Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The Getty Center

Orlando Grandma flew home today and I think she left here feeling like she saw a good chunk of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.  We hope she comes back again soon - after she rests! 
 And me too!

She and I painted the town red each day with a new adventure.  
Some more exciting than others, but as Orlando Gma said, it was all new - even going to the grocery store!

In this post I'd like to share some photos I took during our visit to The Getty Center.  
We happened to go there on a day they were offering free audio tours, which was an excellent way to explore and appreciate the galleries.  I didn't take pictures of the galleries because my pictures could never do those works of art justice, but we spent a good two hours on the audio tour, with a break for lunch, and it made our visit all the more rich.

What I did take pictures of were the outdoor gardens, works of art in their own right.  We were fortunate to be at "The Getty" on what would be the last sunny day we would have for a week. 


 Even so, it was not the clear views of the city that can be enjoyed from that spectacular vantage point.  



Just means I will have to go again to make sure all my friends can see the breathtaking views from The Getty Center - Mr. Connor, are you game?
My brother, Mr. C, will be here after Christmas for a visit - I get to play tourist again!

Visitors to the center park in underground garages and ascend the steep climb via monorail.


At the top you are offered the choice of touring the galleries or viewing the gardens.  



We chose to see the gardens first.


Good thing because as we were doing our gallery tour later, the rain moved in.



I will let the pictures speak for themselves - well, until I feel the need to add my "color commentary":


These are some of the first things to catch your eye as you enter the garden area.  What kind of trees are these?


They are bougainvillea vines that have been shaped by metal forms giving them the appearance of exotic trees.






Succulents are plentiful, both as clever ground cover and as larger, taller plants. 



 I think I understand where my landlord got her inspiration for her landscaping here at the new Boston Manor.



A beautiful topiary maze in the middle of a pond fed by a creek from the top of The Getty Center.


There she is!!



Along a beautifully landscaped path, with all kinds of wonderful plants used for ground cover.  


And, of course, The Maven joined us as it was her second day off!


So, that's our tour of the gardens at The Getty Center, in a very small nutshell.


A day well spent.

Wednesday I will spend here at the house with the "cable guy" as we are switching to a better, cheaper service, so I will be offline for awhile.  Got my flu shot today after dropping Orl Gma at the airport in anticipation of a down day.  It always makes me feel a little rundown for about 24 hours - anyone else have that issue? So a good excuse to catch up on some reading, maybe some Christmas stuff and A NAP!

Some things to come:

TBL and Orl Gma Go to a TV Show Taping!

They Tour a Movie/TV Studio and See a Couple of Celebs-
"Big Bang Theory" Fans Pay Attention!

The Maven Gets To Show Her Chops at Work!

Mr. T Finally Celebrates His Birthday at a Laker's/Magic Game!

The Boston Lady Finally Decorates Her House for Christmas!

A Surprise Arrives in the Mail for TBL!

Mr. Tennis Finally Gets to Play Some Tennis After a Marathon Selling Season - 
His First in LA!

Have a great rest of the week and I hope to catch up with everyone between internet outages.











17 comments:

Sue said...

Thanks for showing me all the great stuff LA has to offer. It "almost" makes me feel like fighting the traffic to seek out new adventures like you are doing. Enjoy ;0)

Take care. . .

Razmataz said...

Love the succulents and the cactus and those bourgonvilia trees. Farewell Orlando Grandma.Come back soon.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

Wow! the Getty Center has beautiful gardens. I'm so SO interested in the succulents and Xeriscape gardens. I'd love for my front yard to be Xeriscaped...actually it is...just not really 'scaped' as much as it is "Xeri" ...he he he!

Looking forward to some of your upcoming posts! I don't plan that far ahead. You know me...flying by the seat of my pants.
So glad you had a great visit with Orla Grma ...I think getting to show her the town, was just as fun for you as it was for her!
...Hope the flu shot doesn't get you down too bad. (we don't partake) ;)
...Hmmm, wonder what TBL got in the mail? :P

Pat

Decor To Adore said...

It looks like you had a wonderful visit.

I have always wanted to go to the Getty center.

Robin Larkspur said...

Beautiful photos of the Getty center. What a great place to visit!! Farewell, Orlando Grandma!! Hope to see you again soon.
Good luck getting the new cable.

Mr. Connor said...

Wow ! Great times were had by all ~ Yeah Orlando G'Ma ! The Getty Center sounnds exciting ~ any places you have NOT been. Looks like more fun coming soon !

centerofgravity said...

Loved the pictures of the gardens at the Getty Center. Of course, you already know that I'm a gardening nut. I've seen how they make the bouganvilea trees about a half dozen times on The Victory Garden - like I'm going to make them. NOT! I'm sure the inside was just as fascinating. Would love to go to the Getty Center somje day my friend. CG

centerofgravity said...

Loved the pictures of the gardens at the Getty Center. Of course, you already know that I'm a gardening nut. I've seen how they make the bouganvilea trees about a half dozen times on The Victory Garden - like I'm going to make them. NOT! I'm sure the inside was just as fascinating. Would love to go to the Getty Center somje day my friend. CG

shohshi said...

Lovely! I can hardly wait to see the pictures from your other adventures! hugs ~ jennifer

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Excellent pictures. I love the Getty and hope to visit again soon.
I really enjoyed the gardens. Sounds like you have some great adventures ahead, enjoy!

Olive said...

Those succulents have me drooling Ann. Orlando Grandma will be back I am sure:}

RURAL said...

Oh my it's good to see something, anything blooming...sigh.

You must have had an amazing time.

And all of those succulents, my heart is soaring.

Jen

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I know you had a fabulous visit! You live in such a beautiful place with so much to see and do! Looks like the weather was great, too! Enjoy your week! Sweet hugs!

Kit said...

I just love how busy you are and how you have embraced your new home. You are the adventurer! I remember seeing how they made those vine supports on Victory Garden. They are incredible! Kit

The Country Mouse said...

What beautiful pictures! I will have to put the Getty Center on my wish list of places to visit. You certainly showed Orl Grandma a good time!
Now relax and enjoy getting ready for Christmas!

Unknown said...

Beside all the fun places we visited It was facinating to me to watch the way the BL got around LA and the knowdlge she has adquired of all the interesting places.I had a grand time and learned a great deal about the Hollywood history and present life. A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL.

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

These are such wonderful pictures, Ann.
The gardens look like a good place to tour, and I especially do like the trees.
I too will be looking forward to your upcoming posts!
Brenda