Seemingly Random Photos

Last Thursday I went on a much needed mini vacation with my friend Sheila whom I've known since we were kids.  She now lives in Spain with her husband and baby boy Julen.  I hadn't seen her in 6 years but she is one of those people in life where years go by but it seems that no time has passed between us. 

We travel well together.  That can't be said of some folks!  We did a road trip many years ago from Colombia, Missouri to New Orleans and back, great fun.  On another journey, we were bumped off our stand-by flight to Costa Rica and ended up in Thailand instead! So, when our plans changed from going north to Oregon to going south to L.A. and San Diego we just rolled with it. 

It was a wonderful few days but for the horrendous traffic.  The drive back took more than 10 hours on the not so scenic Interstate 5!

The first two nights were spent at my friend William's in Glendale where we swam, had yummy cocktails and delicious grilled veggies and pork loin for the carnivores.  His place was super chill and filled with cool peeps. Sheila even got her hair cut by Richard, a Hollywood hair guy.

Then it was off to Solano Beach where we met up with Sheila's old friend, Wren at her folks beautiful home.  We walked through the small old part of town, checked out some cool but expensive shops then headed to the beach where the sun was conveniently setting.  We spent the night there at Mike and Betzy's (really nice and generous hosts).  Mike gave me a tour of his incredible gardens and even sent me home with tons of succulent and other cuttings.  Heaven!

On Sunday, we met up with Wren in Balboa Park in San Diego.  How had I never heard of the place?  It was massive and filled with various types of gardens and museums.  We had cold udon salads at the Japanese tea garden, checked out the botanical and succulent/cactus garden among other places.  We ended the day in Old San Diego, a surreal little place filled with Spanish built buildings, Mexican goods and food, and tons of tourists. 

We spent the last night at lovely Wren's lovely house looking through her photo books and talking of travel and art and the such. 

It was such a needed trip filled with great people, conversations, food and sights.  I am ready for another one soon, but on an airplane!