[Image taken by suzoc via Flickr]

This weekend, Jackie, Patrick and I ventured into the Orange Circle for an interview with the boys of From Orange to Orange.  I haven’t spent much time in the City of Orange, so I wasn’t sure where I was going or what I’d see.

With the promise of a “Slice of Old Towne Charm”, I expected to cruise right on into Main Street, U.S.A.  Just inches into Old Towne Orange, my Honda transformed into a tiffany-blue Cadillac, my leggings turned into a poodle skirt, my hair was tied back with a ribbon, and there I was, entrenched into the essence of Americana.  I drove by loving families enjoying brunch at Watson’s Drug & Soda Fountain,  Girl Scouts were selling cookies in front of Wells Fargo, and lovely little grandmothers sitting on benches in the middle of Plaza Square, undoubtedly bragging about their grandchildren.

Old Towne Orange has got to be one of the most charming places in all of Orange County!  Too bad it was a gloomy day!  After our interview meeting, we walked around, window shopping in the beautiful antique shops, boutiques, and eateries full of vibrancy and life!  What a strange mix of Chapman University hipsters, spirited grandparents, and squealing families!  Didn’t have  too much time to explore, but the question of the weekend for me was, “have you been to Old Towne Orange?  Let’s go there next time!”

[Image taken by suzoc via Flickr]

Unfortunately, it looks like the City of Orange might want to get rid of this area!  The Old Towne Preservation Association needs your help ASAP!  Visit this link for all of the details…but click fast because The Old Town Preservation Association needs your support via written letters to the city by March 30th!  If everyone pitches in, hopefully Old Towne Orange can be successfully preserved.  So WRITE IN ASAP!  We’ll keep ya posted on it’s progress!

In the meantime, I encourage you to have lunch, coffee, or a snack within the Orange Circle!   I don’t know about you, but I really need this architectural and old town charm every now and then to reset my pallette in more ways than one.  Helps to break up the day-to-day spent in suburbs, fast moving cities, and slow moving traffic.  I hope it can provide this type of soul cleansing for you, as well!