A Journey to See Wildflowers in Borrego Springs with Daytripper Tours (Video)

After a long hiatus from writing blog entries, I decided to describe my recent enjoyable and affordable “daycation” on March 13, 2023. I traveled with a Daytripper Tours group to see the gorgeous Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and colorful, blooming desert wildflowers in Borrego Springs !

I love living in California and had always wondered about those popular wildflowers at Borrego Springs!

Here’s a quick recap of my trip!

Tour travelers (approximately 50 of us) had our choice in joining the motorcoach tour from several transit stations (La Mesa, Mission Valley, University City or Escondido). I decided to take the trip from the Escondido Transit Center (the one nearest to the trip destination)! The comfortable motorcoach had large picture windows, air conditioning, reclining seats, a bathroom on board, foot rests, seat belts, and overhead storage bins.

On the way to Borrego Springs, we briefly stopped at Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel (I bought some tasty date nut raisin bread – they have many varieties and a cute gift shop area as well). Then, after arriving in Julian, another passenger and I had a delicious lunch and warm cider at the Julian Grille and separately went sightseeing and shopping downtown in Julian (no new photos were snapped by me there, I have been there, done that)!

Desert wildflowers at Borrego Springs! Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

It was a great day trip to Borrego Springs with Day Tripper Tours – including great sights such as traveling the 18+ mile Banner Grade Highway between Julian and Borrego Springs (observing snow-covered Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance), admiring the vast desert landscape, being amazed at Artist Ricardo Breceda’s famous massive metal sculptures (we saw a few of over 100 sculptures), the Anza-Borrego Visitor’s Center, gorgeous wildflowers along Henderson Canyon Road (purple sand verbena, yellow sunflowers, white dune primrose, desert lily) and more!

Our tour guide, (Mark) as well as motor coach driver (Caroline) were superb! Mark narrated throughout the trip and gave us some interesting tidbits about the area and showed us a few videos as well. Caroline’s excellent careful driving made us feel very secure.

Check out my photos in this video from our day trip to see the beautiful Spring wildflowers at Borrego Springs (and more) in the Anza-Borrego Desert!

It was a wonderfully picturesque, scenic, active (yet tiring) day in the desert! I hope you enjoy the video (and if you haven’t, get a chance to visit Borrego Springs sometime)!

As a finale of this blog post, here is my Haiku, inspired by the trip!

My Desert Journey – A Haiku

by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Borrego Springs tour

Vivid, colorful flowers

Picturesque bloomers!

Metal sculptures in desert with mountains – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Landscape of cactus

Metal sculptures captivate

Mountains as backdrop!

Motorcoach from Daytripper Tours – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Delightful Spring day

Aesthetically so pleasing

Travel now complete!

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Zooming For Our Haiku Workshop

We had a wonderful virtual 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop, ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ via Zoom on August 29th.

Best part of it…these were my two friends, Ann Stowe and Karen De Arana, that decided to give Haiku a try! Wow, they really delivered!

We began with a review of my professional history and experience with Haiku and poetry as well as a short ice-breaker.

Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several (16) of my nature (and other) photography photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Besides the photo prompts, we had a choice to also write either about our experiences dealing with the isolation and angst of the Covid-19 pandemic or the ‘best’ or ‘worst’ day in our lives.

Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with two fabulous ladies. They wrote some amazing Haiku!

Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees written Haiku along with photo prompts we chose that day!

Joshua Tree Flowers – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Lying in the grass

Wind coaxing flowers to dance

Gazing at the sky!

~ Karen

Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Roaring waves crashing

Thundering across the cliffs

Loudly pounding shore!

~ Ann

Moon Rise & Yellow Traffic Light

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

All of a sudden

Moon rose at the yellow light

Serendipity!

~ Susan

Julian Leaves – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Autumn is now here

A kaleidoscope palette

Welcomes the season!

~Ann

Summer stirs the trees

Leaves fall as darkness chills air

Look! Vibrant colors!

~Karen

Waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon Trail

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Hike in the canyon

Flowers, scents and landscapes too

Look – A waterfall!

~ Susan

Great White Egret at Santee Lakes

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Waited patiently

Water serene, time just right-

The egret took fight!

~ Susan

Thoughts on Covid-19 & the Coronavirus Pandemic

(Stock Photo)

Consumed with media

Newsflash! People are dying!

Covid sucks big time.

~ Ann

Depression and angst

Weight gain and isolation

When will it all cease?

~ Karen

We celebrated with a high five!

And ended on a happy workshop note!

And when it as nearly over, I read my poems ‘Ann’s Zest Ends’ and my Haiku ‘Crisis & Hope’ aloud. I really miss doing live presentations and readings..

Come on Covid-19. Lets get this pandemic under control so we can truly be social again!

I look forward to teaching many more workshops in the future – virtual or in person!

What a terrific time!

Connecting, creating and sharing!

The next virtual workshop is:

September 5, 2020 via Zoom.

Here is the info and registration link: https://sjfcommunications.com/upcoming-haiku-workshops/

Upcoming Haiku Workshops

To schedule a Haiku Workshop, please contact SJF Communications at:

408-398-5940

sjfcommunications@gmail.com

DONATE TO OUR HAIKU WORKSHOPS!

DONATION INFORMATION:

https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/capturing-your-creativity-with-haiku

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We ‘Zoomed’ and Captured our Creativity with Haiku!

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A recap of our workshop w/connection, creativity and sharing!

Our 4/5/2020 Zoom class:
‘Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku’
Top – Left to Right: Bonnie, Susan, Millie
Bottom – Left to Right: Janice, Mary Jean, Lori

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Five lovely women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop, ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ through San Diego Writer’s, Ink via Zoom on April 5th 2020. Once I figured out the system (video, sound, muting, unmuting, locking, etc.), it was a blast!

It was my first time teaching with Zoom and now I am hooked! In fact, I am planning another virtual Haiku workshop via San Diego Writer’s, Ink tentatively on June 7th from 10-12 noon. Stay tuned for details TBA.

We began with a review of my professional history and experience with Haiku and Poetry. After that, we did an interactive interesting and most of all fun ‘ice-breaker’ – getting to know each other a bit more.

Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several (16) of my nature (and other) photography photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with such a lovely group of creative empowered women!

Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees written Haiku along with photo prompts they chose that day!

**Anna’s Hummingbird – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

A simple creature

Delving into his sweetness

Bringing joy to all

– Lori

Hummingbird hornets

This Spring when hope hides from us

Kids drink from sippies

– Millie

**Snowy Egret “Bad Hair Day” – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

A morning outlook

Wind ruffling my feathers

What to do today

-Lori

Eager and ready

Able with wings to take flight

Planted feet instead

-Mary Jean

White feathers ruffle

Lake reflections wrinkles

The visible wind

-Bonnie

**Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis McCallum Pond**
**Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

New discovery

A promise of refreshment

Flies! They found this too

-Mary Jean

**Waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon Trail – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

Water falls steady

From granite to constant lake

Upstaged by frailty

-Mary Jean

**Joshua Tree Flowers –** **Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

Lupine violet

Rises above dusty green

Poking the still air

-Millie

**Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis**
**Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

Palm trees like bear hugs

Only my hairless arms wrap

Tomorrow your gaze clears

-Millie

**Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma**
**Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

Whirling eternal surf

Salty water splashes ashore

No virus in sea

-Janice

**Moon Rise & Yellow Traffic Light**
**Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

Stop full moon overhead

Secrets hide the dusky light

Car horn, now mundane

-Janice

Julian Leaves
**Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

Crunchy leaves crackle

Sun comfort through bare branches

Seasons change, do I?

-Janice

**Tahquitz Canyon Overlooking Palm Springs**
**Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications**

Puffy clouds hover

Gentle wind rustles leaves on trees

City sleeps, no danger.

-Janice

Plus, Lori and Mary Jean wrote some additional Haiku without photo prompts! Way to go!

To be deep in love

Pandemic keeps us apart

Makes me love you more

-Lori

Peeling the orange

Ripping the layers of flesh

Ahh! A squirt of scent

-Mary Jean

What a terrific time!

Connecting, creating and sharing!

Upcoming Haiku Workshops

To schedule a Haiku Workshop, please contact SJF Communications at:

408-398-5940

sjfcommunications@gmail.com

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A Hike at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve – Coachella Preserve

We enjoyed an interesting self-guided Spring hike of two oases at the Thousand Palms Oasis – Coachella Preserve (on the San Andreas Fault, no less) in the Southern California Desert (about 10 miles East of Palm Springs).

Here’s a video with photos that captured some of our day hiking at the Thousand Palms Oasis at Coachella Preserve!

A Hike at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve – Coachella Valley

Here are some photos from our hike at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve!

Visitors Center at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley
Photo by SJF Communications

Enormous palm fronds at the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley
Photo by SJF Communications

A View of the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley
Photo by SJF Communications

McCallum Pond at Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, Coachella Valley
Photo by SJF Communications

We started our journey by stopping at the Palm House Visitors Center (the original homestead log cabin, complete with really cool artifacts) and hiking over a few boardwalks (and a bit of sand) on the flat McCallum Trail (round trip 2 miles). The amazingly tall fan palms (Washingtonia filifera – some over 50 feet) are a sight to behold!

Side giggle note: The lengthy fronds resemble ‘Cousin Itt’ from the Addams Family!

In the middle of this desert, there were two magnificent oases, as well as beautiful purple, yellow, blue and white wildflowers, and a few birds.

At the end of the trail was McCallum pond (yes indeed, a pond – with water courtesy of the San Andreas Fault) with an added bonus – the endangered Desert Pup Fish!

All in all, a delightful day!

More info at:

http://coachellavalleypreserve.org/

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A Hike at Tahquitz Canyon, Palm Springs (Video)

Our family spent a few wonderful hours hiking at Tahquitz Canyon ~ part of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation in Palm Springs.

Take a look at our short video below with photos by Susan J Farese, SJF Communications and music by Ah Nee Mah: ‘Native Visions: A Native American Music Journey’.

We saw a variety of beautiful wildflowers, rock formations and boulders, crossed over two streams, and ultimately reached the gorgeous 60 foot waterfall at the end of the trail. The land was spectacular. The views magnificent. It was a bit steep, but well worth the climbing!

Hours and Prices

Safety & Rules

Links:

http://www.tahquitzcanyon.com/canyon

https://www.facebook.com/TahquitzandIndianCanyons/

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A Glorious Day at Lake Hodges (Video)

What a spectacular day hiking at Lake Hodges in Escondido, CA! Beautiful scenery, wildflowers blooming, birds enjoying the plentiful rain that we’ve had lately, magnificent rainbows (did we mention the larger than life rattlesnake)? Take a look at ‘art in nature’ and ‘nature as art’!

Music: If We Knew All the Laws of Nature’ by Robert Farmer.

Photos/Video by SJF Communications ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’ sjfcommunications.com

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A Visit to the Batiquitos Lagoon

My friend and I recently decided to ‘get our steps’ and visit the coastal wetland at the

Batiquitos Lagoon Trail, located in Carlsbad.

We walked 1.5 miles of the north side of the trail and back again.

It was a beautiful, enjoyable day in nature!

We saw the glistening blue water of the lagoon, a variety of shorebirds and other varieties of birds, beautiful aromatic eucalyptus trees, wildflowers complete with bees, a woodpile of artistic tree rings, several inviting thatched roof benches for resting and viewing the lagoon, a lizard on a rock, and much more. We were inspired with so much beauty surrounding us!

We chatted, laughed and decided to plan on excursions such as this in the future.

After our walk we stopped in the Nature Center, which is open:

Monday through Friday from 9 am – 12:30 pm

and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am – 3 pm

Feel free to enjoy these photos! Click on each one to see a larger version!

Here is the link again:

http://www.batiquitosfoundation.org/

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Cali Daze! Photos: San Dieguito Lagoon, Delmar & Dog Beach, Gwen’s Garden, Solana Beach

I spent some time bird watching at the San Dieguito River Park Lagoon in Delmar and then took a stroll at Dog Beach and serendipitously discovered Gwen’s Garden in Solana Beach. Getting in touch with nature is one of the best feelings and having my camera handy to capture these moments is indescribable!

Hope you enjoy these photos!

All About Gwen’s Garden:

http://delmarsandpiper.org/Pages/News2018-02/Feb2918-17.html

https://www.gofundme.com/savethegardenatdogbeach

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February 17, 2015February 17, 2015 susanfarese

Torrey Pines State Reserve & Beach Hike: Magnificent Nature (Even a Drone)!

This morning I enjoyed a wonderful hike with my friend Ninon at Torrey Pines State Reserve. We walked up the hill from the parking lot. (Usually $12/day, but for locals like us, it pays to buy a “California Explorer” Annual Pass which gives access to California State Parks).

Looking North West from Torrey Pines State Reserve

A lone Torrey Pines tree at Torrey PInes State Reserve

We spotted a “Scrub Jay” blue bird

Scrub Jay in Tree at at Torrey Pines State Reserve

We both admired the beautiful Pacific Ocean views from atop the cliffs

Susan at Torrey Pines State Reserve

Ninon at Torrey Pines State Reserve

We admired several rock formations

Susan admiring Rock Formations at Torrey Pines State Reserve

And savored the gorgeous ocean views from atop the cliffs

Cliffs Overlooking the Beautiful Pacific Ocean

We finally made it to the view of Flat Rock!

We took the beach trail and observed several wild yellow, and orange flowers blooming.

The trail led us to gorgeous majestic views of the blue-green hued Pacific Ocean. Then we took the steps down to Torrey Pines State Beach below.

View of La Jolla at Torrey Pines State Reserve — View of Flat Rock & La Jolla in the Distance at Torrey Pines State Reserve

Then lo and behold…all of a sudden, as we ventured down the steps to Torrey Pines State Beach, we spotted a DRONE in the sky!

JIm Gleason's Drone in the Sky at Torrey Pines State Beach — JIm Gleason’s Drone in the Sky at Torrey Pines State Beach

Here’s a short video of the drone landing!

Which led us to meet “Droner” Jim Gleason, a freelance videographer, originally from San Diego but visiting from Austria with his wife Camille, who is a Scientist with Novartis Pharmaceuticals.