happy independence day!

I'd like to wish everyone in the States a Happy Independence Day today! I hope your days are full of joy and good food and good beers and good friends!

In addition, I think today should be extended to celebrate personal independence for all of those in the world who are lucky enough to have it. Independence Day shouldn't just be about America's liberation from Great Britain; but rather, it should be about recognizing and valuing the freedom to make our own life choices. There are many in the world who do not have such priviledges (but we should fight for that to change). Being in a country like the US, we have the freedom to run our own private businesses, choose our own homes, make our own money (and keep it). We can make independent choices to live a life we choose. So to that, happy independence day to everyone!

E and I decided to celebrate our 4th a little earlier to avoid the mobs and crowds. We drove down to San Diego on the 2nd for the night, and then the next morning we took a day trip to East San Diego to Cuyamaca and Julian and their neighboring towns.

What fun! In the morning we went to row a boat in Lake Cuyamaca. Some cute little duckies greeted us as soon as we boarded our boat.

Then we stopped by Julian for some derishous apple pie at Mom's. Mmm...apple crumb is the way to go, I tell ya.

So derisssshoouuusssss....

Next, we stopped by Pine Hill Egg Ranch on Route 78 (map) for some fresh eggs. I wonder if it's possible to hatch chicks from them... They even have a drive-thru to buy eggs! Check out the price differences from my visit in November 2007 to this visit in July 2009. Times sure have changed. Still a great deal for fresh eggs though! Sometimes the jumbo ones even have double-yolks.

Our last destination was Stone Brewery in Escondido to wind down with some refreshing beeah. Ah...

All in all, a great day trip!