Roadtrip to SoCal 4- LA, OC and Fallbrook

For the past few days, I've been visiting family and friends. On my last post, I had spent a night with Ron and Barb in Orange County. They were wonderful hosts, but due to my busy schedule, I was unable to spend much time with them. But the time that was spent was fun, and I was able to reconnect. I also spent some time that Tuesday night up in Santa Monica with a friend. It was a short stay, but I did get to see some people, shake some hands, kiss some babies, and get a little feel for LA and OC.

Fallbrook has been wonderful. It is an hour and a half away from the insanity of the big city, and has a truly charming feel. As Chuck, Mary Jo and I sat on their back deck eating dinner, we looked out at the surrounding hills dotted with grape vineyards, avocado trees, and Spanish-style houses. The only sound was the soft, warm evening breeze that brushed our ears as it drifted on by.

Today, Chuck and I went into Camp Pendleton (the large Marine base nearby) to see a museum of former military vehicles and the famous ranch house of a man that was the Mexican mayor of this area when Mexico owned it, and then became the first mayor of the area when the US gained it. We then did a little tour of Fallbrook as chuck showed me what the area has to offer, and it has proved to be a neat little town and much more than merely a community of rich old retirees that can't handle the city no mo'.

My first solo roadtrip has been a success. I've seen some neat sights, have reconnected with old friends and family, and have met some new people. Tomorrow, I take a quick flight back home from LAX, on which I will start to daydream about my next trip.