Grand Tradition Estate and Gardens, or I'm Back AGAIN

It's been a long long time since I wrote a blog post!  Although we traveled extensively last summer, I really did not feel well, and most of the time just didn't have the energy or desire to write.

I was not seriously sick or anything.  I have Type 2 diabetes, and it finally caught up with me. But in September, I decided to take it seriously and take control of my eating. It has not been easy, but I have had a lot of support and encouragement from both Craig and my friends at our winter home, Jojoba Hills in California. 

I have lost 38 pounds, am exercising every day, and my A1C is now in the normal range and I am no longer considered diabetic. I am still diligently watching everything I eat, keeping a strict log, and weighing in every day. I know I could still lose more weight, but for now I am trying to just maintain and learn to eat mindfully.

With all that said, I am looking forward to some travel next summer, and will try to start blogging again.

                                                                                                          

Today, we did something that we might have happily done on one of our RV trips. We went out for a very nice lunch at a very special place in a nearby town.

Grand Tradition in Fallbrook, California

I went to lunch at the estate with some of the Jojoba ladies in February, and enjoyed it so much I had to take Craig there.

It is a large property that is primarily a wedding venue and conference center.

There is a small but elegant white table cloth restaurant on the long covered veranda, overlooking a beautiful pond. It is only open three days a week. The food was wonderful and the prices were quite reasonable. 

My diet? Since I am very careful every other day, an occasional treat day can be enjoyed without guilt. 

After lunch we took a walk around the pond and explored the garden.

 It was a beautiful, sunny warm day. We have had a lot of cold rainy days this winter, but today it felt like Spring is finally here.

The Compass Garden is not big, but every bit of it is delightfully well groomed.

 

 I love shadows.

So, here I am. Thinner, healthier, and feeling great! Now that the weather is starting to get nicer I am hoping to take some walks, and I might even post about them.  

September-October pictures

A few images from near the end of our summer 2022 trip.  From Newfoundland, we returned via Ontario, New York, South Carolina, Louisiana, Arizona, and points between them.

One of the parks we stopped at kept rabbits as pets, and sold food for them

Library of a historical residence in Mayberry NC (aka Mount Airy)

Near the end of the journey at Picacho Peak state park, Arizona

August Pictures

On Aug 1, we were standing on a shore cliff near Twillingate Newfoundland, when we spotted a fishing boat coming in and crossing in front of a small island.

 

 

 

Same boat, about to dock in Twillingate

Aug 5: Norris Point

On Aug 6, we rode a boat tour of a lake near Gros Morne National Park

 

On Aug 10, we visited the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, near the northern tip of Newfoundland.  It includes a simulated 11th-century Viking seashore camp.

Metal art of Viking scouting party

Role-playing Vikings

Mom And Pop chairs in Viking living room

Apprentice blacksmith pumping bellows

Aug 12

Aug 16

Lobster Cove Head, Rocky Harbor

Aug 19 at the Newfoundland Insectarium in Reidville

July Pictures

By July 1, we reached Maine in preparation to spending July 4 at Bar Harbor.  We had been there before, and had enjoyed the nice hillside view of the harbor and the great fireworks display.

A hike in Arcadia National Park

On the 4th, two sailboats offered rides in the Atlantic

Live music before the fireworks

Rocks adjacent to beach near Bar Harbor, with dog

Sharp!

Next, we crossed the border into New Brunswick, and drove up to Sydney Nova Scotia to take a ferry to our main destination Newfoundland.

This ferry took us to Arcadia Newfoundland

Cannons at Castle Hill near Placentia helped defend the French from the British, and then vice-versa.

Lonely!

Botwood NL features many murals.

We found a habitat housing many beavers on Woolford's Pond near Lewisport NL.

Mates?  Mother and child?  Can't tell the beavers without a program!

Lighthouse and cliffs near Gros Morne National Park

June Pictures

After our grandson's graduation, we spent June in New England playing tourist.  

Mayflower 2, like the one on which the Pilgrims came over

Plymouth Rock, onto which the Pilgrims probably didn't step

FWIW, Craig's first computer was an IBM 1620.

We visited a garden on Cape Cod, but can't remember its name

Can't think of a story about this that doesn't involve what you're thinking of

Hampton Beach NH was having its annual sand sculpture contest

Just a water lily somewhere in New England

Once you've selected the pictures, placing them in the post is easy!