Still hung up on wanting to see the superblooms, I took note of a few places listeners called in to report to NPR as their favorite spring time walks through wildflowers. Most gardens and plant sanctuaries do not allow my canine partner inside. However, one place a woman raved about made specific note that dogs, too, are welcome to come and enjoy the wildflowers, trees, and general beauty of the land: The Santa Barbara Botanic* Garden.

Yes, it’s a drive, but located near our Ojai wine stop: Old Creek Ranch Winery. So with no work in sight, I made a weekday trip of it.

Reservations are required unless you’re a member so I actually had to commit to a day and time. I made sure that weren’t forced to leave within two hours and was assured that while most people spend about an hour and a half, we were welcome to stay as long as we’d like.

The Botanic Garden (which I still want to call BontanicAL, but have since learned both are grammatically correct) sits on 78 acres and boasts five miles of trails. But the trails aren’t designed to get from point A to B on a hike; some are wholly disconnected and other are loops within loops, all meant for you to be somewhere rather than get you somewhere. Little offshoots of trails end with a bench under a sprawling oak tree, or you can choose one of two trails or walk around a small garden. I knew we wouldn’t be doing the full five miles, but I wanted our feet to tread as  much earth as possible.

The opening scene was so stunning, I had a hard time uprooting myself to move along.

I really didn’t think they could top this.

The trails ran through the meadows rather than just around them, which made the experience even better.

And I could get better photos with Tucker actually in the with the wildflowers.

But my favorite part was of course: the redwood forest.

I didn’t haven’t to travel 300 miles to stand beneath these majestic trees that warm my heart. Granted, there weren’t a lot of them, but this mini-grove gave me joy anyway.

A stream ran through the forest and the bridge across to the other sections was sturdy and allowed for a full view of the creek.

Below the bridge, you could get up close and personal with the creek.

Once over the bridge and up a small hill and back down again, we entered “The Backcountry”.

While the first area of meadows and forest were living museums in which one could sit and enjoy visually, hands-off; the Backcountry was designed with interaction in mind: things to climb on, discover, and play with.

The library bird seating area was impressive.

The tunnels were fun.

And we got to do some more uphill walking.

Back down near the entrance, we found a cutting of fallen sequoia, and Tucker’s smile is a true reflection of how my heart feels just being near these trees.

Then we crossed the street, making sure we wouldn't re-enact this sign...

...To an entirely different trail system. There were no forests; everything was bush, shrub, and flower here.

But off in the distance, there was the ocean and the Channel Islands

Tucker didn’t seem to be enjoying this side as much, and with the gravel paths, I understood. Packed earth sans stones is a much more comfortable ride for him.

But he let me enjoy the view before heading back.

Of the five miles, we traversed 2.8 of them. We still hit all eleven eco-systems that the garden displays. It was hard to leave, though, with that entryway being so beautiful. I could stand there all day. 

But eventually we decided to go, and by the time we reached our vineyard hideaway, Tucker was ready to nap.

It was a bit of a drive, but well worth it. If I lived nearby, I would become a member and spend many afternoons sitting in the meadows reading, or writing stories beneath the canopy of trees. I’m always supportive of places that respect the need of our canine companions to bask in the beauty of Nature with us. Nature is, after all, for everyone of every species.

Maybe it’s something about the longer days or the sense of gratitude and relief I have for having had some income this year, but I found a new sense of purpose: To really, truly live every day.

When Tucker and I work, we are at the office most of our waking hours. We have the weekends and an occasional evening for exploration and fun, but we often leave a location with much left undiscovered. Right now though, we have the time to explore, to adventure, and to hang out with friends. 
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So, we had friends over…

We visited a winery in the Malibu mountains when my gas tank wasn't full enough to make it to Ojai.

We took a lot of naps.

We welcomed a new generation of landmates here on the property.

​We visited bookshops.

We did a(n almost) full moon hike in Griffith Park with our friends. 

We tried to catch a glimpse of the solar eclipse.

And since dogs aren't allowed at the poppy field in Antelope Valley where we could experience the superbloom, we gave Theodore Payne Foundation a try. It wasn't a big open field, but it was a lovely jaunt up a hillside covered in wildflowers.

These little pockets of peace exist throughout the Southern California. And now's our chance to find them.

We don't know what tomorrow holds, so there's no use worrying about what will be. We have today, and whether we fill it with exploring new places and visiting old friends or visiting old haunts and meeting new friends, we'll make the most of every moment we have together.