Fleas and Trees in August

Back in August, we visited the Rose Bowl flea market with Armilyn's parents and cousin Joanne who was visiting from Michigan. Surprisingly, I have never been to the Rose Bowl, even though I have lived in Southern California all my life and been to Pasadena a number of times.

It was a very spur of the moment trip, and we arrived an hour before closing time, so it was kind of a mad dash looking for the arts & crafts section Joanne wanted to see.


Joanne ready to go in

Alex and I taking a break after going around the Rose Bowl on a hot afternoon

The following week, we went to the Peter and Mary Muth Interprative Center in Upper Newport Bay. It's a free science center at the uppermost point of the bay and you can hike or bike on various trails that lead off from the center. It provides a gorgeous view of the upper bay and you can pretend for a moment that you are not in the middle of an urban area--until a jet that just took off from John Wayne Airport flies overhead. There's a lot of wetlands, grasses, brush and a few trees.



Reflections of the ones I love


Alex wants to head into the river


I think the authorities would frown if we grabbed some tubes and floated down river.


Click on the picture to see the full panorama

Bowers Museum

The first Sunday of the month is free at Bowers Museum, courtesy of Target. Back in August, we paid a visit.

They had an exhibit on the rituals (weddings, funerals, rites of passage) from tribes in Africa and Asia. There were many beautiful pieces of clothing and jewelry on display, as well as stunning photography.




We then walked into the newer wing of the museum and out into the statue garden with a wall of fountains. Guess who went straight to the fountains.





I can't remember what these were, but they were in the California history part of the museum

Palm Springs getaway

Two weeks ago we went on a quick road trip to Palm Springs with my parents for a little Mother's Day getaway. Needless to say, it was hot, just over 102 degrees. We used Armilyn's Marriott connections and stayed at the Residence Inn in Palm Desert and had a nice dinner at the Marriott Resort a block away.

Prior to reaching Palm Springs, we took a detour to Pioneertown, a little town that looks like an old ghost town but in fact was build by the movie studios who used to film westerns there and in the surrounding desert. Mom and Dad really liked the place.

Mother's Day Weekend at the JW Marriott Palm Desert Resort.

We took a small boat to the restaurant.


Alex & Mommy on the lovely patio overlooking the water.


Alex admiring the sunset.


The palm trees swaying in the breeze.


The hotel lobby was spectacular,

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as was the view outside.



The next day, a bit of swimming with Opa & Oma.

Then we explored the visitor's center and El Paseo Shopping Center.

















We stopped by the Mission Inn in Riverside on the way home.

We walk the grounds and also checked out


a cool antique store and store fronts


with creative window displays.




We ended with a nice lunch at this local cafe.