If You Have a Day in LA...
I have been traveling to Orange, CA once a month for over a year now yet I had never dared to explore the areas outside the small community I visit. Shame on me! Especially since LA is a mere 40-minute drive from Orange County. Well, this weekend, I took the plunge!
When I was discovering what to do in LA, my research turned up this gem: the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens. You might be wondering why I skipped some of the more widely known tourist attractions but I just love experiencing a location when it's bustling with locals rather than outsiders. And I could not be happier with my choice today.
You can read about the Library's rich history here. What impressed me the most though? How stimulated every sense of mine was throughout my visit. A walk through the 120-acre park (120! even the scale is just mind-blowing) exposed me to some unbelievable sights, smells, sounds, textures and even tastes. My ultimate favorites were the views of the desert garden and the Japanese landscape, the unforgettable sweet olive tree aroma, the sounds of the thousands of birds flocking around and the plethora of plant textures I came across. And, like I mentioned, I even got to treat my taste sense via an amazing portabello mushroom panini with goat cheese from the local cafe.
A few months back, a co-worker of mine convinced me to join my company's Spartan Race team. He didn't talk it up much: he mentioned it's a long-ish run with a few fun obstacles. You know, no big deal. Something someone who runs as much as me should complete more than easily (read, you don't really need to train for it). Ha ha ha.