Amazing Week with Our Family

Aloha Everyone,

The two of us had a wonderful, fun packed week visiting with our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter in La Jolla.  

Highlights included enchanting and impromptu evening musical performances at home by our son on the piano and our granddaughter playing flute.  

Going out to the La Jolla Play House to view the musical “Fly” was very entertaining. 

J.J. and I always appreciate home-cooked meals. We can totally go for mouthwatering Julian’s Boysenberry Pie! 

Dim sum selections at China Max, one of our granddaughter’s favorite Chinese restaurants, was consistently good. She likes ordering dishes being familiar with the menu.

It was another perfect stay where J.J. and I were rejuvenated, basking in our family’s high energy, love and kindness.

Aloha -- Cathi

Morning Walk followed by the San Clemente Canyon Hike

Aloha Everyone,

My iPhone app gives me constant reminders of how I am doing with my daily walking exercise. This morning, I began the day by going on a walk around a nearby park. Crisp and cool air and listening to song birds chirping is a great way to start a day.

San Clemente Canyon Trail is approximately 2.7 miles one way. A sign at the entrance cautioned my daughter-in-law and me on rattle snakes and poison oaks. Contrary to the warning, the walk was very pleasant. We saw no snakes nor poison oaks. Shaded from the sun by heavy canopies of trees, our conversation flowed easily and we completed the walk without stopping to take a break.

Aloha -- Cathi

Back to California

Aloha Everyone,

J.J. and I left KOA Sam’s Town by 8:00 am. It was a long day. We were on the road for 8 hours including a fuel stop and lunch. The weather was pleasant and being on familiar I-15, it was non stressful.

In the neighborhood of Lake Elsinore, we enjoyed early blooms of California Poppy.

 

A gorgeous evening sky and silhouettes of California palm trees welcomed us as we entered San Diego.

Aloha -- Cathi

Talking Stories with Frank

Aloha Everyone,

In Hawaii, you often hear people “talk story" ('olelo Kama'ilio). It means sharing ideas, stories, history and opinion. This can happen with two or more people. It means to take the time during the day to simply enjoy talking.  

It’s been a pleasure and privilege to spend my morning hours getting my walking exercise and to talk stories with Frank. The weather has been beautiful. Discovering new walking trails within the Wetlands Park and watching a new day unfold has been amazing.

Here are some of my favorite photos taken over the past two weeks including one of Frank and Diane.

Aloha -- Cathi

Beavers in the Wetlands Park

Aloha Everyone,

Beavers are rodents, nocturnal animals with broad, flat scaly tails. North American beavers are usually the size of a small dog. Their diet consist of barks of young trees, shrubs and buds.

Frank, who attended a new volunteer training session yesterday, was eager to share with me about beavers in the Wetlands Park. It appears that slow moving streams and the low banks are not ideal for dam making. Instead, these resident beavers construct underground canals and lodges.

On our morning walk, Frank and I spotted a number of “holes” in the ground. These are physical indicators of beavers presence and could be potentially hazardous to unsuspecting hikers. It would have been a trilling experience to have a close encounter with one of approximately 60 plus beavers that call Wetlands Park their home.

The roadrunners, also known as chaparral birds, have crests and long tails. Usually seen in the desert, roadrunners have been clocked at 20 miles per hour. Often they appear and disappear so fast, blending into the environment, that it’s challenging to photograph them. Today we were rewarded with an excellent sighting.

Aloha -- Cathi

Great Blue Heron

Aloha Everyone,

Great Blue Heron is a large wading bird and because of its size and beautiful coloration, it stands out among other birds in the water. On our morning walk today, one was standing in a clear path waiting for me to take photos. After taking a standing photo, I told him that i am ready to take an in flight one. Responding to my request, he flapped his wide wings and took off.

A group of workers were clearing a large beaver dam. Frank and I approached them and asked How often they see beavers. One man answered by saying that he’s been working at the Wetlands Park for 6 months and has not seen one yet. On the other hand, his coworker saw a beaver swimming on his second day on the job. As in all matters, timing is everything.

Had Honu hand washed and waxed for $40 inclusive of a tip.

Dim Sun lunch with Denise and Victor at Chang’s Hong Kong Cuisine was wonderful.

Aloha -- Cathi

Broadacres Market Place

Aloha Everyone,

Broadacres Market Place is a flea market located in North Las Vegas. What is atypical is that nearly 98% of the vendors and visitors appear to be Mexicans. Spanish is spoken freely and nearly all signage are in Spanish.  

Frank and I left our RV park at 7:30 am, allowing 20 minutes driving time to arrived by 8:00 am. We walked through each lane peeking at the merchandise though I had no inclination to purchase anything.

After about an hour, we agreed that it was an interesting change but definitely the Wetlands Park is far better, more beautiful and enjoyable walk. For $2.50 per person entrance fee and a large bag of hot roasted peanuts for $4.00, Broadacres Market Place was a good venue for a one time visit. I told J.J. that if he was with me, I am sure he would try some the tasty Mexican dishes on display.

Aloha -- Cathi