Dick's Gone Big: Birthday Weekend

   On Friday, Geoff had to go in to his last day of a course he was taking, and take a test. I made sure to give him his pep talk letting him know again that Dick's Don't Fail; and told him to Go, Fight, Win! I think my pep talks really work, because yet again he passed with flying colors! He got done early, so we were able to spend the rest of the day together. We decided to go for a walk around some of the mountains near our house. When we got back from exploring, I let Geoff be the "grilling master" of the house and grill some chicken on the grill at the pool. I have to say I will let him grill again! Was pretty yummy!
     I told Geoff not to get me anything for my birthday, but instead to take me somewhere. We decided to go to Julian on Saturday for hiking, apple pie, and beer. We woke up early Saturday and headed out. There are some pretty nice hikes near this town, according to the internet, so I was excited to get to find another great hike! We found a place to park, and went hiking. Now our phones wouldn't work, so we didn't really know where the hike went or where the good hikes were, but oh well we were hiking! We walked and walked and finally said we better turn around, because we saw a sign that said we had gone 3.5 miles and that's how much we had to do to go back, because this was not a loop trail and we were never getting back to the car if we continued! Once we finally got back, it had been 2 hours. We went to the bathroom and got some water. Geoff was like you want to keep hiking; duh don't ask me that question!! I was like ya; let's go. I don't think he was too excited that I said yes, but he came along. We found a new direction to go and we were off. This was supposed to be the airplane monument trail, which I was like Geoff don't you want to see the airplane monument!! We go for around 30 minutes and find nothing. At this point I was ready to go ahead and turn around; and I'm sure Geoff was as well, but we ran into some people on horseback with a map. Geoff checked it out and said looks like not too much farther and we will end up back at the car. I was like ok lets go! We kept running into this people on horseback. They were like wow ya'll are fast. In my head I'm thinking; I'm so ready for some food and a drink, so ya we are moving fast! They did finally feel sorry for us and gave us some water. They probably were making fun of us; who goes out hiking and takes nothing with them!! We finally end up at sign that says we still have 1.5 miles, so we keep going. And we get to another sign and it says 1.5 more miles. I'm like wow we are never getting back. Finally, after another 2 hours we see the car. I'm pretty sure I sprinted to the car!! Horse people were prolly like she sure it in a hurry!! Mind you, we were in front of the horses at this point. Needless to say we didn't get to hike one of the top 10 hikes of San Diego like I wanted, but oh well it was fun anyway!
     I'm pretty sure Geoff will never go hiking with me again, but maybe I can talk him into it again. We took our shoes off at the car and our feet were so dirty. I didn't know how I was going to go to town being so dirty, but I wanted some food! So, we changed clothes in the parking lot and went to town. Julian is known for it's apple pie, (which neither of us are really crazy about) so we knew we couldn't go to Julian without eating some apple pie.
     We went to a restaurant to have some lunch and apple pie. I told Geoff I was going to the bathroom, but didn't make it back for awhile. I decided, I was going to take a shower in the bathroom! LOL Ok not literally, but I did wash my feet, legs, face, and hands. I was so gross!!
     After lunch, we walked through the town. I think I was dragging Geoff along, at this point, to these shops. I think his feet were hurting really bad, but I had to go see these stores. He put on a smile and came along with me! After all the stores, we made our way to a brewery that they had in town. We sampled some of their beers. I was not a big fan of these beers. They kind of tasted like dirty socks. There were a couple that were ok, but I'll pass on those!
     We made our way back, and one of Geoff's friends called and wanted to have us over for dinner. So we ran home, showered, got dressed, and were right back in the car headed to their house. Had some pulled pork, beers, fire, and good conversation. Who would have thought we would actually enjoy a fire in June, but it was nice and the weather was amazing. I'm pretty sure that day wore us out!! We were both beat after all that.
     Sunday, we decided to try out our first church. We went to a Lutheran Church near the house. It was a Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, which I had no idea anything about, but they believe in the Bible, so why not. When we got there, they were just like the church I went to in OG, looking for a pastor. So, this wasn't their regular preacher, but he did do a good job. We are probably going to try another church or two more... Not a bad one, but I'm not sure.
     All in all a good weekend here in the big California. Looking forward to more exploring. I guess this week I better start looking for something to do during the week, so I don't get bored (not that I have yet). I either have to find something to do, or have a kid and I'm sure Geoff would rather not! :)