Gateway to the West

McDowell Mountain Range and palo verde trees.

Even though I love to travel, I don't necessarily have to see every state. But there are certain states I've always wanted to see, and then there are the states where friends live, so those are definitely on the short list. That's how I made my decision to visit Arizona this year—my 18th state. I changed planes there a couple of years ago, but I didn't feel like I could count that.

California, Here I Come: Part 4

Boy, the airport sure takes up a lot of prime real estate.

Before I could see the "old" lighthouse, I had to move my car from the tide pool parking lot. Parking was a little scarce there, but that's not the case in the upper area of the park. And I hear that tide pool parking lot #1 and the trail is closed for a couple of months for improvements, so I really did have great timing with this visit.

California, Here I Come: Part 3

For size context, there are actually people standing behind the biggest boulder.

In my last post, I told you about stumbling onto Fort Rosecrans Cemetery. I enjoyed that quick stop, but was anxious to see the lighthouses. I had learned that they are both located in Cabrillo National Monument (part of the U.S. National Park Service). There was a $10 car entry fee that is good for a week. That's great if you live there, or came for a longer visit, but I think I’d rather pay $5 for a one-day pass—just sayin'.

California, Here I Come: Part 2

Beautiful Hottentot Fig Ice Plants surrounding a bench with a view.

After I left La Jolla Cove, the next stop of my San Diego vacation, was to Mt. Soledad. This location was recommended by a coworker that lives in San Clemente, California. He said that the views are spectacular.