with the kids, as we call 'em even though they're in their mid-20s.
Anytime a parent gets time to eat, visit, walk and visit some more with their children is considered a good time. We did all the above in spades plus we watched the SAINTS dismantle the Eagles.
The pic on the left is the Graves House a.k.a. The Top Gun House. Graves was a doctor in the 1800s. Top Gun of course was a big movie. This is the house where Tom Cruise goes to dinner with Kelly McGinnis after his volleyball game with Val Kilmer. Remember? "5:00pm SHARP!!!"
The house is rundown and sits on a hotel renovation site. It was Jack and Allison's idea that the hotel should renovate it and maintain it as "The Top Gun Suite" for it's future guests. And why not? Renovate it... Charge a bundle! Folks around here pay $3.09 for gas, $11.95 for a ham omelet and $16 for half a dozen oysters. Why wouldn't they pay $500-$750 a night for a private bungalow? 😊
Coming up, sea lions, In n' Out, pasta for straws, the Japanese library & Junior Seau's house.
Bill Robertson
We made a wrong turn and ended up at the camp's Del Mar gate. No biggie, I thought.
Me: "Hey marines! We'll ask for directions and be on our way."
Marine: "Sir?"
Me: "Hi. We're lost. How do we get on the 101 to get the San Juan Capistrano?"
Marine: "Sir. Give me your driver's license and turn around after the cones."
Me: "Oh, okay."
I got my license from another marine who was armed to the teeth and sped off. About that time, Teresa's added... "That just shows you how authentically stupid we are." My words don't do it justice. These guys weren't kidding. Scary!
 |
| Jack's Place/Pacific Beach, CA |
We drove down instead of taking the train (almost a big mistake.) We went by their place which is perfect. It's just what it should be for a young couple beginning their adventure. I suppose at times, maybe many, they argue that bigger would be better. But if I could see the future, I'd bet a lot of money that they'll look back on their time in Pacific Beach as practically perfect in every way.
We spent our time with the young Robertsons visiting, eating and visiting. We ate street tacos at El Prez and listened to the surf off the patio. But before too long, T & I returned up "the 5" to Oceanside but not before the beach walk to end all beach walks.
 |
| Pacific Beach, CA |
We walked a long way on the beach. Then when it was time to get up to the main drag, the only option was the giant hill in the picture to the right.
If you can enlarge it, there's a fire hydrant. We walked to that first. Then, there's that big truck. We walked to that next. Then out of picture, on the left, is a stop sign. We called it quits at that point. It was a very big hill.
Our visit with Jack & Allison in San Diego included a lot more but nothing too extraordinary.. just fun. The real good stuff began when we all got back to Oceanside. T & I came home after the big hill and a late supper. Jack and Allison came up Saturday and stayed the night to watch the SAINTS defeat those pesky Eagles Sunday.
 |
| The Graves House a.k.a. The Top Gun House/Oceanside, CA |
We had a great visit with the kids, as we call 'em even though they're in their mid-20s.
Anytime a parent gets time to eat, visit, walk and visit some more with their children is considered a good time. We did all the above in spades plus we watched the SAINTS dismantle the Eagles.
The pic on the left is the Graves House a.k.a. The Top Gun House. Graves was a doctor in the 1800s. Top Gun of course was a big movie. This is the house where Tom Cruise goes to dinner with Kelly McGinnis after his volleyball game with Val Kilmer. Remember? "5:00pm SHARP!!!"
 |
| Swami's Café/Oceanside, CA |
The house is rundown and sits on a hotel renovation site. It was Jack and Allison's idea that the hotel should renovate it and maintain it as "The Top Gun Suite" for it's future guests. And why not? Renovate it... Charge a bundle! Folks around here pay $3.09 for gas, $11.95 for a ham omelet and $16 for half a dozen oysters. Why wouldn't they pay $500-$750 a night for a private bungalow? 😊
Coming up, sea lions, In n' Out, pasta for straws, the Japanese library & Junior Seau's house.
Bill Robertson
Bill and Teresa's Excellent Adventure: 4) Hello San Diego
It's not exactly around the corner, but the rigors of our three day, 1,116.3 mile drive to San Diego seemed like a piece of cake once we got our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.
Teresa visited the big ocean many years ago with her California family. I spent about 45-minutes on Huntington Beach a few years back when baby son Joe was involved in a high school program in Anaheim.
To use the west coast vernacular, we drove in on "The-8," merged onto "The 805" and then headed north on "The 5." I don't know why folks in the west put an article (the) before each highway number, but they do.
We quickly found out, whether it's I-5 or "The 5," we don't want any part of it. Apparently, the 75-mph speed limit is just a suggestion. Teresa drove a bit and it went like this....
Me: "How fast are you going?"
T: "85."
Me: "Slow down. The speed limit's 75."
T: "I don't care. They're gonna run over us if I go any slower!!"
Me: "Ok. You're a rule breaker."
T: "I am."
Call it Kismet, fate or just plain good luck but we couldn't have timed our arrival any better to our place in Oceanside which is about 20-miles north of San Diego.
See that pier? There's a pretty good café way down at the end. I have no idea how they get the food out to it, but they do. I wouldn't call their menu life changing, but a pretty decent burger and fries combined with the Pacific as far as the eye can see makes/made for a great first impression.
The icing on the cake for our arrival would come a few hours later just as the sun was setting. Turns out every Thursday, that's EVERY, SINGLE THURSDAY... The city hosts a morning farmers market and then a sunset market.
The night we arrived, an organizer told us they had 87-vendors that evening. He said in the summer when the crowds swell that the vendors easily increase to about 200.
Teresa and I grazed our way through the market last Thursday. We started with Paella. Then we sampled a chicken Puck. A puck is a perfectly round meat pie kind of food. After that, Teresa settled for Tempura Shrimp and I gave a Kenyan Beef with Coconut Rice and Blackeyed Peas dish a try.
The Kenyan food was a first. It really wasn't too bad, but I couldn't shake the coconut smell for about 48-hours.
I'm pretty sure we couldn't have asked for anything more for our first night in SoCal. We thought we'd wonder and people watch after our global-gastro experience but the road and miles caught up to us very quickly. We called it a very early night to greet another day.
Bill Robertson
 |
| Follow the Blue Line to the Beach |
Teresa visited the big ocean many years ago with her California family. I spent about 45-minutes on Huntington Beach a few years back when baby son Joe was involved in a high school program in Anaheim.
To use the west coast vernacular, we drove in on "The-8," merged onto "The 805" and then headed north on "The 5." I don't know why folks in the west put an article (the) before each highway number, but they do.
We quickly found out, whether it's I-5 or "The 5," we don't want any part of it. Apparently, the 75-mph speed limit is just a suggestion. Teresa drove a bit and it went like this....
Me: "How fast are you going?"
T: "85."
Me: "Slow down. The speed limit's 75."
T: "I don't care. They're gonna run over us if I go any slower!!"
Me: "Ok. You're a rule breaker."
T: "I am."
Call it Kismet, fate or just plain good luck but we couldn't have timed our arrival any better to our place in Oceanside which is about 20-miles north of San Diego.
 |
| Oceanside Pier/Oceanside, CA |
See that pier? There's a pretty good café way down at the end. I have no idea how they get the food out to it, but they do. I wouldn't call their menu life changing, but a pretty decent burger and fries combined with the Pacific as far as the eye can see makes/made for a great first impression.
The icing on the cake for our arrival would come a few hours later just as the sun was setting. Turns out every Thursday, that's EVERY, SINGLE THURSDAY... The city hosts a morning farmers market and then a sunset market.
 |
| Sunset Market/Oceanside, CA |
The night we arrived, an organizer told us they had 87-vendors that evening. He said in the summer when the crowds swell that the vendors easily increase to about 200.
Teresa and I grazed our way through the market last Thursday. We started with Paella. Then we sampled a chicken Puck. A puck is a perfectly round meat pie kind of food. After that, Teresa settled for Tempura Shrimp and I gave a Kenyan Beef with Coconut Rice and Blackeyed Peas dish a try.
The Kenyan food was a first. It really wasn't too bad, but I couldn't shake the coconut smell for about 48-hours.
I'm pretty sure we couldn't have asked for anything more for our first night in SoCal. We thought we'd wonder and people watch after our global-gastro experience but the road and miles caught up to us very quickly. We called it a very early night to greet another day.
Bill Robertson
Bill & Teresa's Excellent Adventure: 3) The 3:10 to Yuma
This blog title has nothing to do with the time we left for Yuma. It just seemed a fun way to give readers a ballpark idea of where were going next. For those who don't know, "The 3:10 to Yuma" was first a 1957 movie starring Glen Ford and later a 2007 re-make starring Russell Crow ("Gladiator") and Christian Bale ("Vice".)
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Before T & I ever left Tombstone we met a great couple from California.
We met Mischa and Jennifer Mayfield at our hotel in Tombstone. Before we knew it, we unintentionally met up with them again for supper at Tombstone's #1 restaurant Big Nose Kate's Saloon. On a side note, Tombstone really needs to ramp up its food game, especially if Big Nose's place is #1... Whew, not too good.
Bottom line is Mischa works/worked as a locomotive mechanic. Jennifer works/worked for Hewlett Packard. Needless to say, we enjoyed our visit A LOT MORE than our food. I asked important questions like "What happened to the caboose" and "If an engine is going backwards, is it still pushing or pulling the train?" The answers are, the caboose is still exists but not as necessary as engineers now have restrooms inside the big engines and yes... an engine going forward or backwards is still pushing or pulling the train. We both left Tombstone the next day. They went north. We went west.
I'll get to our absolutely spectacular dinner experience in a paragraph or two. But first, the drive to Yuma is/was BRUTAL.
Driving out of Tombstone is actually quite pretty thanks to the Saguaro National Park. The cacti are truly phenomenal. Check out https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm.
But after that... oh my. We had to cross a mountain range that included signs like: 'Turn off A/C so not to overheat.' If that wasn't enough they had 'Radiator water barrels' about every two or three miles. Once we were on the other side and made a pit stop, we were very grateful we didn't need gas.
Yep, you're seeing right. Cheap gas somewhere in the Sonoran Desert was $4.19 per gallon. Thank goodness, all we wanted was a restroom and some bottled water!
Once we were out of the desert and cruising west toward Yuma the scene changed from rugged and rocky to flat, green and purple. We didn't know what we were seeing. Simultaneously, we kept seeing big white buses. All of them were hauling two porta-potties.
First, we figured out the green and purple. Then, we passed close enough to a bus to read the small print.
The green and purple were different kinds of leafy greens/vegetables. LETTUCE!! Teresa googled the area. Turns out, the Yuma valley produces 95% of the leafy vegetables we eat in the winter.
The sign on the side of the white buses read: "Field Workers Transport." The buses were used to haul workers to and from the many, many produce fields.
Now to that surprisingly great dinner and a movie in historic downtown Yuma. We walked to a place called Da' Boyz, an Italian place in the historic district which runs as perpendicular as it can from the winding Colorado river.
There's a restaurant expression that goes: Everybody eats first with their eyes. The cliche' is, 'My eyes were bigger than my stomach.' We definitely ate first with our eyes, but not in the over-stuffed kind of way.
But first, our drinks. It's so nice to have choices. Teresa ordered a white wine. The house was C.K. Mondavi. We'd never heard of it. Unfortunately now, we can't find it. It was crisp and so mild. There was absolutely no hint of that twangy after taste. I told the waiter that I'd like a draft beer.
Me: "I'm a pilsner guy preferably with a low ABV (Alcohol by Volume.)"
Waiter: "Sir, we have 21-beers on tap."
Me: "Ok, just pick one that you think I'll like."
I have no idea what beer I had but cold, creamy and light like water would be a good description.
Now to eating with our eyes. We watched table after table gets these big salad bowls. Each one came with multiple plates and big tongs.
Us: "What's that?"
Waiter: "Oh, that's our house garden salad. That's the small."
Us: "That's the small?!!! We'll take one, please."
Talk about plain and perfect! I think it was $6.99 but enough crunchy iceberg mixed with shaved carrots and pepperocinis for at least five, much less just the two of us. My bleu cheese dressing was thick enough to spread.
Next, absolutely perfect lasagna. I have no idea how they made this plain dish so perfect but they did. It was the kind of lasagna that after eating all the big stuff... pinches of the fresh bread were in order to swab up any sauce. The morsels of beef and sausage had that taste that had us wanting more, but completely satisfied.
Yuma, Arizona... who knew? Great Italian food. Combine the food, the service, the portions, the price with our seats on the patio and Da' Boyz gets a minimum of two thumbs up!
We decided to stop at the downtown movie-plex for a flick after our feast. We saw Clint Eastwood's new one, "The Mule." Sorry, but I can't enthusiastically recommend it. I'd watch it again for free, but I wouldn't pay for it.
Next stop, Oceanside California. SoCal! Jack & Allison, surfers, sand, sea lions and a really good bakery.
Bill Robertson
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Before T & I ever left Tombstone we met a great couple from California.
 |
| Mischa & Jennifer Mayfield |
Bottom line is Mischa works/worked as a locomotive mechanic. Jennifer works/worked for Hewlett Packard. Needless to say, we enjoyed our visit A LOT MORE than our food. I asked important questions like "What happened to the caboose" and "If an engine is going backwards, is it still pushing or pulling the train?" The answers are, the caboose is still exists but not as necessary as engineers now have restrooms inside the big engines and yes... an engine going forward or backwards is still pushing or pulling the train. We both left Tombstone the next day. They went north. We went west.
 |
| Da' Boyz/Yuma, AZ |
I'll get to our absolutely spectacular dinner experience in a paragraph or two. But first, the drive to Yuma is/was BRUTAL.
Driving out of Tombstone is actually quite pretty thanks to the Saguaro National Park. The cacti are truly phenomenal. Check out https://www.nps.gov/sagu/index.htm.
But after that... oh my. We had to cross a mountain range that included signs like: 'Turn off A/C so not to overheat.' If that wasn't enough they had 'Radiator water barrels' about every two or three miles. Once we were on the other side and made a pit stop, we were very grateful we didn't need gas.
 |
| Gas in the Sonoran Desert |
Yep, you're seeing right. Cheap gas somewhere in the Sonoran Desert was $4.19 per gallon. Thank goodness, all we wanted was a restroom and some bottled water!
Once we were out of the desert and cruising west toward Yuma the scene changed from rugged and rocky to flat, green and purple. We didn't know what we were seeing. Simultaneously, we kept seeing big white buses. All of them were hauling two porta-potties.
First, we figured out the green and purple. Then, we passed close enough to a bus to read the small print.
The green and purple were different kinds of leafy greens/vegetables. LETTUCE!! Teresa googled the area. Turns out, the Yuma valley produces 95% of the leafy vegetables we eat in the winter.
The sign on the side of the white buses read: "Field Workers Transport." The buses were used to haul workers to and from the many, many produce fields.
Now to that surprisingly great dinner and a movie in historic downtown Yuma. We walked to a place called Da' Boyz, an Italian place in the historic district which runs as perpendicular as it can from the winding Colorado river.
There's a restaurant expression that goes: Everybody eats first with their eyes. The cliche' is, 'My eyes were bigger than my stomach.' We definitely ate first with our eyes, but not in the over-stuffed kind of way.
But first, our drinks. It's so nice to have choices. Teresa ordered a white wine. The house was C.K. Mondavi. We'd never heard of it. Unfortunately now, we can't find it. It was crisp and so mild. There was absolutely no hint of that twangy after taste. I told the waiter that I'd like a draft beer.
Me: "I'm a pilsner guy preferably with a low ABV (Alcohol by Volume.)"
Waiter: "Sir, we have 21-beers on tap."
Me: "Ok, just pick one that you think I'll like."
I have no idea what beer I had but cold, creamy and light like water would be a good description.
Now to eating with our eyes. We watched table after table gets these big salad bowls. Each one came with multiple plates and big tongs.
Us: "What's that?"
Waiter: "Oh, that's our house garden salad. That's the small."
Us: "That's the small?!!! We'll take one, please."
Talk about plain and perfect! I think it was $6.99 but enough crunchy iceberg mixed with shaved carrots and pepperocinis for at least five, much less just the two of us. My bleu cheese dressing was thick enough to spread.
Next, absolutely perfect lasagna. I have no idea how they made this plain dish so perfect but they did. It was the kind of lasagna that after eating all the big stuff... pinches of the fresh bread were in order to swab up any sauce. The morsels of beef and sausage had that taste that had us wanting more, but completely satisfied.
Yuma, Arizona... who knew? Great Italian food. Combine the food, the service, the portions, the price with our seats on the patio and Da' Boyz gets a minimum of two thumbs up!
We decided to stop at the downtown movie-plex for a flick after our feast. We saw Clint Eastwood's new one, "The Mule." Sorry, but I can't enthusiastically recommend it. I'd watch it again for free, but I wouldn't pay for it.
Next stop, Oceanside California. SoCal! Jack & Allison, surfers, sand, sea lions and a really good bakery.
Bill Robertson
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