Biking San Diego

Sometimes getting an "early start" isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Saturday morning Ernesto wanted to leave early on our long bike ride so we could get back early.   We would ride a loop that goes from his parents house in Paradise Hills to the Silver Stand to Coronado.  There we would take the ferry from Coronado to downtown San Diego and back to the house.  About 30 miles in total.   3 hours tops with a few stops to take in the views.
Like a lot of things in life, you have to "roll with it."  If things don't go as planned, take a minute to breathe and decide what you can do to get around the problem.  This is what we did when we got our first flat tire.  Neto pulled out the patch kit and pumped his tire back up.  Good as new!

NOT!  A few miles after the "fix" we heard a little pop........flat again.  This time we called Ernesto's dad for a ride to a bike shop to buy a new tube.  OK, now we were on our way. 

We rode by the mountains of salt at the South Bay Salt Works Factory, the second oldest business in San Diego.   Right there is the entrance to the Silver Strand along the bay.  It is an 8 mile paved path to Coronado and such an enjoyable ride. 

Until.....flat tire number 3.  This time it was my tire.  WTH!?

With about 2 more miles on the trail to reach Coronado, we pulled over and Ernesto took rode ahead to buy a new tube while I walked with my flat tire.  I didn't even care.  I turned on my ipod and enjoyed my walk.  What is there really to be upset about?

Ernesto got back to me within 30 minutes or so and we continued on.    I snapped a few pics of some houses that I would not mind living in.  Someday I need to walk in this neighborhood and take more pics.  Coronado living is the "American dream" type of place. 

All that and just a few steps away from the water.  We made our way to the ferry along the trail. 

The tickets are $3.75 for the 15 minute ride to downtown. 

We debated hopping on the trolley to cut some of the miles home, but instead decided we needed a break at BASIC , a converted warehouse that specializes in thin crust pizza y beer.  We parked the bikes inside and ordered a pizza with bacon and basil and a couple IPA's. 

 I must say after all the pizza, salad and beer my tummy was full.  The thought of another 15 miles on the bike seemed like too much, but it was beautiful out and wanted to finish it.  I felt really good afterward. What could have been a 3 hour trip turned into 8! haha.  Roll with it baby!

Hiking at Mission Trails Regional Park

The other morning, Ernesto and I were driving back from dropping papa at work (one car was in the shop) and we drove on Mission Gorge Rd, which not surprisingly, winds through Mission Gorge.   We passed the Mission Trails Regional Park.  We know the park because we have climbed Cowles Mountain many times.  (It is only a 1.5 mile climb but takes us 30 minutes.  Needless to say, it is a workout)  We  popped into the visitors center to see what else there is to do in the huge park.  

We picked up a great map of over 40 miles of trails.  We were not dressed for hiking so we came back the next day checked out the little Mission Dam and Oak Canyon Trail.  (3-4 miles)

Besides the little dam area, I have 3 words about this park:  "Dry, very dry."

The dirt trail is well marked with signs and offers amazing views of all the surrounding mountains.

On Friday we hiked again. This time we got a 7am start on the trails with Ernesto's dad and neighbor Agustin.  We usually hike on Fridays, but they were happy to try a new mountain.  A much longer route.  3 hours.

In addition to many bunny rabbits,  I saw two animals I have never seen before.  This horny toad......

and a road runner!  Much smaller than I imagined. Of course my idea of a road runner was based on a cartoon.  True to the cartoon though, they are quick! So much so that I couldn't snap a picture. 

The last 10 minutes before we reached the top winded up a wood staircase, and really got us sweating.

We even had to do some climbing on huge boulders. 

It was challenging, but we made it! 

Fit Fridays: San Diego Part 3

Hola from San Diego!  It has been hot here this week (in California terms).  Im not complaining, trust me.  I feel so lucky to be missing the humid east coast weather.  This sunny, low to mid 80's weather has been ideal for workouts, cookouts, and layouts [at the beach].  That pretty much sums up my week.

In addition to that, we have been playing an exorbitant amounts of Hand and Foot  [card game].  Mi suegra can't get enough of it.  She is quite competitive and asks us to play nightly by saying "tienes miedo?"  (are you scared?)

I am speaking español everyday by the way.  This alone makes me a happy girl.  What is my obsession with Spanish you ask?  I love the language.  Speaking Spanish fluently is the one of the only goals I can think of in my life that hasn't been forgotten or modified.   That has to mean something.  Your true passions will stick with you throughout your life, right?  

I hear new words or phrases all the time and laugh at myself when I mess up verb tenses that I should know after 15 years of studying.  (ok, truth be told,  Ernesto is really the one who laughs at me, I   kick myself...come on dumb a$$, 15 years and you still don't know that?)  The fact that I can talk to people now without having to translate into English [in my head first] is a BIG deal for me.  Still,  I am constantly making mental notes.  Riiiiiiiight. That is how you say it!  I will have it together one day.  I swear.  If it's the last thing I ever doooooooooooo.


Ok.  On to Fit Fridays!  A good week as far as I'm concerned.


Saturday: Hike Mount Miguel (3 hours round trip)
Sunday: Crossfit: 20 seconds of squats, rest 10 seconds. 20 seconds of push ups, rest 10 seconds. 10 rounds each exercise
Monday: walk 5 miles (round trip) to Performance Bike Shop  (replace flat tires)
Tuesday: rest
Wednesday: 3 mile hike Oak Canyon Trail at Missions Hills Regional Park (1 hour)
Thursday:  rest
Friday: 6 mile hike to summit of S. Fortuna Mountain  Missions Hills Regional Park (3 hours)

Mad Men and Delta Sweepstakes

I am in LOVE with the show Mad Men !  For those of you who are out of the loop, (and trust me, you want to get in)  Mad Men premieres it's 4th season on AMC  July 25.

Set in a NY ad agency in the late 50's-early 60's, you will fall in love with the style of the cast.  I love how they make  all of the smoking and drinking [in the office] look attractive.  You may not like the chauvinistic ways of years past, but I love it.  It makes me appreciate all the changes women have gone through.

Delta Airlines, one of my other loves,  is partnering with Mad Men and holding the Mad Men Jet Set Sweepstakes.

Win a Jet Set vacation to either New York or Los Angeles,  that is Mad Men worthy.  A paid vacation Mad Men style? But of course!

Needless to say, I have entered myself and Neto too in hopes of winning. You can too! (It only takes one minute)

Take a look at a few of the beautiful/hot characters and tell me you are not interested.  Start buy renting/downloading season one and catchup.  You'll be hooked. Guaranteed.

Oh, Don Draper.  The man I love to hate. (Hate is such a strong word. Let me just say that I would not want him for my husband, but I love him.)  Director of advertising, this man is in charge. HOT.

Joan Halloway, inspiration for all curvy women.  

Also, the office diva and manager.  Owns the stares of all men.

Betty Draper, the good/not so good housewife.  You will want everything she has, except perhaps that cigarette. 

Here, another pic of Betty.  Mad Men hair is the inspiration for my long hair.  Now I just need to learn how to DO these styles myself.

Peggy, the first girl to be promoted from secretary in the office. (very big deal)

Roger, head of the agency. HOT.  Drink in hand. Always.

Fit Fridays: San Diego Part 2

Kind of a slow week out here in San Diego.  I thought for sure that the "June gloom" would be over now that we are into July, but as it turned out we had a several more overcast days this week.  UGH! Come on SD, this is my vacation! How about some fun in the sun!?

On Monday,  Ernesto ate some chivo malo,  and had a good dose of food poisoning.  He was out for a couple days, and when he is sick, I might as well be too.  We camped out at the Espinoza Inn and ate delicious Caldo de Pollo that Neto's mama made for her little Netito.

Other than relax and make a new necklace, I was not very productive.
I only got in 3 workouts too.  Bad girl! I will do better next week.

Saturday:  hike Mt. Miguel (3 hours)

Sunday:  rest

Monday: walk 1 hour on the bay [con mi suegra]

Tuesday: rest   (ernesto sick from bad goat stew)

Wednesday: rest   (sick)

Thursday: bike 4 miles, run 3.5 miles, Crossfit: 10 sets of: 10 dips, 10 box jumps

Friday: rest 

Sell Some, Buy Some

Right before I left Atlanta, I sold these Zafiro pieces.  

 Due to my sales,  I could justify spending.  Sell a little, buy a little.  This has been my unemployed way of thinking and it works out well.   Last weekend, I saw that  Gem Faire was in San Diego.  That is where I saw my wedding ring  back in March and blew the budget out of the water. ha!  I saw Dennis and Cathy Johnson again of Blue Gem Trading Co.  and told them how happy I am with my ring.  In addition to southwest jewelry they sell  a lot of antique and estate jewelry.  A unique ring in their booth jumped out at me.  I would love to wear this vintage Tiffany & Co. ring.

There is something about bright gold, this one is 18k.  I have always loved Lapis, not to mention the 14 diamonds on the sides and twisted gold lines.  Ok, didn't buy.  Back to things I do need.

Gold chain.  I needed gold chain.  I had a budget of what I could spend at the show and adhered to it fairly closely.   But, as the saying goes, "you have to spend money to make money."

I needed more chain, and unfortunately, money doesn't go too far with gold.  I bought 70 feet of chain and 1oz of 26 gauge gold wire.  Even though I didn't NEED any more gemstones, it is so hard to resist the hundreds of vendors with beautiful stones everywhere you look.  I did want more labradorite for a specific necklace Im working on.  It is one of my favorite stones and I couldn't pick just one strand so I bought 3:  briolettes, tiny onion cut and marquis cut.  I splurged last minute on the lapis lazuli briolettes.  Look at the rich blue color, isn't it beautiful?  Im going to pair them with a lot of gold and make sure the design screams middle east/exotic- a tribute to the gorgeous ring I didn't buy! 

I started this chalcedony necklace the other day, so I added the new labradorite and I love how it is coming along.  It is 18" long and has beautiful iridescence and sparkle.  Plus all the richness of gold.  Why do I love gold so much?  LOVE.

Here I used the marquis cut labradorite with brilliant blue apatite briolettes on gold [again]. 

These two necklaces look so good paired together.  I will be trying to get all of my pieces pictured and up on my website soon.  Busy busy.  

To aid in accomplishing my goals this summer, my niece Kelli and I are going to start reporting our weekly goals to each other (which will eventually get to the blog I imagine) It's all about accountability!  (Im trying to pump myself up here)  I am also going to be setting big goals for the xmas lights this season.  Its going to be the BEST. YEAR. EVER. 

Happy 4th of July!

More great cards from someecards

I hope everyone is enjoying your long holiday weekend!  We were planning to ride our bikes to Coronado this morning for the parade (like we did last year) and came to find out it was yesterday!?  

July 3? Hello? Oh well.

Espinoza cookout today at 4p with fireworks to follow.  I will be making the most delicious potato salad ever  to complete the "American style cookout."  (So they say "American"...Maybe hot dogs and hamburgers, but I know they will sneak in some Mexican food too)

Ill post more about the weekend later!  In the mean time I plan on getting outside and enjoying this fabulous weather! 

Climbing Mt Miguel: A Sequel

I don't know if any of you have ever noticed, but if you scroll down on this blog you will notice there is a box run by feedjit that posts who is looking at vivacindy.   Its pretty cool and interesting to find out what people are searching for when they come to my blog.  Right now my top two posts are my mom's mulberry tart and Hiking Mt. Miguel in San Diego.  Every day people are visiting for these:)

There isn't a lot of info on the web about climbing Mt Miguel, so mine always comes up high on google.    Today we climbed it again!  This time instead of starting the trail off of Procter Valley Road.  We parked in the Rolling Hills Ranch subdivision.   (which is right off that road)

Immediately after walking out the front entrance pergola and passing the sign, you will see the trail on your right.

It is obvious, you can't miss it. 

The terrain looked so different than when we climbed it back in March.  

There had been quite a bit of rain and it was so green. Here is a pic from that hike.

Now, July 3, everything was dry and ....  not so green. 

Still, I thought it was beautiful.  All of the grasses were taller and blowing in the breeze. 

We started hiking at 9am and it took us 1:45 to get to the top (where the antennas are located). 

This photo shows a flat part of the trail that connects two mountains.  The majority of the trail is a steep climb and will have your heart pumping.  A great workout with a rewarding finish!  

Almost. To. The. Top! 

WOO-HOO!

And for all of you OHIO fans....

Members of Team Espinoza!  

Our team is cooking up a plan for a long bike ride down the coast of California in the next month.  More details coming up soon...

Fit Fridays: San Diego Style

We have been in San Diego one week now, and although the first 3 days were overcast,  it is officially July and the "June gloom" has moved on.  We are back to perfect weather again.  They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  This one says just one to me:  California

 Even with the crappy weather, we got our workouts in this week.

Saturday: rest

Sunday:  run 3 miles

Monday: rest

Tuesday: bike 25 miles

Wednesday: run 2.5 miles with 10 flights of stairs in the middle-whew!

Thursday: run 1 mile/Crossfit:10 rounds of 10 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 10 squats (plus abs)

Friday: climb Cowles Mountain

And today....we finally got to the beach, Pacific Beach.

My favorite trees all along the way....

Today the beach was busy but there was still plenty of room.   As usual, the water was freezing.  Im sure we won't be able to get in all summer.  No importa.  It was 80 and sunny with a breeze.  I didn't even break a sweat. Per. Fect.

Fourth of July is always a crazy weekend.  I have probably been out here for 6 or 7 since I met Ernesto.  It used to be REALLY crazy with DJs set up in the sand and wall to wall [drunk] people.  To get a spot on the beach for your party, you had to get out there bright and early to claim your stake.  

The last few years have been different because the city has ban alcohol on the city beaches?! what? 

With a law that curbs tradition like that, people have gotten smart and taken all their drinks in the water  Yes, a loophole!    This new party area is called "Floatopia."   It is a group on Facebook and so far 9,000 people have rsvp'ed for the 4th.  No I will not be attending, (due to prior engagements) but I love the idea.  The city will be reviewing this law in court July 12th, so Floatopia is still on this year!