Springtime In Long Beach

Last week Carolyn and I visited Sara in Long Beach. Each day I walked from Sara's house to the beach, about a mile away, for a walk along the ocean. Passing through the neighborhoods, I was struck by how varied the houses and vegetation are. On Sunday morning I took my camera with me to record some of the scenes of a Spring morning in Long Beach.

This is Sara's apartment. (The one with arched window on the lower right.) The street is lined with parrot-studded palm trees.


Yards are all well maintained and nearly everyone plants flowers.



The climate is perfect for most plants with moderate temperatures and an adequate rainfall year round.


Long Beach is lush with colors.


Flowers range from the familiar, like these roses,



pansies,


calla lily,



and nasturtiums,


... to the slightly more exotic, like the Bird of Paradise ...


... or this bush with ...


... these spiky red plumes ....


... or the bougainvillea ... (Did you know it was named after the French admiral who discovered it in the Amazon rainforest in 1768? Me neither.)


... giant jade plants or cacti of all varieties,


... or dozens of others



beautiful specimens



I admire, but ...


... can't identify.



Rose moss?



(If anyone knows, please tell me.)








Another interesting aspect of Long Beach is the variety of houses. Architectural styles and colors are as abundant as the flowers. Every block is a rainbow.


There are tropical overtones.


Midwestern influences.


Touches of New England.


American gothic


Neoclassical.


Spanish stylings ...


... of all configuations,


including with Buddhists accents,



and the truly funky. (It may have been close to Easter, but this rabbit is a year round fixture at this house.)



Long Beach is a beautiful and fascinating place to take a walk.