I'd been feeling pretty couped up in my house lately, so I grabbed my bike and a snack and headed down to San Diego's beautiful Balboa Park. Besides just riding around a bit, my main mission was to visit the newly renovated Botanical Building. It had been years since I've been, and it's always been my favorite feature of the park.
Outside shots of the lily pond and building, with inside shots of the ceiling/canopy
They did a beautiful job! The space feels more open and light to me, but at the same time true to the original, which I do remember being a little worn. Below are some of the many beautiful and interesting plants. The only thing I was disappointed about was the lack of signs identifying most of the plants. Instead, they had a QR code with a link to an interactive online map, but trying to navigate the site on my phone with all the light interference and tiny print had me giving up. Nice idea in theory, but old tech would've served me better here.
Various plants within the Botanical Building at Balboa Park
I finished my visit by eating an apple under a tree on the lawn by the lily pond, while a busker played Fur Elise on an electric piano nearby. Pretty much a perfect hour or two that really helped reset my mental state. I really should do this sort of thing more often, I always tell myself, since I'm not working right now and it's completely free (minus the cost of the gas to get there and back from my home in El Cajon). I guess the rhythms of life's daily routines can still grind you much like the 8-5 work hustle can...
...anyways, a big shout out to the Botanical Gardens, and to Balboa Park in general. Thanks for the much needed medicine!
