Pardon my analogy, but Vallecito County Park is the plain Jane little sister to Agua Caliente County Park. She’s the older, smoking hot, sexy sister that gets all the attention. Only four miles separate the two San Diego County campgrounds. Agua Caliente has full hook-ups, hot spring fed pools, a clubhouse, showers, and bathrooms. Quail are everywhere and occasionally borregos stroll through the campground. It is busy, full every weekend, and noisy.
Vallecito is not without amenities; it does have bathrooms and showers. It is never full. On the weekdays it is often completely empty. There’s nothing wrong with plain Jane, actually she’s quite nice.
We almost didn’t go anywhere this Presidents’ weekend, but Amelia had some friends staying at Vallecito, so that swayed us. We also took comfort in the fact they take the Covid seriously. We rarely do any in person socializing. Every time we do, it feels more like a slap in the face, instead of fun. A not so subtle reminder of what we are really missing during the pandemic.
It’s been so long since we’ve been in the Airstream. It was embarrassing how lame we were, I won’t go into details, but my god we were like newbies.
A summary of the trip would be really windy, but fun. We did a couple of five-mile hikes. The second one, Rainbow Canyon, I highly recommend. It is a spectacular canyon with at least ten dry waterfalls, which were all climbable. We spooked up a barn owl coming and going. Anytime you can see an owl in the daylight it’s a special day. Heading back down the canyon we were battling 40 mph plus winds and Jumping Cholla. Amelia kept saying it was like being at the top of Mammoth Mountain; right after the gondola shuts down because of high winds. The Cholla pieces were everywhere; thankfully it only ended up on the soles of our shoes and not our skin!
2013 Tundra & 2012 Airstream, looking good!
We found this rock on our first hike. Silly me, I thought this whole painting and putting religious and inspirational words on rocks was a Covid thing. While walking around our block I can’t go three houses without seeing one. The VC Rocks people are from Valley Center and have been doing this since 2017!
Watching a spectacular sunrise is better than anything on the boob tube.
Jumping Cholla
Fishhook cactus
The Desert Lavender is just starting to bloom.
I’m two dry waterfalls above Amelia.
Arizona Chalk Dudleya
The Shrubby Deervetch was also just beginning to bloom.
Amelia descending one of the dry waterfalls.
Rocks like this give Rainbow Canyon it’s name.
Beautiful evening skies are better than anything you can stream on Netflix, Hula, Prime, etc. except for maybe Schitt’s Creek and Letterkenny. God bless the Canadians!
Greg & Amelia's Airstream Adventures 
So nice to be with you both this weekend. Felt like a warm “distanced” hug knowing you were nextdoor.
Thanks for getting us out there!
Very cool, thanks for sharing. We hope to get out soon as well.
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Do it OMB!
Loved reading this and enjoyed seeing the pictures of an area I know well. Do you guys remember the hike we did in small canyons with Andrew ? We looked up and saw the white owl starring down at us. Really close and personal.
Lots of history in that region and a person can literally stumble upon an interesting site that doesn’t even have a posted sign announcing it.
I took my mom to Aqua Caliente… way back in the early ‘80’s! No one was there- at all. Mid week… beautiful spring weather.
Hope you guys get out again soon!
Thanks Dona! I do remember seeing that barn owl with you. 😀
Great pics Greg! We saw similar cactus and beautiful skies recently in Scottsdale, AZ where we spent time in our own quarantine bubble for 4 months. It’s so nice to be able to hike or bike now.
Thanks cousin! Scottsdale is beautiful in the winter.
Another nice blog,you should write a book about all your adventures.
On Wed, Feb 17, 2021 at 6:15 AM Greg & Amelia’s Airstream Adventures wrote:
> anotherboldmove posted: ” Pardon my analogy, but Vallecito County Park is > the plain Jane little sister to Agua Caliente County Park. She’s the > older, smoking hot, sexy sister that gets all the attention. Only four > miles separate the two San Diego County campgrounds. Agua Ca” >
I’m glad you enjoyed it 😀
Mother knows best.
Sun sets, sun rises.
Ahh, the passing of the days. You two are lucky to get to witness our earth’s spinning.
Most days very lucky 😉