January takes us to San Diego, California for two months. We trade in Boston’s winter for sunshine, temperatures in the sixties and seventies, and enjoy living in a small apartment rental. It will be our fourth year so we no longer feel like tourists. With our Senior pass in hand, we ride the buses and take commuter trains and trolleys around the city like seasoned San Diegans. Shopping at the local farmers market for fresh fruits and vegetables and fresh fish is a favorite Sunday pastime. And of course, that turns into delicious dinners in our home-away-from-home. We especially enjoy strolling the coastline, weekly visits to the world renowned San Diego Zoo, and listening to live outside concerts at Balboa Park.
So here’s to leaving our down jackets, wool hats and mittens behind and boarding the plane on January fifth. California, here we come!
snoozing burly bear
wakes up energized by sun
lumbers out to play
Kim welcomes us back to dVerse and asks us to write about what January means to us, in this first haibun of 2023. Photo is from the San Diego Zoo last year.
lillian the home poet 
I love that picture of the bear, Lill, and the haiku is so optimistic! January takes us to San Diego, California for two months. We trade in Boston’s winter for sunshine, Two months in San Diego sounds cool – or rather warm! Senior passes are so useful – I have separate ones: a free one for buses around England and a rail pass that gives me 30% off. The fresh fruits and vegetables sound delicious.
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This is absolutely lovely, Lillian! 😍 I especially adore the image; “we ride the buses and take commuter trains and trolleys around the city like seasoned San Diegans.” Hell yeah! 🥂 Happy New Year! Hope you have a wonderful time in California! ❤❤️
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Have fun under the California sun Lillian. I envy you as we are in the midst of a cold winter season. Enjoy the time.
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That is the perfect image to illustrate your piece
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I love this, Lillian. Hope you have a nice warm winter! Enjoy!!
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What fun adventures. Love the bear haiku.
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enjoyment of escaping the winter weather and immersing oneself in the culture and activities of San Diego. Great stuff!
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I love your joy in life, Lill, and the image of you as a bear is stuck in my head now!
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What a wonderful reprieve from all the weather!
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Your excitement for your return to your winter reprieve is palpable!
Safe journeys and happy new year to you.
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Wonderful visuals of your travel. I will be with you in spirit! My stepdaughter lives nearby in Escondido. Enjoy every moment, Lill. 🙂
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This sounds so very nice compared to the darkness we live in at the moment…
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Jim and I are with you and George onthis annual plan. Only our two month escape from the cold takes us to the Sonoran Desert of Tucson. Love the cacti and their blooms and spend lots of visits to the Desert Museum visiting Mexican Gray Wolves and coyotes and cougars instead of your bear. Spending time with Linda and her husband Dan is a special plus as well. Mexican food another favorite (mesquite pancakes this morning.) Want to take a side trip?
Enjoy the sun!
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