Friday, October 22, 2021

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE - SAN DIEGO 2010

Lucky birds to live in such fine accommodations. 

 My photos were taken several years ago at the San Diego Botanical Garden in September 2010.  I was on my own but had tagged along on one of hubby's business trips, before retirement.  

It was the first time I had ever used GPS and remember feeling elation.  It gave me the comfort to venture forth in an unknown area.  I had an Atlas and had also written instructions, but could not take my eyes off that busy freeway.  I managed to get to the garden there and back without getting lost, while listening to the voice in the machine. It was a 70 plus mile round trip and meeting up with my Dear Other Half at the end of his work day, I remember the excitement of telling him all about the journey and about this beautiful garden.  

Another first for me was seeing my first hummingbird.  (I believe I have found its ID at this link, Allen's Humminbird?  Any experts out there who can confirm?  Added note:  In their comments below Anni of Hootin' Anni's Day Trippin' and David of Travels with Birds, both of whom know their birds, say this looks like Anna's Hummingbird.  Thank you Anni and David!  I can always count on my blogging friends.)  A great memory as even now it makes me smile at the excitement I felt at that encounter. I was sitting in a quiet spot on my own, and a hummingbird flew onto a branch just above my head.  We stared at each for what seemed like a long time, and I took lots of photos.  I put my camera down and observed quietly for several minutes before she flew away.

I felt like the young girl in this beautiful painting.  I wish I could give you the name of the artist, but I believe she knew how I felt with each brushstroke.  And at the end of every pathway was another memory maker.  I stayed for hours.  Absolute magic!


May you have your own magical moments this weekend, and thanks for visiting.  




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46 comments:

  1. Ginny HartzlerOctober 22, 2021 at 12:02 AM

    And these photos are memorable souvenirs of your happy time there!

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  2. diane bOctober 22, 2021 at 2:43 AM

    I'm glad that you have such lovely memories.You were brave to go so far in a strange city. Bravo for using a GPS.

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 22, 2021 at 9:33 AM

      Thank you for the kind words Diane. It was quite an adventure :)

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  3. Hootin AnniOctober 22, 2021 at 4:10 AM

    Love this area of San Diego!! The zoo is awesome too.
    Yep, she's an Anna's!!

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 22, 2021 at 9:38 AM

      Wonderful! Thank you for the ID Anni. Loved the zoo also :)

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  4. Francisco Manuel Carrajola OliveiraOctober 22, 2021 at 4:50 AM

    Belas fotografias.
    Um abraço e bom fim-de-semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    O prazer dos livros

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 22, 2021 at 9:40 AM

      Obrigada :) Um abraço e também um bom final de semana.

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  5. Margaret DOctober 22, 2021 at 4:51 AM

    Certainly good home for the birds.
    Never seen a hummingbird in reality..nice memories Denise,

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  6. AnnOctober 22, 2021 at 4:57 AM

    What a great day trip that must have been. GPS is a wonderful thing. I use it occasionally to wander down unknown roads.

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  7. Elephant's ChildOctober 22, 2021 at 4:57 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful memories. Thank you for sharing them.

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  8. eileeninmdOctober 22, 2021 at 6:16 AM

    Hello, Denise
    Wonderful memories and pretty photos from your visit to the gardens in San Diego.
    I love the cute hummingbird , the painting and the beautiful flowers. Have a great day and a happy weekend!

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 22, 2021 at 9:42 AM

      So glad Eileen and thank you. You have a great day and happy weekend also :)

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  9. David M. Gascoigne,October 22, 2021 at 7:52 AM

    I am fairly sure that your hummingbird is a female Anna's Hummingbird.

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  10. MadSnapperOctober 22, 2021 at 9:35 AM

    i need to out and find magical moments, have not done that in a very long time. i love the girl and the flowers and your humming bird is so pretty. good job using the gps, i don't have one and no idea how to, also wild clapping for doing the 70 mile trip alone

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 22, 2021 at 10:44 AM

      Hoping you find them very soon Sandra. And thank you for the applause :)

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  11. gigi-hawaiiOctober 22, 2021 at 10:11 AM

    I have never seen a hummingbird in real life, so I can imagine what a treat it must have been for you. Yes, thank goodness we have knowledgeable blog friends.

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  12. ChristineOctober 22, 2021 at 10:32 AM

    I love that painting too!

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 22, 2021 at 10:45 AM

      It’s lovely isn’t it Christine? :) So bright and cheerful!

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  13. Linda POctober 22, 2021 at 11:06 AM

    You have wonderful memories of your time in the botanical gardens. A pretty humming bird, a colourful painting and those well made bird houses are delightful.

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  14. Anne Hagman-NiilolaOctober 22, 2021 at 11:33 AM

    Have a nice weekend.

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  15. The Joy of Home with Martha EllenOctober 22, 2021 at 4:38 PM

    How wonderful, Denise! I love how you shared your joy that beautiful day in San Diego.The hummingbird encounter is beautiful. I used to tag along with Grayden on his travels as well and San Diego was one of my favorite places to visit.

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 23, 2021 at 2:11 PM

      Thank you Martha Ellen, I am happy you enjoyed :) How lovely you also used to go with Grayden on his business trips.

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  16. William KendallOctober 22, 2021 at 4:53 PM

    The little hummer is quite a sight to see.

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  17. gluten Free A_Z BlogOctober 22, 2021 at 7:19 PM

    The GPS is wonderful. I have been so glad to have it when driving home from an unknown place at night. It does give a boost of confidence and safety. I don't think I've even seen a hummingbird that wasn't in motion at a flower. Wow. Some really good shots and an exciting day out.

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 23, 2021 at 2:13 PM

      Thanks Judee, GPS is the best thing since sliced bread I used to say :) After having to go out at night for gatherings with other navy wives when the ship went out to sea, there was many a time I would get lost. Much worse at night I think.

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  18. RoseOctober 22, 2021 at 7:26 PM

    I bet that felt wonderful to do that on your own...I can imagine how you felt and what wonderful memories.

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  19. Lowcarb team memberOctober 22, 2021 at 8:08 PM

    Thank you for sharing these memories and lovely photographs.
    Wishing you a good weekend.

    All the best Jan

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 23, 2021 at 2:14 PM

      You are very welcome Jan, so glad you enjoyed. Thank you and you have a good weekend also, all the best :)

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  20. CloudiaOctober 22, 2021 at 8:42 PM

    We felt your excitement and the thrum of the hummingbird!

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 23, 2021 at 2:14 PM

      I'm happy that came through Cloudia. Thank you :)

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  21. roughterrain craneOctober 23, 2021 at 9:34 AM

    Yes, I agree. The painting is absolutely beautiful and makes people happy.

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 23, 2021 at 2:15 PM

      Thank you :) Cheerful paintings always make me feel so good.

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  22. KayOctober 23, 2021 at 5:08 PM

    70 miles? I am so impressed Denise. I see it was really worth the drive.

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 23, 2021 at 11:09 PM

      Thank you Kay and it certainly was worth the drive :)

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  23. Yogi♪♪♪October 23, 2021 at 6:18 PM

    You know, San Diego is a nice place to visit. Lots of things to see and do and the people are pretty decent.

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    1. DeniseinVAOctober 23, 2021 at 11:11 PM

      I always thought so Yogi, I always enjoyed the people there and we were also in Long Beach for a couple of years, and then in Monterey for another two :)

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