Okay, this isn’t going to be a great post, but at least I can tell you what I did for the rest of my time in SoCal.

August 9: I left Santa Clarita to drive to San Diego at 7:45am. It took me just under 3 hours to get there. I went to visit some fellow cactus & succulent enthusiasts who are also VERY knowledgeable and nice. I arrived at Balboa Park at about 10:30am for the San Diego Cactus & Succulent Society meeting and plant sale. It was interesting to attend a meeting, since I have never been to one for a cactus & succulent society. Really, it was like a large support group with lots of friendly people. I wish I lived closer to a C & S society.

Before the meeting, one of my friends walked with me around the Balboa Park cactus garden and shade house (which is full of beautiful orchids). Thanks, Jürgen! Here are some photos from there:

Grounds of Balboa Park:

Cactus garden:

Shade house:

When the meeting was over, I went to another friend (Mark)’s house to see his plants and gardens, and hang out with he and his wife, and 2 cute little boys. I was supposed to meet up with another friend who happened to be in San Diego from Mexico on business, but that ended up not working out, and I stayed with Mark & his wife. It was very nice of them to let me stay, and I had a great time hanging out with them. They even fed me dinner, which was FAR above and beyond the call of duty.

The following morning (August 10), I drove to El Cajon to Jürgen’s house to see his plants. He (and Mark, too) has some amazing plants. Some very strange things, and some beautifully-grown old plants. It’s always a pleasure to see other people’s plants!

Here is a photo of Jürgen’s greenhouse:

After leaving San Diego, I drove back up to Santa Clarita, and Barb and I went out for some food at a place called Buon Gusto. I had an AMAZING sandwich (panini), and some delicious watermelon-flavored Italian ice. YUM! I think for the rest of the afternoon, we just hung out and had some beer, and watched the Olympics, etc.

August 11: Barb took the day off work, and we did some shopping, and ate some more good food, though I can’t remember what (See?! This is what happens when I don’t ‘blog right away). I introduced Barb to Kenny vs. Spenny that night, and we watched about 6 episodes of that. I think we had Wanna Iguana Mexican food for dinner that night.

August 12: I went and picked Barb up at work, and we went to Tommy’s for lunch. It is impossible for me to visit southern California and NOT eat at Tommy’s. After lunch, I went back to Barb’s house, and packed up my bags and all the stuff I had bought while there. When Barb came home, we went to Baja Fresh for dinner, and then I left her house to drive to Whittier to stay for one night with Rich’s mom. Chris’s mother dropped him off there, and he was with me for the rest of the time in SoCal.

August 13: CHRIS’S 15th BIRTHDAY!!! We had Baja Fresh for lunch (yes, AGAIN), and left Rich’s mom’s house to go to his brother’s house in Alta Loma (Rancho Cucamonga). We spent 2 days there, swimming in the pool, watching movies, and eating. It was nice to see everyone there. We see Charlie frequently, as he visits Moab a couple times a year, but we never see my sister-in-law Virginia. While I was there, she taught me how to play a variety of sports on the Nintendo Wii. It was fun! I was good at the baseball, but HORRIBLE at the bowling.

August 15: We left early in the morning to drive home to Moab. It is about an 11 hour drive, so it’s an all-day event. I got home at about 7:00pm, to a very happy husband and dog. It was a great trip!

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