Cary and I went to California for five wonderful days to see our family and friends. This trip felt like coming home, so hard to leave!
Cary was born in California and lived there until we moved to Colorado in 2004. Wow, was it really that long ago? I mostly grew up in California, with some side stints in the Philippines, Japan and Nebraska as an Air Force brat. I fly back every couple of months to accompany my dad to his appointments at the VA hospital in Loma Linda. These are just two-day trips, so I have been so looking forward to this trip with Cary.
We stayed at my brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Chris’s gorgeous home. Cary hadn’t seen our niece and nephew Jade and Jackson, in about four years, so it was extra special for him. Love Jade and Jackson so much! Here they are at Jackson’s Kindergarten graduation:) Cary and Michael are like brothers, so it was great for them to spend some time together.
I had the best morning walks with Chris’s mom, Rose. We walked to Starbucks each morning, about thirty minutes each way. Such a nice walk through their neighborhood, with parks and lakes, and wonderful company. Definitely not something I can do at home!
I also attended a mini reunion, “A Gathering of Friends”. I had not seen most of these good friends since high school. Lets just say it was over thirty years ago:) It was amazing to see everyone. Such good memories, along with some things I had completely forgotten, haha! Me, Cary and my brother, Michael are in the center back row:) Two of our teachers were there – Mr.Tipton (top far left) and Cheryl Fussell-Longo (top far right). So wonderful to see them, they haven’t changed at all! A huge thank you to Anita Cichowski Pacheco (fourth top) for putting this together and hosting at her beautiful home.
Lunch with my dad! Guillermo and Jasmine (Elyda’s daughter and son-in-law), my dad, me, Christian (Elyda’s grand-daughter), my dad’s wife Elyda, my son Dillon and Cary. It was extra special as my dad is wheel chair bound due to a stroke and isn’t able to leave the healthcare center very often. My son, Dillon, drove down from Santa Ynez for the lunch. He and my dad hadn’t seen each other since we moved to Colorado, so another happy reunion!Cary and I had time to drive around some of our old neighborhoods and favorite places. We drove through the mountain town of Oak Glen. It was a perfect time to visit, all of the fruit orchards were gorgeous and being a Friday, it was peaceful. We stopped at beautiful, rustic Snow-Line Orchard. Such wonderful memories of fresh-pressed hot apple cider and mini cider donuts in the winter.
the Preserve Oak Glen
We then visited a new to us spot, the Oak Glen Preserve. This piece of heaven on earth includes a botanical garden and Children’s Outdoor Discovery Center. It is adjacent to and includes the historic apple farm, Los Rios Rancho. The Wildlands Conservancy saved this farm from residential subdivision in 1996. The farm is currently leased to third and fourth generation Oak Glen apple growers. I am so grateful for people and groups who value an area’s history so that many more generations can enjoy and appreciate this treasure.
We were very hungry by now, as we had left our house at 2:30 am. On our way down the hill to my brother’s home in Menifee, we stopped at Habit Burger and enjoyed the most amazing salad. It had ahi, watermelon and beets with balsamic dressing, on my goodness, so yum!
On Tuesday, our last day, I told Cary that we had to go to downtown Redlands for ice cream at a la Minute Ice Cream. They serve small batch organic ice cream using locally sourced ingredients. I can’t resist the orange honey, but will try the olive oil vanilla next time I am in town. They use liquid nitrogen which makes the ice cream extra creamy. I always get a small cup, but will try a house-made cone next time – can’t wait!
Last stop – Parliament Chocolate! a la Minute features this artisanal chocolate, using it for the shaved chocolate toppers and the chocolate ice cream. It is just two streets over from a la Minute and is just as charming. The chocolate “kitchen” is right next to the shop with glass windows so you can see how they make their magical confections.
Can’t wait to go back!