Visit to Julian, California

 This morning, we all had plans to drive to Julian, California, located west of here on the other side of the San Ysidro Mountains in the beautiful Cuyamaca Mountains.  We left at 10 o'clock for the 30 mile drive up the mountains on a beautiful cool morning.  Even cooler up there at 4226 feet than down here at 600 feet.  Highway 79 is a hilly and curvy road through the mountains.

Soon we were seeing trees, and across the valley we could see houses on the mountain across the way.  

As we got closer to Julian, there were houses in the valley along side the road.  Beautiful place for a homestead.

Then we drove in to Julian.  This place is now known for its famous pies.

Julian is pretty much a tourist town.  The Californians come up here in the summer to beat the heat and in the winter everyone comes up here from everywhere for the pies and to see the town.

Got to have a Beer Company.

We had lunch at the Miner's Diner.  Quaint place.  They had a train running on a track up near the ceiling, going through the rooms at the diner.

Bright place.  Great service.  I had a cheeseburger, fries and a yummy chocolate milkshake.

Tom and Deb bought a pie and so did Deb and Riley.  I thought better of it and did not buy one this time.  Bought one last time I was here and that was enough.

After several hours of roaming the Main Street, it was time to head home.  This time we took a different route home through the mountains.  Another windy road, but mostly downhill this time.

We got on the Montezuma Valley Road and took it down the San Ysidro Mountains right into Borrego Springs Main Street.  We did make a stop at Ranchita for a drink and to get our pictures taken with the local celebrity, the Ranchita Yeti.

Just as I was coming over the top of the mountains, to head into Borrego Springs, I got a picture of the desert below with the Salton Sea in the background.

It was after 4 o'clock when we finally got home.  We were taking a rest and talking about our day when Jeff and Fran drove up for a visit.  Jeff often leaves comments on my blog and we met last year when we were both in Borrego Springs.  He has a blog, Ruffin it with Rufus.  We all sat around talking and enjoying the late afternoon.

Fran, Jeff Riley, Deb, Deb, Tom, Yuma, Doug

We had a long but fun day.  So glad, Jeff and Fran stopped by and the rest of us has a fun filled day on our Julian pie run.

Thanks for stopping by.

I scream, you scream

Mittry Lake near Yuma, Arizona

I could hear the wind this morning when I woke and that is never good.  Looked outside and it was cloudy.  Looked at the temperature and it was 53 degrees and that was good.  At least it is not chilly to the bone out there.  Going to get up to 67 degrees this afternoon.  Can't beat that.

Got up and had another slow breakfast and read blogs and wrote my comments.  I thought about going into town and getting a haircut,

Now that's plain scarey.

but when I stepped outside, the sun was popping out and the skies were now a puffy white and blue.  Still a breeze, but not bad.  Decided to skip the haircut.  What's another month?  

Yuma and I decided this would be a perfect afternoon to take a little drive and get some ice cream.  I have been a good little boy for over a year and with my great glucose readings lately, I decided it was time to splurge. 

We headed North to Laguna Dam Road and took a left towards Imperial Dam Road.  I think I pass into California somewhere, but see no signs.  We passed a pretty little lake,   

 then Laguna Dam,

and then Imperial Dam.

As we were rolling along beside the canal,

I saw several prime real estate properties.

Comes with a fancy boat too.

Nice saloon.

 As I rounded the curve heading towards Bard, California we spotted our destination among the Date Palms.

There is our destination--Imperial Date Gardens.

We coulda had a date shake, but thought that would be too messy for Yuma, so we decided we would have  ice cream. 

Bet you can guess which one's mine!

We then drove just a little further up the road to Cloud Museum while we ate our ice cream.  I've taken the tour before, so we just looked at the stuff at the entrance.

Then we headed home to wait for the last sunset of the year.

Happy New Year to family and friends!  Hope 2020 is another great year.

Love you Dolly!

See you next year!