Someone asked me recently, "Richard, why do you travel so much on the weekends?" Well, several reasons. First, it was a way to bring the outside world to my homebound, ill wife. I would travel all over, take pictures, then show them to her with a narrative. This allowed her to "travel" in a way, to "get out" a little bit.
Second, it relaxes me. It's a reward for a tough week at work and a setup for the next week. Looking at beautiful scenery, flowers, skies, mountains and the ocean remind me of why I am alive and give me a real understanding of how beautiful this little planet we call Earth really is.
Finally, some time ago I overheard some older people talking about their lives. These people were in their eighties and were talking about what they should have done. Oh, how they wished they were young again! At that moment, I decided to live each day as if it were my last. Do my best at everything I do, see the world, be active in the community and my religion and help people. I resolved that when I die, I will know that I achieved my goals, made a difference, remained ethical and actually did the things that I've dreamed of doing.
It was a good weekend, for the most part. As usual, I planned a trip for each day. I decided I needed flowers and some driving. It helps keep me sane.
My landladies mentioned they visited a beautiful place in Carlsbad called "The Flower Fields". I was intrigued, so I made that my first Saturday stop.
It was as excellent as my landladies had said! The Flower Fields is the Anderson Flower farm, and it has acres and acres of flowers. Nothing but color as far as the eye can see. It's awesome!
Click here for more pictures of the Flower Fields.
After visiting the Flower Fields, I drove down to San Diego to see the Cabrillo monument. I was not all that interested in the monument itself - I had heard the view of San Diego is superb. I decided this was the perfect time to see this view, since the weather was so clear.
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I have wanted to see the Palomar observatory since I was a child at Hillside Elementary school in San Bernardino. Palomar mountain was almost on the way home (a small detour inland) so I decided to visit the place. It was very nice and fulfilled a childhood wish.
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On the way down from the mountain, I snapped a few pictures, which you can see here.
And that was my Saturday. On Sunday, I went whale watching with two friends, Beth and Holly, in Dana Point. We did see a whale way off in the distance, but the most exciting part of the trip was the dolphins. It was fabulous. And I didn't get seasick this time.
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Earlier in the week, I stopped at the Los Angeles Botanical Garden for half an hour. Click here for more pictures.
Next week: I've got a class on Saturday in Joshua Tree called "Butterflies of the Desert". It's a five mile hike into Joshua tree looking at, guess what, butterflies. On Sunday, I'm going to the Renaissance Faire, which is located 2 miles from the office this year. I already got my costume and I'm all set.
Sites to check out:
Unless otherwise noted, all photos and text is Copyright © Richard G Lowe, Jr.