Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge near Pasasdena is one of my favorite places to visit in Southern California. Walking the gardens revealed visitors reading books on benches, strolling with cameras, and wondering at the rich beauty of the grounds. Location: From Orange County, take the 5 to the 57 to the 210 towards Pasadena. Stay on the 210 and drive up the hill … [Read more...]
Take Kids on a Spring Blossom Walk
Oh, how the blossoms are blooming in our school garden! The brilliance is astounding! The peach tree pushed out the single blossom (above) a few weeks ago and now every branch is filled with blossoms (see next photo)! Take kids on a spring blossom walk around your neighborhood and you're bound to find some fruit trees with flowers. If not, there's surely new green weeds from … [Read more...]
Monarch Butterflies in the School Garden!
I'm out in nature all the time and we've bought the butterfly kits and watched them grow -- but seeing a Monarch butterfly life cycle out in a natural setting is magical. All of the wise metaphors for the transformation of a butterfly have new meaning when you get to experience it for yourself. The things you learn when you volunteer at school! I'm the volunteer Garden … [Read more...]
Wonderland of Spring Flowers: Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in Claremont
Our trip to Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in Claremont came at the invitation of my friend Debi at GoExploreNature.com - although she doesn't admit to being seen with us in her post about it. We met up in the Claremont Village (Yale Street and surroundings) for a bite to eat and then headed off to the gardens to explore. I thought this place would be little and it would … [Read more...]
Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar
Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona Del Mar is another one of those places I always wanted to visit while I was a UCI student. I can't believe it took me this long to pass through the gate of this magical place! Directions to Sherman Library and Gardens: Exit Interstate 405 at MacArthur Boulevard and take it all the way to Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Turn … [Read more...]