Huntington Gardens and Library

When we first moved to Southern California, with our eleven year old daughter, naturally we did what you’d expect. We took her to Disneyland. We found that we could get a Disney So.CAl. family pass for one year. We found however, that many days on that pass were blacked out. We also found how crowded a visit to that park could be.

In time, we learned that our new location had a number of world class gardens. The Huntington Gardens and Library were the cream of the crop, to be sure. While the price has gone up to $25. per person, for a day, it is still worth it, even if you are an out of town visitor. But, if you get a family season pass, you can go many times in the year and take in all the seasons. Your underage children, including grandchildren go in on that family pass. One of the major attractions is of course the mansion of the Huntington’s, who in short, were railroad moguls. They graciously gave up their estate to the rest of us upon their passing, perhaps because they had no other posterity. Outside you can see the spectacular grounds, with statues and fountains. And yes, if you are wondering, film productions have found this to be an excellent location for their work. Antiquity from abroad may be found inside and out.

Lining the walls of this magnificent mansion you will find exquisite art.

And those tapestries!

This one reminded me of one of our daughters.

To me, this bucolic miss en scene of a family gleaning at harvest, is more endearing than the most aristocratic soiree.

As the indoors are climate controlled, they are perfect for those SoCal days that top the heat charts, or for rainy weather.

This adorable lad is my especial favorite here. Yes, this is the real “Blue Boy”! Expect to get goosebumps if you are an art lover. The gift and talent of Gainsborough shows through in every precise stroke of the brush. Right down to the youngster’s shimmery silver, blue hose, this work is splendid. It leaves one wondering, “how did he do that”? In actuality, it was an advertisement in it’s day, of the meticulous capability of the artist.

If that isn’t enough, we are treated to the real “Pinky”. Be sure to read the lamentable true tale, of the charming damsel who was cut off in her bloom.

Can you imaging living in such a palatial home?

Tapestries and rugs that belonged to French royalty are in this library. But, the royal embellishment was removed.

View from inside the mansion.

Each season is celebrated.

The library boasts millions of manuscripts and hundreds of thousands of rare books, such as the Gutenberg Bible.

Bring a blanket, and take a nap on the green lawn. If you try that at Disneyland, they tell you to move along.

Or meander the roads and paths.

You’ll see Bonsai trees in the Japanese garden.

There are even pomegranates on one.

One of our special favorites is the Chinese garden. There is actually a restaurant which sells excellent food. And/or you can simply order a pot of hot tea. Next you wait for your order to be brought to you . You may enjoy it at tables outside, or in the lovely tea house as you take in the lily pond with it’s elegant bridges. Afterward, you may traverse the bridges of the pond or walk around it’s edges to see the many Asian attractions along the way. Chinese artisans have recreated for you, an authentic landscape.

Chinese Garden

Visitors taking a breather. .

I think I see the Japanese house again.

The Rose Garden is awe-inspiring. We have

taken many romantic strolls through it.

So grab a cup of coffee at the coffee shop and smell the roses.

Not only can you pretend to be royalty walking through your own garden, but you will see a number of roses that are named after famous people.

There is the Japanese house in the Japanese

Garden.

The Japanese House is made authentically

Your eyes are not deceiving you…that is the bridge seen in “Memoirs of a Geisha”. Sadly, they will not let you cross over it…

The gardens are vast and lush. Get there early, and plan to spend the day! Or buy a season pass and go frequently.

October 30, 2018

Santa Barbara: IF YOU CAN’T LIVE THERE, AT LEAST VISIT

City Hall

Southern California has romantic architecture, which in some cases may seem to be influenced by the different genres of various movie eras and Europe. For instance, Silents or Art Deco.

Not just utilitarian, it transports you!

Be sure to hit the beach while you’re there…

And take walk out on the wharf…

Visit one of the restaurants and take in the views while dining on the cuisine.

If you enjoy history, you should appreciate the old Mission district.

Down Town!

Shopping!

Food!

Entrancing Evenings

View from our hotel window the next morning.

There is a vibrant downtown area with plenty of shopping and great food!

You really can’t go wrong in Santa Barbara

Go ahead and visit!

October 25, 2018

California: More than Big Cities

It could be, because my parents were raised on farms in the Midwest, that I have an affinity for rural landscapes. My father’s job took us to different locations throughout my growing up years. Between those locations we may stop in to see my grandparents on their farm, aunts, uncles and cousins by the dozens. In fact, I’m told that on the first visit when I was old enough to remember at three and a half, I exclaimed “look at the funny pigeons” when seeing grandpa’s chickens. Perhaps that is, because I had just spent the past three years in England. There is a lot of lovely countryside in Britain also. This post will focus on California’s agriculture and it’s dreamy rural landscapes. Did you know there is more agriculture in California than in any other state. You may notice that I have a fondness for barns

October 25, 2018October 25, 2018

travel in the west, on a shoestring

Mission San Juan Capistrano

In The Spring

The weather and flowers are at their best

during the spring. So it is the perfect time to visit

what is known as The Jewel of the Missions.

Artists abound!

This chapel was built in 1782. Another more ornate sanctuary was built, but was destroyed in a terrible earthquake. Subsequently, the parishioners moved back to this chapel. It is known for being the oldest building in California still in operation.

These picturesque ruins are what is left after a 7.5 earthquake hit the region during the Christmas holiday season in 1812. Sadly 42 people lost their lives there that day.

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Exquisite art of the mission is on display.

Evidence of the calamitous earthquake is still seen in the present day ruins.

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This serene setting can be enjoyed on a regular basis if you live close enough, because season tickets may be purchased.

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October 23, 2018

Two Unexpected Attractions along the PCH of SoCal

Will Roger’s Ranch

There is a Polo Field there!!

Will Rogers was a beloved entertainment personality of the 20th Century. And he was the Mayor of Beverly Hills. He also owned this ranch by the coast.

You will be enamored with the Getty Villa. It is free! You only have to pay for parking.

For some first rate eats, that are as rich in flavor as the local vibe, be sure and stop in at Neptune’s Net.

October 11, 2018

New York State and the Erie Canal

Last Fall we took a trip that sent us 3,000 miles from our home in California. We had heard of the storied Erie Canal, so that became our destination, rather than New York City. In fact, we didn’t even go to Niagara Falls. We were treated to the beautiful New York countryside along the way.

While visiting Seneca Falls we took in the Women’s Rights National Historical Park. The history was inspirational. Even Frederick Douglas got involved with Women’s Suffrage.

Artwork on the walls of Cafe XIX, named for the constitutional amendment of that number, where we stopped for a bite to eat. Good food, good coffee.

Harriet Tubman’s home.

We stopped by the Wonderful Life Museum, which is dedicated to celebrating the movie, with all kinds of memorabilia

In fact some believe Frank Capra visited and somewhat patterned his movie location after this area.

And on the bridge of Seneca Falls, there is a plaque that explains how a young man lost his life saving a young woman, who had tried to commit suicide. Some believe Mr. Capra got his idea of George jumping in to save the Angel from that story. Also, the house they were both brought into by the waters edge would be where the lock tender would have stayed.

The Gould Hotel, Seneca Falls

The Downtown Deli

This turned out to be our favorite place to eat in Seneca Falls. It’s on the main drag, and the food is hearty and mouthwatering.

Another town I think Mr Capra may have looked at to create the concept of “Bedford Falls.

The Canals

We stayed in this beautiful Bed and Breakfast in Pickford.

College rowing can be seen on the Canal.

Be sure and visit George Eastman’s Kodak House as you pass through Rochester.

Ah…sustenance! We chowed down at the Genesee Brew House. The fare was fit for a king or peasant as was the view.

Lockport, aptly named.

Subterranean caves provided water power for mills.

October 10, 2018

Pennsylvania

Elfreth’s Alley is the oldest residential street still in use in the U.S. It is in Philadelphia and dates back to 1720! The nations beloved Benjamin Franklin is buried in Philadelphia also!

Independence Hall

President Washington who was a tall man, sat in that big chair up front, facing the rest of the room and our famous forefathers. This room is no replica, but may have some accessories to help recreate the picture.

It all happened right here.

It is lamentable, that they did not want to tackle the plight of the African Americans then. It was thought, that it might be too difficult to get everyone on board with the signing. Sort of an act of Congress. However, this only exacerbated the problem of slavery in the ensuing years, resulting in the bloodiest war, killing more Americans than all of our other wars combined.

From Philadelphia you may cross the bridge into

New Jersey.

The Dream Garden

by Maxfield Frederick Parrish

Don’t leave Philadelphia without checking out The U.S. Mint! We may show that on another post. The history is rich. Young to old will enjoy it.

The Liberty Bell

The old quarter of Philadelphia has enduring vintage architectural splendor! For we romantics it is like walking into a jaw dropping fantasy, hundreds of years old. We actually ate in an establishment that had been frequented by Benjamin Franklin. The authentic time period French fair was exquisite.

The smaller part of the building on the right side is where the cooking was done. But, this is actually the back side of the house.

George Washington really did sleep here…and Martha too! But, as a tribute to the soldiers, the couple did not sleep together. They each had their own bedroom upstairs. This humble abode was unlike their lavish Mount Vernon home. It had been commandeered for them and the owner paid. The General was not immune to the hardships of the younger soldiers during war, as he had been in a number of battles when he was younger. There was a bright little attic room that his African American servant stayed in. It seemed to me, that that man had it a lot better than the soldiers in the rough cabins. This noble servant was immortilized in a painting in which he wears a impressive red turban on his head. I believe the story is, that he was an excellent horseman.

The soldiers of the revolutionary war suffered much, not the least of which was life in rough cabins away from home and hearth.

Plowing, the hold fashioned way!

Thanks to William Penn, religious freedom became a natural way of life in America.

We took in the countryside and were charmed by the Amish people and their rural lifestyle. We went into an earthy market and ate at a smorgasbord.

The beckoning towns along the way….

A great place to go in the Autumn…

This door leads into the former home of John Sutter, of Californias Gold Rush.

Monuments galore

Overlooking the battlefields…

This was one of the most moving experiences of our lifetime. Monuments have been erected throughout the generations. But, just standing there imagining what took place on those hallowed fields, where so many lost their lives, all believing
their cause was just. It was ominous…

The food was delectable and savory in this cordial inn in the old town of Gettysburg. It was full of antiquity predating the Civil War. The couple who owned it long ago, had many children and there was a hidden room behind the shelves up in the stairwell, in which they hid runaway slaves! The shelves were pulled out so that we guests could view that room.

Elsewhere in this beautiful state is another modern battlefield. That battle took place on 9/11. Flight 93 National Memorial is located in Shanksville Pennsylvania. Perhaps we will share that at a later date. So much bravery in one state!

October 9, 2018October 9, 2018