Summer of 2014

Okay folks I decided it was about time to give you all the update on the happenings of our summer. B.J. had an internship for most of the summer so it was fun being able to spend the evenings together without the worry of homework. We spent time with family and explored a little bit more of California. Here is a peek into our summer.


NEW CAR

For the past year or so.... my old Saturn was struggling. The poor thing had smoke coming out the back and ferociously shook when stopped with the air conditioner on. It also suffered two rear ends since moving to California. I decided to let the poor thing go. I know many of you may have fond memories of riding in the old Princess Mobile with the sun roof open listening to songs such as 'Ridin Dirty' and 'Here in your Arms'. She will never be forgotten. When we put her up for sale we got so many interested buyers and sold her within 24 hours. As one man looking at the car put it, "Saturns are the BMW of the hood". I was sad to see her go, but to look on the bright side we got a new car!! The amount of technology and features in cars now-a-days is incredible. My favorite feature, the back-up camera! Now I can parallel park like a boss.

FOURTH OF JULY

We celebrated the Fourth of July with Ginger. We found a spot, that was basically on a freeway entrance, that overlooked Pasadena. We were able to watch the fireworks that were at the Rose Bowl. It was a beautiful view. 

SHOUT OUT TO 'THE GING'

I celebrated Ginger's birthday with her at Disneyland complete with a birthday pin and free dessert.

THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY

The Huntingon Library is actually in the ritzy neighborhood near by us. The Huntington Library was built and owned by Mr. Huntington and his aunt, who was the richest women in the U.S., whom he married. Yes, you read that right he married his aunt, at least they weren't blood related. Their family owned the railroads  out in California, thus had great amounts of wealth. The Huntington Library is now open to the public. On the land you can tour the couples mansion which includes their large art collection as well as the library they built to store all of their books. Mr. Huntington had an interest in collecting books. Any time he saw that a library was saleing their books he would buy the entire library to ensure he got the one or two books that he had a particular interest in. Oh to be rich. The land also includes 120 acres of specialized botanical gardens which includes a Rose Garden, Japanese Gardens, Chinese Gardens, Subtropical and Jungle Garden, a Desert Garden and many more. It was absolutely stunning and so fun to explore. Here are some pictures of the land created by people that have more money than they know what to do with. The pictures of course don't do it justice.

Part of their home. It was too big for me to fit in one shot.

The Library 

Too many books to fit in your house? Just build yourself a library. Why didn't I think about that. 

Of course a ritzy piece of land would not be complete without naked statues.....everywhere. 

The Chinese and Japanese Gardens

I felt like Mulan.

 Tropical Gardens (maybe? probably?)

On the property there is a mausoleum where the couples remains are now. Does it look familiar? It was designed and created by the same man that later constructed the Jefferson Memorial in D.C.

Sorry for my long random blog vomit. More summer posts to come!