Ho, Ho, Ho....Deciembre 25, 2017!!

How did this happen?  Sunshine?  Clear blue sky?  Calm wind?  It’s a matter of “changes in latitudes!  Here we are somewhere around 26 degrees, 32 minutes north, .which is WAY different from San Juan Island at 48 degrees north!  Once again, we are lucky to be enjoying a Christmas Day, so different from the 30 we spent at home in the PNW.  

This Christmas morning we head out by kayak to join in a cinnamon bun and coffee extravaganza down the beach.  Of course there is also the annual White Elephant Gift Exchange and this year, a huge sombrero hoisted up for photo ops!

About 60 folks showed up for Susan’s incredible cinnamon wonder buns...and then it was time to head back to our beach and prepare for the annual Beach Potluck Dinner.  

Here’s Steve with one of our potluck special dishes.  You can load it up in a circle (Not too much!  Not too little!) The center is a drink holder, but in this case, we reserve it for Janelle’s fabulous home grown and canned cherries...baked into a cobbler!  Fill that part first, because if you wait...there won’t be any.  This we know!

Just in case you wondered....here’s the cherry cobbler!

And here’s Janelle, standing guard over the food until the dinner bell rings!

Doesn’t everyone have watermelon for Christmas Dinner?

Our uke group had a Christmas song uke circle and people actually stuck around to sing....and...wait for it....applaud!

Playa el Coyote por Deciembre!

We are here!  Here! Once again, it's Christmas on the playa.  First we wait a week for a regular campsite....

Then we go to work filling it up!  Up goes the bug tent...put together the paddle board stand, nail down the mats, set up the outdoor kitchen...oh yes, and deal with the satellite internet connection.

A few days later and Campo Simpson is ready to enjoy!

Steve likes to cook outside and the propane oven and grill are just the right "appliances."  Whatever mi chef wants...I'm for it...

The outdoor kitchen is ready!

Time for coffee and the ration of Costco biscoti!

We get out in the peddle kayaks right away.  Sparky is always sure to be aboard when we cast off.  He doesn't like being left behind.  Ever.  This includes on the paddle boards.

Catptain Steve and First Mate Sparky on the water again!

Wednesday night is movie night at JC's Restaurante up the road.  Every week he fixes great pork carnitas and all the stuff to pile into the tortilla.  Then comes the movie of the week.

How about the first margarita of the season?

 December also means it's time for the beach party for the kids at the local "Children's Home" from town.  This has been an anual tradition for the Coyote Beach folks for three years now.  It's really fun to give the kids a swim and water toy party, then hot dog lunch and of course, there must be a piñata!

Piñata time for Casa Hogar Kids!

This year the kids sang a special song for us right before they loaded back up into the cars to go home.  It was SO sweet.  It's amazing to see how each of the kids have grown over the years.

A little song for us!

 Oh yes, this year the parking lot "sculpture" coyote is one you can climb up and have a good photo op...or just sit down beside.  Creator Bill says it's not finished yet....by a long shot.  The goal is to have a great sculpture to set into a huge campfire at the end of the camping season.  This nightr will also be used to "pass the basket" for donations to local charities.

El Coyote!

Now it's onward to Christmas Day 2017.

Hello Friends!

Due to heavy traffic (always true in southern California) and short daylight hours, we decide to stop along the way at GlennEllen State Park.  It’s a little pocket of an RV spot, trees and hook ups, nestled in a most unlikely spot: right between where I-15 and I-215 make a junction!?  Camper buddies told us about this place in case we ever had a reason to stop for the night in the mess of congested and busy freeways.

We arrive at Marie and Gaby’s house in Jamul, CA at noon.  I am excited to give our little book buddy a new book.  This one is special as it is personally autographed by the authors, who we had the pleasure of meeting in Hawaii this year, Audrey and Don Wood!

Gaby and Steve do a little lego exploration and then she begs and begs to do high flying “dance” routines!?  Who knew?

Fly Gaby, FLY!

One day Marie surprises us with a trip out to “Lions, Tigers and Bears!”  This is a rescue sanctuary in Alpine, California for...well, mostly lions, tigers and bears.  There are a few other wildcats as well.  The two hour experience is educational and the stories about each individual animal and how they were brought to this facility are fascinating.  

All too soon it’s time to move on, nudging our way south.  Next stop:  South Carlsbad State Beach Park to visit Pete and Nancy.