Discontinuation due to technical difficulty

Sorry I haven't been posting much! It's difficult to do on this little smart phone. I have been keeping up my Instagram however. Please follow: hallieabroad

The blog was a good idea but difficult in reality... Please enjoy the Instagram posts and I'll be sure to start when I have access to a computer again.

Descanso Gardens

Hannah and I enjoyed our last day (before my trip) together at La Canada's Descanso Gardens. They have one of the world's best Camellia collections. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful way to say goodbye!

This espaliered fence greeted us at the entrance

Entering the Camellia Forest

an adorable little pink Camellia roseaflora

A variegated Camellia grows underneath the oaks (Quercus agrifolia)

Venturing into the wild oak hillsides

We discovered the historic Boddy house at the top of the property

Next to the house is the garage which has been converted into an art gallery. Outside are some neat vertical gardens with beets growing in them!

 Camellias aren't the only thing blooming at the garden this time of year. I couldn't help getting excited about the Narcissus I saw blooming in little clumps around the property. If only Bill had been there to help us identify them!

Pink Magnolia, probably Magnolia x soulangeana

 There were also some incredible blooming trees. I love seeing a leafless tree decorated with only the flowers.

flower close-up

Hannah and I hiding behind the blooms of what I think is a Taiwan Cherry (Prunus campanulata)

The bright magenta blooms really stood out in the mostly green garden

As a side note, I'm wearing a beanie that my friend Anne custom made for me. She's increadibly talented and you should check out her fantastic blog (which inspired me to start mine!) Empress Anne's Creations

I know lavender (Lavandula sp.) is nothing exciting, but I thought there was something special and different about the color of this Spanish Lavender's flowers

The End!

"The Interim Period"

 What I have titled "The Interim Period" has almost reached its end. It's the time I spend talking about my trip before I actually leave. In this time I've been all over California- San Diego to Sonoma, visiting with friends and family, couchsurfing, camping, working and adventuring.

Here are some photos of what I've been up to in "The Interim." There's a lot not pictured, however, because I'm a dummie and lost my camera charger. Don't worry, it's since been replaced. Events I failed to capture include an epic New Year's Eve with Hannah and Robbie, the amazing sunsets at the Narcissus farm, clam digging at Doran Beach, Bodega Bay with Allison and friends, and soaking in the Saline Valley Hot Springs with Tricia, to name a few. 

Playing cribbage at Point Dume Beach, Malibu, CA with Tim and friends

And, yes, this is California in December. We did go in the water. But it was very cold

Somebody needs to put a tree swing on this Erithryna (Coral Tree) before it falls into the ocean

Learning some bluegrass diddies like "Cripple Creek" with my awesome couchsurfing hosts in Santa Cruz, CA

A little jam session on the balcony

Campbell Farmer's Market with the girls, Anne, Melissa and Rebecca

We sold 50 buckets of Narcissus 'Erlicheer' in 4 hours(!) If you want to know more about Bill the Bulb Baron, the narcissus farmer, check out his website here

I know this picture is pretty lame, but it documents an awesome night at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz with the OTS Trio and friends