Safari Park for the Autumn Festival

To more fully embrace Fall, we headed to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to "celebrate the season of color with amazing wildlife, special entertainment, and culinary comforts that create joyful memories and down-home family fun."

This photo safari doesn't need much explanation.









A highlight for me was this sweet seven-week-old giraffe. So darn cute.



The gorillas put on an excellent show. I could have watched them for hours. HYSTERICAL.


The Autumn accents, throughout, made us feel festive.


We came specifically to witness the Park's nighttime show. "What better way to end your Autumn Festival evening than commemorating 50 years of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park by watching floating, flickering lanterns as they dance in a choreographed celebration to an original world music soundtrack, on the Mombasa Lagoon."
I first came to the then called Wild Animal Park, right when it opened in 1972. When we moved to Temecula, we often had family passes, allowing frequent visits. It is a place we thoroughly appreciate for all it does for animal conservation and for Haerr happiness. Here's to another half a century!

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Coffee, Art, & Friendship

My Saturday was spent in the company of my friend, Lori. I had the opportunity to show her some of my favorite spots. What a treat!

Our first stop was at Mission Grounds at the San Luis Rey Mission.
Scenic, historic, friendly, delicious, and economical... what's not to love about this little coffee oasis on the way to everywhere?

And the Reflection Garden had hummingbirds!
Next stop was a first for the both of us. On March 7th, the Friends of the Oceanside Public Library opened Jane and Evie’s Used Books, a storefront destination selling gently used books, DVDs, CDs, and puzzles. I was an instant fan. I went in with a list of books I wanted to buy. I found them all, plus a couple I just had to have.
After a delightful lunch with my mother-in-law, I introduced Lori to the magic that is the William D. Cannon Art Gallery for The Chair (through Dec. 3), an exhibition of one-of-a-kind chairs. “The chair represents the most sacred meeting of form and function; it’s a piece synonymous with support, the reliable foundation of our everyday lives. And yet the simple chair is in perpetual reinvention mode: it is the unending challenge for the artist and designer.” For this special exhibition, the selected works ranged from fully functional examples to pieces of pure art and sculpture.
There seemed to be something for everyone on display. Alice, by DeLoss McGraw was delightfully whimsical.
James Watts' Untitled, a series of mini chairs constructed of found wood and paint, had us looking closely at each piece.
I never suspected I would find a memory of my childhood, found in a toy block hidden within.
Zingari Chair, by Cheryl Tall, was another one which demanded a closer inspection.

How cool is Christopher Polentz's The Lost Domain?
Look at the bite marks left in the apple. Wow.
I'd expect to see Johnny Swing's Jar Chair in a home in Palm Springs. Interestingly, it is shared "Courtesy of the Gallery of Functional Art". It was very, very groovy indeed.
I could see actually utilizing this cherry wood and cane chair by Roy Jenuine. Such talent, each and every one of the artists here.
Another ceramic creation, by Cheryl Tall, was this table top collection of small chairs forming a Family Reunion. The details demand ogling!
The piece that blew me away (the most) was John Cederquist's Indecision of Upholstery. His talent for trompe l'oeil (deceives the eye) was beyond explaining. This is an artwork that must be seen to understand its amazingness.
Mr. Cederquist is a woodworker in San Juan Capistrano, who references traditional forms but uses surface painting to create illusionistic effects. Because his surface painting explores perspective and depth, his works appears to be 3-dimensional.
His imagery is heavily influenced by contemporary culture: comic strips, television, advertising, and other graphic imagery as well as traditional Japanese woodblock prints. My goal is to find an exhibit of just his works. Wow.
As for this Salvage Wingback, by Seth Keller, I can almost see myself sitting in it with a good book.
I have many friends who will see this and wish they hadn't thrown away all their wine corks from years past. Talk about repurposing. Gabriel Weiss' Cork Arm Chair is the showcased work photographed for all the exhibit's PR and truthfully, it's what drew me to the gallery.
It certainly did not disappoint. What fun. There are more works on display and all should be seen. I'd say each creation here fulfilled Rose Tarlow's demand, “Furniture must have personality, as well as be beautiful.” If you're in SoCal, I recommend a visit to this small, free, artistic space. I have enjoyed each exhibition I've attended.

William D. Cannon Art Gallery. Carlsbad City Library Complex, 1775 Dove Lane. The hours are: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Noon - 5 p.m. Wednesday: Noon - 7 p.m.


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Tehachapi Time...

I have been traversing the Mojave Desert, to connect with Leslie, for over 30 years. It has been far too long since I've done the trek solo, so for three days, it was just us girls (Leslie, her Mom, me, and Leslie's new dog, Kiya). Below are scenes of our time together over the course of those wonderful days.

Let's start with a brief history lesson at the Tehachapi Railroad Depot. The depot was built in 1904 along a Southern Pacific Railroad line which was established in 1876.


None of us had seen one of these concrete structures before. I guessed a jail. Nope. It is a Southern Pacific Concrete Telephone Booth.

According to the plaque on the door, "This style of telephone booth was unique to Southern Pacific Railroad. Untold hundreds were manufactured at the West Oakland Maintenance of Way Shops. Inside each booth was a Western Electric model 1517 BU wood-encased telephone with a hand-cranked generator, push-to-talk button, and headset receiver. The last concrete booths were manufactured in 1955."
Delights were found at the new TehachaPIE shop.
Our pie of choice? Tehachaberry, of course!
Lunch on the patio of the 4 Seasons Café was a nice reprieve during our explorations.


Brisk walks, and long talks, were part of our daily routine.

We only had time to finish one game of Scrabble. Leslie won, but only barely.
The sunrises were something I didn't share with anyone as I'm an early riser. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this by sleeping in.
Armed with hot coffee, my current read (Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci), and the amazing view, my mornings were idyllic.
A movie together in my bed (Dan in Real Life), a stroll through downtown shops, perusing the stacks at the Public Library, reminiscing over old photos, and just having long overdue time together, I left Tehachapi feeling more normal than I have in the last three years. It truly was just what I needed. Correction: what we both needed. I loved it all.

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