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!   

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....

Oh San Diego!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:  San Diego is a city with so many bittersweet memories for me. I know just a few weeks ago I said I never have much time here.  Well this go-around that changed.  I got to spend a few more hours here and got a chance to take walk down memory lane. I decided for this visit I would see the city on foot and decided to get as much crammed in as I could.  

I started at Balboa Park. I’m still fascinated with Cabrillo Bridge that connects Downtown San Diego with Balboa Park.  One of these days I’m going to make it a point to photograph that bridge at dark.  I have a feeling with all the lights on the bridge, it must be so beautiful. I didn’t get that done this go-around because there were just so many places to be. While walking through Balboa park I realized how much I had forgotten just how beautiful the park is. With artists and live music everywhere it was just one of those places you could quite easily get lost in the moment. The architecture is amazing.  I grabbed a capture of The artist village which boasts a colorful ground to walk on for a fun shopping experience with a Spanish Vibe.  As I made my way over to a fountain tucked away in another corner of the park, I found a little boy and his mother making friends with a brave duck that wasn’t too proud to beg for a handout. The ducks had quite the personalities.  All in all, if you enjoy art, love beautiful surrounds and like visiting museums; Balboa Park is a must see if you’re visiting San Diego.  

The sun started to set and I decided I wanted to try make it down to the waterfront for the sunset.  I cut through Little Italy and succeeded on making my way down to the water in time for the setting sun.  Grabbed a few photos and ended up talking with a gal giving bike ride tours for tourists. She tried to sell me on her time and even gave me a great deal but it’s no secret I’ve been pinching pennies so I kindly declined.  Maybe next time.

I ended up in the Gaslamp District for dinner.  Took me a while to find a place that had any food I actually felt like eating.  I don’t know why I wasn’t more hungry.  I hadn’t really eaten all day and had been constantly walking but I guess maybe there were just some things on my mind.  After walking up and down 5th Street I finally settled on a place. I realize getting a table for 1 is usually the easiest way to go out in any restaurant. There’s hardly ever a wait. Ordered some food then my feet decided it was time for bed.  I think I had been walking nearly 7 hours straight. So I made it back to the hotel and called it a night.

It was no surprise to me when I woke up well before the sunrise. I tossed and turned for a bit but I just know me. If I can’t sleep; I just can’t sleep.  No point in trying. It was well before the sun was up but I decided that it was time to go out and get down to the waterfront to catch the sunrise.  It amazes me how the voice of the city streets change by the hour of the day.  Like every other city, San Diego is no different. 

There is one thing that is consistent on the streets of downtown San Diego - the homeless. You could be in the best corner of town and they are still there.  I found them at all hours of the day. It’s an unfortunate reality for San Diego that shouldn’t go unmentioned.

Anyway on my early morning walk, I found my way in a new corer of San Diego I hadn’t yet explored.  It was a place the bike tour gal had mentioned to me the evening prior.  I found myself at Seaport Village.  I went out to the waterfront and sat with a view of the Coronado Bridge and waited for the sun to rise.  It was a nice peaceful way to start my day and collect my thoughts.

I found a cute bagel shop on my way back to the hotel. Stopped in and got a bite and then that was it.  I had to pack my bags and say goodbye.  Really could’ve used more time here.  This was one of those nice visits to a city and I’m really grateful to have been given the opportunity to get back and explore even though it was just for a little while.  Thank you San Diego!    

Los Angeles and my BFF

Landing in LA this last time I had one mission on my mind.  I was determined to see the only creature on this earth that cries when he sees me, loves me unconditionally and appreciates every minute I spend with him.  He is my BFF - a German shepherd named Buddy.  As I made my way up to the San Gabriel valley to visit him, I was informed by the rental car radio about the tragedy that was unfolding out in San Bernardino that day and the manhunt that was taking place trying to track down those who could commit such a senseless act.  It just really brought home the point that anything can happen anywhere at anytime and this world we live in isn’t what it used to be. It’s such a sad reality check but I’ve come to realize that we can’t live our lives in fear. Acts like this remind us that we need to hold close what is dear and let the people in our lives who mean something know that they matter. Always say what you mean and mean what you say. Actions speak volumes and when you can back them up with words; it makes the impact of words that much more meaningful. Life is a precious, priceless gift that can be taken at any moment and we need to be ready for that next chapter.  Anyway, when I finally arrived on the doorstep to see Buddy he didn’t bark. It was almost as if he knew I was coming.  Instead he cried. It took him about 10 minutes to stop crying and calm himself down.  He knows when I show up, it’s always just for him and it’s going to be all about him. I can’t thank my ex enough for being kind enough to let me spend time with Buddy on those rare occasions when I have the time. It’s been a few months since I last saw him and I always wish I had more time. As usual the visit ended with tears. Pets truly are precious and good for the soul. I think dogs especially can teach us humans some important lessons. We should strive to live more like they do: Living in the moment, not questioning the past and loving with no boundaries.  If we could just be but half of what dogs believe us humans to be, this world would be certainly be a much better place.

On my way back to return the rental car, I caught the beautiful sunset while driving down the 605.  Wish I could’ve been at the beach to capture it but I managed to sneak in a few shots along the freeway.  Thank you LA! See you again hopefully soon.    

Los Angeles, CA

So I’m notorious for just sitting in my hotel room and popping on my area map and looking at what’s nearby.  That’s usually how I find things to do and it’s usually on a whim. Los Angeles is a city I seem to stop in the most for some reason. No complaints, my old stomping grounds.  My home away from my real home of Hawaii.  So it’s always fun to return to this city.  On this visit I looked on a map and saw a nearby park.  Walked to the park and it was just a baseball field.  Either way here are some photos from that simple walk to the park on a typical LA morning.  

San Diego, California

Every time I come to this city it’s been a very short stop over.  Never long enough to do much and I guess that’s OK.  This is the one city that really does have a lot of personal bittersweet memories for me. I love this city and I love what it has taught me. I realize that this city and the person I think about every time I’m here has completely changed my life and transformed it into what I am living today. On this last visit the one thing I realized is that time, distance and space cannot erase from the heart people that truly matter. I don’t know what is ahead of me in my life journey but I am still grateful for the role he played in my life during the short time we shared here.....  

Good Morning LA!

Not a whole lot done at this stop this past week.  Just a few hours of sleep and it was back on the road again.  Just sharing the sunrise I did manage to catch. Oh Los Angeles, how I truly do miss you. Aside from my heart being forever in Hawaii; SoCal is my second home and though I get back often, it’s never often enough....  

Los Angels Sunrise Sky

Sunrise Sky in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA - Sunrise