CORONADO FLOWERS FLOURISH DESPITE CANCELED EVENTS

ALSTROEMERIA

SALVIA

It's springtime in Coronado and many events, including the popular Flower Show, have been canceled. However, the spring rains were not canceled, and the flowers are flourishing. I've been enjoying leisurely walks through the neighborhoods—appreciating the beautiful blooms more than ever, and stopping to take photos along the way.

I wrote about the Vintage Gardens of Coronado in 2014 because I was fascinated by the idea of this annual event taking place for almost 100 years—with the exception of WW II. Who would have ever believed that in 2020 it would be canceled a second time due to a coronavirus. Without a crystal ball to predict the future, I guess we better just keep on making the most of every day and, of course, take time to smell the roses along the way.

                      STOP & SMELL THE ROSES - (Music Video by Mac Davis)

ROSES

PINCUSHION

CAMELIA

DALMATIAN BELLFLOWER

AMARYLLIS

DIMORPHOTHECA

MESEMBRYANTHEMUM

TODAY IS CASTLE DAY

CASTLE GUIMARES - PORTUGAL

CASTLE OBERHOFEN - SWITZERLAND

April 6 is Castle Day in Japan and to honor that day, I'm sharing some favorite photos of medieval castles in Europe. They were built in the 9th and 10th centuries as private strongholds of kings and noblemen and were actively used for hundreds of years.

There are tens of thousands of castles all over Europe. I enjoy seeing them from afar in their natural settings where they often sit upon a hill and are surrounded by water for protection. Many are open to visitors and can be enjoyed at leisure. If you are traveling with kids, or if you are a kid at heart, you can spend a night in one of the many castles that have been converted into hotels.

TARIFA, SPAIN

SWITZERLAND

FRANCE

CASTLE NEAR GALWAY, IRELAND