Celebrating At Sherman Gardens

About 50 miles north of Carlsbad, lies the small town of Corona del Mar.  Founded in 1966 by Arnold D. Haskell, it is a beautiful and tranquil cultural center.  A few of us took our friend Jan there for her big birthday.  (I won't say which one).  I'd been there before, but this time we were lucky enough to be there during a glass sculpture.  Chihuli like glass forms were displayed throughout the gardens.  It was just beautiful, and Jan took lots of pictures.

After a delicious lunch, we headed back to Carlsbad, for massages at Happy Head, a massage studio across from the Carlsbad Outlet Mall.  For $39 plus tip, we had a one hour massage (with clothes on) that can't be beat.  I left feeling so relaxed I could hardly drive home.

A little bit more about Sherman Gardens that I didn't know until today.  Arnold Haskell, the founder of the gardens was a successful businessman, who moved from Los Angeles to Corona del Mar and purchased the land and a home.  Originally he only owned a portion of what is now Sherman Gardens, but over time, he owned the entire block.  He named the gardens after his mentor, Moses Hazeltine Sherman.  Moses Sherman was a businessman who was involved in the development of the southern half of the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood.  Actually, Sherman Oaks was named after him.  Both Haskell and Hazeltine are streets familiar to all who know the Sherman Oaks and Encino area of Los Angeles.  Hazeltine was Moses Sherman's middle name, and Haskell was named after Arnold D. Haskell, founder of Sherman Gardens.  Just a little trivia for those that grew up in the LA area.

Jan's big birthday was a such fun.  I hope she enjoyed it as much as we did.  Deb, get ready, your big day will come soon.  Where do you want to go?  Does ziplining over the Eifel Tower sound like fun?