The Universe blessed me in mid-February with the single greatest gift it ever could: time. To best use this gift I’ve been given, I decided to travel to my old stomping grounds of Southern California. This holiday proved to be just what I needed to get my creative juices flowing as this is my first blog in two months! I got to go most everywhere and see most everyone I was hoping to! It’s safe to say this trip was simply the best, but don’t let me just tell you, let me show you…
You all already know there was no way I was going out there and not spending a day at Disneyland. I kicked it off by running into my old friend Pete as he paraded around Toon Town.
While I’m definitely a fan of coasters, it’s the dark rides that do it for me. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish here is definitely a fan favorite.
Ran into my buddy Kylo Ren and a few of his First Order Stormtroopers as they scoured the Galaxy’s Edge for Resistance fighters.
“..there is just one moon and one golden sun and a smile means friendship to everyone…”
Despite the 90º plus temperature and the unbelievable crowds, it felt so good to be home.
The next day I got to see my beloveds Michael and Jenna. Michael, as you may remember, was a groomsman in my wedding and I one in theirs. We all worked together over a decade ago at Macy’s Mission Viejo. Thankful to have all those wonderful memories and still be creating more.
Had lunch and walked around this absolutely enchanting hamlet of San Juan Capistrano. Lunch was delicious and the area around these train tracks was done up beautifully. Loved it.
Some of the gardens that preceded these storefronts were just gorgeous.
Taken from inside the Mission there in town. I had actually been before a couple years back, but you all know how much I love a good garden, so I was most happy to return.
The way the sunlight was hitting this cactus made it impossible not to be photographed with it.
The pier in San Clemente. Always love me a good pier. I find so much pleasure in strolling them and taking in the sights and sounds of the ocean and those around me.
Love these two so much and put forth a lot of effort into encouraging them to move here to the Saint Louis Metropolitan area. *fingers crossed*
Give me all the sunsets.
Quintessential Southern California for me right here.
The variety of colors between the water and sky just mesmerize me. Love it so much.
The following day I met California Melissa, not to be confused with my Melissa, down in Balboa Park in the beautiful city of San Diego.
My attempt at an artsy photo. Taken between two pillars from a bridge over a lily pond.
The interior of the botany building. One of the few free attractions in Balboa Park, which features several museums of small to medium sizes. The architecture of these structures is a consistent work of art itself and made for the absolutely most perfect afternoon.
For those residing in San Diego County, the museums of Balboa Park are free every third Tuesday of the month, but you will have to pay to park. We paid $10 for four hours and I believe it would’ve been $16 for a full days parking.
Balboa Park is quite expansive and we maybe did a fourth of what it had to offer in the four hours we were there. As you can see, I took to the stage for our final moments in the park and would absolutely love it if one day a stage production of Shithead took shape here.
Well there you have it, the first half of my Southern California getaway! It was such an incredible breath of fresh air getting to take in the sun and summertime feel of SoCal. I didn’t realize just how badly my mind, body, and soul needed it till I was there. In the second half I got to see more of my amazing friends and experience a few places I’d never ventured to before! So be sure to return for that next chapter here in a few days!
As always, THANK YOU for viewing! I appreciate you greatly! Feel free to leave a comment below as I LOVE reading and responding to them! I’ll return soon with the second half, so until then, I wish you all, all the best!
Working hard everyday towards achieving my goal of becoming an international best-selling author. Wrote the book, just need the agent and publisher. Received the ultimate endorsement when Britney Spears wrote me saying she'd be one of the first in line to buy my book! #FreeBritney
Wow another trip to Cali! Some great pics in here real nice.
Yes! You know I love my SoCal!