Staycation challenge San Diego: Day 3. Carlsbad

At lunch, after a morning of doing taxes my parents decided to join me on an afternoon jaunt to Carlsbad.  We heard that there were some antique stores there and we like to wander, look and sometimes acquire antique furniture.  My Dad is a consummate reader and we are always in the market for bookcases, especially pretty antique ones.

So, we headed to Carlsbad and parked on State Street.  The first thing that greeted us was this charming little park/garden with adorable street art on the wall.  It reminded me greatly of the fun artwork you find in Brick Lane, London.

We ambled down the streets enjoying the relaxed feel of Carlsbad on a Sunday afternoon.  There is a drive through donut store, and several sidewalk cafe type restaurants that look completely wonderful.  Several of the places reminded me of Sunday brunches in Brick Lane, London.  So, I was feeling relaxed and nostalgic.

We wandered through a handful of antique stores and I ended up buying two London themed tea cups.  It just seemed like the thing to do on a day where I was missing my time in London immensely.

After we had finished browsing through the antique stores and little boutique shops we decided to go into this little Italian Market right next to Vigilucci's Italian restaurant.  We were done for as soon as we saw the little refridgerator filled with desserts.  Not five minutes later we were sitting in the adorable sidewalk cafe style seating outside the market enjoying a Limoncello parfait, a Hazelnut Chocolate parfait, and a cheescake.  They were all exceptional.

We wandered further down some side streets finding cute architecture and interesting places.  There is a whole little shopping centre done in an old world style building with a charming Irish Pub in it.  Next time I come out to Carlsbad I'm coming around dinner time so I can try their Fish & Chips or their Shepard's Pie.  Or maybe I should go for lunch at the pub and stay til dinner and go to Vigilucci's where I can have more of their awesome desserts.  Hmmmm...

There was an old train station and this charming old building where they dispense the apparently famous and healing alkaline waters.  It's no doubt what drew the Victorian's to Carlsbad in the first place.  For it was around 1887 that they built the first train depot here. I don't know exactly what the alkaline waters are supposed to heal, but it seems that people are still buying them today.

Carlsbad - the Alt Karlsbad Hanse Haus

It was a completely charming day.  I'm sure you are already sold on the idea that wandering through Carlsbad makes for a lovely afternoon of leisurely shopping, walking and dessert eating.  But in case you are not, let me just mention that they also have a Chocolate Bar in Carlsbad.  A Chocolate Bar!

I mean, really, could this town be any more perfect?  They have a chocolate bar!

Oh wait, I did forget to tell you that all of this in downtown Carlsbad is maybe a five minute walk from the ocean.  Yep, it just got better.  So, we had a quick stroll along the beach while we ate our sea-salted caramels and enjoyed the view on our drive home along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Madder Hatter trick of the trade for life:
1. Try the chocolate
2. Always try new types of chocolate
3. Remember there is no such thing as too much dessert

Yep, I'm loving this staycation challenge.

Goodbye from Carlsbad, a charming CA city

Staycation Challenge San Diego: Day 2. Oceanside - San Luis Rey Mission

Today, the Staycation challenge advised that you should try to put yourself in the mindset of experiencing everything for the first time.  Too often in life we end up living in a "been there, done that" pattern.  Well, I do anyway.

I've been to Oceanside before.  Why should I return to Oceanside?  Or if compelled to go to Oceanside, why should I linger?  I've been there, done that.  Right?

Well... not always.

Today I found myself in Oceanside for a choir concert at MiraCosta College.  I sing in a community choir and we joined several other choirs for a concert today.  There were several other community and church choirs that sang a fun mix of Broadway, Mozart, and newly composed hymns.  It was a lovely concert.  

After the concert, I decided to explore Oceanside properly.  I had never made the time to visit the San Luis Rey Mission in Oceanside before.  So, I decided to see it today before I headed home.

The San Luis Rey de Francia Mission was founded in 1798.  The Mission Church on the site now is the third church that was built on the site between 1811 and 1815.  The San Luis Rey Mission is still used as a Franciscan College, retreat and parish church.  I mean, how cool is it that Franciscan friars still live and study here?  Ok, I know, my history nerd is showing.  But if you are interested in more historical detail and information on the Mission visit this site.

I arrived outside the Mission Church just as a wedding was ending and had the privilege of seeing the bride exit the church in a gown with a massive train on it.  It was very pretty.  The church itself is quiet and provides a warm, intimate feeling despite the height of the ceilings.  The dark tiled floors and exposed wooden beam ceilings break up the tall white walls and make the church feel like a cozy chapel.  The walls, ceiling beams, and pillars are all painted beautifully.  The church is built in the shape of a cross, one of only two churches built in a cruciform layout in the region.  

The gardens and the cemetery are both filled with the perfect combination of California sunshine and contemplative quiet.  Maybe it's the presence of Franciscan friars that walk through the grounds in their habits, or maybe it's the meticulous care that is evident in the upkeep of the gardens and grounds of the Mission.  The whole location just exudes peace and a contented sort of happiness.  It is soothing, calming, and it just makes stress melt away.

I know, cemeteries aren't really happy places.  Nor does everyone want to visit them or find them soothing places.  But there is something about the atmosphere here at the Mission that just is.  The other thing of note about the cemetery around the Mission church is that it is the only cemetery I've seen with a skull and cross bones on the gate/entryway and actual headstones that say RIP on them.  If you have seen others do let me know.  But don't worry, if cemeteries are not for you, the gardens are lovely too.

In fact, of particular interest is an ancient pepper tree that grows in the garden of the Mission. It is almost wider than it is tall with all it's gnarled trunk and branches and with good reason too.  For it is the oldest documented pepper tree in all of California.  It was brought as a seed to San Luis Rey in 1830 by a sailor from Peru and was planted in the heart of the Mission garden by  Fr. Antonio Peyri.  The ancient tree has been growing in the Mission garden for the last 186 years.

The oldest pepper tree in California is growing wide and large in the background.

The San Luis Rey Mission Church was a beautiful place to discover.  It was the perfect place to remember that not far from where you and I live can be found all sorts of wonderful things.  A single beautiful architectural detail, one lighted candle prayer for a loved one, or even one fragrant rose blooming in a garden is all it takes to remind you that nothing is ordinary.  Magic can be found anywhere.  You don't really need to travel anywhere to find beauty and magic.  All you need to do is open your eyes and see what is right in front of you.

Madder Hatter's tricks of the trade for travelers in old buildings:
1. Take a minute to absorb the atmosphere - think about the time it was built and try to place yourself there for just a moment
2. Look up - so many people miss the most incredible ceilings, painted, domed or otherwise... don't be one of them.  Look up!

If you are interested in what I do and see for the rest of this Staycation challenge check back here.

Staycation Challenge San Diego: Day 1. Baby Tiger

Suka the Sumatran baby tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

It is April First, day of fools, and the first day of the Staycation Challenge of April.

Coming in Like a Lion

He hasn't even grown into his paws yet.  So adorable.

March is over, and April 1st came in like a lion, or more appropriately, like a baby tiger.  I started the April Staycation Challenge with a visit to Suka the baby tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Suka is an adorable seventy pound, 6-month-old tiger.   He is just big enough to put your large dogs to shame but still has all of his baby tiger charms.  He does actually remind me of an oversized puppy.  He moves from one plant to the next playing, attacking, shredding, stalking and leaping out to say hi to the people.  In between bouts of playing Suka wanders about with that bored mischievous look you fear in your puppy.  Then he happily leaps on another plant destroying it with vigor.

Playing with zoo guests, play stalking them and popping out to say hello

He is by far the cutest thing I've seen in a long time.  And also the most beautiful.  Just look at that face!

Going Out Like a Puppy

If Suka comes in like a tiger, he goes out like a puppy.  Sleeping upside down with paws in every direction, the very picture of tuckered out adorableness.  Suka plays hard and crashes just as hard like any other over-sized adorable baby.

Rejected by his Tiger mom his zoo keepers were his litter mates til he grew too large.  He is still very playful and comfortable around people.  So, he likes to play hide and seek/stalking people at the zoo and he also likes to nap right next to all the happy visitors.  He loves being loved.

How adorable is this?  Sleeping upside down with abandon.  Cutest thing ever!!!

A little cleaning before nap time

First Day Staycation Challenge Success

Even though I live in the area, I don't go to the San Diego Safari Park as often as I would like to.  So, with a great visit to the animals, particularly the photogenic Suka, this first day of the Staycation was a success.

 

Madder Hatter Tricks of the Trade for this outing:
1. Bring a hat or sunglasses - the zoo is always brighter and hotter than you think it will be
2. Be patient - if you see a bunch of photographers waiting for the cheetahs to come out, wait and you will probably be rewarded by some awe-inspiring sights worthy of photographs
3. Bring snacks - it's just a good idea.  Trust me.

For the other places I will be going in San Diego County this April, keep checking back to the Staycation Challenge here.

My San Diego Staycation Challenge

Ladies and Gentlemen!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the Staycation Challenge of April.  Hosted by a travel blogger who, like many of us, has been bitten by the travel bug.  Even when we aren't traveling we wish we were traveling, right?

So, this Staycation Challenge is the perfect solution for those of us stuck in our current locations for awhile.

Take up the mentality of a traveler while in your hometown.  Let the month of April, or just the next 15 days be dedicated to this challenge.  Let this be your staycation month.  Try to find new and exciting things to do in your area.  Vacation while staying at home.  Staycation!

I live in San Diego County and I am going to try to do the Staycation challenge for the first fifteen days of April before I start my new job.  I am trying to make the most of my last few days of freedom and also keep alive the traveling spirit while living at home.

I will keep updating this post with links to my posts about the adventures I have on my Staycation Challenge.  Check back soon for more adventures.

Day 1.    San Diego Zoo Safari Park - BABY TIGER!
Day 2.    Oceanside and the San Luis Rey Mission
Day 3.    Carlsbad
Day 4.    Lake Hodges Hiking
Day 5.    Total Relaxation
Day 6.    Whale Watching Tour - and LOTS of dolphins
Day 7.    Garden Photography Effort
Day 8.    Trying New Things
Day 9.    Poway Flower Show & Blue Sky Reserve
Day 10.  Victorian Day - Old Poway Park
Day 11.  Passing on Kindness - Greater San Diego Area

Day 12.  Go with the flow -
Day 13.  Learn Local -
Day 14.  Perspective -
Day 15.