Helen and I left San Diego after almost two weeks of “glamping” at Fiddler’s Cove RV Park on beautiful Coronado Island. Although it was tough to say goodbye, we were not sad because our next stop included a weekend camping with Justin, our son, and his family in the wine country around Temecula, California. Our home for a long weekend was Vail Lake KOA.
We made good time because of the light traffic on the freeway. The California Poppies covered the hillsides and made the one-and-a-half-hour drive delightful. In the distance, heavy snow blanketed the mountaintops to the east (above). More was predicted in the days ahead.
The drive to Temecula included one stop—a repeat from last year’s trip to the area. While in San Diego, we caught a local news program that included a piece on Peterson’s Doughnut Corner in Escondido. A second visit was a must. We stopped and shopped. Helen stood in line and filled three boxes with Bear Claws, Cinnamon Twists, Doughnut Holes, Glazed Doughnuts, French Crullers, and two varieties of filled doughnuts. Every item was as good as we remembered. We were glad to help out the local economy.
We checked into the KOA and followed a young man in a golf cart to our campsite. Vail Lake KOA is enormous, with over four hundred campsites. Our site was in the rear, about as far from the office as possible. There were few campers in that part of the campground when we pulled in, but before dark, the entire area filled up with families and large groups, and music filled the air. Justin, Wendy, our grandchildren, and granddogs arrived soon after us.
As campgrounds go, this one is not a “glampers paradise.” There are no concrete pads for camping equipment, only sand…a lot of it. There are some excellent features, including a pickleball court and a restaurant and bar area featuring live music, but the roads are in bad repair, and the recent heavy rains washed out some of the curbs and drainage troughs.
However, the two dogs loved the place and were a delight. Honey, a beautiful Golden Retriever, stayed close to the campsite but preferred to sit in the car when waiting for her next walk. Todd, the young, very light-colored daschund, didn’t venture far either—he was always in someone’s lap.
Carter, our grandson, loves to play games of any kind–board games, video games, card games, and sports. In the picture below, he explains a game on his phone to a befuddled grandfather. Helen pulled out her pickleball equipment, and Carter immediately challenged her to a match. Wendy and Abby, our granddaughter, joined in.
Abby is a dancer and practices four days a week in four-hour sessions with a dance group. She is passionate about the art and hates to miss a session. Thankfully, no practices were scheduled for the weekend, and she joined us willingly. Abby often listens to music and lets me share an earphone occasionally. I can’t remember the song names, but all have a catchy beat (I’m such an old fogie).
At one point during the weekend, we had a visitor. Bo, an English Bulldog puppy, strolled by our campsite on a walk with the owner. I almost dog-napped the adorable fellow but thought better of it. I LOVE English Bulldogs and vow to have one as soon as we give up the RV lifestyle. Helen is still thinking it over.
I wish I had more to report, but this was a casual family weekend, and relaxation was the rule of the trip. We only get a few days a year with our California kids and wanted to make the most of our time. We enjoyed time around the campfire, cooked some great meals, and watched Helen complete her latest puzzle (Picture above). Everything went by quickly, but we still had two more weekends to spend with them before returning to Knoxville. They pulled out on Sunday afternoon—dogs and all—it was sad to see them leave.
To console ourselves, Helen and I jumped in the truck later that afternoon for a trip into Temecula. Somehow, we ended up at Pechanga Casino. Life is grand, and we’re still Easin’ Along.
Love reading about your adventures! Justin and family look great, Abby has gotten tall! Safe travels 😘
Good morning!
Things are going swimmingly with Justin and the family. Abby is tall and a sweet lady. Carter is a lot of fun. Look forward to seeing y’all soon! Thanks for checking in. Joe
Fun Times!!!
Amen! Thanks for checking in!
Sounds like a GREAT time with family. Of course, the entire trip sounds super. Guess Helen didn’t knock ’em dead at the casino this time!😅 Safe travels.
Hi, Ginny,
We don’t get to be with our California kids very often, so any time is great time! Helen had fun at the casino, but the casino won. Always good to hear from you!
What wonderful visits and fun and family-filled times! Best to Justin and Wendy, Abby, and Carter!
Good afternoon, Carolyn,
Justin and his family are doing great out here, and it was fun being with them. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend! Joe
“Somehow,” you ended up at the casino. Joe, you are just too funny. I made a note about Peterson’s in case we’re ever in the vicinity of Escondido. Sounds like my kind of place. Love the family photo. You and Helen are the kind of grandparents who are interested in and willing to immerse yourselves in the interests of your grandkids. It’s a win-win situation, but not all families enjoy such close relationships. Good for all of you – enjoy every minute!
Good morning, Mary,
Ah, yes, the casino…funny how those things work out. We had fun! Peterson’s is definitely your kind of place, but be careful–it’s so easy to go overboard. We still have a couple of crullers in our freezer. We love being around our grandchildren, but they are growing up too fast, and we have to take advantage of whatever time we have. Great to hear from you. Enjoy your weekend. Joe
Wonderful post and photos, Joe and Helen. I could feel the love all the way here on Vancouver Island. I am so glad to read that all is well for you both. I look forward to continuing to follow your travels.
Donna,
We’ve had a wonderful three weeks with the kids, and it will be challenging to say goodbye. We don’t get to California enough for our liking, and the grandchildren are growing up so fast it’s dizzying. Therefore, we try to make the most of our visits; camping is a great way to accomplish that. I hope your weekend is going well, and thanks for checking in. Joe
So great to spend time with your family, Joe. At least it’s a relatively short drive from Coronado to Temecula 🙂 We’re hoping to see the super bloom when we head south in 8 days. One of the things I miss about our former home in Sacramento was the poppies dotting the landscape and hillsides.
Hi, Terri,
The poppies are amazing. With all the rain and snow down here, I’ll bet the desert wildflowers will be fabulous. Hope you get a peek at them. If you do, please post pictures. We’ll head home before the bloom, but I want to see the show. Have a great week, and please stay in touch. Joe
Awww, what a sweet visit with your California family! It looks like you really make an effort to connect with whatever interests your grandkids have. You are most definitely NOT an old fogey.
Was that jigsaw puzzle really that big? Helen is tiny next to it, haha. So glad you guys had such a great visit. And wow, what a great year for California poppies! Your photo is gorgeous.
P.S. That bulldog is travel-sized. 🙂
Hello, Laurel,
I just finished a comment on your latest post (fabulous pictures). Helen’s puzzles tend to dwarf her, but she overwhelms them in a matter of days…I don’t have the patience for puzzles. Thanks for your help with the bulldog–I really want one, but don’t have the clearance from my roommate yet. Travel-sized is a checkmark in the plus column. Y’all stay safe out there, and please stay in touch! Joe
Wonderful post and photos, Joe and Helen. I could feel the love all the way here on Vancouver Island. I am so glad to read that all is well for you both. I look forward to continuing to follow your travels.
Hello, Tyler,
So glad you checked in. I have another follower from Vancouver Island who has an outstanding blog and regularly posts about the beautiful surroundings. I can’t get enough of the scenery, so feel free to share if your spring weather produces some beauty that my Tennessee friends would enjoy. I hope you’ll come again and Ease Along with us. Have a great week! Joe