California Carolyn

After our good luck New Years Day meal of pork, black eye peas and cabbage (for health, wealth & happiness), Dad took Mom and I to the New Orleans airport and we headed west for California. The first few days were beautiful, so Mom and I took breaks from unpacking boxes and walked around Coronado a bit. The two days I had to go to work during Mom's visit, she put a few miles on her walking shoes and did her own sightseeing between her duties as super-efficient unpacker!

Monica, Mom and I all share a love of flowers, especially tropical ones! During all our outings, Mom couldn't get over the fact that Bird-of-Paradise were blooming everywhere! I knew how she felt, I was in awe of the exact same thing when I first moved to Hawaii so many years ago. The picture of us sitting on the bench is actually in the courtyard of my apt. building (notice the Bird-of-Paradise over Mom's shoulder).

It wasn't just the Bird-of-Paradise that we admired as we strolled around the island; Bougainvillea, Poinsettias, and even orchids were common in the landscaping around homes and offices alike. This brilliant pink orchid is actually right around the corner from my apt. blooming in front of an office building.

I was glad Mom got to experience 75 degree weather in sunny San Diego the first few days she was here because it didn't last her whole trip. Just in time for the weekend, a storm hit the West Coast and reeked havoc along California. Grateful that we weren't stuck in the huge amounts of snow falling in the California mountains, we continued to run errands and walk around Coronado in 50 degree, misting days. As you can see from the picture of the Hotel del Coronado, the misty haze seemed to add to the eloquence of this 1880s hotel.

On Saturday afternoon, we took a tour of the hotel sponsored by the local historic society. There's lots of fascinating history and lore surrounding the hotel, but we were most impressed with the faun & flora and architecture. Coronado means "the crowned one" and is the name of many things on the island. One of the most unique variations of the name however, is the "Crown Room." It's arched ceiling is made of notched sugar pine (from Oregon according to our tour guide) and doesn't have a single nail in it. The day we viewed the room, it was set up for a wedding that was scheduled for later in the day. We went back on Sunday for the famous brunch in the Crown Room we had heard about, but we just couldn't justify spending $69.99 each to dine in this opulence no matter how good the food!

After breakfast at a great little French cafe a block from my apt., we ran a few more errands, then it was time for Mom to fly back to Louisiana. It was a quick trip, but we got to spend some quality time together; just the two of us!

I'm only in California for a couple of days, then I fly out to Colorado on Wed. I'm hoping to get in and out and back here on Friday, but you know you'll hear about it if snow affects my plans at all!!