Wednesday, December 9, 2015

A Walk in the Park

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
December 9, 2015


The warm sunshine and bright blue skies lured us to Balboa Park today. Our reward was an amazing walk among magnificent architecture and pristine gardens. 


For me, any trip to San Diego must include a visit to Balboa Park. This 1200 acre park, ( for info, click here ) includes museums, gardens, performing arts, and recreation opportunities. 

The Botanical Garden was our first stop. It was built for the 1915-16 Exposition and is one of the largest lath structures in the world.  
The lath structure with the Lily pond and lagoon is one of the most photographed scenes in the park.
The Botanical Building plantings include more than 2100 permanent plants featuring ferns and orchids. It also features seasonal flower displays and it was the poinsettias that stole the show today.
















It doesn't matter if you look up...


...or down, you are guaranteed to see beauty!








We did stop to watch a mama duck with her 12 ducklings in the corner of the pond.



What a treat...

 And then there is the flamboyant Spanish architecture...














... and immaculate landscaping.





 We also decided to go to the Car Museum. It was a $6.00 ticket each to enter and we both agreed we wished we had paid the same amount to walk through the Japanese Friendship Garden instead.

The Steve McQueen exhibit was my favorite.










And the most interesting exhibit was the Louie Mattar's $75,000 1947 Cadillac. It seems Mr. Mattar and two other men drove from San Diego to New York and back (6,320 miles) without a single stop from Sept. 20-27, 1952   

The backseat featured such luxuries as a refrigerator, electric stove, iron and ironing board, TV washing machine, chemical toilet, shower, medicine cabinet, and kitchen sink. 



 There were platforms built all around the car to stand on for servicing. The shiny trailer provided the dining table as well as a reserve tanks for water, gas and oil. Louie also made a second trip from Anchorage to Mexico City, over 7482 miles.

Oh, we did see a celebrity...

Until next time, take care and let the good times roll...


HAPPY TRAILS!

Monday, December 7, 2015

Just A Few Of My Favorite Things...

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
December 7, 2015

So here we are in this beautiful part of our country I love calling home for a few months. It's been a week already. The weather has been absolutely beautiful. Sitting on the patio enjoying the birds or reading, playing with the pups at the doggie park here, planting violas, photographing exotic flowers, and washing and servicing our bikes are just a few things that have filled our time. 


Our site #2110...

Violas put a smile on my face...

One of many Bird of Paradise flowers at the KOA...

Bikes are clean...

and serviced.




Something definitely caught Sally's attention under the bench the other day at the doggie park. Now she races that way every time we go...





...and Dover will try anything...at least once! 


 It would be an understatement to say Jack LOVES his ball. This week Joe decided to play hide and seek with him. It was quite funny watching him find the ball and then figure out how to get it...

















The bird feeders are filled. The hummingbirds came first. This morning I saw a Verdin at the hummer feeder so I guess I will be adding some orange halves.

(photo taken through the screen door)
Today was beach play day. With the temps nearing 80 degrees and blue skies, why not? It's 11 miles to the absolutely best doggie beach EVER! Our choice is Coronado Dog Beach. It is no-leash, spacious, and clean...a dog lover's paradise! Parking is along Ocean Boulevard just before the entrance to the Navy Base. 

Joe, Sally, Jack and Dover






Today was the first time Sally has been off-leash at the beach. She ran and played chase with Dover.

The water was a little chilly!
Dover has always loved the water and the beach...





Jack retrieves his ball with the Hotel del Coronado in the background...









He wasn't still long enough for any close-up photos today!








Our two months here is off and running. 
Until next time, let the good times roll...




HAPPY TRAILS!