Last Sunday I went to the EarthFair at Balboa Park for the first time. I had completely forgotten my DSLR camera at Tim’s house, so we had to work with our smart phones and iPod cameras instead, hence the slightly low-quality photos (sorry).
As we rumbled up Park Boulevard in my Honda Fit, I started to have December Night flashbacks.
If you don’t know what December Nights is, it’s a spectacular event that celebrates everything winter holidays in the span of two days. When I went with my friends a couple years ago, we were smart enough to go early and take the shuttle. If you try to go later in the day however, like we did last year, you might as well call it traffic hell.
But to my surprise, it wasn’t the endless line of waiting as I imagined it would be. It took us about 30 to 45 minutes to find a spot in the San Diego Zoo’s parking lot. Yes, I’m talking about the world famous San Diego Zoo. It ‘s practically next door to Balboa Park. If you squint hard enough, you can see one of the exhibits through the green fabric as you walk by. I think we saw the outline of a bird (or perhaps that was wishful thinking).
As we rumbled up Park Boulevard in my Honda Fit, I started to have December Night flashbacks.
If you don’t know what December Nights is, it’s a spectacular event that celebrates everything winter holidays in the span of two days. When I went with my friends a couple years ago, we were smart enough to go early and take the shuttle. If you try to go later in the day however, like we did last year, you might as well call it traffic hell.
But to my surprise, it wasn’t the endless line of waiting as I imagined it would be. It took us about 30 to 45 minutes to find a spot in the San Diego Zoo’s parking lot. Yes, I’m talking about the world famous San Diego Zoo. It ‘s practically next door to Balboa Park. If you squint hard enough, you can see one of the exhibits through the green fabric as you walk by. I think we saw the outline of a bird (or perhaps that was wishful thinking).
First of all, EarthFair is big. I’m talking about enough-to-hurt-your-feet-because-you’re-walking-too-much big. Despite my terrible decisions in sandal choosing, I was overwhelmed at how many cool booths were at the fair. This year, about 300 exhibitors twisted around the fountains, sculptures, and Bougainvilleas. I wanted to look at everything.
We first stopped by a booth promoting the Anza Borrego and Palomar Mountain state parks. I love to hike. You could slap a picture of a mountain onto a beach ball, and I would probably buy it. I have yet to visit Palomar Mountain, so when they mentioned that it could be compared to the Sierras, I was inwardly jumping up and down in excitement.
On a side note, take the time to visit one of our country’s beautiful parks for National Park Week this weekend. From April 16-24, they are offering free admission. What a better way to honor the earth, than to appreciate all the beauty it has to offer?
We first stopped by a booth promoting the Anza Borrego and Palomar Mountain state parks. I love to hike. You could slap a picture of a mountain onto a beach ball, and I would probably buy it. I have yet to visit Palomar Mountain, so when they mentioned that it could be compared to the Sierras, I was inwardly jumping up and down in excitement.
On a side note, take the time to visit one of our country’s beautiful parks for National Park Week this weekend. From April 16-24, they are offering free admission. What a better way to honor the earth, than to appreciate all the beauty it has to offer?
Anyways, we took our time making our way through the fair. I bought an eco-friendly, portable toilet from POT-T, and Tim got me a rad tie-dye t-shirt from Spirit of The Environment San Diego. One kind lady waved me off paying full price for a few stones after I showed her the macramé necklace I had made.
One of the more popular exhibits at the fair was the tiny house that was put on display by the San Diego Tiny House Enthusiasts. The line wasn’t terribly long, but you could tell everyone was itching to go inside.
The interior was the equivalent of a small RV, complete with a loft, small shower, toilet, sink, and a small table. The man who lived in the house said it took him about a year to make it. I’ve always seen tiny houses on Instagram and in magazines, but it was interesting to actually see one in person.
I’ve entertained the idea of living in a tiny house, or a small one at least, and after seeing this one, it didn’t seem so bad. The only drawback I had when touring the place was that there was no oven. I need an oven, otherwise I’m going to shrivel up and die from a lack of cooking creativity, and Tim will go down with me.
Okay, I’m kidding. But seriously, I need an oven. If you live in a tiny house, or know someone who does and has an oven, let me know in the comments below.
The interior was the equivalent of a small RV, complete with a loft, small shower, toilet, sink, and a small table. The man who lived in the house said it took him about a year to make it. I’ve always seen tiny houses on Instagram and in magazines, but it was interesting to actually see one in person.
I’ve entertained the idea of living in a tiny house, or a small one at least, and after seeing this one, it didn’t seem so bad. The only drawback I had when touring the place was that there was no oven. I need an oven, otherwise I’m going to shrivel up and die from a lack of cooking creativity, and Tim will go down with me.
Okay, I’m kidding. But seriously, I need an oven. If you live in a tiny house, or know someone who does and has an oven, let me know in the comments below.
The sun had been beating down on us for the duration of the day, and by the time we walked back to the car I was in the mood for ice cream. Hammond’s Gourmet Ice Cream in North Park has some of the best ice cream I have ever tasted, and with unique flavors to try too. You can order a huge chunk of your favorite ice cream, or sample several mini ones in little flight stands.
I chose Peaches n’ Cream and a strawberry sorbet that tasted like summer, while Tim chowed down two scoops of Jack Daniel’s and PB and Brownie.
You can find Hammond’s in Pacific Beach, North Park, and soon in Point Loma. If you happen to go, list the flavors you tried. Did you love it? Hate it? Maybe I’ll try them next time.
As for me, I can’t wait to go back to EarthFair next year and eat ice cream afterwards. Who knows, maybe we’ll make a tradition out of it.
Happy Earth Day everyone!
I chose Peaches n’ Cream and a strawberry sorbet that tasted like summer, while Tim chowed down two scoops of Jack Daniel’s and PB and Brownie.
You can find Hammond’s in Pacific Beach, North Park, and soon in Point Loma. If you happen to go, list the flavors you tried. Did you love it? Hate it? Maybe I’ll try them next time.
As for me, I can’t wait to go back to EarthFair next year and eat ice cream afterwards. Who knows, maybe we’ll make a tradition out of it.
Happy Earth Day everyone!
Outfit: I knew everyone was going to wear flowing dresses and flowers at the EarthFair. This gave me the perfect excuse to bust out the Prana dress I had scored at a recent REI garage sale. The dress’ fabric is insanely comfortable and it’s one of those dresses I immediately feel beautiful in (see more Prana dresses here). For accessories, I chose a stone wrap necklace I made using the powers of macramé and YouTube.
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