Birthday Party Springboard to A Summer Escape

We received a catering request on our website & Kate soon followed up.  Vivian was having a birthday party around lunch time on a Saturday in August & we were glad to accommodate.  

Kate went back & forth with her over email to hammer out the details.  She asked her to pick four Cheezers from the seven on our menu at the time.  Vivian went with two vegetarian (OBC & Totes MaGoats) & two meaty options (Zach Daddy & Kater Taters).  

We got there early for the setup in a public park in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego.  

"You guys do coffee?" a dad at the party asked.

"No, just grilled cheese, sodas & waters," I said.

"You guys should do coffee & sell your sandwiches at my kid's soccer games," he said.

We always get suggestions from attendees at catering setups.  They're always looking for something we don't offer even before they try what we make right in front of them.  I need to cut a hole in the top of a #10 can & put a sign on it that says, "Suggestion Box."  It'd be easier to dump out at the end.

Anyway, our food was a hit at the party & I was proud of how little Cheezer ingredients were leftover.  This was key because, along with our grill, coolers & pop-up tent, we had our camping tent, chairs & sleeping bags packed into Kate's Ford Escape.  

By around 2:30, we were on our way north to meet some friends outside of Idyllwild.  They had secured one of their favorite camping spots in a remote area on Friday afternoon & we were eager to pitch our tent & enjoy a few adult beverages.  We took in an amazing sunset from the edge of a cliff & sat around a propane fire pit telling stories well into the night.

While everyone departed the next morning back to San Diego, Kate & I went into Idyllwild had lunch & moved to another campground on Lake Perris.  It was nice splashing around the lake & listening to country music around a real campfire.  We had such a great time we weren't ready to go home yet.           

"It's too hot here, why don't we stop at a pool somewhere on the way home," Kate suggested.

After a quick online search, we found a cheap room at Harrah's in Valley Center & spent the rest of the afternoon in a lazy river.  When we went back up to our room, there was water leaking from a light fixture over the bath tub.  Someone came up to fix it & we ended getting a free room for another time.  I was sure glad we didn't go home that day.

Tuesday morning we checked out, drove to Smart & Final in Escondido to grab some essentials for Mad Munch & drove straight to Alesmith in Miramar for our Tuesday setup.  

It was the only time that Kate & I ever went from one Mad Munch gig to another without going home for three nights.  And, we didn't miss a beat.  I guess you don't know 'til you go!