Exploring San Diego - Mushroom Caves

We've been lucking out on finding some pretty cool places to explore recently. But maybe that's not a hard thing to do when you live in San Diego. We're always asking new people we meet for recommendations, and I often research "must-see" places in our area online.
One place caught my eye that I hadn't heard anyone mention before, which shocked me. It looked so fun! So as soon as we had a free morning, Eric and I went to explore Mushroom Caves Trailhead (Annie's Canyon Trail).

It started off like any other hike.

Then started getting a little rockier.


Then canyon walls started towering over us.




And the trail started to narrow...



and narrow some more...


We were sandwiched between beautiful canyon walls.

If you look on the ground you'll see our little sand pathways.

There were also lots of little caves to explore off the main trail.


Had to stop to take in a little sunshine.


Below is a better view of our actual trail and about how wide it was.

At this point in the picture below, the trail started getting steeper. With the sand it could be tough to get a good footing.


We were almost to the top - last thing we needed to do was climb up this ladder.


We made it!

It was such a beautiful view at the top. Believe it or not, despite how it looks in pictures - it's actually not an extremely difficult hike. It's not too long and for the most part it's flat until you get to the end. We saw a 3 year old boy with his dad, we saw a women carrying a baby, and a man carrying a large dog.



Things like this are what make me love living in San Diego. All the beautiful things there are to see and do, and being able to get out like this in the middle of winter. We thoroughly enjoyed this hike and plan to do it again!

My Birthday

Last Thursday was my birthday! It was such a nice day thanks to all my amazing family. I asked Eric to make me a birthday cake this year and he happily obliged. It was the first cake he has ever made, I was very impressed how it turned out.

While I was at work that day, Alison showed up and surprised me with flowers! It was so sweet, as it's pretty out of her way. We got to sit and chat for a little bit before she had to take off, it was such a nice break in the day.

After work Eric took me out to Cafe Coyote in Old Town.


We ordered some fun drinks, and enough food to last us for days (seriously - I had had leftovers for lunch all weekend).

Mariachi players typically roam around the restaurant for anyone who would like a song or two. Eric didn't hesitate to stop them and have them serenade me, a first for me!

After dinner the waiter brought out a mini cake, as if we had more room for dessert. But it was delicious!


We decided to walk around Old Town for a little bit after dinner to walk off some of the food.

Then we headed home where Eric had decorated and also got me flowers :)


I opened a couple gifts and birthday cards - I got so many cards from family, it was so fun to open them all! I was definitely spoiled this year.

Then Eric sang to me and I blew out candles. However, we were still much too full for cake so we enjoyed that the next day instead.

Eric and our whole family made me feel so special with visits, messages, and phone calls all day. Thank you for making it such a great birthday!

Exploring San Diego - Sunset Cliffs

This past weekend we finally felt like things were starting to settle down and we were getting back into our normal routine. Eric is feeling better after being sick after travel, we've been able to start working out together again, and I have started somewhat of a 'Spring cleaning'. After all the shopping and gift giving/receiving of the holidays, the New Year is my favorite time to go through the house and purge/donate things that we no longer need or use. In the midst of all that, Eric has been hard at work studying for his PMP certification! It's been really fun to watch him get excited and gain more confidence the more he learns.

On one afternoon after hours of studying/cleaning we needed a break. Sunset Cliffs has been on my bucket list since we moved here, and I knew it wasn't far away.





You guys, this has become one of my favorite places in San Diego. If it weren't for the trails at Torrey Pines, it would probably be my favorite.



I think I said to Eric ten different times "I wish I knew about this place when my family was visiting!"

The tide pools are far better in my opinion than the ones at Cabrillo National Monument. In the picture above, every one of those little rocks are actually hermit crabs. There were crabs, coral, sea anemones, and various other sea life everywhere you looked.

Even these strange cucumber-like things (so scientific) that closed when you touched them. If you know what they're called - let me know!


There were beautiful views from up high and down below. Apparently it's a favorite surf spot too because there were so many surfers out that day.





It was so nice just to be out in the sun, feet in the sand, smelling the seaweed and saltwater with the ocean next to us.




After a rough start to 2018 (re-routed/cancelled flights, general setbacks, health, etc.), we're getting the train back on track and it feels good. Sunset Cliffs was the perfect place to help do that - we will definitely be back here!