Monday at the Salk Institute

We gathered Jesse and Erin from their cabin around 10:30 this morning and drove to La Jolla for our scheduled architectural tour of the Salk Institute.  These iconic buildings were designed by Louis Kahn in 1959 and are unbelievable, called his finest design.    Jesse was in full goose bump mode!  We had a very spirited little woman as our guide and she took us all in hand immediately.  She wanted us to listen to her and learn and she wasn't shy about correcting anyone who thought their cell phone was more important than what she had to say...It was a wonderful tour, each of us took away something different.

our little group

the architecture students

Kahn's buildings were about lines and texture and settings and feelings.

This Chihuly glass chandelier was stunning, hung in the newer reception buildings    Its luminescent color popped in these grey surroundings.

We were quite close to the famous Torrey Pines Golf Course, so we headed there for lunch.  The course is absolutely perfect, not a blade of grass out of place.  Landscaped with many different types of pines, roses and ferns.

I loved the whimsical stone work everywhere, especially this fireplace that seemed to grow up from the ground.

We had a delicious lunch, comfort food to be sure.  Cream of tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for Erin and I, the best he ever ate hamburger for Dave and pesto chicken sandwich and perfect fries for Jess.

On our way to check out downtown La Jolla we passed, or rather turned into the very interesting Torrey Pines Gliderport.   We were fascinated watching  people harness themselves up to colorful parachutes, walk calmly off the cliff and soar quietly over the pacific ocean.

the top of the cliffs were very eroded and it was a bit of a scramble, but we all made it, even me!

We even had enough time for a little window shopping in La Jolla village.  Everything was all decked out for the holidays.


Jesse and Erin will do a little work in the morning tomorrow and then I think we'll head off to the Museum of Natural History.