Caught Traveling: St. Patrick

Disclaimer: No green beer was drunk here.

We took a drive into San Diego with the primary purpose being to get some corned beef and cabbage for the holiday. Friday night we played Magic: the Gathering. always fun and even one of John's cats got into the game.

On Saturday afternoon, we had picked Hooleys Irish Pub for our early dinner. The pub was changing into an event mode, where they were going to not wait tables, but put out a buffet and got ready for a live band and dance night. A couple of very nice people waited on us and made sure we were happy. The food was good and we enjoyed it.

Later that night, we made a visit to BNS Brewing in Santee. They were absolutley rocking with a live band. The band had 9 members including a four person horn section. R&B, rock, and disco. They were a very tight band and we spoke to a couple of the members afterwards.

It was a mellow and fun night. Erin Go Braugh!!!

Cat Playing Cards

Our waiter

Nana got a wringer for her towel rack.

The Band at BNS

It was a date! It was a gathering! It was an excuse to eat Corned Beef and drink Irish car bombs.

Our son, Alexander was in town, and we arranged to go sightseeing with Francine and France and included some time with Alex.

There had been an Irish festival in Balboa Park, but it was the previous weekend. Still, the couple from Colorado hadn't been there, so we met them there outside the famous Air & Space museum. We took a tram to the plaza and walked around a little. From there, we called a Uber for a ride downtown. Our driver, Michelle, was stunning. Tall, in a great dress, and very polite as well as having a french accent and quite obviously a male.

GEOCACHING ; While waiting for the UBER, we picked up a quick find right there in the parking lot. "Balboa Park and Cache", GCQJMH

Once downtown, we walked down the street to The Field. A local Irish Pub. One of he oldest in San Diego with furnishings and such brought over from Ireland itself.

The Field

There was a 40 minute wait, so we walked a couple of doors down to The Blarney Stone Pub for a quick pint of Guinness. By then the table was ready and we were seated. Yes, the place was very crowded as you can imagine any place connected with Ireland on St. Patrick's Day would be. We immediately ordered Irish Car Bombs from our nice Dubliner, Garrett. For a meal, Laurie and I decided to split the mixed plate. It was plenty of food for two. It featured Shepard's pie, Guinness beef stew, corned beef and cabbage, and rasher and cheese. For appetizers we had sausage rolls and Irish potato skins.

When we were done, we walked down the street to a place called The Neighborhood. There, we had great service from Jealous who had more tattoos than I did. We sampled some craft beers as our awesome dinner settled. Then we caught another Uber back to our cars.

The Neighborhood

We drove up to Mira Mesa and visited the Green Flash brewery for a very informative tour. We had samples and enjoyed the company of friends and family.

Green Flash Brewery

Finally, we said goodbye and left for home. Just about the best St. Patrick's Day ever.

San Diego Air& Space Museum

Friends and Family

There was no way I could get to an area for a better shot, but I loved how the Coronado Bridge just runs off into the fog

Plaza Del Mundo

Canyon area with walking trails. Laurel street bridge in distance.

Balboa Park, at 1.875 sq. miles is larger than NYC's Central Park of 1.137 sq. miles. The San Diego zoo uses 99 acres within the park.

Gaslamp District of Downtown San Diego

The Barney Stone Pub

Down the street, the back of Petco Park, home of the SD Padres, showing the historic Western Metal Supply Company building which was the foundational corner of the ballpark.
http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/07/21/ballpark-quirks-san-diego-petco-park-western-metal-supply-company