The Flower Fields

When I made plans and arrangements with our friends for our pending visit, Sandy mentioned The Flower Fields in Carlsbad. Every year, this garden by the sea plants Ranunculus in bands of color which, when they bloom, cascade down the hillside in spectacular waves of white, yellow, orange and red. Wonderful, I thought. I enjoy gardens. I'll make my boys enjoy them too. Sandy said that last year they went toward the end of the season so the flowers were past their prime and looking a little ragged in some places. This year, we were a little early.

In spite of the less than spectacular display, we stopped to smell the ranunculus. My husband was merciless in his mockery and fun-making. "Ooh, preeetty. How cute," he would say, in a high and slightly feminine voice. We walked on, defying his protests. Nicco played in the dirt. He found bits of rope and sticks and irresistible dirt piles. I made him stand by the pest management sign. Ha ha.

Three pieces of rope walk into a restaurant. They are rejected by the maitre d', who tells them the restaurant doesn't serve rope. They'll have to leave. The three pieces of rope sneak in and sit down anyway and one by one go up to the bar in an attempt to have drinks served to them at their table. The small and medium sized ropes are turned away, "Didn't we tell you, we don't serve rope here!" feeling sad and demoralized, they were about to leave but the long piece of rope had an idea. He twisted himself up and teased and pulled his ends. He walked up to the bar, ordered drinks, and the bar tender asked, "Hey, aren't you a piece of rope?" He looked the bar tender in the eye and said...

"Nope. I'm a frayed knot." and walked back to the table with drinks. Ha ha.

We wandered on, and what do you know...the further we went, the more splendorous the fields grew. Look at that! Spectacular! Waves and bands of color, cascading down the hillside!

 Ooh, ahh...

Patrice continued in his teasing and mocking and refused to join us in a family picture in the flower fields. Boo!

It may not have been as impressive when we were there as it will be in a week or so, but still...it was definitely a sight. I liked it. We wandered back toward the garden gates and stopped at the sweet pea maze. I took Nicco in. He likes mazes.

 We went up and down the rows, oohing and ahhing and enjoying the pretty sweet peas.

But after not too long, we were ready to find our way out. At that point we noticed the conversations going on around us. Choruses of "it's this way!" and "no, over here!" and "I just want to get out of here!" and "I'm ready to hop the fence and just leave!" rang in our ears.

It was a tricky maze, and Nicco said, "Let's just go back to the beginning and go out the entrance." To his disappointment and frustration, finding the beginning was just as difficult as finding the end. We finally made it to the outside edge and out the proper exit. Most of the people leaving uttered exasperated sighs of relief. The garden workers were baffled--this is supposed to be a tranquil and peaceful walk! It was funny. To me.

We stopped at the playground on the way out and Nicco obligingly played. I think he wanted to get back to the beach. He posed (kind of) for me in front of a mushroom,

 he climbed up the slide

 and peeked out the window of the "leaning treehouse of pizza"

then said, "Let's go."
We drove past the floral American Flag on our way to lunch.

I liked our garden visit, but we learned some things. A little research would have been wise before the visit. If I had known, I would have made sure that Nicco got his yellow passport to keep him occupied and entertained with kids' activities on our garden walk. I may have even asked for a second copy to keep the Daddy occupied and entertained as well.

After the Long Walk, a Trip to the Beach is in Order

Nicco was learning about the ocean in his science unit just before spring break. How perfect for him to get to see some of the things he learned about, up close and personal! What a great way to reinforce the book learning! He wanted to see tide pools, and since the California beaches are NOT Caribbean beaches, we took him up to the rocky shores of La Jolla Cove. We didn't figure there would be much swimming, and I warned Nicco to stay near the shore since I had no intention of going into that icy water to rescue him. We were wrong. The boy just can't resist the water!

After romping in the surf, he warmed himself up in the sand before heading back out.

He was up to his neck in the tide pools. He's crazy.

Here he is with his Papa, searching among the mussels and snails for starfish and anemones.

Dancing in the cave of the cove.

He found many, many shells and bits of shells to bring back home.

And some real seaweed! Hooray!

Mostly he found barnacles and snails and mussels...

 but we also saw a couple little crabs. Do you see the little crab in this picture?

Another "I Spy..." Can you see the little seal playing on the rock? He tossed and turned in the waves just like all the little kids. That was fun.

 

I warmed my toes in the sand and rocks while the boys played in the ocean.

After a couple hours, Nicco was still having fun. He was shivering and his teeth were chattering, but he swore, "I ain't done!" when he came to warm up a bit with me.

He tried to climb the sandy rock wall to reach the seagulls nesting above him. It was too slippery. Back to the ocean!

My little family on the beach... 

Even though it was coldy-cold, it was beautiful and relaxing to watch and listen to the waves crashing.

When the tide came in and covered those rocks with chilly water, Nicco finally declared himself ready to leave. The Daddy's tummy had recovered from the seasickness of the day before, so it was a good day.

Reviving the Airplane Obsession on a Long Walk

The thing we love about California (besides the beach) is all the vegetation. In contrast to our beautiful-in-its-own-way desert, everything grows there. It's so green! Late Saturday morning, we decided to take a walk. Mark and Sandy live near the airport and Mark mentioned a special vantage point for watching planes take off and land. We enjoyed the sights along the way.

 Birds of Paradise are probably my favorite of the aforementioned vegetation.

 I also like this fluffy red puffy plant.

There are lots of artists in California. They are unrestrained by HOAs and covenants. This was a fun little face in the side of the tree, and a band of some kind playing on a neighbor's roof.

There is only one runway in the San Diego airport so it is really busy. No room for more! That city is packed, I tell ya!

Mark and Nicco looking over the highway to the runway. We were standing above the worst place in the world to live. Above the highway and next to the airport. No peace and quiet, ever. Even when the flight curfew hits at 11:00 p.m. the traffic doesn't stop. I wonder if those people moved in before the airport and highway were built. And if not, why did they move there??!!???

 An airplane taking off...and another one coming in for a landing.

 We stuck around for a while watching airplanes. Nicco entertained himself between flights.

 

After we got our fill of airplanes, we headed back home. We stopped at a garden/koi pond/water feature gallery and met Quirky Mark. He was quite a character. Almost immediately, he handed Nicco a worm and told my boy to come feed the hungry bluegill. He gave a demonstration, then set Nicco to work.

It took a while for Nicco to get a good grasp on the slimy worm, and the fish was getting impatient. But at last, we had success!

(I will insert the semi-amusing video of the fish feeding incident later when google decides not to hate me anymore.)

The whole walk was about two miles round trip. It was more of a stroll really, with lots and lots of breaks during which Mark pointed out interesting neighbors, plants, and their old apartment, plus the airplane and garden stop. In spite of the leisurely pace, my boy thought he would collapse by the time we reached Maple Canyon, under the way-up-high Spruce Street Suspension Bridge. The hike up was daunting to short 7-year old legs. About 10 feet from the top, he sat down and told me to go on ahead. He'd catch up. I let him rest for about 10 seconds then take the five remaining steps to the top.

I guess the boy needs to build his muscles and endurance! More exercise is in order.
When we got home, he jogged down the steps of the tri-level terrace to where Sandy was working in the garden.

I don't know if it is due to him being an only child or if it is because we socialize with people who mostly don't have kids, or, more likely, I am The Greatest Mother in the History of Earth with impeccable manners myself and have just raised my boy to emulate me in social circles, or if Nicco is just a pleasant and happy and social little bug, but he really gets along nicely with adults. It made me proud to watch him interacting with our friends.