Thursday was sadly our last full day, so needless to say we were a little down. But in true Ivans style, we decided to make the most of it! It was a really warm day. probably the hottest day of the holiday. The plan was to visit Balboa Park as we had not made it there last year. It was probably the hardest place to get too by public transport, but we did it. The train to Santa Fe depot and then the bus - though we had a hard time finding the bus stop. The park is huge and very spread out, our first stop was the visitor information centre, where we picked up a map. I was disappointed to find out the Marston House was closed for the day, but I do wonder how we would have gotten there from the Park! SO our first stop was the Japanese Friendship garden, which is very pretty. Its spread out over a hillside and involves a walk down a steepish path - not great on a hot day! But it was very pretty and worth the visit. There were so many lovely spots to take photo's. They have a little tea shop where you can buy lunch, drinks etc. I am glad we got to visit. It had a tranquil feel to it.
Our next stop was the Timken art museum which is free and definitely worth going too. Its not big,
but houses a fine collection of art. I love wondering around art galleries just soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying the artwork. When we left there we decided to take the free tram around the park, its only a short trip but serves as a nice sight seeing trip. There are many museums in the park, and some of them are quite expensive. While you can buy day explorers that will get you into any five museums they are expensive and I have to question whether you would even be able to do 5 museums in one day!? It had taken us all morning to do two small attractions! So we decided to leave the rest of the museums for another time. It was way too warm to stand around outside, once again there wasn't much shade. And I didn't particularly want to spend the entire afternoon shut away in a museum. So, after discussion Paul suggested we try and make out way to the Gaslamp Quarter.
We managed to find the right stop for the #7 bus and when we got on I asked the driver if she could tell us when we got near the Gaslamp Quarter. Her reply made me smile - I don't go near Horton Plaza, but I stop a couple of blocks away - has my reputation of liking to shops reached the other side of the Atlantic too??? I never mentioned the mall!! So we got off the bus and found ourselves passing the Gaslamp Tavern, seemed rude not to go in and drink beer. It was so nice and cool inside - bliss! We go on to Horton Plaza afterwards and had a wander around the shops. I couldn't resist another visit to the Bath and Bodyworks. Lordy, it smells so good in there. When we finally left the mall we walked through the Gaslamp Quarter and down to the station, we decided we would rather return to Old Town and spend our last night there. So, that is what we did. With sad hearts we had our last dinner at the Alamo, and a last drink at the Old Town Saloon. Followed by a last walk around Miranda's Courtyard. Hard to believe that 12 days had flown by so fast. But wow, did we have some amazing memories or what!!
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