This is Rancho Guajome Adobe, a Spanish Rancho built in Vista, California. It appears to have been built mostly from building materials taken from the Mission San Luis Rey in Vista and it belonged to a Spanish Family. It was liberated from the Spanish and became a Mexican holding. It is now a park that belongs to the government and is open for tours. It’s a fascinating glimpse of the history of California.
Carlsbad Flowers
I started walking every morning to try to get more exercise. I work at a computer everyday, and have been sitting at my desk long hours while working, so having some daily activity seemed like a good idea. My phone has a camera built into it, and I noticed things that I wanted to take pictures of on my daily walks. So, I started taking photos to learn more about what grows in this climate and region. Carlsbad is a colorful place.
Mission San Luis Rey at Oceanside
The Mission San Luis Rey is known as the King of the Missions, and is one of the largest. It is located in Oceanside, California. It was built by the Spanish, who were colonizing California; and was later taken over by Mexico.
South Carlsbad Beach State Park
After one of the largest storms in Carlsbad in 10 years, with much rain and strong winds, these images show not much sand on the beach and strong waves.
Botanic Garden in Encinitas
There is a 37 acre Botanic Garden in Encinitas, not too far from Carlsbad. The Garden has plants from around the world, and specializes in plants from semi-arid climates.
Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad
Along the coast of California are wetlands where marshgrass and birds and fish are born and grow in very robust ecosystems. Along the many coastal towns that make up North County San Diego are lagoons that separate those towns, and give nature a chance to grow, and tides to flow to and from the ocean keeping the lagoons fresh and an active part of the ecology. Carlsbad has the Batiquito lagoon, which has been treated poorly and then better in the 20th and 21st century. It seems to be a treasured part of the town now, with many large houses having views that overlook the nature that it provides, and an active nature trail around it, where may people were touring and talking about nature. It’s a nice place to walk and watch birds, and one of the images I captured on my trip down the trail next to the Lagoon was a rat nest. I’m looking forward to seeing what the lagoon looks like in other seasons.