Wooded beauty II

This is a continuation of yesterday's post regarding my stay at Mission Springs Conference Center in Scotts Valley. Surrounding the conference center's grounds are private homes that look onto the central field. I showed that field yesterday.

This home's balcony looks down onto the grassy field and onto the mountain on the other side. It looks like the perfect morning coffee spot or even a sunset dinner. I wonder who "S" and "K" are? I hope they are taking the time to enjoy this gift.

Do you have a special place you consider a gift?

The balcony

In this week's primary election, Cristina Garcia received enough votes to advance to the general election in November.

But I wasn't really thinking about that when I snapped this picture a couple of weeks ago. Instead I was thinking, doesn't the Rives Mansion balcony just beg for a beautiful couple standing there waving to the crowd? I had visions of the President and First Lady. Or the Royal Couple after the Royal Wedding, giving the Royal Wave.

Or maybe just the present owners on a quiet evening?

Corbels

One of my favorite fellow city bloggers is Mary Ann, of Beirut Pursuit. Her recent interest (some might call it an obsession) with the corbels of Beirut have made me more aware of the corbels, or balcony supports, in Downey.

So when I passed by these beautiful iron corbels supporting the balcony of this abandoned building in the old Rancho facilities (click here for more pictures from Rancho), I had to stop and take a picture.

The suite life

I have always liked the architecture for the Embassy Suites on Firestone. It has a charming appeal both inside and out. This view is from a couple of months ago befoe the leaves were back on the trees, but I thought it was a fun perspective.