A Picnic at Presidio Park & A Little Culture at Balboa Park

Over the weekend, we ventured out to a couple of parks around San Diego. On Saturday, we wanted to go on a picnic (which you may have noticed is pretty much our favorite date), so I told Kelson to come up with a good spot. We ended up at Presidio Park, which overlooks Old Town San Diego and Mission Valley and has a beautiful Spanish mission in the middle of it. Good choice, Kelson.

The Junipero Serra mission. A beautiful piece of San Diego history. There was a couple taking engagement photos there that we kept having to dodge so that we wouldn't get in their pictures.

The park is right next to the Mormon Battalion site, and there were a couple of monuments to the battalion in the park.

Winter is rough here in San Diego.  Daisies are the friendliest flower.

A little self-photography happiness overlooking San Diego.

 On Sunday afternoon, we headed to Balboa Park for the free concert that is held weekly at the Spreckles Organ pavilion. It is one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world. Like the rest of Balboa Park, it was built as part of a world's fair exhibition almost 100 years ago.  The instrument itself is gorgeous, but the music was incredible. Watching the organist's feet amazed me. He was very talented. He was joined by a brass ensemble and an a capella group from Yale called the Whiffenpoofs. We really enjoyed the concert. It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

After the concert, we stepped into the atrium, an indoor garden full of tropical plants. The orchids were my favorite.

Lots and lots of palm trees (not that we have a shortage of those around here anyway)

In front of the atrium, there is a huge pond full of fish, ducks, and turtles.

a little more Balboa Park architecture

Kelson in front of the atrium. It is a very nifty-looking building.

On our way out, we walked by this van. It was covered in tiny writing, which seemed to be names of different holidays and religions from all over the world. That is the owner writing more words on the car. My favorite part is the Mickey and Minny on the back. I'm thinking about getting some for our car.