We spent five days exploring the Pacific Ocean coastline in California and Oregon. The scenery was breathtaking, and the atmosphere was incredibly serene.
Mendocino, California Point Arena Lighthouse, California Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, California Umpqua River Lighthouse, Oregon Shore Acres State Park, Oregon
Nestled right along the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Museum offers profound insights into naval aviation and a significant chapter of American history. The museum houses the iconic USS Midway, one of the country’s oldest aircraft carriers. https://www.midway.org
This is a look at some of the displays that you’ll see on the top deck of the Midway aircraft carrier.
Nestled right along the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Museum offers profound insights into naval aviation and a significant chapter of American history. The museum houses the iconic USS Midway, one of the country’s oldest aircraft carriers. https://www.midway.org
This is a look at some of the displays that you’ll see on the inside of the Midway aircraft carrier.
San Diego’s 1,200-acre Balboa Park, a world-renowned urban cultural park, boasts a dazzling array of museums, entertainment venues, botanical gardens, and architectural landmarks. The park, set aside as a public reserve in 1835, includes the renowned San Diego Zoo and architectural gems from the 1915-16 Panama-California Expo and the 1935-36 California Pacific International Expo. Balboa Park celebrates the cultural diversity of California and its natural landscape with sixteen museums, award-winning theaters, an antique carousel, a miniature railroad, and the Spanish Village Arts Center. https://balboapark.org
Hotel del Coronado, also known as The Del and Hotel Del, is a historic beachfront hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego, California. A rare surviving example of an American architectural genre—the wooden Victorian beach resort—it was designated a California Historical Landmark in 1970 and a National Historic Landmark in 1977 It is the second-largest wooden structure in the United States (after the Tillamook Air Museum in Tillamook, Oregon).
When the hotel opened in 1888, it was the largest resort hotel in the world. It has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities and been featured in numerous films and books.
The hotel has received a Four Diamond rating from the American Automobile Association and was listed in 2011 by USA Today among the top ten resorts in the world.
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California.
If you’re making the trip to Jerome, you absolutely cannot miss this spot. It perfectly captures the eccentric, historical, and slightly wild spirit of the town. It’s a place that sparks the imagination and makes you feel like a kid again, discovering treasures in a giant, open-air attic. So next time you’re looking for an adventure that’s off the beaten path, head up the hill to Gold King Mine & Ghost Town. It’s a genuine, unforgettable piece of Arizona that will leave you with amazing photos and even better memories. Just be prepared to get a little dust on your shoes!
If you’re in San Diego, California, and seeking a captivating history lesson, the Midway Museum is an absolute must-visit! During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting Donald Mercurio, one of the numerous volunteers and docents who generously shared their wealth of knowledge about the Midway. I spent six hours there and still didn’t see everything. I need to go back for a second day! Do yourself a favor and make sure to check out the Midway Museum; you won’t be disappointed!
I was back in Altadena, California, for a photo shoot, and I stopped in to see what progress has been made from the Southern California fires that occurred in January 2025. I’m amazed at how little has been done, and that’s incredibly unfortunate for the citizens of Altadena!
As the Tucson Botanical Gardens moves forward, its leadership respects the Porter legacy and all that it embodies. Bernice Porter was committed to creating a garden that was both aesthetically beautiful and educational. She envisioned it as a community resource for learners of all ages, knowledge levels, and abilities—a center where one could learn about plants, gardening, and nature.