Camping in Leo Carillo

(campsite)

After Palm Springs we went to Leo Carillo. This place is great. The camping is wonderful. There are lots of trees and shade and easy access to the beach.

(There is a sidewalk under this bridge [the PCH] that gets us from the campsite to the beach)

The beach is not a great swimming beach but is a good place to look at tide pools. The beach is covered in rock. You can walk down a ways and get to a spot that doesn't have rock. And there is another beach close by that is very sandy.


When we got to our camping spot mom and I got my tent put up before dad was even out of the truck. Usually I have the guys set up the tent for me so this was the first time that I have really ever tried to do it. It was quite simple.

Once we had our camp set up we headed into Oxnard (20 minutes north of camp) to get dinner. Mom and I wanted to find the best fish and chips place. We ended up eating at the green burrito. It was really good. I loved the carnitas tacos I got.

Throughout the week we spent alot of time in Oxnard. We buy our strawberries there. We also didn't pack alot of food so we would go to the grocery store about every day.

(the roadside stand that we always get our strawberries from - they are the best)

To Be Continued...

DDD Summer Tour - Stop #3

Los Taquitos Mexican Grill in Ahwatukee.

I wanted to get the carnitas tacos. When I got there - they don't call it carnitas on the menu. So I got the marinated pork - thinking that is what I wanted. But the marinated pork is Pastor, not carnitas. I should have ordered just pork.

Anyway - The marinated pork tacos were good. Just a tad bit too spicy for me. But still good. They top the marinated pork with cilantro and pico de gayo. It came with rice and beans. On my way home I read on the take out menu I grabbed that they don't use lard in any of their food. I knew right then that I wouldn't like the beans. I mean come on - you can't have decent beans with no lard in them. But once I tasted the beans I changed my mind. They were really good.

While there I also order a green chili burrito. A person can't really judge a mexican food restaurant without trying the green chili burrito.

I cut into the burrito and liked what I saw. Mmmmmmmmm - it was delicious. I give it two thumbs up.

I have not found a green chili burro better than Ponchos - until now. It was superb.

So over all - I give the place 4 1/2 stars out of five. I will definetly be eating there again!

Palm Springs

So on Sunday June 7th, mom, dad, and I left for our California trip. We had booked the campsite back in January thinking everyone would be able to go. Then Clay joined the National Guard and is in boot camp and Kyle couldn't take off work and Ibis had to babysit Ry and Elle. So it was just the three of us that went. As we were on our trip we all figured out that we thought we wouldn't have any fun. But we all had a blast!

Okay - back to the trip.

We took our time getting ready to go on Sunday. With having to do the wedding cake for the Dorn wedding the night before our minds were no where near the vacation. So we didn't even start packing until the day we left. I figured we would just leave when we were ready. I don't like stress. But then who does?

We ended up leaving at about 5pm. We drove to Palm Springs and stayed overnight at a motel. It sure makes the trip easier. We have always driven straight through to the beach. Because we got to the motel so late we just went to bed and didn't do any thing that night.

On Monday morning we headed out. I wanted to go to Wal-mart to buy a new camera but after spending quite awhile and not finding it we went to the aerial tram.

(another tram as we passed it coming down)

I was very nervous and didn't decide if I would actually do it until we were there. I am terrified of heights and get dissy very easily. The tram went VERY HIGH and ROTATED! But I did it. I wasn't able to enjoy the beautiful scenery though because I was so worried about coming down. But after experiencing the ride I would do it again and enjoy the top of the mountain.

(View from the top)

(I think I did a good job controlling my fear)

Once we were down the mountain we were on our way to Leo Carillo. We always stay there. It is such a beautiful campsite and the beach is just on the other side of the PCH.

(view from the PCH on our way to Oxnard)

Cali trip 2009

I just got back from California. Mom, Dad, and I were there for a week. We did lots of fun stuff so I have TONS to post. Way to much stuff to put in one post!!! So what I thought I would do was first give the highlights of what we did and then through out the week post more details with lots of pics.

We left last Sunday and stopped in Palm Springs and went on the arial tram. Then headed to our campsite in Leo Carrillo (just outside of Malibu). We camped for 4 nights and went to Solvang while camping. On Friday we headed down to San Diego and on Saturday went to the San Diego Zoo. We then left the zoo and drove to Yuma and stayed the night there and drove home this afternoon (Sunday).

I am very tired but had a great time. I am very sad to back in the real world dealing with life again. It was so nice to not have a phone (and most the time no computer) I didn't have to worry about anything happening here.

But life must go on. I just look forward to my next trip.

Georgia - I'll see you next month!!!