a drive around the city

 

 

san diego skyline

coronado hotel

exit for the usa

the border fence
 

a drive around town--some of the places my son and his wife visited when they lived downtown--they're in the suburbs now

then over the bridge to Coronado Island, and then down to the border--the great fence, and flag of another nation on the other side

a walk down the beach

 

 

 

 

A cold ocean--a bit different than the Gulf of Mexico that I swam in every summer.

Dog beaches--fun to watch them enjoy the water.

Sun setting over the Pacific---

things my son knew we would like in san diego

the race track for dad who loves horses

an organic veggie stand for mama 

 

 

an incredible nursery 60 acres large ---we needed a map and a car to cover it all

The flower colors are so vivid in California.

lunch in la jolla

 

 

 

Finally, a glimpse of the coastline, ocean and cliff, outlined with wildflowers.

Lunch of grilled yellowfin under the umbrellas on the topmost floor overlooking the ocean.

Carpets of sun bathing sea lions serenading and entertaining for adoring audiences

Turning around I run into a woodie--a surfboard on top would have been a nice touch.

over dunes, great irrigation canals, miles of agriculture, over the mountains to the sea

the Imperial dunes

the American canal

miles of agriculture

  right thru San Diego to the sea


We drove the southern route to California, through Tucson, Yuma and stopping for a visit with a friend in Phoenix.
There were huge dust storms occasionally, and at one point the interstate closed because of them. We spent that night in Las Cruces.

Lots of desert and dunes, sometimes we skirted the border fence that separates us from Mexico...

We went through the great agricultural region that only works because of the water diverted from the Colorado River--startling to see such abundance in the middle of the desert.

The navigation system on the car talked us through the freeways and various routes we had to take to arrive at our son's home. The traffic and navigation had been a big worry for us--it turned out to be a piece of cake.

Typing has been super difficult with one arm working..

a trip west

 

 

really west---all the way to the Pacific Ocean--to visit my son in San Diego

beautiful and fun--a bit difficult, too, since my old nemesis--fibromyalgia--showed up to make
my arm and shoulder ache the whole time

 

a little blue

 

The blues have arrived--making me so happy!
Indigo buntings and a blue grosbeak at the feeder --there are often 4 or 5 buntings in the yard at the same time--glorious time of the year!

Col. Chris Hadfield

Col. Hadfield is currently on board the International Space Station.
Do you follow him on Facebook or Twitter?

He sends back the most incredible photos of Earth from space with the assistance of his planet bound son.

The Antique Rose Emporium (Independence, Texas)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whenever we travel to Texas, I am always eager to make a stop at the Antique Rose Emporium in east Texas. One would never expect such a large array of roses and perennials in a rather remote rural area. It's a slice of heaven.

I once had about 100 antique roses --most came from this nursery. When the great drought started, I had to cut back, but I am still tempted to get another occasionally.

My newest acquisition is the salmon pink one next to gate in the first photo---  G. Nabbonaud. It caught my eye the second I stepped out of the car--and I had to have one for home. Now I have to make a place for it in my garden. Too tempting.....

spring update

my azalea hedge and one of the huge live oaks

poinsettias in spring

speck the snake...still here


Today has been cold and rainy so I'll use some of the photos I took a few days ago.

The azalea hedge has been spectacular and fills the yard with bright color even before dawn when it reflects into the windows.

The poinsettias still look great and I can't bear to throw them away---makes a nice juxtaposition sitting there smiling back at the spring flowers in the yard.

And speck came out again and sunned himself on the railroad tie cactus bench. He is either still winter sluggish or quite tolerant of humans since none of my movement has startled him away. He suns for a while and then goes into the shade. I wonder where he stashed himself today. I think there's a rotted hole on the back of the tie. It may be his home.

Bluebonnets blooming in Texas

Not the best year---but always a joy to see

Snakes are out

Wrapping around a sun warmed cactus, the king snake makes a spring debut.

The first I've seen in about 10 years.