Getty Center

Special exhibit of Bernini sculptures


View of the magnificient gardens. We walked down towards the maze below and discovered that plants in the maze were surrounded by water.

Barb standing in front of Getty Center with her brother Doug

Art sculpture in front of main entrance


One of the many floral displays in the center's gardens


View from below of flowering tree and one of the center's most unusual buildings

Hearst Castle

Barb standing in front of the visitor center

Steps to main entrance of the castle

The outdoor swimming pool

The indoor swimming pool

One of the many statues around swimming pool and in courtyards

Flower from the small ponds with lily pads

Pictures from Hearst Castle & Getty Center

We visited Hearst Castle while in Pismo Beach and the Getty Center while in Acton.

Internet connections for us have been slow in these areas so I will be posting the pictures at a later date.

We get our internet service from a mobile broadband card through Sprint and depending on how far into the hills we are, our internet service speeds varies. Right now, I am able to get on the internet to view e-mail, etc. but not to upload or download pictures.

Oops, time has gotten away from me !

Here it is Sept 23 and I have not written since Aug 26. We have been busy visiting friends and family.

When we left Rancho Oso, we drove directly to Acton, Ca, which is about an hours drive from Las Angeles.

The next day, I flew from LAX to Montgomery, AL to visit with Susan, my eldest daughter, and her family. I had not seen them in over a year. They are military and have been stationed in Europe for the past 3-4 years and we last saw them for any real period of time when Barb and I went to Brussels in Dec 2006. We also saw them in Nov 2007 but just for a short time.

So it was really great to see my grandkids, Nicolas and Caroline.

I spent time going to their activities of gymnastics and baseball, played Wii games with them, sang in a Rock Band as a part of X box, and saw the school work they were doing. It felt really good to see them and I am so glad they are back in the states again. I spent a week with them.

While we were in Acton, we also had a chance to visit with our family who live in LA. Barb saw her niece , Jennifer , while I was gone. When I returned we met her brother , Doug, at the Getty Center. We had never been there. We were quite surprised at the gardens and buildings. It was a beautiful day so we spent much of the time walking around the outside and looking of the views. The center is high up a hill and so from every spot there is viewing of the LA surroundings.

We also visiting with my cousin, Linda, and my Aunt Anne and my other cousins.

When we left Acton, we headed for Valley Center, Ca, where we met our friends. We spent 3 days with them going to wine country and to the casinos. And from there we came to our current spot of Julian, Ca. We will be here for two weeks. Barb leaves tomorrow for a week to fly to St. Louis to see her mom and I will stay here, and, as usual, catch up on my To Do list.

So that is a quick catch up on our last two weeks. It has been fun and busy. Bailey is beginning to get used to our leaving him during the day, but he is not happy about it. So when we return, we need to spend time playing with him and taking him for walks. He is definitely well spoiled and we are loving it and him.

Love and hugs to all of you,

Linda and Barb