Hidden gems to be found at Cuyamaca College

On Saturday, I took my 8 and 9-year-old grandkids to Cuyamaca College’s Spring Festival. I was not really sure if it would suit them, but I had my reasons, as there are some remarkable things there to see and learn. As we got to the festival, the college grounds were covered with displays and A Simpler Time immediately drew the kids to its display, Alpacas and Mill exhibit. They loved seeing them up close and as they petted they learned what types of materials are made out of the fleece of the alpaca. Close to the exhibit was a vender booth with a wide array of items made with the fleece.

Moving on, they immediately ran over to the Manzanita 4-H petting zoo where my granddaughter held the “cutest and softest rabbit. Ever!” They spent a bit of time there with the goats, chickens, and rabbits and it gave them both an excellent hands-on opportunity to touch and hold animals that to this time, they had only been able to look at. This gave me some time to look around at the different exhibits and vendors.

With drought on everyone’s mind, it was great to see the many exhibits on composting, worm farming and the tools that we need for gardening and growing our own foods, even through a drought.

But what I was really waiting to see is how they reacted when we reached the Heritage of the Americas Museum on the grounds of the college. We strolled through The Water Conservation Garden and I was pleasantly surprised at how much they loved it and noticed many of its smaller details. But, I have to say that the topiaries got their attention right away and set the mood for the rest of the trip through the garden. And they noticed so much. From the flowers growing, to the beautiful small spaces where you can sit and wonder for a bit. It was a little early for the butterfly exhibit, but now they want to go back.

Having had a personal tour of the Heritage of the Americas, I was not quite sure if it would hold their attention as the two of them together, they are keyed up to the max. As we walked in, I showed them how the museum was spread out through wings and starting at the beginning would take you around through time and many parts of the world. As much as I was when I went there for the first time, they were in awe of the many things they saw there. They got to touch fossilized dinosaur eggs, were entranced by the many animals on display (especially the big grizzly bear) and much to my hopes, looked at everything and asked a lot of questions. My grandson was amazed at the geode collection and kept making us look at “all the diamonds.”

The Americas is one of East County’s greatest hidden treasures. The private collection of Bernard Lueck is astounding, especially in the fact that he had no real theme in his collection and gathered priceless items from around the world. I have a special fondness with museums. With my father being a history buff, you could count on every vacation including the local museums in whatever area we were in. In my travels in the Navy, I have had the privilege to tour some of the greatest museums in the world. Paris, Rome, Venice, Barcelona and Cairo being some of the ones that had a great impact for me. Museums are another one of our precious resources as they tell a tale that no one else can. It is a tangible story as you can see history throughout the ages, and there are things at the Americas that will not be found in any other museum in the world. Lueck’s private collection is a masterpiece in whole and his love for educating children that drove this passion is now making an amazing part of the history of man available to children for free. Something he was extremely passionate about.

What surprises me the most though, is when I talk to most people, they have never even heard of this gem in our midst. Take some time, as I did, and discover some phenomenal wonders of the world. And if you have any children, take them along. Your journey will be that much more memorable.