Summer Road Trip 2014 // 2nd Stop: San Diego California

I'm blogging while still on vacation. I decided to do this because I knew I would be taking lots of pictures and I wanted to blog about each day while everything is still fresh in my mind ... for my sake.

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Back on the road. This time we're headed to San Diego. We were on the road by 7:00 am ... a bit later than our usual morning travel time which is typically around 5:30 am or 6:00 am the latest. We know this freeway all too well. Here we go ... seven hours of mostly hot dry desert.

We stopped somewhere about 45 minutes into our road trip to get something very important. I needed my morning McDonald's coffee! Jacob saw a pistol and rifle play set and got it for Riley. Best $2 ever spent. It kept Riley entertained for a while. Shooting at dust funnels, clouds and cell phone towers, pretending they were witches, monsters and dinosaurs, lol.

There wasn't much traffic until we reached the mountains. There was some road construction going on and only one lane was open and the worst part was that we were going uphill. Great! Wasting more gas. Oh, by the way and just because I feel like mentioning that the cheapest gas we saw in Tucson was $3.28. Nice.

So while we waited behind a long line of cars, RV's and semi's, Riley was busy playing a game on Nathan's iPad that had both Sydna and Nathan also excited about. Good thing that we were only stuck in this for about ten minutes.

Once we start descending the California mountains we get super excited. It's just about a thirty minute drive to San Diego and cooler weather {or so we thought}.

We arrived in San Diego at 2:15 pm. We made pretty good time.
Our first stop was to Ocean Beach for a Hodad's burger. This is THE best place to eat a burger when you're in San Diego. Of course, one has to sacrifice standing in line and sometimes the line can get pretty long. But when you're passionate about good food waiting in line is so worth it. So ... Don't be a square!
According to the time stamp on my pictures we only waited about fifteen minutes. Not bad at all.

We met up with my sister but I had texted her asking if my mom could make Riley a couple of bean burritos since he doesn't eat burgers. So that's what my kid was eating while we all ate burgers and fries. I wonder if people think we're being cheap for not buying him a meal, lol.

Jacob and I split a vanilla shake. Why? Because they only have one size, large and a large is too much for one person so we split it plus Jacob likes malt in his. I don't like that malt flavor so I got mine OG vanilla. And guess who drank most of it? Yep, Riley ... so not fair!

Even after ordering a small burger it's still quite huge. I did take off most of the onions. I've never liked cheese on my burger. I accidentally took a bite out of a cheeseburger once when I was a child and I almost threw up. I just don't like the cheese flavor. Jacob got cheese and bacon in his. Good thing we don't eat burgers that often. Such a tasty burger and onion rings. Didn't disappoint.

As is our tradition whenever we eat at Hodad's we walk over to the beach after we're done eating which is just down the street. This is my sister Claudia. She adores my kids.

We were surprised that the water wasn't cold because it usually is, even in the summer.

It was windy, probably not such a good idea to have worn a dress. Oh well.

Caught him in mid air. Of course, that got his sweat pants wet. All good things. All good things. {movie trivia: who says that in what movie?} I had anticipated that happening. No worries.

My dad. It was so good to see him. So glad that Riley wasn't shy.

My momma. I sure missed them. They had surprises for all of us. Guess what I got? A sewing machine! Ohmygosh! I was very surprised and happy. Totally unexpected. Now I can start making things. Definitely looking forward to that.

Of course, everyone spoils Riley. He's the only baby, ok toddler in the family so he gets all the attention. My sister graciously hands over her phone to him so he can play games. He's super happy about it too, just look at that cute face.

She even made brownies for us. This little guy helped ... by licking the spoon that is, lol. I think this is such a cute picture of the two of them. They were cracking up, probably about something silly that Riley did. Wait, is that a knife halfway down his throat?! Nice ... geez!

Back to the weather in San Diego. Guess what? It's freaking humid. I'm not liking this humidity here. The weather has definitely changed in the last ten years that I've been away. It didn't used to get humid in the summers when I was growing up. Now it sucks! Oh, but we have so much to do that I don't have time to worry {too much} about the humidity. Just as long as I mentally prepare myself to be out in it I should be fine. But I still hate it. Who likes to feel all clammy? Not me that's for sure!

Again, thankful we made it safe and sound to San Diego. Thank you Jesus.