January 31st - A further look at Rio Bend

I walked around to an area I haven't really been to yet.  Our local flock of geese continue to be belligerent. Took a few pictures.  Enjoy.

January 25th - Los Algodones

Oh, Mexico
It sounds so sweet with the sun sinking low
The moon's so bright like to light up the night
Make everything all right - James Taylor

And that's why God made Mexico
A place where we can lay low
And the Cuervo goes down nice and slow
And the warm wind blows
That's why God made Mexico - Tim McGraw



Took a drive east.  Made that right turn just before Arizona. Down through the Quechan Indian Reservation, down to the border.  Parked in a huge lot just feet from "The Wall".  Then, we made that crossing into Mexico.  Los Algodones, The cottons. A tourist (turistas?) shopping town.  The town is made up of old and questionably constructed buildings crowded together.  The shops offer mainly drugstores, dentists (many are actually members of the ADA), liquor stores, restaurants, clothing, knick knacks, and taverns.

It was a lot of fun and we wandered around, trying various types of tequila, and generally having fun and people pushing things in our view hoping we'll buy.  We stopped for lunch in a courtyard for tacos and enchialldas.  Later, before going home, we stopped at a tavern called La Parrilla (the grill) where we had some great appitizers and fantastic conversation with a bartender named Jose.  Apparently, tequila is only authentic if it comes from the state of Cotija. 

When we left, we had to stand in a very long, slow moving line to get out.  This is because you have to get by a customs official who seemed to only be concerned about how much liquor you were bringing back.  There is a 1 liter per person allowance. 

We met a few people and had some great conversations.  We even met a fellow from North Dakota.  Small world.

"May I see your passport, please"

January 21st- Social Cycle

We used a Groupon and met with Linda and Tim to experience the Social Cycle.  The Social Cycle is a type of wagon/drink table that is on wheels.  Customers sit around the table and pedal bicycle pedals to power the cycle.  The Host of the cycle steers and brakes and generally guides us through the tour.

This particular package consisted in making stops at two different breweries in the North Park area, and ending up at a tavern where the cycle tour started.

We were running late, but managed to get there soon enough.  The bike itself is a bit cumbersome to get up onto.  In fact, at one point Laurie took a fall and twisted her ankle.  They need to find a better design on this.  We had our two friends as well as about five other young girls and the driver.  There was no drinking on the cycle, but that was okay. 

Our first stop was at the local taphouse of Belching Beaver.  Their brewery is up north in Vista, Ca.  We had 45 minutes to have a couple of brews before moving on.  It was very busy there.  We had a Italian Sausage from a food truck outside that looked like a hot dog (like the famous Oscar Meyer one, but a little cheesier). It wasn't very good.

We moved on and headed north.  up to Poor House Brewing.  They have a good size selection of brews, including 5 different porters.  I got a flight of the five porters.  A couple were okay, but not that impressive.

After that, we peddled on down to our beginning spot.  A tavern on University Ave, Called U-31.  We had little interest in a regular bar, and walked down to Mike Hess Brewing and had some great beers there.

t was a good bunch of fun, but we decided the ride wasn't really worth the price.

The Shaffers

The cycle

Poor House Brewing

Mike Hess brewing