(Our family is on a five month RV trip. We are journeying West from Dallas, TX and making our way up the Western US coastline finishing in Washington state before we streamline our way back to CO for the summer.)

We’re just five weeks into our five-month journey. We’ve only hitched the fifth-wheel to the F-450 four times including the day we drove it off the sales lot. Essentially, we got our forty-three foot house set up in Phoenix and didn’t move it. We are rookies.

Now the real RVing adventure begins in California. We will RV Park hop every week or so to a new location beginning in San Diego. That includes driving in California traffic, maneuvering down narrow streets lined with parallel-parked cars, and weaving through tree-lined RV parks to back into our assigned site. We are apprehensive but excited.

I was exhausted from deep chest coughing and blowing my nose. After John and I returned to Phoenix from Colorado, I crawled to Urgent Care with bronchitis and laryngitis. The doctor prescribed me Augmentin and coughing pearls remarking that the nasty stuff was going around. I didn’t have the heart or the voice to tell her it was probably a symptom of the major stress in my life.

My sentiments exactly

Aside from emptying a box of tissues, the drive from Arizona to San Diego was uneventful. John’s youngest brother gifted us with an RV Trip Wizard iPad app for Christmas that’s a Godsend. It takes into account our overall height and length and determines the best driving route assuring we won’t end up on roads with low-hanging power lines or low clearance overpasses. The sweet, female voice directed us straight to Campland on the Bay. I’m convinced women make excellent backseat drivers. John, not so much.

Arrived in San Diego

The San Diego RV Park included a view of Mission Bay and approved campfires. Oh how I do love me a campfire! I bought two bundles of overpriced firewood from the RV Park market within moments of getting settled into the campsite. I opted not to burn the street sign that fell from the post when John clipped it with the RV. I didn’t think the custom painted tiles would burn well.

Campfire love

We did fire up the car engine and go exploring:

• We ventured over to Old Town San Diego and caught the trolley for a tour of the city. I love to get an overview of a city when I first arrive and then decide which are my favorite places to revisit later. I especially liked Horton Plaza and the Gas Lantern district.
  

  Old Town San Diego

• We spent a couple of days at the beach people watching, throwing the football, digging in the sand, watching the Navy planes fly overhead, and napping. Perfect, really. Love Coronado Island.
  

  Aleyna at the beach

  

  Alek at the beach

  

  Blake showing his golfer’s tan and football skills

• We toured the USS Midway. I felt honored that veteran Navy men guided us around the decommissioned ship offering real-life information.
  

  Alek in the brig on the Midway

  

  John and Blake on the Midway bridge tour

  

  Alek receiving his wings after completing his Naval training (tour answers)

• We rented a six-passenger bicycle and pedaled along the boardwalk and around downtown San Diego.The spontaneous activity, gorgeous weather, John’s adventurous steering, kids giggling, and Blake’s wit, left me feeling so satisfied and happy. Favorite city memory.
  

  Need to work on ‘selfie’ or ‘groupie’ shots

  

  I want a bike like this

• We ventured over to La Jolla and got up close and personal to the sea lions.
  

  La Jolla

  

  La Jolla Sea Lions. So close we could’ve touched them

• We sought out the local Orange Theory and got back in the gym. With Blake’s foot and knee healing and the recent bird attacks, I was anxious to get my heart pumping and bronchitis toxins out of my body. We joined Orange Theory in Denver last summer. Their franchises are just opening in Texas and are making their way up the California coastline.
  

  Orange Theory gym

• We drove up to Los Angeles for the Hits Deep tour hosted by Toby Mac featuring Mandisa, Matthew West, Matt Maher, and Brandon Heath. Joining together with so many talented artists in worship at The LA Forum filled my tank. Another highlight of the trip.

• We found ourselves among the most life-giving congregation and pastor I’ve ever experienced. Rock Church is a mega church in Point Loma but we felt welcomed from the parking lot to the podium both Sundays we attended. The pastor, Miles McPherson, is an ex-NFL player with an amazing testimony. I plowed through his book, Do Something! and downloaded his app, Miles A Minute Devotions. Hisministryisanointed and we’ve been changed by his humble delivery of God’s truths.
  

  Communion cup we grabbed on our way into the sanctuary. Pull back the first tab to expose the cracker (the body). Pull back the second tab to drink the juice (the blood that was shed)

Sometimes life seems to unravel at Mach 1 speed. I needed this time in San Diego to have fun and rest. The salty air and humid climate helped heal my scratchy throat. The memories and all the laughter helped heal my soul. A combination worth repeating.

Next stop: Newport Beach, CA