What's for Dinner???

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Twice 25 Half 100

I'm 50!

To celebrate my birthday, Greg and I went down to Newport Beach and spent a few days - the high light was a day on Catalina Island.

On Friday, we headed to Newport Beach. First off, we sat down to eat at Ruby's diner and then stopped in at Roger's Nursery. We have been there before, and I was sure they'd be decked out for Fall holidays and they were, and Christmas too. I didn't take pictures though except for a couple things.

This is a fingered citron, a type of citrus. I don't remember ever seeing one before (or knowing about them). It reminds me of the octopus face guy from Pirates.

Roger's has a very fun Halloween gallery, selling all kinds of ghoulish things. These two pictures are the same picture - you know - the kind that changes as you walk by. This one was the least icky. ;-)

On Saturday we went to Catalina. We caught a ferry in Long Beach at 10:00am. It took an hour to get to Catalina. The weather was perfect all day. Was a really nice, fun day.

Don't know that man, I was interested in the light house - but he was very serious about keeping his hat on, he wore a clip on strap to hold the hat tight to his head.

Hamilton Beach to the right, Avalon to the left and the Casino (which isn't for gambling, it is a gathering place - Casino means gathering place in Italian)

The highlight of the trip - driving a golf cart up and around Avalon.

Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden. The Wrigley Family bought Catalina Island in the early 1900s, this garden was established by Mrs. Wrigley, and the memorial is for William Wrigley Jr.

Taking a minute to learn a little about the flora and fauna in the area. At least it looks like that but what else is going on - can you tell?

Greg was on the hunt for sockets all afternoon long.

Late lunch at Descanso Beach Club, at the end of the road just beyond the casino.

Ice cream shops all over. I had an Olaf at Big Olaf's.

The front of the Casino.

Sunsetting, we watched fishing off the pier.

Time to go back - 7:30pm back to Long Beach.

Sunday we went to church in Huntington Beach. In the evening we went out to Corona Del Mar, walked the side walk above the beach and watched the last bit of light disappear from the sky.

Monday, my birthday, we checked out of our room and headed to a garden - surprise, surprise. I noticed it as we were driving around on Sunday. So I looked it up and lucky us, it was free on Monday. Just a small place - a block on a corner in Corona Del Mar - Sherman Library and Gardens.

This pond is in a green house, lots of orchids.

The yellow koi looks near 3 feet long. BIG

The garden is used for teas and receptions and there's a little cafe.

There is a large succulent garden - many of the scapes look like underwater scenes - I've always felt that succulents look a lot like what lives in the ocean. This particular planting

obviously isn't so reminiscent of a natural sea scape but I liked the pattern and textures.

All in all it was a great weekend.

Some useful info maybe.

Newport area is the land of no wrinkles - maybe not the best place for someone turning 50 ;-)

Catalina likes to treat on birthdays. We didn't get the benefit of the treats because Saturday, when we were on the island, was not my birthday. Catalina Express, a ferry line, offers free fair if it is your birthday. We knew this, but didn't want to go on Monday since we were flying out on Monday evening. But many other places on the Island also treat on a birthday. We did get some free golf cart time - the gal gave it to us even though it was early. Ice cream places will treat you a scoop. You can play a free game of miniature golf. All kinds of things. People wear a ribbon the ferry gives them and then everyone knows. Kind of fun.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

The clouds lifted.

We ended up getting some pretty scenery after all.

We visited with sister in law of a friend of ours in San Jose. She and her family own several motels in town and she serves on various councils. She's 80 years old and a very sharp business woman. She gave us tickets to the National Museum of Wildlife Art.

Outside the National Museum of Wildlife Art

As far as we could get on the road to Jenny Lake.

Park in the center of Jackson Hole. On each corner is an arch made of elk antlers. The antlers came from the elk refuge, the elk shed their antlers every year. These arches have been around for years but the Boy Scouts in the area every year collect the antlers and sell them for fundraising.