ah, california

...such a lovely way to spend the vernal equinox.

Spring embraced us with her warm rays as we traveled south.

our first stop was Napa to visit the always fabulous, cousin Howard Lane.

our friend and Howard's roommate, Gerrich, took some time to
tour us around Anomaly... the winery he works for.

hopping back into the car, we headed further south....
....through the San Joaquin Valley
....past eerie fields & fields of grapes, pistachios & the ubiquitous almonds
....crossing over the synthetic California aqueduct multiple times



....and lush rolling hills topped with windmills, much to Sam's delight (though not reflected in this nose-dance photo)








Ten hours later, many of them spent in metro LA traffic, we arrived at Jeremy and Tricia's lovely abode in the groovy beach town of Encinitas. Towering bird of paradise, hibiscus, palms, portulaca, bromeliads and other tropical beauties, including the scrumptious loquat, adorned every inch of undeveloped earth.... it was heavenly.