Our Drive to Lake Arrowhead

A few weeks ago Alan and I headed up towards Lake Arrowhead for his work winter party.  We drove right through some thick clouds only to get a glimpse of this beautiful sight.  I don't know about you but this totally reminds me of The Neverending Story...I feel like Falcor's just gonna pop his head out from under the clouds. A flying, oversized, talking dog (my bad, he's actually a luck dragon)...that would be awesome!  Haha...anyways, hope you enjoy the pic's :).  

New Year's at Big Bear Lake

Happy New Year everyone!!  Big Bear has always held a special place in my heart.  Many years ago I came here on a church retreat for confirmation.  This also happens to be the place where I met Alan :).  Anyways...this year I spent New Year's weekend in a cabin with a bunch of friends beside Big Bear Lake.  It is absolutely gorgeous out there any time of the year.  It's peaceful and the landscape makes it extremely easy to get away from the rush and enjoy the quiet and beautiful things in life.  Enjoy :).    

"We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."  

~Edith Lovejoy Pierce  

Crystal Cove : Laguna Beach

I love exploring new areas in Orange County.  These were done at Crystal Cove along Newport Coast at sunset.  It's beautiful there.  

San Diego Mini Vacation

This past weekend my boyfriend took me on a mini vacation to beautiful San Diego.  He's a landscape architect and enjoys visiting gardens and great parks.  Lucky for me...I get to go to all these places :).  So if you're a lover of architecture, plants, or maybe just enjoy museums...you gotta go to Balboa Park.  It's GORGEOUS and there's so much to see.  Lot's of photo opportunities for all you photographers out there.  

The shot right above was actually taken by my boyfriend, Alan.  I absolutely love the composition and am thrilled that he's picking up the art and technical sides of photography rather quickly.  I guess he must have a good teacher ;).  

We didn't know what plant this was...but it smelled sooo good!

So we made a few stops while in San Diego.  Went to Old Town of course and got some authentic Mexican food, freshly made tortillas and street tacos...you can't forget about the street tacos.  Old Town is cool cuz you have great food, awesome music (if you like mariachi) and loads of shops with plenty of eye candy.

San Diego Zoo

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Details from San Juan Capistrano

Orange County Great Park : Irvine

Feast your eyes on $70,000 worth of helium...UP has nothing on this!!



Sky view of Cirque de Soleil's Kooza show.




The Orange County Great Park Corporation is a non profit organization that's constructing a metropolitan park within the city limits of Irvine. When the park is completed it will be about two times the size of New York's Central Park. The park will not only include sports fields and botanical gardens, but it will also provide residents with concert halls and several other amenities. I had the privilege of visiting the park at its early stages and enjoyed a ride on a helium balloon lift. Best thing about it...it was FREE!! I really can't wait for the park to be completed. It'll make for some good times at the farmers market, a stroll at the park, or more beautiful views from above. For more info check out Orange County Great Park.

After going to OC Great Park we headed over to Irvine Spectrum to watch the ice skaters.

Pasadena Rose Parade

Had the opportunity to see the the Pasadena Rose Floats up close and personal the day after the parade. Was a pretty spectacular thing to see. So many flowers, so much creativity, really a pretty awesome experience.