Exploring San Diego - Trolley and Ferry

The weather is warming up in Southern California. It's not often that we get a hot day on the coast. It's usually about 10-15 degrees cooler and windier at the beaches than it is even 10 miles inland.

One particular Saturday was calling for temperatures in the 80s and sunny on the coast which meant we had to take advantage of our first beach day this season. Truthfully, I think it was the hottest day I have experienced on the beach in the last 10 months that we've lived here.

We also decided it would be fun to finally try out the trolley that comes right next to our apartment.

We took the trolley downtown then walked about two blocks to the harbor. It was really fun exploring our area on foot! We felt like complete tourists.


Apparently there was a march going on - the March for Science. I didn't even know there was such a thing. But I guess when you live in Southern California where the weather is so nice, you'll find any reason to get out and take a walk together.


Once we got to the harbor, we hopped on the ferry to take us over to Coronado. Another new experience for both of us which was so fun!

We boarded right next to the USS Midway.


Eric will be taking a little field trip to the submarine base in the picture below soon. After 10 years supporting the Navy, he is finally getting a chance to tour a sub!



When we arrived on Coronado there was an entire pedestrian zone with shops and places to eat, people having picnics, little beach areas, and so much to see. We already want to plan another trip just to grab ice cream or dinner and spend some time in this area.


We were running a little late though so we grabbed a quick Lyft to get across the island faster. We met up with Alison's family at the beach, they know how to do it right!

We brought our own towels, food, and sunscreen but we pack pretty light. With them having two young kids, they come extra prepared. They had a giant tent, chairs, food, grill, toys, and anything you could ever need.


The water was still cold, but it was so nice to finally have a beach day where it was hot enough to make you want to go in the water. Normally I'm bundled in a sweater, a very different experience than what we're used to on the East coast.


We had a great day grilling with them, digging in the sand, and enjoying the sun. It was the perfect beach day.


After we left we didn't have a schedule so we decided to walk the 1.5 miles back to the harbor on the other side of the island.

Along the way we saw some beautiful, charming houses. The houses were small but they had some of the most creative yards. Above, the picture doesn't even capture how elaborate the gardens were at this particular house.

And I fell in love with the little tree house at another place we passed by. Another house had roses that were the size of Eric's hand. And there were so many of them!

We also randomly passed by Coronado Brewing Co. and thought of Chris so I had to take a picture. Wish you guys were here and we could all stop in!


Needless to say, the walk across Coronado was beautiful and I'm so glad we decided to do it on foot. There are so many things we miss when we just jump in a car and take the quickest route.

The ferry runs every hour. We caught the one for that hour just in time.

When we got off, there were people with little rickshaws attached to the back of their bikes just waiting to give someone a ride wherever they needed to go. We didn't take them up on their offer, but it was crazy to me how easy it was to find different ways to get around.

Although our purpose of the day was to get to the beach, I think we had more fun just getting there! There are so many types of public transportation that are all so accessible to us here. I don't think I truly realized or appreciated it until now.
There are bikes all over San Diego to pick up/drop off anywhere you want. There are places to rent segways or motorized scooters at every corner. Even living in the Washington D.C. area (right next to a metro station) I haven't experienced this abundance and ease of public transportation. We're already coming up with different ways we want to try and get around next time.

Virginia

I had been hoping to make another trip out to Virginia before the summer, but with work schedules and costly plane tickets I figured we wouldn't be able to make it happen. Then one day my mom randomly emailed me with a great price on a plane ticket to come out the next week - I couldn't pass it up!

The thought of being away from these kids for 6 months was so sad, I'm glad I haven't had to do that yet.

And look at these two - it was so fun trying to get them to smile.

Katie and mom went right to work making pies.

We got to kick the soccer ball and take a walk around the property. There is so much room to play outside their house.



We got to do a lot of sitting around, talking, playing and snuggling the kids which is all I had in mind for this trip. I feel like I got some really good quality time with everyone.

Poor Duncan is still warming up to the new house. He would find the most creative places to hide away.



We took a walk along the Shenandoah River. 



They had a little map with various things for you to look out for along the way like an eagle's nest or bat houses.

I can't wait to walk along here this summer, I imagine it will be even more beautiful when the weather warms up.



We skipped rocks down by the river.




We tried to take turns helping Katie with the stroller, she has quite a haul.



We enjoyed some tea out on the balcony and the sun finally came out!



With a new house means new adventures - lawnmower rides!




We went to a park nearby that was completely empty, despite having a lot of great amenities. I'm sure when the weather is warmer this place sees a lot more people.





The yard is also perfect for Easter egg hunts. I can foresee this getting much trickier as the kids get older. There are so many places to hide eggs!





It actually warmed up quite a bit the last day we were there. We spent a lot of time just hanging outside in the yard.




The girls needed to get some energy out so we told them to run all the way the the farther fence and back. I'm pretty sure they were a little winded after that.



We enjoyed dinner together before everyone had to take off.

Katie and the kids got packed up and on their way. I was sad to see them go, but I'm so thankful we already have another trip planned this summer.

Eric took me to see our old house now that it's almost empty.

Seeing it empty brought back a lot of memories from when this house was new to us, before we had much furniture or things hung on the walls.

This was my first bedroom. I remember sleeping in our sleeping bags on the floor our first night, setting up a secret hideout in my closet (complete with lamp and 'desk', a shelf), and when Grammy and my mom put up beach-themed wallpaper. 24 years later, the beach is still my favorite place.



I remember when this basement was still concrete, roller-blading around in circles, and hiding out in the closet trying to prank the workers as it was being finished.


And the tulips outside that bloom every year. It was such a wonderful house for us to grow up in with so, so many happy memories. It served us well and I hope it can provide a whole chapter full of memories for the next family to live there.

Thankfully I didn't have to fly back alone! My mom flew back to California with me so she could spend some time with her family as well.

It was so nice to have a few days with family. I'm thankful my mom convinced me to come out and I'm already looking forward to the next trip in July!