The Ortega Highway

My daughter, Emilie and I decided that owning a new car that cornered as if it was on rails and ran like a bat out of hell would be wasted if we didn't make a drive down the Ortega Highway (California) from Elisnore to San Juan Capistrano. It's a winding road where people in fast cars and hot motorcycles test their nerve and the capability of their rides. Adding additional insurance, I put my credentials in the glove compartment next to the car insurance certificate...

The first stop on the journey was The Lookout. It's had several names over the years and I've made this scenic drive more than once. It's perched on the summit overlooking Lake Elsinore.

The M package provides for manual shifting with paddles on the steering wheel and you can really get into the drive.

Emilie at the Lookout with Lake Elsinore below and behind her.

The original plan called for lunch at the train station at Mission San Juan Capistrano - But Emilie saw french toast on the menu and even though it seemed to be a bit late for breakfast, they filled her order.

I decided on a hot dog and a Diet Coke in a frosty mug.

Smile for the camera, Emilie!

The Ortega Highway (State Route 74) takes you from the beach and palms, over the coastal range and pines and drops you down at Lake Elsinore between the cities of Corona and Temecula. Along the way we met international visitors from Sweden, Great Britain and states outside of the People's Socialist Republik of Kalifornia...