HAERR TRIPPIN': July 2023

A Peruvian Horse Showcase!

How did you celebrate Peruvian Independence Day?

For those not in the know, July 28th commemorates the liberation of Peru from Spain by José de San Martin, the most famous liberator of Latin America (aside from the Liberator himself, Simón Bolívar). The following day, July 29th, celebrates the establishment of the Republic of Perú. Together these two days are called Las Fiestas Patrias and are by far the most important national holidays in Peru. How interesting that the Los Amigos Peruvian Paso Club Showcase just happened to coincide on the celebration of those important dates... and we were there!

"Webster’s dictionary defines luxury as, 'the use and enjoyment of the best, most precious things that offer the most physical comfort and satisfaction.' Luxury may be the single best word in the English language to describe the Peruvian Paso Horse. This special animal is one of the world’s last remaining naturally gaited horses, and is appreciated and in demand by American horse enthusiasts for several very good reasons. The Peruvian Horse of today combines qualities, which could be called contradictory. He is spirited, yet easy to handle and smooth and relaxed in motion. There is something for everyone in this elegant animal: smooth riding comfort, high energy, strength and stamina, intelligence and a tractable disposition, animated, flashy presence and 100% natural action which set the Peruvian apart from others. All Peruvian Horse aficionados worldwide share the pride of owning a horse of great beauty and rarity."

"The modern Peruvian Horse is a unique animal that has developed during four hundred and fifty years of selective breeding. It descends from horses introduced into Peru by the Conquistadors and subsequent Spanish settlers. They were selectively bred to preserve and improve attributes of the foundation horses, which carried the blood of the Barb, the Spanish Jennet and the Andalusian. This produced a horse with the unique combination of the smoothest ride and the utmost ground-covering stride. To cover the vast haciendas in Peru, one needed an animal of great endurance, but, also important to the rider, an animal capable of providing a smooth, comfortable ride over those great distances.

Interestingly, it transmits its unique smooth gait to its purebred foals. No artificial devices or special training aids are necessary to enable the horse to perform its specialty – a natural four-beat footfall of medium speed that provides a ride of incomparable smoothness and harmony of movement along with the utmost ground covering ability within one sequence of footfalls. This signature gait is called paso llano and it is 100% unique to the Peruvian Horse."

The traditional tack of the Peruvian Horse has remained true to his heritage. The headgear, saddle, stirrups and guarniciones (tail gear) used today in shows are the traditional equipment imported from Peru where it has evolved over hundreds of years.

We were invited to help cheer on David and Karen's niece, Nicole.

Over the course of the weekend, she was to compete in several classes.

Excitingly, we got to witness Nic taking first place in Equitation, a judged event that is all about the rider. Mounted on beautiful El Deseo, a five year old Buckskin stallion (with this being only his second show), she had to demonstrate effective, thoughtful riding. The smoothest and seemingly most effortless rounds were the ones that were rewarded with top placings. Judges took note of the each rider's position, decision making, boldness, quietness, and even how stylish they rode. The girl did awesome!

After three days of competition, El Deseo had a whole lot of new adornment. Upon conclusion, Nicole was presented the award of High Point Novice of Show. So dang cool!

The event ended with a traditional dance of Peru. Now it totally felt like a Fiesta.

And if you want to see just what you missed, here is an informative video of just what all of our day was about. Who knew? Yahoo!

“A horse is like a violin; first it must be tuned,

and when tuned it must be accurately played.”

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Our Summer Night at SD Botanic Garden

This was my second visit to San Diego Botanic Garden and Steve's first.

We were there for Summer Nights where we can "Take advantage of longer days and beautiful warm weather with the return of Summer Nights! On select Thursdays in July and August, enjoy live music and special performances, nosh on a selection of treats paired with beverages, and stroll the Garden at sunset."

We began with an explore of the Dickinson Family Education Conservatory, a state-of-the-art, 8,000 sq. ft. glass-enclosed facility that opened in 2019. The conservatory provides a unique public educational space and also allows the Garden to expand its plant collection to include rare and unusual tropical plants from around the world. The current exhibit is Savage Gardens.

The Real and Imaginary World of Carnivorous Plants showcases the bizarre and captivating world of meat-eating plants. In addition to a collection of real carnivorous species on display, we received a bug’s-eye perspective with three larger-than-life installations inside and around the Conservatory. Featuring multiple Sarracenia Trumpets, a walk-in Fanged Pitcher Plant Nepenthes, and a moving, interactive Venus Flytrap, all installations offered incredible interpretations of these unique plants.

"Due to the lack of nutrients in the soil where Nepenthes grow, these plants have developed unique relationships with animals. While some species coexist and find shelter within the pitchers, others become trapped and are digested for nutrients."

"Attracted by a mixture of nectar, scent, and colorful patterns, animals find their way to the rim of the pitcher to enjoy nectar secreted from the base of the lid. The rim, or peristome, is slippery from rain or plant liquid. Some species can control when they release liquid onto the rim in order to lure more insects to the pitcher.

Once the prey, which can range from small insects to small lizards, birds, and mice depending on the pitcher size, slips on the rim, they fall into the pitcher cup that contains a mix of digestive juices and trapped water. Their dissolved bodies will eventually be absorbed by the plant."

We met up with Brady and her daughter for an evening of all things wonderful at the Botanic Garden, including being prey for a life-sized pitcher plant!

Did you know Dionaea muscipula, or Venus Flytrap is among the most commonly known carnivorous plants, infamous for the quick movement of its snap trap? Native to wet and sandy pine savannas of North and South Carolina, these plants can live up to 20 years in the wild.

Flytraps remain relatively small and grow in low rosettes of leaves coming from underground rhizomes. Contrary to their appearance, they are not sharp and cannot harm humans. However, they are deadly to small insects that trigger their traps to close, beginning a slow process of digesting the prey.

In addition to trapping crawling insects and spiders, flytraps use photosynthesis to create energy needed for growth. Can you imagine what one this size would capture? Wow.

And how cool are the Sarracenia? This carnivorous plant is indigenous to the eastern seaboard of the United States, Texas, the Great Lakes area and southeastern Canada, with most species occurring only in the southeast United States. The plant's leaves have evolved into a funnel or pitcher shape in order to trap insects. Meat-eating plants are very, very cool indeed and what a great place in which to see them and learn more about each species, up close.

In addition to plant ogling, we also had the opportunity for music listening (and a little dancing, too).

"Round up friends and family for a fun outdoor concert on the Gazebo Lawn. Billy Lee and the Gulf Coasters are returning to the Garden to share upbeat music described as gumbo jazz and vintage swing. Billy Lee and the Gulf Coasters play locally and around the world. This band is a show band and their music is made to dance to!"

I'm partial to a band with an accordion player!

I thought the expression on the faces of these two summed up the evening- JOYFUL. What a perfect Summer Night.

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Summer Sunset Taste Of Old Town Temecula

How could we resist this invitation to "Scroll through Old Town Temecula enjoying live music while visiting participating restaurants, wineries, breweries, and shops for tastes, samples, and specials."

With two dozen locations to visit, we were introduced to an Old Town we never knew and we liked it a lot!

At the darling store, Citrus and Moss, we gathered a map of participants and our wristband that signaled we were officially on the party tour.

What a festive vibe. And it was good to see that Steve had dressed appropriately! Hysterical.

The fare was diverse and incredibly tasty. Bottega Italia offered a slice of its Margherita pizza.

Rene's Cowgirl Cantina is a hidden treasure. Their carnitas nacho has made us want to return.

Most of the offerings were rather meat-centric. Steve's devouring Mad Madeline's Famous Friday Night Beef Ribs. I loved Temecula Lavender Co.'s offering of a Lavender Herbed Goat Cheese Spread with a refreshing lavender lemonade.

The Gambling Cowboy served us the most tender Raspberry BBQ Short Ribs while Olivedipity's offerings were the most diverse of them all: infused blood orange olive oil brownies, popcorn with olive oil, and a fruit salad of watermelon, grapes, and strawberries with a dressing of sparkling water paired with aged balsamic. Oh man!

With 90°+ temperatures and a foot that is still broken, we were not able to visit most of the locations but we both agreed that the ones in which we partook were wonderful ones.

Our final, and favorite stop, was at 4th Street Garage Hot Rod Grill. We knew it was going to be awesome when we arrived to live music, on a shady, breezy patio. Tony Suraci was absolutely exceptional and we could have listened to him all night. Here's a link to his playing so you can understand our fandom. Wow.

The food, pork belly skewers and Mac & Cheese, were surprisingly scrumptious (surprising because I rarely eat meat, much less pork and never a belly).

We moved to Temecula in 1993 when its population was only about 40,000 and it was a rather sleepy town. We left for several years and have returned to a place that has a whole lot to offer. We are delighting in discovering all of Temecula's treasures... Tonight certainly was one of them. Way, way fun.

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OMA's Plein Air Festival

It turns out we weren't done with the awesomeness that is the Oceanside Museum of Art and had to return for its very special current event- its second biennial Oceanside Plein Air Festival.

"This festival is an opportunity to celebrate creativity and the natural environment. It is not only about the artists who join in the creative process, it is also for our friends, neighbors, visitors, and art lovers of all ages that have connections to our beautiful city. Everyone is invited to share curiosity, wonder, and joy as they watch scenes of the ocean and beaches, landscapes, and cityscapes of Oceanside come to life on canvas and paper by artists of all levels. It is a time for people to find connection and empathy–all at the intersection of art and everyday life."

We came specifically to witness the creativity of the artists whose subjects were the vehicles owned by the very talented Members Only Car Club. What automobile eye candy! If you want to see them in all their glory, click on this link of them in action. I need to see that one day in person.