Palomar Mountain and Lake Henshaw

Including a Tasty Stop at The Round Up BBQ Grill

 

Looking for Something to Do in San Diego on the Weekend? How about Palomar Mountain and Lake Henshaw?

On Sunday morning, my boyfriend Ed and I were deciding what we could do for the day. Decisions are somewhat difficult as we have Henson, my six-month-old pup with us. Ed looked on a website that talked about 50 dog friendly places to go, and one of them was the Palomar Mountain Observatory, home of the 200-inch Hale Telescope. Decision made!

We packed what we would need for the dog and ourselves and off we went. We took the curvy scenic route up the mountain, which was about 16 miles from Escondido area. There are plenty of pullout spots on the ride up to enjoy the scenery or to get out of the way of some very crazy motorcyclist. Ed and I ride, but safely. On Sunday, there were hundreds of speed bikers screaming down those curves and it was frightening, not going to lie. First time that has happened though. We have ridden up to Palomar numerous times and it is always peaceful and pleasant. This time, we were in a car since we had the dog.

If you do pull off to the side of the road, just keep an eye out for poison ivy as it is very abundant in places. We stopped once to enjoy the view, the trees, and to watch a group of three hawks circling and calling overhead. 

The observatory is easy to find. Just keep following the signs. There is a large parking lot (but keep in mind, there are no gas stations on the mountain). The observatory area closes around 4 p.m. so be sure and check times and weather conditions prior to making the drive. There is a small museum and gift shop right near the parking lot entrance, as well as a large picnic ground. Everything is clean and the path to the observatory is paved. The fall colors were emerging on the plants and it was lovely. There was also a wonderful breeze in the area.

There are some shaded benches near the observatory with pretty views over the hills and mountains.

Once you get to the observatory (a fairly short flat walk), be prepared for steps up to the entrance and 70 steps inside up to the actual telescope mirror and the information area. There is an entrance around the back for the mobility impaired but it was not attended when we were there and there was no bell to ring or anything. So I enjoyed myself outside, sitting on a bench looking at the beautiful views around me while Ed explored inside.

We then left Palomar and instead of turning back down the twisty grade, we veered left towards Lake Henshaw. An easier ride and also very picturesque. (Signs leading the way to Lake Henshaw out of Palomar are easy to spot and follow.) Also a note, there are no dog friendly restaurants or much of anything in the way of places to eat on the mountain.

There are two main paved lookouts with parking lots on the way down to Lake Henshaw. The first one is partway down Palomar Mountain and provides a wide-sweeping view of the area. Lake Henshaw can be seen in the distance (which is easier in the winter as there is more water).

The second viewing area is practically on top of Lake Henshaw and overlooks the entire area. It is gorgeous in winter but not bad in summer either.

We then went for a lunch/dinner at one of our favorite places. Yes, it is out of the way and from the outside, does not look like much, but the chef is amazing. We have never had a bad meal or bad service there. And they have the best appetizer wings, hands down, which come in a variety of flavors. Everything is delicious and we were allowed to come in with the dog in their front enclosed patio seating area which overlooks Lake Henshaw.

Fried pickles with a spicy sauce. So good!

Mushroom Swiss burger.

Roasted tomato flatbread. So wonderful. Flavors from the roasted tomatoes and light homemade tomato sauce just burst in your mouth.

The Round Up BBQ Grill  is located at 26439 CA-76, Santa Ysabel, 92070. They are open from 11a.m. to 7p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7a.m. to 7p.m. Friday through Sunday. There is a store attached to the restaurant where you can pay for access to Lake Henshaw, which we will plan for next time. There is always something cool and interesting to do in San Diego County.

Electric Kettle for Pour Over Coffee and Tea #willowandeverett

Both Classy and Easy To Use

 

Since I cannot drink coffee anymore; tea has become very special to me. A large portion of tea drinking pleasure comes from the presentation.

This Stainless Steel Gooseneck Electric Kettle is not only easy to use, it looks very classy. It’s easy to grip handle with tapered spout is perfect for making an impeccable cup of tea. The indicator light lets me know when the water is at boiling temperature; it only takes a few minutes.

The auto shut off feature is also appreciated. It holds a liter of liquid. I love to pack it for travel; perfect for making tea on the road.

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Product Description

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This Willow & Everett Electric Gooseneck Kettle is designed to help you brew a better cup of coffee with ease and convenience. The 1 liter capacity kettle boil quickly, features a beautiful stainless steel design and has a spill-free lid for safety. Even better? You can try it out and if you have any problems at all we'll give you your money back - guaranteed!

• BREW BETTER COFFEE - If you really want to enjoy a good cup of coffee, normal kettles probably aren't going to get the job done. The long neck of our 1 liter electric gooseneck design gives you a slow, controlled and precise flow of water that is optimal for extracting the most flavor when you brew coffee or tea using the pour-over method.
• QUICK AND ATTENTION-FREE BOILING - A 1000 watt, 120 volt electric base quickly and conveniently boils your water. Just flip the switch, walk away and tend to other things while your water boils in a fraction of the time compared to a normal kettle. When your water has boiled the auto shut-off feature will immediately power down the unit and the kettle easily lifts off the base for easy pouring.
• HIGH-QUALITY STAINLESS STEEL DESIGN - This mirror finish stainless steel gooseneck electric kettle is a standout in any kitchen and will match your other stainless steel kitchen appliances. It's 100% food-grade stainless steel with no teflon or chemical linings. The BPA- free plastic handle is ergonomically designed and large enough to comfortably fit an adult sized hand.
• SPILL-FREE LID FOR SAFETY - This tea kettle's airtight spill-free lid ensures no messes happen and that your hands are kept safe from scalding hot water. A BPA-free plastic knob makes the lid easily removeable.
• CUSTOMER GUARANTEE We're confident you'll love our stainless steel electric gooseneck kettle, perfect for at home coffee and tea brewing. However, if you're not completely satisfied, we'll give you a 100% refund within 90 days of purchase--NO QUESTIONS ASKED. We have the best customer service on Amazon, and YOU, the customer, are our top priority.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Reef's Paw Patrol Birthday Party

Reef Indy has been looking forward to his birthday party for weeks.  He picked out the 'Paw Patrol' theme.  He also went with mom to pick out his cake.  It was a  perfect California Saturday; just right for the Jumpy Water Slide.  Reef had a wonderful time with friends and family. 

Post by Oma Loves U.

Grillinator BBQ Meat Claws for Shredding & Handling #GrillinatorClaws

These Meat Claws are really well designed. They are the perfect size (6.4 x 4.8 x 2.6 inches) and fit my hands nicely. Perfect to pull, shred and/or lift – (ie: Pulled Pork, Shredded Chicken, or Lifting Turkeys). They are dishwasher safe for easy clean-up. I love that they come with an unconditional guarantee.

These Grillinator BBQ Meat Claws would make the perfect gift for the grill master in your life. They even come in a nice box ready for gift wrapping.

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Product Description

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Smart people realize price doesn't equal value, and for good reason. At some point you get tired of buying the same junk over and over. These BBQ meat claws (and all our products for that matter) are carefully designed, sourced and manufactured to work better and last longer... and to make you look good while you're at it. Buying from us means you are buying the best with a guarantee to match. Welcome to the Grillinator family!

• GRAB THESE --> BPA free, heat resistant, durable, sanitary and extremely easy to clean Bar-B-Q gadgets so you can spend more time dirtying the BBQ pit and less time cleaning your tools
• RUGGED AND RELIABLE --> Sharp tips, no seams, no crevices and a solid handle will have you shredding, pulling, and lifting your brisket, chicken, turkey or any other Bar-B-Cue meat faster than ever for more time eating and less time working.
• IMPRESSIVELY DESIGNED --> Better Angle, Longer Reach Claw Handler Set gives you the extra distance you need into the slow cooker or charcoal, propane, pellet or wood fired grill so your paws are not in contact with the barbeque meat, keeping your hands safe from burns and free to stuff more Bar-B-Que into your face.
• LIGHT AND SMOOTH --> Each pair is hand finished to eliminate rough edges created during the molding process. So the chef in your life can worry about the best cooking method like baking, braising, broasting, charbroiling, frying, pressure cooking, roasting, searing, smoking or rotisserie and not worry about any irritation from the utensils they use.
• LONGLASTING GRILLINATOR GRAPPLERS --> With the UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTEE- Our family owned business does everything it can to promote 100% personalized satisfaction in every way for everything we do so you can sleep better at night when you choose to do business with us. Contact us and we will do everything we can to make it right. No Questions Asked!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Board Books and DVDs #rocknlearn

When the older grandson comes by Oma’s house, she likes to have several activities to keep him busy. These sets of Board Books and DVDs not only entertain him, but it helps him learn as well.

The Animals DVD and Board Book educates with fun animal facts. It promotes creative movement, motor skills, listening, and following directions.

The Silly Sentences DVD and Board Book focuses on learning and practicing the letter sounds.

Oma appreciates how the sturdy thirty-page board books are made of a laminated type of page that is easy to wipe clean after being handled by those sticky little fingers. They both use colorful illustrations that hold the child’s attention and encourages their curiosity. 

These are available as a set
Board Book and DVD @ rocknlearn.com

 

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Animals DVD and Board Book

 

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Silly Sentences DVD and Board Book

 

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Product Description

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Animals DVD and Board Book

DVD - Children unleash their imaginations and dance along with real kids on screen while imitating animals from the farm, forest, and zoo. Delightful songs and exciting live footage of more than 60 creatures captivate children as they learn fun facts about animals—where they live, what sounds they make, how to care for pets, and much more. Children learn creative movement, motor skills, listening, and following directions.

Board Book - Children love the fascinating world of animals. Colorful illustrations and fact-filled rhymes encourage little ones curiosity. You will treasure the special time spent together learning about these 44 creatures from the farm, forest, and around the world. Two great ways to use this book: As a picture book, children love flipping thought the pages and identifying each animal. When they are ready, lyrical rhymes promote early literacy and present intriguing facts about each animal. Goes with Rock 'N Learn Animals video or can be used independently. 30 pages.

Silly Sentences DVD and Board Book

DVD - New characters, fun music, and phonemic awareness activities help students learn the skills to become competent readers. After a quick review of upper and lowercase letters, young learners practice the most common sound each letter makes. An on-screen mouth shows how to form the sounds. Excitement builds as kids race the clock to say letter sounds in silly sentences before hearing the answers. After several more fun activities, kids experience the success of reading complete sentences and short stories.

Board Book - Give little ones an early boost learning the sounds that letters make. Silly sentences for all 26 letters help develop pre-literacy skills. Bright, colorful illustrations add to the fun. A game-show format challenges young minds to say or point to the letter featured in each sentence. The soothing effect of hearing repeated sounds makes this board book perfect before naps or bedtime. Goes along with a segment from Rock 'N Learn Letter Sounds video or can be used independently. Get ready for giggles and learning! Ages 1 -5.

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Rock ‘N Learn is used in schools nationwide and throughout the world. They get rave reviews from teachers, parents who home-school, and conscientious parents wanting to give their kids an extra boost.

Rock 'N Learn Website

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Roewe Women's Swimwear Light Floral Print Chiffon Kimono Cover Up #Roewe

This kimono cover-up is very light yet covers well; not see through. I love the colors. It does run comfortable large. I would normally need an x-large but the large fit me well. Great Kimono for a Great price. It goes with almost everything.

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Product Description

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This cover-up is this summer's hottest new trend. Versatile design, it can be worn as a shawl, or beach bikini cover-up. The Fabric is perfect for the summer and a must have accessory for all the ladies. Fashionable& stylish, lightweight bikini wrap.

• • 100% Polyester
• • Comfortable leisure oversized kimono blouse
• • Easy and comfortable to wear
• • Best match for bikini or any summer dress and shorts
• • PLS CHECK SIZE INFO IN PRODUCT DESCRIPTION BEFORE ORDER

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Essential Oil Diffuser with Clock #hekaliving

Oma loves items that provide multiple uses. This diffuser with clock really fits that bill. Essential oil diffusers are known to improve your health, increase your energy, and even will help you sleep better. I like to use mine to de-stress, and improve my mood. 

This diffuser is very easy to set up and use. Love that it uses ultrasonic waves to instantly vaporize the water and oils to produce a fragrant mist. The clock is also easy to set and read. The Heka Living Clock Diffuser makes a creative gift.

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Product Description

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Refresh Your Surroundings & Reap Aromatherapy's Benefits With Heka Living's Essential Oil Ultrasonic Diffuser & Cool Mist Humidifier.

• MULTIFUNCTIONAL AROMATHERAPY ESSENTIAL: The Heka Living Ultrasonic Diffuser and Humidifier is a versatile gadget which will help you make the most out of your aromatherapy regimen. Our unique product it is among the RARE few to feature a LED clock! Heka Living's has 6 IN 1 pre-installed functions, making it the best essential oil diffuser, humidifier, LED clock, air purifier, oil fragrance disperser & night light! Invest in the best aromatherapy gadget on the market, today!
  
• ADVANCED, WHISPER QUIET OPERATION: Thanks to its 2.4 MHz Ultrasonic Diffusing Technology, all essential oil particles retain their therapeutic and healing properties intact, while they are effortlessly diffused as pure micro-particles, completely separated from water, filling the air with a fragrant, cool mist. This method promotes even essential oil dispersal within any room or space, while it also provides advanced, whisper quiet operation and improved essential oil bodily absorption, too.
• LARGE CAPACITY FOR SAFE & CONTINUOUS USE: You won't have to worry about your diffuser running out of water anymore. With a large, 400 ml capacity and 4 TIMER SETTINGS, you are able to control its operation, according to your needs. Additionally, our diffuser features a built-in auto OFF function, as well as a subtle alarm, which will notify you in the occasion a water refill is needed! It just doesn't get easier - or better - than this.
• BUILT-IN LED CLOCK: Never lose track of time - even during therapeutic aromatherapy sessions, calming Yoga or a soothing, spa massage! Our diffuser features a 12/24 hour LED clock, which is smoothly operational and punctual, even after prolonged periods of not being in use. Take advantage of our diffuser's time feature by prominently displaying as a clock it in your home, spa or studio and get flooded with compliments!
• WE GUARANTEE YOUR SATISFACTION: We take great pride in the quality of our diffuser. In the unlikely event our product fails to meet or exceed your expectations, you are welcome to return it, within the first 45 days, post-purchase, for a FULL refund. All Heka Living Diffusers are further covered by our superior, 12-month FREE parts and labor warranty! Purchase Now The Best Essential Oil Aromatherapy Ultrasonic Diffuser & Cool Mist Humidifier On Amazon!

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Heka Living brings the highest quality and most affordable products
to your home to make life easy, beautiful, and healthy. 

Heka Living Website

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe would be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."