One of our favorite places, for a quick escape, is Coronado. Incorporated in 1890, it is home to several distinctive architectural styles which reflect different eras in the island's history. In May, I blogged  about a virtual lecture I attended called a Bite of History: Coronado's Architectural Styles. It really helped me understand the uniqueness of this special place even more.

The City's layout c. 1887

Irving Gill designed this Prairie-style home in 1911 for Percival Thompson, the brother of "Big Bill Thompson", the former Mayor of Chicago. Both Steve and I commented on how much it looked like something by Frank Lloyd Wright.

Oh to peek behind these walls. Built in 1902 as the Walter Dupee Estate, Crown Manor has been home to politicians and played host to celebrities, presidents and military diplomats. Many deals have been made on the grounds that have bettered San Diego and California throughout time. The entire estate is recognized under the Mills Act Historic Preservation Program, protecting the architectural and historical integrity of the English 22,997-square-foot Tudor-style manor, which remains intact today.

And when have you seen a wall get deemed historical? This brick estate wall was designated as historic with the designation of Special Element of the City's history, for its association with Walter Dupee. He had the wall constructed in 1914 at the perimeter of his entire estate. The Estate has since been subdivided, but the wall remains in place around the newer homes.

It would be interesting to see this Mission Revival as it was when it was built in 1926. It is huge! It is a notable work of the architect Richard Requa, and the builder A. E. Keyes.

Interestingly, Mr. Requa had no formal training except as an apprentice under Irving Gill. He went on to create some amazing things, including Torrey Pines Lodge.

I think the history of the Rew-Sharp House (1919) was incredible. LA architect Elmer Grey designed this home for George Rew, President of the Calumet Baking Powder Company. In 1926, it was purchased by the Sharps, San Diego investors and radio station owners. After their son was killed in WWII, they donate the entire Coronado property to the American Red Cross, which briefly occupied it and then sold it. Divided in 1946, this home currently occupies two lots, on separate streets. Wild, right?

This darling home has an interesting story, too.  In 1983, the historic Livingston House was ferried across the bay by barge from its original site in San Diego to its final home, here in Coronado. Completed in July, 1887 for Mrs. C. Morris Livingston, the house stood on a hill with a sweeping view of the city, bay and Mexico. Due to its similarities to the Hotel Del, it has the nickname, Baby Del.

The star of the show really is the Hotel del Coronado (also known as The Del and Hotel Del). This historic beachfront hotel, built in 1888, is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is the second largest wooden structure in the United States and is designated a National Historical Landmark. It really is something to behold... even from a distance.

We didn't quite experience the Jerry Lee Lewis song but we were awakened by a measurable earthquake!

A magnitude 3.7 earthquake was reported last night at 9:41 p.m. eight miles from Temecula, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. We had just fallen asleep and it was powerful enough to shock us awake.

In the past 10 days, there have been four earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.

This series of travel postcards is grouped because they have been photoshopped. Some of them crack me up and I have deemed them worth sharing.

Do we have big heads or what? Mount Rushmore was a huge highlight of this road trip. Hysterical.

I prepared these postcards, pre-trip, hence the need to superimpose us in various places. In 2007, we did an explore of Italy for our 20th wedding anniversary. I love this image of us above Florence.

My big brother and I had a family reunion in Des Moines, Iowa, where our parents grew up. I guess we are children of the corn!

I can only imagine the double-take this postcard evoked when the recipients found this in their mailboxes.

For those who know me well, you know I am a devotee of postcards. They are "the haiku of correspondence" afterall. Over the years, I have probably sent multiple thousands (an astounding number). It is one of my things, truly. I went through my order history on Vistaprint and grabbed images of some of our travel history, told through various postcards I sent from 2005-2011. WOW.

When we need a nature fix, it can always be found in Sylvan Meadows at the Santa Rosa Plateau.

Back in September, I blogged about following this truck and how much fun I could have in the Paper Mart warehouse due mainly because of their extensive Washi tape selection.

My current collection with room to expand.

Unlike western paper which is made from tree pulp, washi comes from Japanese shrubs. The fact that washi tape is made out of highly renewable resources and is biodegradable means it’s a great addition to any sustainable lifestyle. So yes, you can recycle your Washi Tape. Guilt free crafting at last!

I love this description of it, "It’s durable, it’s waterproof AND heatproof – in case of water-bottle-in-bag leakage, craft-time-wine spillage or if for whatever artistic reason you need to take a hairdryer to your journal (no judgement, you do you). And it will peel off without damage to be used again, giving it great value for money and a tick in the waste-reduction box."

So now do you see why I have such an extensive collection? It's likely to become a problem soon. I'm just warning you. Fun though.