We arrived at my cousin Lisa’s in Vista, CA late Saturday evening after a long drive through the dark, over some pretty twisty roads (and I imagine, past some lovely views). It was just plain old time to get off the road for a couple days, so for now I’ll have to keep Anza Borrego on the list of places to see.

Lisa’s husband is an wildlife biologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. He’s spent the last 15 years populating their yard with plant species native to, if not this area, this climate. The yard resembles a botanical garden.

And in late winter, lots is blooming.

Including this giant (and hard to see in the shade) agave. The flower spike is taller than the house.

Here’s Chico at the base of that big flower stalk.

There’s the flower stalk of another agave in the foreground of this pic. Kinda reminds you of asparagus, doesn’t it?

Tangelos on the tree. (Hard to see.)

And after a day, Chico was brave enough to wander the yard by himself. A little.

Peter collects rain water, though all he waters is his fruit trees.

Chico though the water bar under the eaves was pretty cool.

Lisa has a little nook on the veranda that stays shaded almost all day and we spent a lot of Sunday there, talking, laughing, reading, knitting, eating, and drinking until evening chill drove us inside. It was so nice, we did it again on Monday, except we made run for Mexican food and kibble.

Carnitas burrito.

Carne asada taco.

Ceviche pizza – shrimp ceviche on top of sopas and melted cheese.

Chico and I did go for a walk around the neighborhood.

You can see the ocean.

We vowed that we would leave the house the following day.