entries & exits
San Diego: entries and exits.
Not sure where we last left off but here's (MY) perspective on landing in San Diego from 2 months in the desert.
Desert Hot Springs. When we arrived here coming from Joshua Tree, just northeast, we were hit with the sight of the largest mountain to date as we made our way west. It was just there, smack in front of us as we made our way over a pass. Before us was, in effect, a huge bowl. Mountains all around, to the east side of the bowl was Desert Hot Springs, and about 20 miles to the west, nestled, literally, against the Eastern slope of Mount San Jacentos, was Palm Springs. Palm Springs! I knew Nothing of Palm Springs but I envisioned multi-million dollar houses and Ferraris everywhere. Movie stars running around in sun glasses.. Mm.. Not so much. While buying a battery at O'reilly Auto I learned that desert hot springs, in the summer, has an average temperature of 115 or something ridiculous. And, across the bowl, in Palm Springs, it isn't much better. So, here in January, with temps in the mid 70's we were livin the dream. I can't imagine being trapped here in August. The odd thing to me is that this whole area is about 2 hours from Anywhere. In order to get to San Diego you have to cross the a host of mountain passes and drive another 2 hours to water. To the east, NOTHING until you hit the Arizona border and run into the Colorado river. So, aside from a whole lot of golf courses, a million (Mostly planted) palm trees and a strip of stupendously expensive stores and coffee shops, Palm Springs is really an oasis town in the middle of the desert. What to people do here??? I didn't see much for economy other other than maintenance on hundreds and hundreds of wind turbines or service jobs catering to retirees. I will say the mountains are stunning. Period. The view from this town will knock your socks off. If you don't like hiking, heat, or are lacking substantial retirement money in the bank I can't think of any reason to live here. That being said, Yup, go ahead and give Palm Springs a visit. Its beautiful.
Exits: OK, Palm Springs is still Desert everyone. Yes, they do their best to disguise this by pumping massive amounts of water onto their golf courses. But, do not be swayed. Desert. Yes, desert. NOT tropical paradise. Desert. OK.
The hunt for Green. Upon leaving the punch bowl we were really on a quest to hit San Diego and the Pacific. We could have headed strait west to end up in LA, but that wasn't what we were looking for as our first experience of ocean life. So, we went south, taking the long way. We ended up boondocking out in the desert a bit before taking the 'big drive' over the mountains to see what wonders awaited us on the west. We made our climb from Borrego Springs up into the mountains. Pretty much awesome and terrifying switchbacks while pulling our 8000lb camper. But, all went well as we landed at the top of the range. And.. Nearly instant trees and grass. Boom. Made it. See-ya desert, it was fun.
Another hour of driving west on the topside of the range landed us in Ramona. (still about an hours drive to San Diego) What we learned here while camping for the week: People commute the hour into San Diego regularly from this suburb. Ouch. A decent sized house in a nice neighborhood runs you over 500k. Minimum. Don't even think of buying a home further in at a lesser cost. Ramona, and EVERYTHING going west is stunning. Hills/mountains all the way to the sea. The great state of California knows how amazing it is and charges you for everything. Campsites: $$$$$. Campsites without water or electricity or sewer hookups? $$$. Want to switch to a different site at the county park because you want to be closer to the bathroom? Surcharge. Yes, we literally had the park to ourselves. They still charged us to move spots. The showers in San Diego parks cost money even AFTER you've paid to camp there. Bring your quarters. Pet? Surcharge. Tollroads. Yep. Whip out your debit card.
OK. San Diego. Ben's impressions. Its big. Its congested, its mind numbingly expensive, the roads were so horrible my cat unleashed her bowels in inappropriate places while traveling. (sad, Scrambler got lots of love after that days horrible drive.) Our first trip to the Pacific and we were greeted with this sign. (insert pic here Kristin).
Apparently a few weeks back there was a massive sewage leak in Tijuana a few miles downstream. For days raw sewage had poured into the ocean, polluting the beach for miles. Mm.. the first time my kids touched the Pacific they, unknowingly were wading in septic water. Super. That night we bathed them thoroughly. Fast forward a few days and we are camping on Mission Bay, a stone throw from Sea World as well as the Pacific. (Note: NORTH of the sewage spill zone.) We were on the bay side, and as the tide went out all of Mission Bay turned into a mud bog around the edge. Not so pretty when the waves don't wash the beach clean every 12 hours. The bay wasn't at all what we expected. Dirty and stagnant. But, a 10 minute drive to the ocean and WHOA. Jackpot!
If you hadn't noticed I haven't painted such a great first impression of San Diego. Kristin and I actually had a hard time when we first arrived. But, we loved the place by the time we left. Not just San Diego, being on a hill, but the whole coastline. The ocean is beautiful and endless and inspiring. The boardwalk and all the condos, bars and timeshares along it ROCK. It is what you see on TV. Beach bodies rollerblading and laid back cruiser bikes rule the strip. Even in February. I don't think Baywatch was ever filmed in San Diego(?) but that about sums it up visually. With all this amazing natural beauty its hard not to like the place. San Diego is huge, with all the problems of any major city. It just happens to be in a stellar location. We'd been unplugged and alone in the desert for 2 months and coming into such a big city was culture shock. There wasn't anything wrong with San Diego, we'd just forgotten what it was like to be in the 'real world' again. Yes, San Diego is a swarming mess of humanity and asphalt. But it's also one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Do I ever want to live in San Diego? Nope. But I do have a feeling I'll be back someday. Not too many places carry that call.
BG.
