Long Beach and a hidden gem - Sherman Library and Gardens

Long Beach, California appears to be a very much a "blue collar' town.  What we can see of the port is full of working ship derricks and some gas and oil shipping facilities.  It reminds me very much of Tacoma's no nonsense port.  Motels, even here, are very expensive along the coast, but we were able to find a nice clean one in the heart of Long beach to settle in for the night; a minor miracle, I believe.

We left Ontario, California near the Arizona border this morning and drove through some fairly rugged terrain (and lots of road work) before arriving in Los Angeles County (a very, very large county indeed).  After the high dry temperatures in Arizona and the dry climate in New Mexico, it was quite wonderful to be facing 80 degree sunshine with some sea breezes in our faces as we reached the coast.

Once we hit the ocean, we stopped at the first available beach, Aliso Beach (very close to Laguna Beach,which was too crowded), and walked right into the lapping surf.  It was heavenly for me to finally be able to walk in sand without pain and to let the water cover my feet.  It has been Of course, as just about everyone has discovered, there is no just "walking in the water" at the beach.  Within the first 15 minutes of arrival, Steve and I had been soaked to our waists in back with a splash from a wave run amok.  Yes, we had wet pants for more than an hour while we sat and watched the kids with their skim surfer boards playing in the waves.  It was so much fun!

After that, we drove up the Pacific Coast Highway, marveling at the outrageously decadent resort buildings lining the road and facing the setting sun over that miraculously beautiful water.  No wonder everyone seems to want to be there.

Just by chance we stopped so I could take a picture of a beautiful tree with orange Bird of Paradise plants below it and stumbled upon the Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar, California.  I mean, really, what librarian could possibly pass up that tantalizing sign?  I ask you.

Sherman Library and Gardens is a gorgeous walled area of wonderful garden rooms.  The Sherman Library is a wonderful old building that houses an historical collection that is often used for research in the area.  I was able to speak with the librarian, who said he had been in the position for 4 years, replacing the librarian who had been there for 47 years.  They are still using a beautiful set of card catalogs, but are in the process of digitizing their more significant manuscripts, which begins the process of going completely online in the future.

Could this have been the original sign, I wonder?

The gardens were just gorgeous, with fountains, ponds, glass sculptures, topiary, and other garden art.

This tree bemuses me.  It has some sort of agave on the end of each branch.

Rose garden with blown glass.

Blown glass in the center of the square.

More blown glass.

Take a close look.  There are small succulents growing between the stairs!

We topped the evening off with a delicious and pleasant dinner at In-N-Out Burger, apparently a California mainstay.

Tomorrow, we plan to take our time driving up the coast.  We want to find a place (maybe an AirBnb) to stay for about 4 days and just relax and play at the beach.  We have several weeks before we have to be back in Tacoma for a Sept. 5 appointment with Steve's doctor.

More tomorrow.

Arizona to California - and very close to my birthplace

Ontario, California (near Rancho Cucamonga) is about 5 hours drive from Kingman, Arizona.  We arrived in late afternoon and are snuggled up in a mid-level motel for the night.

We streaked through from Kingman into California, stocked up on gas and beverages just southeast of the Mojave Desert (yes, I have an unreasonable fear of being stranded in the Mojave.  A story for another time), and kept driving until we arrived here.  I'm sorry, though.  There are no pictures because the landscape was so very uninspiring.

However, tomorrow, we will drive straight through greater Los Angeles to find those wonderful Southern California beaches (possibly after taking a photograph of the hospital in Huntington Park where I was born).  Photos of sandy Pacific beaches are forthcoming, along with even more interesting stuff.

But, here's something in recognition of the coming solar eclipse that we saw at Denny's before we left Kingman this morning.

Kingman, Arizona - a major disappointment

Finally settled in Kingman, Arizona, in a motel, after driving for about 6 hours.  Frankly, there was not much to see on the drive.  So, no pictures yet.  Maybe when we explore "Historic Route 66" this evening, we'll find some interesting sights.

Santa Fe, Again - I love this place!

Today, it was Santa Fe - one more time.  We had to browse the artisans again in the colonnade at Santa Fe Plaza and we bought a few things this time.  Shhh!  Don't tell our kids!

The Santa Fe Public Library in downtown was on my list because, of course, I cannot seem to pass a library in my travels.  This is an addiction that I am going to have to get under control.  Who know where it will lead?

The Children's Room at the public library.

This was a surprise discovery, but it made us feel a little more at home.

Last, we visited the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and it was incredible.  Here are some of my favorites.

No. 22 - Special, 1916/1917 and Anything, 1916.  I'm a sucker for bold color; I admit it.

Pond in the Woods, 1922

Inside the Tent, 1916 - this is photographed at an angle because of the glass reflection. It reminds me of my children.

Blue II, 1916 - still looks like a fetus ultrasound to me.

Pedernal, 1941/1942 - apparently one of her favorite places.

The two white sculptures were O'Keeffe's.  The other two are the  animal horns she sculpted from.

Green and White, 1957/1958 and Machu Picchu I, 1957

Couldn't resist.  This is a photo of O'Keeffe's Chow dog.  Reminds me of our Ginger.

Untitled (Tent at night), 1916.  She was a student at UVA, Charlottesville in 1916.

Then, we struck out for Gallup, New Mexico because Steve was enthralled with it.  Now that we are here in Gallup, it doesn't seem quite as interesting, except for the fact that it is situated on the old Route 66 which we plan to follow back across Arizona into California.  What I like is that it is farther north of the 116 degree heat of mid to southern Arizona.

Here are a few shots of that leg of the journey.  First, please look closely at the "empty" stretch of land in the next two photos.  Notice the dark green low tree/bushes randomly set about the scene?  I've been looking at these bushes for a long time and they remind of Monty Python every single time.  Remember Monty Python and the Holy Grail, when the opposing knights attacking the castle hide behind "shrubs" and keep hop/creeping forward?  These shrubs do not look real and they give me a slightly creepy feeling.  Can't you see them moving?  If not, "you mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberry."

Then, there was the Continental Divide and the beginning of Route 66, all in the same 200 feet.  I mean... what's up with that?

My guess is that this is the beginning of what's left of Rte 66.

Then, there were the train shots against the Red Rock landscape that Steve kept asking me to take.  They were taken with an iPhone 6s with the window rolled down in a car that was going about 75 mph.   I love this camera!

This is the caboose after several flat cars.

Tomorrow, we are skipping the Grand Canyon and streaking straight across Arizona to Kingman for the night.  Then, Wednesday we plan to streak again across California to get to the good part - the beaches, of course.  My wounded toe is still sore, but the scabs gone and it's almost ready for saltwater, the feel of gently lapping waves, and long walks on the sand.  Bring it on!