You must know by now that if I can fit a tidbit or two of California history into a story I’m going to do just that. This time it was easy.
Two hours of unusually smooth sailing down the freeway and we were in the heart of historically-rich San Diego, first claimed for Spain by Juan Cabrillo in 1542. See? I just can’t help myself.
And then there’s the perfect climate!
Many popular polls list San Diego as the best climate in California, and it was beautifully warm and sunny. I’ll tease with some gorgeous winter color.
There are so many parts of the city that I find fascinating but I’ll share another time. This visit to San Diego wasn’t about sight-seeing or history chasing.
Jay and I were off the curb to meet someone I’d only known through her fabulous blog, The Accidental Cootchie Mama.
Andra Watkins, an accomplished, published author, is one of the first people I connected to when in the earliest stages of my blogging experience. No matter how little time I have for reading and keeping up with my blogging friends, I prioritize reading her daily posts, charmed and intrigued with her uniquely honest and personal writing style.
We welcomed the opportunity to share a lengthy visit with Andra and the equally interesting and friendly MTM. I wasn’t at all concerned that we would run out of things to discuss, and I found Andra just as charming in person as I anticipated.
The truth is, I felt at home with both Andra and MTM. They are a wonderful couple, and although 2,535 miles separates Los Angles from Charleston, South Carolina, they feel close, like treasured neighbors.
In fact, some time ago I discovered that Andra’s grandmother and my maternal grandmother shared a last name. I did attempt to throw out a few more names to see if we could land on any that were familiar to the two of us. Despite the fact we couldn’t make that connection, I’ve decided to simply ignore that fact and instead I am claiming Andra as family.
Thank you Andra and MTM for carving out the space and time from your vacation schedule to meet with two “slightly older” Californians. We had a wonderful time!
And if you haven’t yet been introduced to my friend and “cousin” Andra, you just must! It’s an ever-widening friendship circle, and you won’t want to be left out now, will you?
breathelighter 
Nice one Debra! Andra has a special talent in my eyes
I haven’t met Andra but I have fabulous warm memories of San Diego, Debs. 🙂 Glad it worked so well for you!
VERY NICE….
SINCERELY ANDREA:))
Extended family are always welcome! What a great story. I hope you and Andra have many more fabulous times together xx
Another successful blogging meet and greet! I love these! If you will excuse me, I have to go visit another blog,…..
As I mentioned to Andra, two of my favorite blogging friends meeting up in one of my favorite cities has me green with envy, Debra. I guess green is okay with the advent season and your lush photos. Seriously, I think it quite grand that you and your husbands could meet up, chat, laugh, and, well, “family” is like that. I loved reading this.
Now, my friend, about all this snow you have falling on those fabulous blooms! tee hee
How FUN! So glad that you had the chance to connect in person after your extended cyber connection!
I’m so glad you had a chance to meet-up with another blogging friend Debra. It’s always so much fun and simply amazing how we all seem to slip right into easy conversation. I also love the pictures of San Diego! It is easily my favorite city in CA! There was a point in time we went once a year, but now we haven’t been since Mr. N was three. I’ll have to get out there again one of these days!
MTM and I are still talking about what a great time we had. Thank you so much for coming down and meeting us. Love the photos, as always.
A great share as usual.. I’ve saved the link for when I’ve time to pop over and see Andra’s blog… if you like it I’m sure I will…
I dream of meeting my blogging buddies one day – you two meeting up just goes to show that we’re one big blogging family!
Sounds like it was a great meet-up!
Oooh! Did you go down to Rocky Intertidal Zone? What a tease!? Debra, you really left us hanging. It can’t be that that’s all the pictures you gonna provide us. 😀
And, no fair! I’d like to meet you one day. 😉 yes, it’s an official request. 😀
Nice to know you had a successful meet.
We didn’t actually spend much time in San Diego this visit. Our purpose was to meet Andra and her husband, but I did take a few photos of the city skyline. We will be going back again soon to take advantage of more sight seeing. There are some favorite San Diego spots I didn’t have time for this time. And I’d be so pleased to meet you, Rommel. When you get back to California, let’s figure out a time, shall we? 🙂
Hi Debra,
I wandered over from Andra’s blog, as you were the blogging buddy immediately to the north of my comment. 🙂
Just love the photos on this post, and – of course – the lovely recap of your visit.
Nancy
Thank you for visiting, Nancy. Andra is really such a hospitable person, isn’t she? She’d like for us all to know one another, and I think that’s great. I’ll be over to visit you, too! Thank you for stopping by. Feel free to come again. 🙂
I clicked the handy dandy follow button, so I’ll look forward to your next post!
I’ve been to San Diego twice.. it’s a favorite of mine and I can believe it has the best weather! I’d love to be gazing at those flowers right now! I love that you’ve met up with Andra.. I’m off to visit her blog:)
I’m glad you know San Diego, Barb. It’s an interesting place, and every time we visit we find someplace new to enjoy. Andra and her husband, MTM, are really delightful. I hope you’ll get to know her. 🙂
Blog meet-ups are SUCH fun, Debra. 🙂 I’m so glad you could manage to meet up with Andra, given the distance that normally separates you. Thanks too for the link – i shall be off to explore…..
It was so delightful to meet Andra and her husband, Perpetua. And you’re right. They live a very long distance from our home, and I was honored that she wanted to make arrangements to meet. I have smiled often this week just thinking about it. ox
Ah, yes, San Diego. A most beautiful city. My fond memories center around the fact that our first grandchild was born there. Even though on our several visits before and after the little guy was born we took in the sites, our favorite was probably the walking trail behind our son and daughter-in-law’s house. Not only was it framed by beautiful trees, there were critters that sometimes allowed us to see them. Thank you for liking my blog.
I’m delighted to learn that you have such nice memories tied to San Diego. It’s a wonderfully diverse city, with so many different pockets and sectors representing the “old” and the “new.” I love those walking trails behind some of the neighborhoods, too. We try to visit as often as we can, just for a little change of scenery. And it’s always a delight. Thank you too, for stopping by. 🙂
Debra, as always, your writing is so very much complimented by your eye for photography. I loved the photo of the orange flowers from what I think are succulents!
Indeed, San Diego is beautiful, isn’t it? And I am happy to hear you were able to meet someone you admired. But… I got to ask… what or who is MTM? Mary Tyler Moore? 🙂
hahaha! When Andra refers to her husband on her blog she uses his initials, which just happen to be MTM. 🙂 Thank you for complimenting the photography, Koji. I have some more from that day in San Diego I hope to share soon. I also would like to go back before too long and just take the camera and some long walks. Everywhere I looked there was something interesting. It had been a while since we’d visited. I’m glad I could our day with you. 🙂
It’s been awhile since I’ve been down to San Diego. Always love the sunshine there!
Meeting your blog friend that you admire in a beautiful place…that is so cool, Debra!
It was great fun to meet Andra, Amy. Have you had the opportunity to meet any of your blogging friends? I found that Andra and I connected easily as we already knew quite a bit about each other, but then at the same time it’s a whole new experience being face to face. Maybe you’ll have the chance sometime, too! 🙂
I haven’t met any of my blog friend yet… I can feel your joy of meeting with Andra 🙂 Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience.
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