California, we’re here at last. The final leg of the journey brought a few tense moments for RaeRay on the edge of San Diego. Dad is a better driver than navigator. Morgan’s cell-phone GPS directs here everywhere, but it only had me perplexed. Perturbed, she gave up the wheel to take over the director’s seat. Moments later, we were back on track.
Looking across the snow-spotted mountains of New Mexico earlier, Morgan had commented that she could live with them as long as they were next to an ocean. We didn’t realize that was exactly the landscape of San Diego. Tessa’s military housing is in a community on the west side of a ridge. As we neared her home, Morgan first glimpsed the Pacific. It capped off a long day of driving for RaeRay.
High points of the day were the rocks of Texas Canyon, NM; the sorrora cacti of Arizona; and the dunes of California. RaeRay covered 688 miles in 11 hours and 8 minutes. The only real stop was for shopping at a Continental Divide gift shop. It was a chance to show my daughter the type of attractions that thrilled my sisters and me at places like Black Mountain and Cherokee, NC, when we were children. Morgan bought moccasins, and I bought an Indian doll for the granddaughter. Excuse me, it was a Native American.
Along the south side of the California line in the distance was a fence hiding the view of Mexico. Border patrols rolled back and forth along I-8, and we stopped at no fewer than five inspection points along the way. I was happy that I quit drinking 11 years ago. Otherwise, RaeRay’s trip could have taken a frightening U-turn. Next came the stone peaks and tottering bolders of Devil’s Canyon. RaeRay marveled at the sights the day had wrought.
In San Diego, Tessa took us to Phil’s BBQ, obviously famous for its saucy pork, chicken, babyback and beef ribs. No one takes names for seating. Everyone lines up in front of the door and waits to be served before finding a table. The line was shorter on this Tuesday night than Tessa had ever seen it. It only stretched to one corner of the building, where a sign offered that the wait was 24 minutes and 8 seconds. The ribs and chicken were a delicious end to a delightful day. We are certainly blessed.
Now, on to the taping of Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” on Day 5. We must be in Burbank by 2:45 p.m., and the taping begins at 4 p.m. Watch for RaeRay in the audience on Wednesday, March 21, 2012.
Side Trips
We forgot to mention breakfast on Day 2 of RaeRay’s Great Adventure. We left Uptown New Orleans looking for a neighborhood grill for a quick meal before our journey to Texas. Our host for the night suggested Dot’s Diner on Jefferson Highway in the Jefferson parish. We followed his directions past Audubon Park and along River Road enjoying a few familiar sights along the way. The AzaleaGrill caught our attention before we reached Dot’s. Inside the café was Scott, a gruff-looking, teddy-bear of a man, who told us Crimson Tide garb was not allowed there. He was probably stewing still from Alabama’s thrashing of LSU in January’s Collegiate National Championship game. We pointed out that Alabama did provide the New Orleans Saints with Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, and Scott softened up a bit. The Azaleah was a great spot for color – the waitress observed – if not for character. After leaving, we saw Dot’s Diners all along Jefferson Highway. We were glad we chose a real neighborhood spot. Hey, Scott, thanks for the memories.
Looking across the snow-spotted mountains of New Mexico earlier, Morgan had commented that she could live with them as long as they were next to an ocean. We didn’t realize that was exactly the landscape of San Diego. Tessa’s military housing is in a community on the west side of a ridge. As we neared her home, Morgan first glimpsed the Pacific. It capped off a long day of driving for RaeRay.
High points of the day were the rocks of Texas Canyon, NM; the sorrora cacti of Arizona; and the dunes of California. RaeRay covered 688 miles in 11 hours and 8 minutes. The only real stop was for shopping at a Continental Divide gift shop. It was a chance to show my daughter the type of attractions that thrilled my sisters and me at places like Black Mountain and Cherokee, NC, when we were children. Morgan bought moccasins, and I bought an Indian doll for the granddaughter. Excuse me, it was a Native American.
Along the south side of the California line in the distance was a fence hiding the view of Mexico. Border patrols rolled back and forth along I-8, and we stopped at no fewer than five inspection points along the way. I was happy that I quit drinking 11 years ago. Otherwise, RaeRay’s trip could have taken a frightening U-turn. Next came the stone peaks and tottering bolders of Devil’s Canyon. RaeRay marveled at the sights the day had wrought.
In San Diego, Tessa took us to Phil’s BBQ, obviously famous for its saucy pork, chicken, babyback and beef ribs. No one takes names for seating. Everyone lines up in front of the door and waits to be served before finding a table. The line was shorter on this Tuesday night than Tessa had ever seen it. It only stretched to one corner of the building, where a sign offered that the wait was 24 minutes and 8 seconds. The ribs and chicken were a delicious end to a delightful day. We are certainly blessed.
Now, on to the taping of Jay Leno’s “Tonight Show” on Day 5. We must be in Burbank by 2:45 p.m., and the taping begins at 4 p.m. Watch for RaeRay in the audience on Wednesday, March 21, 2012.
Side Trips
We forgot to mention breakfast on Day 2 of RaeRay’s Great Adventure. We left Uptown New Orleans looking for a neighborhood grill for a quick meal before our journey to Texas. Our host for the night suggested Dot’s Diner on Jefferson Highway in the Jefferson parish. We followed his directions past Audubon Park and along River Road enjoying a few familiar sights along the way. The AzaleaGrill caught our attention before we reached Dot’s. Inside the café was Scott, a gruff-looking, teddy-bear of a man, who told us Crimson Tide garb was not allowed there. He was probably stewing still from Alabama’s thrashing of LSU in January’s Collegiate National Championship game. We pointed out that Alabama did provide the New Orleans Saints with Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, and Scott softened up a bit. The Azaleah was a great spot for color – the waitress observed – if not for character. After leaving, we saw Dot’s Diners all along Jefferson Highway. We were glad we chose a real neighborhood spot. Hey, Scott, thanks for the memories.
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