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....

Fort Myers and the Rain.....

Sunny Florida decided to welcome me with rain on this visit to Fort Myers. Rain? Really?  Do you think that would stop me from going outside? Absolutely not. Had to play in the rain and capture a few shots.  Not a whole lot to see but water everywhere.  I did however see some cute holiday decor indoors. Wish I could’ve taken some of those stuffed animals home for my own personal collection.  Too cute!  Thank you For Myers, maybe next time you’ll decide to give me less rain. 

First Snow in Des Moines, Iowa!!

Let me make one thing straight before I start.  I hate snow and I hate cold weather. What can you expect from a gal that was born and raised in Hawaii and lived in Southern California for the last 12 years? I’ve been spoiled. This is my first year residing in Texas and I’m not a fan either. Keep telling myself I’m moving the wrong direction in the country. Anyway, though I hate snow, there is just something about that first snow that does get me excited.  I probably won’t be jumping for joy in Texas when it happens but when I landed in Des Moines, Iowa and learned it was supposed to snow that afternoon I was excited.  I think I was the only person around who was happy to see the white powder falling. It was my first time in Des Moines, so everything was new to me.  That’s actually a nice feeling - Exploring a completely new place with no expectations. What I loved most about Des Moines (and I wish all other cold cities would do this) was the fact that they have a skywalk in the the downtown area connecting buildings to each other so you don’t have to step a foot out into the cold.  How genius is that????  Anyway, I wasn’t against walking in the snow but the skywalk is so much more comfortable. Found my way down to the court district where I had some comfort food at the Court Avenue Brewing Company. Why is it that I tell myself when I enter a restaurant that I’m going to eat healthy and then end up ordering off the menu a specialty item that isn’t so healthy but oh so good? I’ll put it in writing here, if you’re wanting a hearty meal the Court Avenue Brewing Company has an awesome Meatloaf. Because it was cold outside (yes that’s MY excuse) I also got the bread pudding with ice cream.  Also recommended.  Overall experience at the Court Avenue Brewing Company was great.  No complaints. It’s one of those places I can see returning to again if I ever get back this way.

I did obviously get outside to capture the snow.  I had to.  It was fun to play in it for a bit.  I think I’ve now had my fix and winter can keep the rest of the snow.  I don’t think I’ll be so lucky though.  Have a bad bad feeling that I’ll be seeing more of this cold, wet, powder in the weeks to come...... 

It was fun Des Moines. You’re one city I won’t mind returning to. Hope to see you again one day.....

Another Check off my Bucket list in DC

Another trip to Washington DC.  This time another item crossed off the bucket list.  Happy to say I finally made it to the top of the Washington Monument. The price of the ticket and the ride up is well worth the price.  I would do it again in a heartbeat, much recommended.  The top of the Washington Monument has 8 viewing windows, two on each side. It’s crowded but not overbearing. They say the tour last a half hour but I took a bit longer than that taking my time along the way.  Posted a few photos from the top.

Since I was at the National Mall I decided to mosey on over to the Lincoln Memorial just to see it and say I got that done too.  Not sure what I’m going to do on my next visit to this city.  I’ve got a laundry list of things to get done and I’m sure in time I’ll manage to get them all done.  Going slow.  Checking one thing off at a time. 

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.....