Tag: nature

FLOWER POWER

The Flower Fields Are Open For Business


by Jonathan A. Ward

The day before I married my lovely wife Lily in April 1990, I took my parents to The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. My mom commented, “I’ve never seen anything so beautiful!” This was from a lady brought up in the beautifully scenic Hudson River Valley and who had toured throughout America, Europe, and Asia. Today I drove west on Palomar Airport Road for a reminder of that beauty. At Customer Service I could only see a patch of green on the hillside, so I was hesitant to pay the $25 entrance fee in case the flowers weren’t in bloom (most ticket sales are handled online at theflowerfields.com).

I took a chance, bought a ticket, and was rewarded by the northward fields being abloom with a full rainbow of color. I had seen only a green patch at the entrance because different fields are planted to bloom at staggered times, thus the attraction lasts from March through May. The bands of different colored ranunculus flowers create a dazzling display which I’ve run out of adjectives to describe. One really needs to experience the spectacle firsthand. I could say, “The Flower Fields are wonderful,” or I could say, “The Flower Fields leave one full of wonder.”

One thing I wondered is: “How did such a lovely place come to exist?” Well, the story starts in the 1920’s when horticulturist Luther Gage introduced the colorful ranunculus flower to Southern California. Around 1975, grower Edwin Frazee moved his ranunculus-growing business to the hills of coastal Carlsbad — land he leased from the Ecke family, famous for their poinsettia business. In the 1980’s when the fields were considered unprofitable by the grower, the Ecke family intervened and became stewards of the 55-acre property. Today, the commercial business is run by Mellano and Company. In addition to maintaining The Flower Fields as a public attraction, they also grow flowers and bulbs for sale.

Another wonder: “What else is there to do besides admire ranunculus at The Flower Fields?” For starters, it’s fun to take a tractor-driven wagon ride around the property. In addition, the fields host a variety of fitness classes, wine tastings at sunset, flower arranging workshops, and music concerts. One can also sluice mine for gemstones or get lost in the sweet pea maze. There’s a playground, orchid greenhouse, exotic bird aviary, poinsettia display, a “sea of sunflowers,” and a huge American flag made of flowers. There is a live butterfly encounter and a glass butterfly art exhibit. Each week features a different rotating “pop-up” market, offering produce, gifts, and knickknacks. It’s a popular venue for weddings, graduations, and corporate and private events. Many food choices are available — from ice cream to coffee to tacos to pizza (need I say more?). The Flower Fields’ activity calendar can be found at https://www.theflowerfields.com/activities/

Sometimes we shouldn’t be satisfied just sitting on the couch watching The Wizard of Oz. Awaken that dozing adventurer in you and head west — you’ll find yourself surrounded by an amazing living rainbow of colorful flowers. Does life get any better than that!?

JOURNEY TO LAKE SAN MARCOS

By Jonathan A. Ward

How did we end up in magical Lake San Marcos? My own journey started in 1976. I was in college in Atlanta, but I was search of a better environment and seeking direction. I’d visited California a few times, and to me it felt like home. In the Spring of 1976 I came to California to spend the summer farming near Sacramento. I had a week to spare before I was to begin, so I stopped in Pacific Palisades and volunteered to garden at a park on Sunset Boulevard. We worked hard, and after three days I was hired as a gardener/caretaker. Way back then Los Angeles was a wonderful place (maybe it still is?). I loved the beaches and mountains. I played basketball, softball, and made friends. 

After a couple of weeks living in my camper-van parked at the Will Rogers State Beach, I found a wonderful place to live and here’s how: I put an ad in the Palisades Post newspaper for an apartment rental in exchange for money and gardening. In response, a lady called and asked to see me. My boss cut off my long hair so I’d look presentable for the interview. Because she was visiting her friend in England, a man named J. Paul Getty, she invited me to live in her home rent-free and take care of her garden while she was away. I was only in California for a short time, but I had a great job and a wonderful place to live with a pool and an ocean view. My neighbors were Walter Matthau, Adam West, Chevy Chase, Peter Graves, and other stars. However, we didn’t hang out.

Fast forward to 1987 — I met my wife, and together we decided to exit L.A. The city was growing more congested and to us losing its charm. We both loved north San Diego County, and we moved here in 1988. We rented and owned condos in Encinitas and LaCosta. In 2007 we were blessed to find our home here in Lake San Marcos, and we’ve lived here happily ever since.  

With Lake San Marcos home prices going through the roof, it’s easy to look into the possibility of selling and moving to a less expensive home and pocketing the profits. We seriously looked into moving to Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains. The positives were making a significant profit and living in the mountains with a rural lifestyle. However, after we compared the pros of relocating versus the pros of remaining in Lake San Marcos, the more the attraction of moving faded. Here’s a few of the advantages of living in Lake San Marcos:

Microcosmic Advantages: We live in a lovely planned community surrounding our lake and crowned by Double Peak. We have golf, pools, tennis and pickleball, game and meeting rooms, restaurants, etc. But the best part is our neighbors — friendly, honest people in my humble opinion. 

Macrocosmic Advantages: We have the best weather in the USA. Nearby, we have wonderful parks, hiking, beaches, more restaurants, libraries, wineries, medical care, churches, etc, etc, etc. 

A world review site lists Finland as the “world’s happiest place.” I’ve never been to Finland, but I’m out on my patio in the sun with a beautiful mountain view and nice breeze, and I’m wondering: What does Finland have that Lake San Marcos doesn’t? Snow? Reindeer? More saunas? Anyway, my journey has had a very happy ending – and in no small part thanks to you. I know I’m preaching to the choir when I say I feel blessed to be living in Lake San Marcos and calling it our forever home.