18.05.01-09 Comp time in Carlsbad

When my camp host duties were complete at the end of April, I moved out of site 127 so the new hosts, Randy and Lois could move in for their upcoming 4 months of host duty.

and I moved to a complementary Admin spot for one week - another benefit of camp hosting in the San Diego state park district. Now I am literally "at the beach" rather than on the inland side of the park road.

 My beach walks continued

and I enjoyed the last full moon of the season here for me.  The deck at the top of the bluff is right across from my site, and the bushes below contain some of Mike's ashes - every time I walk by this spot along the beach on my walks, I am drawn to look up at the deck and smile.

 The moonrise tonight illuminated the 107 steps from beach level to bluff top

and I often made 5 or 10 round trip laps (once I did 20 laps) on these same steps during the daytime for exercise.

I spent an enjoyable afternoon with our friend Mary (from Michigan who now lives in San Diego) on a hike in the Torrey Pines State Reserve.  We had follow-up refreshments at a bar in Del Mar where we watched the Kentucky Derby.  My mom was a big fan of sports in general, and she gave me the understanding that the first Saturday afternoon in May was reserved for enjoying this annual spectacle on TV.

There was a mega street fair in Carlsbad on Sunday afternoon. I went with Roger and Jeannie.  It was so big we did not make it down all the aisles, but we did find the food court.  Jeannie acted as my personal shopper guide - pointing out several nice options for me to purchase  - I was looking for stud earrings and hostess gifts for my upcoming travels.

On Monday I went for bike ride with Tim - one of the park aids I worked with all season.  He recently bought a battery assisted bicycle and has been enjoying the bike ride experience.  We decided it wold be fun to take the bike trail north out of San Diego toward San Clemente. We stopped at San Onofre State Beach Campground along the way

 

and made it all the was to San Clemente State Park where we stopped to talk to the ark aid.

 

Get away day arrived after a week of fun and saying good-bye

 to those I will not see for a while.  

The camper neighbor next door was watching me hook up the Jeep because he was new to motor home travel and had not crossed over the tow vehicle hurdle yet.  Asking questions.  Offering help.  When I was all hooked up and ready to drive away,  I let him help me check the lights connection from MT to the Jeep.  

Believe it or not, I had no brake lights! 

 We tried several adjustments to no avail.  I knew I could not drive with no brake lights.  

Luckily, a fellow camp host, Tooky, a retired auto mechanic with a career of experience working at dealerships was on duty, in the park.  It took him a short while to diagnose the issue ( I think I gave him good clues, because I had brake light issues a couple years ago) and after he returned to his rig to get proper tool, he fixed me up and I was road ready.

 Only 2.5 hours and final golf cart circle of the park to accompany him 

on the noon check-out run.  Another break for me.  

 Thanks Tooky!  Until we meet again!