During a business trip last week I was able to rediscover a beautiful island located off Newport Beach in southern California. I was actually following a sign to Fashion Island, which is a pretty amazing shopping mall. Listed on that same sign was “Balboa Island” and I thought “what the heck, I’ll take a look.” I headed up over a small bridge and into another world.
View from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was there
A charming village, Balboa Island if full of local shops, restaurants, world famous chocolate covered bananas and a whole lot more. There is one main street where you’ll find everything you need to eat, drink, shop and be merry. There is also a path that runs along the water’s edge that runs around the island. As you leave the main street and walk around the island, you’ll find more shops and restaurants on the other side. A great break if you’re attempting a “pub crawl”. You can drive over the bridge or take the Island Ferry. Below you’ll find a few maps showing you where the island is located and a close up showing you the bridge, where to shop/eat and the path around the island. If you’re in the SoCal area and near Newport Beach it’s worth the visit. You won’t be disappointed!
Here’s where Balboa Island is locatedHere’s a close up showing you around the island
Here are some photos from my visit!
Here’s the walkway around the Balboa Island with some fabulous homesTons of docks stretch out over the waterView from the walkway. There was a sailboat race the afternoon I was thereLove this sign on the dockGreat way to chill is to put your feet in the sand!
Dinner at Amelia’sAmelia’s dinner, sea bass, pasta and steamed veggies – it was REALLY good!
Would you like a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.
I love the 4th of July – it always feels like summer has finally arrived. Hanging a flag outside your home has been a tradition and one that I celebrate every year. If you don’t have yours out yet, I hope you take a moment and find it today! Stay safe and have fun!
Here are some fun 4th facts!
*More than an estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed on July 4th. That’s roughly one hot dog for every two people in the United States.
*More than 74 million Americans will BBQ on July 4th.
*The first Fourth of July party was held at the White House in 1801.
*The Fourth of July was not declared a national holiday until 1941.
*The stars on the original American flag were arranged in a circle to ensure that all colonies were represented equally.
*Three U.S. presidents have died on July 4th: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Five years later, James Monroe died on July 4, 1831.
*Calvin Coolidge is the only U.S. president born on the 4th of July, in 1872.
Mount Shasta Reflection in Siskiyou Lake at Sunrise
If you’ve never driven on Highway 5 and had the chance to see this active volcano located at the southern end of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County, California, you’re really missing out. One of the most impressive things is that you see it’s white capped mountain top about 140 miles before you even get to it (if it’s a clear, sunny day) It’s that huge!
Mount Shasta Photo taken when I pulled off the highway about 50 miles away
The oldest human habitation in the area around Mount Shasta is about 7000 years ago. And by about 5000 years ago, there was substantial human habitation in this area. (I find that quite amazing) Although it is covered with snow, John Muir wrote a dramatic article about an experience in which he survived an overnight blizzard on Mount Shasta by lying in the hot sulfur springs found near the summit. (I personally am not sure I would have ever left the warm, cozy springs and would, to this day, be a shriveled raisin waiting for someone with a heated blanket to pick me up…)
Here are some photos I shot. These were on the way to the town of Mount Shasta which sits at the base of the mountain. I love cows so was over the moon when I saw them grazing in a field with the mountain in the background:
I kept seeing photos of the mountain by a lake. I guess I thought I’d drive out to this lake which would be in the middle of a state national park and shoot my photos like Ansel Adams. The lake is actually called Lake Siskiyou and is located by where I stayed – The Mount Shasta Resort – which I’ll tell you about next. If you want to take photos with the lake in the foreground, you’ll need to drive to Lake Siskiyou and then find the Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort. You can also camp in this park, swim and hike. It will cost you $1.00 to enter the park for the day which in my book is a deal. Here are the photos I shot around 7:30am.
Mount Shasta Reflection in Siskiyou Lake at Sunrise
Here is a small shop where you can get food, drinks, bait, etc. once you’re in the park.
Where to Stay: Mount Shasta Resort
I stayed at the Mount Shasta Resort which is located by/on Lake Siskiyou. Before I tell you about the place I have to make note of the service. Everyone was VERY helpful, professional and super friendly. Which is really nice when you’ve been driving for a long time. A special thanks to Christy for all of her help. If you do stay there ask for her and please tell her Photo Girl says hi! I stayed in one of the Chalets which are located directly on Lake Siskiyou. They are quiet, peaceful and very relaxing. You’ll find a kitchen, bedroom(s), fireplace, living room and some have private decks. Also, the view when you check in is pretty amazing. The first image is what you see. Behind you is a gorgeous golf course. (Dad’s play free on Father’s Day and I believe you can also play for free on your birthday!) Here are some of the photos:
Mount Shasta Resort Check In View
Here are some photos of the room:
In the morning I took a walk through the parking lot and over to the lake’s edge:
I hope you’ll have a chance to visit this beautiful area! Next, I’m going to take you along when I buy a set of golf clubs 😉
Would you like a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.
Between the villages of Nice and Lucerne on the north shore Clear Lake is an Italian oasis that will take your breath away. I had originally found it on the Internet and decided to drive over and take a look yesterday, after I drove through the tree in the Redwood Forest. California is a bit like that, the terrain can completely change after driving for an hour or two.
The villa is charming and quite elegant. It was almost 100 degrees when I arrived so when I stepped through the doors the cool air felt amazing. I walked through the villa, past the wine tasting room and the out into a courtyard. There were groups of people eating, and sipping wine and I felt like I was in Tuscany.
Then, when I looked ahead of me I could not believe my eyes. A huge blanket of lavender lined a pathway that lead out to the lake! It was gorgeous! I’ll let the photos speak for themselves because I truly can’t describe the beauty.
The last photo is looking back toward the villa. If you turn around you’ll see the dock that leads out to the lake.
The following photos are of the gardens and one last on in the tasting room. In The gardens you’ll find fig trees, apples, citrus and a few bees. BTW…The wine is fabulous and yes, I did buy a few bottles. 😉
Also, the 9th Annual Lavender Harvest Celebration is Saturday, July 6th, 1-5pm. For more information go to “events” at www.ceago.com, or you can purchase tickets by emailing nina@ceago.com. I’ve never been but again, the lavender fields that you find behind the villa are absolutely amazing! If you do go please let me know! Shelley
I love castles and ghost towns and Death Valley has both. I was a little surprised to learn there is a castle in Death Valley, so I’ll start by telling you about that. It’s a little off the beaten path and you’ll truly feel like no one is around as you coast along the desert road to your destination. As you get closer you can see an oasis in the Grapevine Canyon which is located in the northern part of Death Valley. As if it’s a mirage, you’ll take a corner and find palm trees, green foliage and the tips of the castle off in the distance. Yes, nestled in that oasis is a castle that will take you back to the Roaring ’20’s and Depression ’30’s. It was a wealthy matron’s vacation home and a “man-of-mystery’s hideout. When you visit this place you will step back in time.
View into the courtyard at Scotty’s Castle in Death Valley
As you enter through the gates (above) you’ll find yourself in a courtyard. Throughout the grounds and home, everything is pretty much original….The furnishing, clothing, kitchen, rugs etc. Here’s a Reader’s Digest version I took from the National Park Service Website: “Walter Scott (below) was an accomplished horseman and eventually was engaged as one of the rough-riders for the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show.
Walter Scott aka Death Valley Scotty from National Park Service Website
Although his engagement with the show lasted for twelve years, it was only seasonal employement. When not fully engaged with the show, Scott would return to Death Valley and pick up odd jobs. His connection with the area became so well known that eventually Death Valley Scotty became his nickname. Scott left the Wild West Show after a disagreement with Buffalo Bill in 1902 and began a new profession that brought him even more fame and riches – gold prospecting. He convinced several wealthy businessmen that he had a claim to a fabulous gold mine in Death Valley. One of the investors, Mr. Johnson gave thousands of dollars to Scotty over the next several years. Unfortunately, a number of calamities prevented delivery of the gold.
Undaunted, Mr. Johnson finally decided to take a look at the gold mine on a personal tour of Death Valley. Scotty took Mr. Johnson on a grueling trek by horseback through Death Valley. He figured a few days in the desert would be too much for the city slicker whose health had been permanently by a near-fatal train accident in his youth. Surprisingly, Johnson loved Death Valley so much that he stayed nearly a month, and his health improved dramatically in the dry, sunny climate. Although he never saw Scotty’s mine, and was most certainly being swindled, Mr. Johnson did not seem to mind. He had found riches in the desert far greater than those that glitter. The two men began a lifelong friendship that would change the history of Death Valley forever. Albert Johnson bought property in Grapevine Canyon and eventually built what became known as Scotty’s Castle, which you can visit today.” Here are some historical photos I found:
That’s Scott in the middle, Mr and Ms Johnson on either side. The room is exactly like this today!
Here are some past posts on Death Valley in case you missed them:
Fire pits at The Ranch at Furnace Creek in Death Valley
Since my trip to Death Valley was a last minute adventure, I figured out where to stay while parked on an off-ramp, about 3 hours outside of Death Valley. I urge everyone to change your mind when traveling. Why go home when you can keep driving and see something new? If you have the time – than I say go go go. There are a few places to stay in Death Valley, but not many. The first place I called was The Inn at Furnace Creek which is a four diamond AAA hotel. Very nice, but expensive. They told me there was a sister property (and a more casual) about a mile down the road called The Ranch at Furnace Creek. If you read my earlier post where I describe my fashionista tendencies when traveling – a wardrobe that consists of holy jeans, men’s white t-shirts and sneakers, I figured casual might be a little better. Besides, I’m in Death Valley – one of the only places where boots and heels just don’t make sense. With that said, I skidded out of the fancy schmancy place and drove over to The Ranch. The second I drove up, I knew this is where I wanted to stay.
Entrance at The Ranch at Furnace CreekGeneral Store at The Rance at Furnace Creek
First, not only is it a hotel/ranch, there’s a General Store, gas burning fire pits out front, a few restaurants and a Salon. Everything you need in one place. Oh, and they have horses you can ride. The Ranch has been in operation since 1933 – and here is what their website says about this charming place to stay: “Hear the clatter of horse-drawn wagons as they roll through the Ranch and bring you back to the Old West. Stop off at the Corkscrew Saloon for a cool drink and a game of darts. Ride a horse, take a hike or challenge your kids to a game of horseshoes. Visit the General Store for a quick snack and some great gifts. Check out the antique stagecoaches, mining tools and steam locomotive at the Borax Museum. As you wander around the western-themed grounds, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back to the 1800’s when this site was established as a working ranch. Yet, you’ll enjoy the amenities of modern civilization, like quiet, recently refurbished rooms, tennis courts, a children’s playground and the National Park Service Visitor’s Center – which is just a stone’s throw away.”
Sign in front of the General Store at The Ranch at Furnace Creek
Horses having dinner before their sunset ride
There is also a spring fed swimming pool, the world’s lowest golf course (214 feet below sea level) I stayed in one of the standard rooms and loved it. They also have cabins and deluxe rooms.
The other part I really enjoyed was the antique outdoor museum with carridges (some photos are below).
After watching the sunset I got back to my room around 7:30. From there I could walk up to the restaurants, have dinner, walk around the General Store and head back to my room.
Another quick note – the stars were AMAZING that night. (So if you’re there, don’t forget to look up!) For more information on The Furnace Creek Resorts: http://www.furnacecreekresort.com/lodging-295.html
Outdoor museum at The RanchOutdoor museum at The Ranch
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Here are some past posts on Death Valley in case you missed them:
