Ontario California!

Really wanted to see my dog on this visit to Southern California; I certainly had the time but for the first time ever my ex denied me visitation during my window of downtime.  Heartbroken as I was, I decided to get out and explore Ontario the best I could.  I’ve always been through this city but have never really spent much time here.

Decided to take a long walk and that walk ended up being a little longer than planned.  Sidewalks ended when they probably shouldn’t have.  Roads that were on maps weren’t there anymore due to construction.  To make a long story short I ended up walking all the way to Rancho Cucamonga in a extra long detour. 

Saw a park on the map and decided to check it out.  Got there only to learn that there is an entrance fee. I would’ve had no problem paying it if the park had a back gate so I could continue my walk, but it didn’t, so I passed on entering the park.  Maybe next time.  Looked like a beautiful place.  I continued on and discovered Founders Garden outside the Citizens Business Bank Arena.  It was so peaceful and serene.  Then I ended up at the Ontario Mills Outlet Mall.  At that point I had to do a complete recheck on what state I was in. The mall is IDENTICAL to the Grapevine Mills Mall in Grapevine, Texas!!! 

Exploring the “country” side of Los Angeles was fun. Thanks Ontario!   

The Feel of Fresno!

So ending up in Fresno wasn’t on my initial plans for New Years Day.  Work called and next thing I know, this was the destination I was headed to.  Flying in, we had a gorgeous view of the Sierra Nevada’s and I must say from talking to people and asking them what there is to do in Fresno, visiting Yosemite is probably one of the only things worthwhile on the bucket list there though I’m determined on future visits to figure out what the city truly offers.

I’ll be honest and many will probably hate me for saying it.  Fresno has been one of the most saddest cities I’ve visited so far in my travels. The best way that I know how to describe the Fresno I saw, is a combination of South Central, Downtown and East Los Angeles with maybe a little bit of El Monte California mixed in there meets Tulsa, Oklahoma.  I know that’s a wide swing and just sounds weird but it truly is the only way I can accurately describe the feel of Fresno.  It’s one of those places where I can see used to be filled with so much life but now what remains are boarded up windows and empty spaces for rent. I’m sure the city has a little more life than what I saw while I was there, after all I was there New Years day so things are probably slightly different.  I can see the city being such a happening place way back in the day. It’s a place that could be reborn into something great one day but for now it just has a certain mood. I can’t quite describe it. It’s almost a city in mourning of better days maybe?

Anyway, while I was there I explored the downtown area.  Noticed a lot of loitering going on. Guess that’s pretty normal for this city from what I hear.  I saw museums and historic buildings; all closed of course because of the Holiday.  However, I was able to find a few thrift shops open and got to rummage through a few racks of goodies.  Didn’t pick up anything but it was fun to see. I enjoyed seeing the architecture of Fresno.  Old buildings always fascinate me a bit. As a kid I would wander off into spaces I wasn’t supposed to go exploring old buildings in the city I grew up in. I guess there is a nostalgia of the past that I’m drawn to.  

Anyway, that is my Fresno experience this go around.  I’m sure I’ll be back one day.  Maybe next time I’ll be able to dig into this city a little deeper and figure out it’s heartbeat a little better.  Until next time Fresno......

Goodbye 2015, Hello 2016

So it was nice warm Fort Lauderdale for me for New Years Eve.  Saw the last sunset of 2015 as I landed and the first sunrise in 2016 as I departed.  Wasn’t here long but just long enough to have a evening with some co-workers and later spend some time next to the hotel pool and enjoy some warm evening temperatures. I’m not a fan of cold so this was a nice quiet way to bring in the new year. Don’t know what 2016 has in store for me.  Hoping it’ll be a good year.....Looking ahead and thank you Fort Lauderdale for nice winter weather.

Maybe Next time Tucson

Sometimes when I’m out on the road, I just don’t have the time to get to see much.  This visit to Tucson Arizona was one of those visits. There are also times when the loneliness of travel kicks in and this was one of those days. Here are a few snapshots I did manage to get along the way. Certainly not my best work....I’m sure I’ll be back here one day. I plan to explore then....

Not a Beach Christmas

So this year I decided to try and have a beach Christmas.  That didn’t quite turn out like I planned.  I ended up in Orange County on Christmas Day and yes there are so many beaches nearby.  Instead I decided to take a very long walk to the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve in Newport Beach.  Got there right about sunset so I wasn’t able to enjoy much of it.  These short winter days are killing me!! Think I could’ve walked for miles down the path. If I ever get back here I’m certainly going to explore more. This is a new corner of Orange County I had not known existed and I lived in Southern California for 12 years. It was nice to experience a little nature in the city....

A Portland Christmas Eve

Landed in Portland on Christmas Eve and took the train into downtown to see what there was to do.  Hit the Saturday Market for the last time in 2015. Didn’t realize it closes for several months out of the year. Turns out it won’t reopen until sometime later in 2016. It was fun looking at all the handmade goodies people were swooping up as last minute Christmas Gifts.

I then wandered over to the world famous Voodoo Doughnuts. Yes there was even a line on Christmas Eve. Stopped in to just see what the hoopla was all about. Yes I bought a doughnut but nothing super fancy.  It’s cash only and I’m certainly a credit card girl. 

I then took a walk up the street to check out Powells Books and then finished this downtown Portland tour with a stop in at Deschutes Brewery.  It was cold. It was rainy but not as bad as my previous visit.  I’m still not even close to being done exploring Portland. Until next time Portland.....