San Diego Botanical Gardens

A Place for All Ages

Last month, my boyfriend and I visited the San Diego Botanical Gardens.  I have been there a number of times over the years, but this was his first time there.

The botanical gardens are located at 230 Quail Gardens Drive, in Encinitas, right off the Encinitas Blvd. exit from I-5. They are open daily from 9a.m. to 5p.m. and the cost is $14 for adults, $10 for seniors, students, and active military, and $8 for children 3-12. Members and children under 2 are free. Parking is $2.

On the first Tuesday of the month, San Diego County residents get in free but still must pay the $2 parking fee. The parking fee is waived if you have 4 or more people in your car. 

I would advise bringing a hat or wearing sunscreen, especially on those hot days. Also, bring snacks and water as there is only one kiosk near the visitor's center and gift shop (yes, they do sell plants). There are a limited number of picnic tables available and you are welcome to bring a picnic. There are no restaurants on site but plenty in the surrounding Encinitas area. The botanical gardens cover 37 acres and most of it is easy walking. Of course, different times of the year, you will see different plants in bloom. 

 You may even catch sight of a smiling dragonfly.

There are a number of gardens containing plants from around the world. There is even a bamboo garden where bamboo is harvested by San Diego Zoo staff for their pandas. The cacti all over the area were in full bloom and flowers were abundant so this is a great time of year to visit. There is also a children's garden that has an edible plant garden and lots of interactive activities for the kids, including some climbing structures.

There is also a garden area that has sculptures made out of plants.

There are certain places within the gardens where you can see the ocean. There is also an area that has a fairly tall waterfall. There were lots of different kinds of butterflies and birds flying around. There are great places to just sit and relax and enjoy the scenery. Many of the plants don't look so exciting on the outside, but if you lean over and look inside, they are magical.

There are plenty of docents and volunteers around to answer questions or show you special plants. We had a volunteer show us a cucumber thistle. They were trying to get rid of a lot of them as it is an invasive plant, but she let us hold one and look inside and touch one of the seeds. It was very cool. 

All in all, a very interesting place to visit any time of the year.

Anza Borrego Desert Bloom

By Stacey Kuhns

Ed Miner and I decided we were going to drive to the desert to see the amazing blooms everyone was talking about. We left Henson (Service Dog) at his favorite place (day care) at 7 a.m. and took off for Anza Borrego.

 Would we ever do it again? Hell no! The drive is pretty, especially since everything is so green now. We got to Borrego and stopped on the side of the road to check out some flowers. They were pretty but definitely not the massive bloom everyone was talking about. 

When we got to the intersection to turn into the Visitor's Center, we knew this was probably a mistake. They had all their rangers out on the roads trying to control the crowds and answer questions. We were allowed to drive up to the Visitor's Center, since I am disabled, so Ed could drop me off but the rangers were pretty mean and would not let him turn into the parking lot. They said it was full. So, he dropped me off and went to go park (over a quarter of a mile away). I was pissed because when I walked into the parking lot, there was plenty of parking and Handicapped parking spots available. 

I called Ed and told him to turn around but he said there was no way he could as it was a nightmare with all the cars. I sat in the shade at the center and listened to a volunteer talk about where the best blooms were (3 times through the talk before Ed was able to get back to find me). It was very very hot (I do not do sun and heat well at all). 

We decided to go right to one of the areas they recommended seeing so we had to hoof it back to the car. It was a very long way for me and I was having a difficult time. When we got back to the car, the line of traffic on the road leading to the Visitor's Center was insane. Luckily, we were heading in a different direction. We made it to the place they recommended (Henderson Canyon Road). We were pretty underwhelmed. (You have to either stay in the desert or know the exact time to get there to see the best bloom. Otherwise, within a few days, the heat and caterpillars have decimated the flowers). 

It was pretty, don't get me wrong, but no variety of color (other than yellow and white) and it was sparse. If you take a picture looking out over the desert, it looks beautiful, but if you look down, it is pretty sparse. Anyway, we stayed for a bit. Glad I packed water, sandwiches and apples because the few restaurants and food cart places were jammed. 

Dog Training Kindred Spirits Dog Training

by Stacey Kuhns

When I first thought about obtaining a service dog, I did a lot of research. After going through many organizations and talking to many people, I finally spoke with Petra Burke of Kindred Spirits Dog Training, in Vista. I am so thankful I touched base with Petra and the rest of the amazing women at Kindred Spirits.

I have had dogs since I was a little girl and have been through a myriad of different dog training programs, including just training my dogs on my own. I have never experienced anything like I have with Kindred Spirits. If you have a puppy, or if you have a dog in need of training, Kindred Spirits is the ONLY place I would recommend. Kindred Spirits Dog Training is located at 3343 E. Vista Way, Vista, CA, 92084. They can be reached by calling (760)630-4824 or they can be contacted through their website (www.kindredspiritsk9.com).

Henson and I started training at Kindred Spirits at the beginning of July 2016. I was so impressed with the classes and the training methods employed by Kindred Spirits. It was like nothing I had ever seen or experienced in dog training and most of all, it is very effective. The women who train us and our dogs are passionate about what they do. They are willing to help with any problem you can think of that would come up with your dog. They current on all dog-related topics, including the best foods and treats for your pet. 

Liz Palika is the founder of Kindred Spirits. She has been training dogs for over 30 years and she knows her stuff for sure! Petra Burke, co-owner of Kindred Spirits, has been training with Liz for 30 years. Combined, they are a force to be reckoned with in their combined knowledge of dog behavior. Kate Abbott is also a co-owner of Kindred Spirits. My boyfriend and I believe she is the true 'Dog Whisperer." I swear she works with a dog for two minutes and that dog does whatever she wants it to do. It is an amazing thing to watch. Dawn McMahon and Petra were the first people I met and who sat with me for an hour, answering all my questions about obtaining a service dog. I broke down in tears during our talk and Dawn's dog, who was training to be a therapy dog at the time, came right up to me and pressed himself against my face. It was amazing. Dawn has been wonderful in working with myself and Henson during the training classes. There are a number of other wonderful trainers and volunteers who work at Kindred Spirits. I have not had the pleasure of working with all of them but I know in time that Henson and I will most likely get to work with them and we look forward to that experience.

If you are working on skills at home, learned in a training class, and things are not going well, the trainers are there to help, through e-mail or over the phone. They also offer one-on-one training and training in the home. Their classes are fun, interesting, and never boring for you or your pet. They offer a variety of interesting classes, but I recommend that any dog owner should take their Puppy and Basic training courses. (You can thank me later for this amazing advice). 

The best thing about the Puppy training classes is the extra puppy play night offered during the week. If you take the Puppy classes, please, please go to every puppy play date. It will make a huge and positive impact on the socialization of your puppy. (I personally think it should be a requirement for graduation, but that is just my opinion). Oh, and just a word of caution, puppies can get messy at puppy play.

I plan to be in training with Kindred Spirits for at least another year or more and am looking forward to every future class and session we have coming up. Henson also enjoys the training and has picked up the positive behaviors I would expect from a well-trained dog, and in record time. I am so proud of the progress Henson and I have made and could not have done it without Kindred Spirits.

Related Posts

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4. Dog Friendly Areas in North County San Diego
5. A Struggle with a Light at the End of the Tunnel
6. Slave to My Future Service Dog
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Henson Earns his "Service Dog in Training" Vest

For those of you who have been following the blogs about Henson and I, we have reached a new milestone. Henson just graduated his third class and in addition, earned his Service Dog in Training Vest. I had no idea he was going to get his vest that day and I was thrilled that our work together has been fruitful. Henson and I have been in training for five months straight now. He will continue classes after the holidays, but our training together continues daily. 

It has been an amazing experience to now have a service animal (in training) who can go anywhere with me. We have gone to the movies, restaurants, inside stores, and walked around the beach. Each experience is new for both of us, but for a puppy who just turned eight months old, Henson has impressed me beyond belief. He stays right by my side, helps pull me upstairs and helps me get down stairs, he does not react to other people or animals when working. He is calm and responsive to my commands. I am so lucky to have him. 

We are both learning how to work with each other and we have a long way to go, but it is a rewarding experience for sure. More to come on our training and adventures.

Related Posts

1. Training a Service Dog....My Journey So Far
2. Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern & Grill
3. Dog Friendly Areas in North County San Diego
4. A Struggle with a Light at the End of the Tunnel
5. Slave to My Future Service Dog
6. Reflecting on this Mother's Day
7. A New Journey Begins