in the golden state
I’m back in California! But this time it’s Southern California. It’s been a while since we’ve been back to see good friends, eat at favorite restaurants, visit old haunts, and hike local trails. We had a couple of days before Jeremy’s conference began. Because today (Monday) marks 18 years that we’ve been together here’s a sampling of the shenanigans we’ve been getting into for the past 48 hours.
a glorious sunrise from denver international airport
at the huntington: north vista lawn
in the rose hills foundation conservatory
a favorite of mine: horsetail plant (equisetum)
sundial
the grandeur of oak trees
I have always referred to The Huntington as The Huntington Gardens, but it is The Huntington Library. For me, it’s easy to get excited about the plants and overlook the art and library collections and exhibitions. After wandering the grounds and marveling at various plants, we popped by to see the “Beautiful Science” exhibit in the Library West Hall. It highlights astronomy, natural history, medicine, and light with original books from the Huntington’s collection – some as old as 400 years!
following the progression of astronomical ideas
galileo discusses earth-centered vs. sun-centered systems
my favorite was the light exhibit
optical fibers
james maxwell: the father of electromagnetism
old filament designs
We also visited the Long Beach Aquarium in which we spent the morning petting sharks and rays, watching sea otters and sea lions frolick, and marveling at colorful fishes and other sea critters.
jellies are so beautiful
little kid completely fascinated by the big tank of predators
more foofie frilly beautiful jellies
scratching his teeth on the glass (that’s what the marks are from)
i also love sea anemones
awesome little sea dragon
The weather was mercifully mild over the weekend although it began warming up today. Taking advantage of that cooler weather, we hiked into the Angeles National Forest – our former backyard.
the san gabriel mountains
a few flowers still in bloom
the shady parts of the trail
What a great way to work up an appetite! So far we’ve had Chinese, Thai, Sushi, and Vietnamese. I don’t actually know where a good Vietnamese restaurant is in So Cal. I only know of a great couple who make amazing Viet food. A White on Rice Couple, to be precise. I think they need to charge admission to their garden. It’s better than The Huntington!
chinese buddhist vegetarian food
thai: mee krob
thai: sizzling beef with spinach and cucumber
sushi: toro sashimi
sushi: hamachi sashimi
fresh veggies from the garden (okay, except the asparagus)
cooking our lunch *sizzle*
oh wow! all those persimmons on one tree!
and pomegranates?! this is truly paradise
And the added bonus was that we got to spend time with Sierra and Dante. Dante is a sweet boy, but he’s more interested in snacks. Sierra likes the attention and she is a huge goofball. Sierra is our pup away from home. We love her! We think Sierra and Kaweah would make a great pair of friends.
sierra puppy
I promise a recipe in the next post. The schedule is just too jam-packed right now to keep up with it all, but I hope you enjoyed some of the photos. Happy 18 years, Jeremy! xo
November 1st, 2010 at 9:01 pm
The photos are too gorgeous – the light exhibit is just breathtaking in the bokeh that it created!
November 1st, 2010 at 9:10 pm
The funny part (to me): I subscribed to your blog and white-on-rice-couple’s at the same time. And, somehow, I just always assumed that you knew one another and hung out together, when you could. I realized (when reading this post) that I had NO reason for that, other than that I found you at the same time, and that you seemed to have a similar sensibility. Guess my instincts were right! Thanks for sharing your SoCal photos … although I’m still partial to NoCal!
November 1st, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Great photos! I’ve been planning a trip back to the Huntington for awhile now. Just need to make it happen. It was easier to visit when I worked at JPL.
November 2nd, 2010 at 2:36 am
What a coincidence! We’re planning to revisit our old hunting grounds in SoCal over New Year’s and also cover a few of the places we never got around to visit while we lived there – and yes, it’s exactly Huntington and the Long Beach aquarium that we have in mind!
Congratulations on the first 18 years together :)
November 2nd, 2010 at 6:36 am
Happy anniversary! Beautiful photos, but the teeth-scratching one really strikes me. It’s stunning, & the scratches make it look almost more like a painting than a photo.
November 2nd, 2010 at 6:50 am
Happy anniversary to the two of you! I’m going to be in the US soon but this trip isn’t for as long as originally planned so unfortunately won’t be in your area in order to pop by unexpectedly ;) Next time though, I’d love to meet up with you and Helen.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:44 am
Happy Anniversary to you both! Gorgeous jellies. There is a great jelly exhibit in Monterey as well; if, you have not seen it yet, you really should check it out!
November 2nd, 2010 at 8:15 am
You both are role models in so many ways and being together 18 years is a a true testament to how wonderful you both are! thanks so much for coming and we’re excited to get to spend a whole day more with you!!
darn it, u should have gotten a pic of me and todd climbing the fig tree, true geeks in action! xoxo
November 2nd, 2010 at 9:06 am
Happy 18!!!!!
November 2nd, 2010 at 11:08 am
Happy anniversary to you both! Fantastic photos, fantastic people and fantastic puppies! All the happiness for you guys.
November 2nd, 2010 at 11:40 am
Happy Anniversary and Welcome to the ‘hood! I didn’t check out the Beautiful Science Exhibit when I was at the Huntington last week (though I did take a fat ton of photos of the grounds) — will have to go back soon. The Huntington is totally my happy place – I interned there in high school and college, and my mom does research there. We’ve been members for years.
November 2nd, 2010 at 11:40 am
Vietnam House on Las Tunas in San Gabriel. They are the same owners as Golden Deli (across the street) but somehow WAY better. anyway their fresh spring rolls and the chicken pho are the best i’ve ever had and they give you enormous heaps of fresh veggies with each meal. please eat there for me! (well, i know you are short on time)
also — the aquarium photos are some of your loveliest!
November 2nd, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Happy anniversary. The photos are beautiful, wish I was there!
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Happy Anniversary! Your pictures are just gorgeous!
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Where did you get that Chinese food!?
November 2nd, 2010 at 5:25 pm
nm…I see your informal restaurant review list on your website.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:21 pm
18 years?! Sheesh, you guys don’t look old enough to be married 18 years. May you have many more years and adventures together.
November 2nd, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Happy Anniversary! I love the pictures! My favorite of the bunch is the one you labeled “the shady part of the trail.” The fruit trees looked great too. Fruit picked ripe from a tree is super sweet!
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:47 am
Wonderful photos as always. That ‘awesome sea horse’ looks like one of our leafy sea dragons, found under jetties along the coastline near Adelaide, South Australia. If you’re interested in more pics of them, check out at http://www.leafyseadragonfestival.com/about.html.
November 3rd, 2010 at 11:22 am
Happy 18 years!
You have to tell me where you all ate. I am so picky about restaurants but anywhere T&D took you I imagine is good…
And damn, you took far better pictures at the LBAQ than I did last time I was there. I had my old camera still. Fun place, eh?
November 3rd, 2010 at 1:10 pm
If you’re still there, and haven’t visited it yet I recommend Jitlada for Thai in Hollywood (near Normandie and Sunset).
and Happy Anniversary :)
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:48 pm
Happy Anniversary, Dear! And have many many more to come. XOXO
November 3rd, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I find your picture of the shady trail so inviting. Beautiful!
November 5th, 2010 at 11:24 am
You were lucky to get here just before it hit the 90’s. Unseasonably warm for even Los Angeles. It makes the world seem even smaller to know that your old stomping grounds are mine precisely!
And I had never known what the scratches on the glass at the Aquarium were from. I’d always wondered, but for it to be a sea lion….
Anyway, happy 18th anniversary! Hope the rest of your trip went well and you come back to see us again when our weather isn’t being so crazy.
November 6th, 2010 at 12:14 am
Amazing potpourri of photos. Congrats on your 18 years together.
November 7th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Thanks everyone! I wouldn’t trade this guy for anything :)
Ann B – good instincts :) Todd and Diane are two of my favorite people on this planet. I love them!
Y – where will you be and for how long?! Oh gosh how I wish I could come see you.
Denise – love Monterey – especially the otters!
White On Rice Couple – some people wish for the lottery, but i wish every day could be a White On Rice Couple day :) xo
Kate @ Savour Fare – love The Huntington. A favorite.
Elisabeth – good to know! Thanks, sweetie. xo
Fran – Happy Family Restaurant in Monterey Park (111 N. Atlantic, but the are moving in a couple of months across the street, a little further north to the big mall). They serve Buddhist vegetarian fare. Awesome.
farmerpam – oh, we’ve only been married for 13.5 years. We’ve been a couple for 18 years and yeah, we’re old enough ;)
Nicola – it is indeed a sea dragon (the label said sea dragon). They’re gorgeous and so delicate!
Luney – uh, we were there when it hit the 90s… ugh.
November 14th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
I love your pictures! They are so inspiring no matter what they are of. Thanks for posting such beautiful things.