Keep some souvenirs
of your past or how
will you ever prove it
wasn't all a dream?
...Ashleigh Brilliant
I have been known to bring home a souvenir or two when I take a trip. I am also good at picking out the biggest, heaviest, most breakable and awkward to transport or ship home. So, when I saw this fantastic large driftwood horse head sculpture (26” tall), it called my name. It spoke to both my love of horses AND the ocean.
It was also on sale...even better! Now how to get it home? Luckily, I had only brought 1 checked bag and 1 carry on. Two checked bags fly for free so I thought that might be the answer. We took it to the "pack n ship" shop and they packed it in a giant box (33”X27”X13”) for me. It weighed close to 20 pounds so it wasn't easy to maneuver but I got it on the boat back to Long Beach. When I got to the airport, they said oversized baggage cost $75 dollars but thank goodness she couldn't find a tape measure so it travelled for FREE as my second checked bag. Plus, they are nicer and more accomodating at the quaint Long Beach Airport versus "by the book" Los Angeles Airport.
(My husband said I could bring it home as long as it went through a wood chipper first. Or to leave it on Catalina Island and I could go and visit it once a year.). I prefer the second option. He’s so funny!
Your story was as delightful as the souvenir/sculpture. At first I thought you had made it with driftwood you've collected (my house is full of driftwood we've collected lol). I loved your whole story. All my years being a SoCal gal, I never realised Long Beach had an airport and I'm with you - avoid LAX at all costs! We'd always fly in and out of Burbank if possible. Awesome rememberance of your trip to Santa Catalina!
@elatedpixie Thank you. I am a SoCal girl as well. Born and raised in Pacific Palisades, two miles from the ocean. I would use Burbank Airport all the time but for going to Catalina, Long Beach airport is perfect and even smaller than Burbank! I think they only have 2 gates...it's great. Try it!
PS...I do make a lot of things...sailor valentines, pique assiette (broken plate mosaic), shell art, jewelry, cards, etc. but no driftwood projects as of yet.
@gardenfolk well I didn't see that coming! As I read I'm thinking you're talkin about how you loved this but I never guessed it was going home with you! My failing in the past has been to look for the biggest heaviest antique book I could find and bring that home with me! I could get into several conversations here as Long Beach airport is indeed an excellent choice! @elatedpixie last year when I was up in your neck of the woods I went mad for gathering driftwood for which of course I had many plans...now if I could just remember what they were... ... And CC , I never knew broken plate mosaic had a fancy name! Of course I've made some pieces as I never could through out a pretty broken piece!
Wow this is gorgeous!! I would love this!! I love your story and am so pleased it made it home with you!! I normally bring home jugs from any local pottery I can find. My sister brings home rocks from the beach which form a feature in our garden.
@helenhall I did find the perfect place. I have a wall bookcase in our family room and it sits on the top, along with big red star, fish shaped bottles, a vintage flowery bathing cap, letters spelling SAND & SEA. Thank goodness for 10 foot ceilings. My home decor is beach cottage...seashells, starfish, mermaid, fish, whales, coral and sailor valentines. :)
@taffy Haha! I do know how to pick them! When I was in South Carolina, I brought home a woman's head and bust covered in seashells! That was difficult as well.
@365karly1 Since I rode, love and had two horses, I couldn't leave it behind.
Thank you so much. I am glad the driftwood horse made it home safely and now I have found its home in our family room. I love it.
@pamknowler Thank you, Pam. Twice I have chosen large and difficult things to bring home. But I do love them both so the effort was well worth it. But I wish I could learn to travel light! :)
WOW that's quite a souvenir. I don't know where I'd put it in our tiny house. I'm sure you found a perfect place for it. Can it be used as a garden sculpture?
September 24th, 2020
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PS...I do make a lot of things...sailor valentines, pique assiette (broken plate mosaic), shell art, jewelry, cards, etc. but no driftwood projects as of yet.
@taffy Haha! I do know how to pick them! When I was in South Carolina, I brought home a woman's head and bust covered in seashells! That was difficult as well.
@365karly1 Since I rode, love and had two horses, I couldn't leave it behind.
@louannwarren @milaniet @dutchothotmailcom @bkbinthecity @casablanca @jacqbb @craftymeg @onewing @kvphoto @pdulis @mave @radiogirl @shutterbug49
Thank you so much. I am glad the driftwood horse made it home safely and now I have found its home in our family room. I love it.
@pamknowler Thank you, Pam. Twice I have chosen large and difficult things to bring home. But I do love them both so the effort was well worth it. But I wish I could learn to travel light! :)