Tacos, Hillary and College Bound

Of course Marty follows the blog and my ratings of our ‘grilled’ fish tacos has him wanting to find the best ‘authentic’ fish taco.  To be an authentic fish taco, the fish would need to be beer battered and deep fried.

Rubio’s started the fish taco craze, by bringing the original San Felipe formula to the US.

Rubio’s also offers a very nice salsa bar.  There are three choices of heat in the spices, jalapenos and pico de gallo with cilantro and onions.  A nice touch.

I had my 2-taco plate made with their original fish taco and the grilled mahi.  Along with picante salsa, pico de gallo and a few extra jalapenos.

Rubio’s original taco was Marty's instant favorite!

We had to take him to the Royal Rooster.  Fran and I enjoyed our grilled fish while Marty raved over the more authentic fried fish taco.

We also split a 50/50 basket.  That is a nice balance of fries and onion rings.  I have not their 'authentic' fish taco in so long that I really don't remember it, but the grilled is really good!

Of course we took him to Aquarius, where the weekday Happy Hour starts at 11 am.

He also had a carne asada taco.  The Aquarius does not offer an 'authentic' fish taco, but he was quite pleased with the grilled mahi.

For Taco Tuesday it would be hard to be beat the offerings at Off Shore.  Marty’s now favorite ‘authentic’ fish taco.

Insider tip:  Order just one taco, with black beans.  The beans are warm and cheesy with enough chips.  If two tacos are ordered they are served on the same sized plate and the chips are sacrificed.

And there is one thing he will not let us run out of is fresh salsa!  Almost daily he’s in the kitchen whipping some up.

The pan is lined with foil to prevent the sugars released from burning into the pan.

We received our first ever Tropical Storm Warning as Hurricane Hillary moved north.  The counter clockwise winds did bring us a nice sunset, that we enjoyed for the deck.

We were spared the fury fo Hillary, our only damage was a branch knocked off our Sweet Gum tree.

We had tickets to the Moonlight Theater's presentation of 42nd Street, but alas the performance was cancelled, for fear of what might have been.  Aj was disappointed as she wanted to ‘Dance in the Rain’.

At least Aj danced in the rain ... in her own back yard.

Cities east of us were hammered!  Palm Springs, Ocotillo, Borrego Springs, etc. all received their annual rainfall in just a couple hours.

The next day we had a nice lunch as both Aj and sister Kg head off to college.

I dropped Marty off at CBX this morning.  He’ll fly out of Tijuana and be spending a week in Mazatlán.  I’ll drop Fran off tomorrow as she heads to Dayton for a couple weeks.  I’m on my own for a bit of ‘Me Time’.  I have no plans at the moment as to how to spend it ... suggeations?

Mt Shasta - Family Fun

We left Susanville east to connect with CA SR89 north to Mt Shasta.  This route passes the Subway Cave.  Although we did not stop, the kids did and said it was totally worth it.  But they have 4 drivers.  The youngest grand-girl Aj did her rotation on 395.

We did stop at McArthur-Burney State Park, expecting the typical SP day use fee of $10.  Nope our 24’ RV is considered ‘Oversized’, we were charged $20 to park 1.5 miles away! … OUCH!

The surrounding porous basalt retains water, allowing for a large underground reservoir to retain.  A large spring at Burney Falls releases the water creating a most beautiful and unique waterfall.

Most of the water pours over the top of the cliff.

Water also flows freely thru the basalt on either side.

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Our first view of Mt Shasta is from SR89.

We’re welcomed to The City of Mt. Shasta.

We all stayed at the KOA at the north end of town … I’d give it 2 stars, 1 – management was impossible to deal with, but 2 – it has a great location!  Perhaps the worst KOA ever!

Having arrived a day earlier g-son Jm and family prepared a yummy pulled pork dinner for us … all 13 of us!  Thanks! guys!!!  No pics, I was too busy eating and catching up.  Delish.

The next day was an early start for hiking and then beaching.  The nimble group did the Heart Lake to Castle Lake hike in the cool early morning.

After the hike we all went over to Lake Siskiyou for a beach day.  With lots of water toys to prepare.

G-son Jm enjoying the dino float.

The north shore provides easy FREE access, perfect for our needs.  It's $2/person on the south shore.

Aj finally has the kayak out for its first journey.

My kid brother checking if the Jeffery Pine really does smell like vanilla.

It does, but so does the Ponderosa Pine.

Fran being towed into deeper water by Jm.

Aj found another use for the dino.  A very versatile float.

Afterwards we stopped at the City Park that contains the Big Shasta Spring, the official headwaters of the Sacramento River.

Maybe it is the lenticular clouds or the crystals found in the area, but the headwaters seems to attract many reaching for their inner selves.  Some by meditation:

Some by chanting:

It’s now Taco Night!  A family favorite potluck!  Carne Asada or pork al Pastor ???? too many decisions ;)

and lots of toppings and side dishes

Thanks best taco night yet!

and a vertical of my favorite Mexican wine.

The 2018 wins by a very narrow margin.

The neighbor has a couple Macadamia nut trees that over hang the fence.  I spent several hours harvesting, shuck'n and shell'n fresh nuts.  Fran used our new RV oven to bake up cupcakes to share.

And another cribbage elimination ladder.

Grand-girl Kg has a unique cribbage board.  Does the power of the circle really bring luck ?

Our DIL made up some special souvenirs unique to this reunion.  She is so awesome and thoughtful, what a great DIL!

s’more kits!

The following morning I took the short bike ride to what I call the Zen Garden <Note their website is not secure!, hence I will not provide a link>.

Lots of prayer flags! a lot o them!

What peace garden would be complete without a praying Madonna?

I made my way through the maze to here.  Why?

The highlite for me was The God Stick, with its various swirls and crystals.

Embedded in the stick is a large crystal, the heart ?

and a turtle, for finding your own way.  Once the turtle hatches, it’s on its own.

Again Jm and family host us.  This time for a pancake breakfast.

That’s Kg taking the homemade blueberry syrup.  Yummy!  And the raspberry was fresh picked from their garden!  OMG!  Who needs Aunt Jamima?  With oh my fresh fruit!

They have a nice griddle for hosting.  Such fun!

Is that a bear and nose print on the back of the nephew's car?

or is it Sasquatch ???

Fran and I have been stopping at Hedge Creek Falls for a leg stretch for a long time.  I was looking forward to showing off this almost unknown gem to the family.  What? the dirt pullout is now marked!

And a new welcome sign!

Well at least the spring fed fountain is familiar.

Hedge Creek Falls has a behind the falls cave.  Not only can you enjoy the back side of water, but some critters that live there.

Like slippery slimy salamanders.

Although the trail continues down to the confluence with the Sacramento River we turned back at the overlook.

Brother Marty and his daughter 

on the return the kids went up to explore a side cave.

These ancient hand prints in this cave date back to … last week?, this morning? 

We need to move on in the morning, but not without a visit to the Dunsmuir Baseball Park.  Why?  Because Babe Ruth and Bob Muesel played a barnstorming baseball game at Dunsmuir Stadium in 1924!

There are some good info and fotos on the link above.  I think nephew L found a ball that he might have hit out of the park!

The Dunsmuir High Tigers play there now.  Even though bleacher seating has been added the old wooden seating has been maintained.

We need to head back for preparations for a long drive in the morning.  Some of the fam headed off to McCloud Falls.  We planned to stop on our way east, but blew right past the turn! … again …

Some pics from those that did make it. 

looking down at Middle Falls

The base of Middle Falls might be the best view of the 3 falls.  And swimming is allowed

Upper McCloud Falls is pretty awesome, too.

We had some ukulele sing along with the nieces.

This blog is already long, so I’ll close with the family foto as we are all together behind Hedge Creek Falls.

We’re now on our way to Denver to meet the twins!, via a colorful geyser and a lonely road …