In 2008, Donna and I vacationed in Maui. We snorkeled the reefs daily. Our usual routine was to be up early, have coffee and biscotti, then head out to a secluded cove to snorkel before the crowds arrived.

We stayed in Kaanapali at the Westin Hotel. There were places to snorkel right by the hotel. Black Rock is a popular snorkeling spot there. We usually ventured out though. We would drive up to Honolua on Highway 30. There were a couple of spots that locals told us about, like Makulei’a Bay at mile marker 32.

We would spend an hour or so in the ocean, snorkeling among the reefs, checking out tropical fish and sea turtles. By the time were ready to head back to Kaanapali, we had worked up a mighty appetite.

Our favorite thing to do was to stop at a little cafe where we would order loco moco and sit outside and eat our breakfast. Loco moco is a ubiquitous Hawaiian breakfast. It consists of a hamburger patty on white rice with two fried eggs over medium on top. Brown gravy covers everything. It is delicious and very filling.

I mention this because on Friday evening, I stopped in at the Offshore Grill and Tavern and somehow, loco moco found its way into our conversation at the bar. Lauren, the bartender, told me about a cafe on Cass Street in north Pacific Beach that serves loco moco. I’d never seen loco moco on a menu outside of Hawaii.

So on Saturday morning, Donna and I drove over to Leilani’s Cafe for loco moco. You order at the counter, then seat yourself. The girl at the counter asked if we wanted the Hilo-style loco moco. This was a new twist I hadn’t heard of before. Hilo-style comes with spicy fried rice with Portuguese sausage instead of plain white rice. We went for the Hilo-style and found a table outside on the deck. They bring the food to your table on paper plates. It was outstanding. The coffee was excellent as well.

Loco moco Hilo-style

After the hearty breakfast, we drove up to Del Mar to check out the RV park by the fairgrounds and race track. We were thinking that we might head up there next Tuesday when we have to leave Mission Bay RV Park for the night. If we liked it, we might consider a month-long stay there in the future. The park is just minutes from shops and restaurants on Pacific Coast Highway with easy access to some terrific bicycling routes. It turned out not to be a suitable place for us – all gravel, tight sites and no sewer hook-up. We decided there’s no point in paying $50 for the night if we aren’t interested in coming back for a longer stay.

We will be returning to San Diego in April. My youngest daughter, Shauna, will be graduating from Cal Western School of Law on May 1st. We might come back to Mission Bay and stay for the graduation, but we want to look at a couple of other places.

Jim Birditt, my best friend from my high school days, is in town for the weekend. Donna and I met up with him at the Offshore Grill and Tavern in the afternoon. We had a couple of beers and chatted. After about an hour, Carole Bringas, another friend going back to our school days, joined us. We ended up ordering a table full of appetizers and hanging out for a few hours there.

Carole, Jim and Donna at the Offshore Grill and Tavern

Today is NFL football day. I’ll don my number 14 Dan Fouts Chargers throwback jersey for the game against St. Louis. Jim is planning to come over for the game.