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I shouldn’t hurt this bad on a Sunday morning.   The frogs were up very early and woke me up.  You’d think they’d be just a bit kinder on this morning.    The temp was in the low 50’s, cool but comfortable enough.  Take my word for it, the dirt definitely gets hard after sleeping on it all night.  Now I know how the early settlers must have felt, or at least the likes of Louis and Clark.   I packed up the gear and once again loaded down the Wing.  Amazing how most anything disassembles faster than the other way around.  If I could only pitch the tent that fast it would be cool.  There might have been one or two out on the lake trying to catch breakfast … or whatever.   It was very quiet and I almost hated to start up the bike even as quiet as it is.  The Wing got refueled before anything else.  I cannot see myself trying to push an 800 pound motorcycle that has run out of gas.  If I were a Marine, maybe it could pass for doing P.T.      

I am not a real fan of Denny’s but since it was the most convenient, I stopped there anyway.  I was surprised that one could customize a grand Slam breakfast so that made the morning great from the start.      First stop of the day was just down the road a piece at Mission San Luis Rey.  Just like at Carmel, I was on the early side and couldn’t go inside the grounds until much later.  It was Sunday so I was especially careful not to go where services were being held nearby.

Mission San Luis Rey

Statues at Mission San Luis Rey

 The Mission is very nice and reminded me somewhat of Mission San Jose in Fremont.   But then again I could be wrong since it’s been at least 20 years since I was there.  Snapped a few photos and got back on the road.  This is the only time where I wound up backtracking and headed north to San Juan Capistrano. 

Visitors at Mission San Juan Capistrano

Koi fish at Mission San Juan Capistrano

The mission was very easy to find but the parking was another matter.  Finally got a space in front of a Starbucks that was just perfect.  I took advantage of a senior discount and paid eight dollars to enter the grounds at Mission San Juan Capistrano.  It’s surrounded by high adobe walls and the grounds looked much larger than from the outside.    I started taking a few photos and just happened to catch a couple at the fountain talking .  Their reflections were in the water and just had to do it.  They were oblivious to what I was doing but later talked to them and took the same photo with their camera.  I didn’t happen to tell them that they might have their 15 minutes of fame on this blog.   There was a lot to see and the place was busy with those going to church services as well as visiting the grounds there.  Several photographers were enjoying the opportunities soft light and taking close ups of everything with high dollar equipment.  I’m sure they were pro’s or at the very least some serious hobbyists.  The California missions are very unique and glad they are preserved for future generations.   When I got back to the Wing, I noticed a Pug sitting on a bench in front of Starbucks.  He reminded me of the little guy in “Men In Black” that was a disguised alien. 

Pug at Starbuck's

Maybe if I picked him up and shook him to give up any information, would I get the inside scoop on the area?   He could have been waiting for casting in MIB 3.     

I finally headed south and stayed on I5 all the way to San Diego.  It was still cool but a few sun breaks  were appearing.  Looked like it was going to be a nice day later on.  I can’t imagine the area ever having a bad day.  I was going to stay at the naval base on Coronado so headed there to check in at billeting.    At the gate stood a civilian female guard to check my ID.   She must have be having a bad day as she growled at me about a reflective vest.  Most any military base requires reflective vests during hours of darkness and told her that.    She said they are required 24/7.  So I pull out of the way, dig through my stuff and put on the vest.  She was happy (?) and I went on my way.  It’s nice to be prepared but hate it when the rules change at other locations.  

Wish I was staying at the hotel del Coronado

This was going to be a kickback day and just look around the area.  I took in an art show in a nearby park, rode all the way to the south end of Coronado and everywhere else that suited me.  The only incident that I didn’t care for was a woman in a Lincoln who just had to stop within inches of the rear of the wing.   I tried to let her know that she didn’t have to be so close.   Same thing happened at two more stop lights and I was ready to get off the bike and have a conversation with her.  Fortunately, she turned on another street and was no longer a concern.  I would have liked to tell he she should experience being on the bike and someone approaching fast behind and hoping that they stop.

San Diego is a great place to spend several days or even more.  I have been to most of the tourist spots and museums in the past but I will come back again to spend more time.  

San Diego skyline from Coronado