We get a lot of questions asked about our truck on the corner of Leucadia Blvd. and Orpheus. Most of them pertain to where we got it or how did we end up with it here. Today's blog is the story of our Truck.
While driving down a backcountry road in Fallbrook, CA on the way to visit her mother, Emma spotted something between the trees partially hidden in an Avocado grove. The
moment she saw it, she knew that it had potential as a landscape design
element for an upcoming show. At first glance Linda couldn't help but wonder if Emma had lost her
mind. In front of her was a rusty old pick up truck - a 1953 Chevy to be
precise. With much excitement Emma dragged a reluctant Linda up to knock
on the property owner's door where an older gentleman answered. "Yeah,
that's my old truck. Used to run too... belonged to my father. I don't have the
title, but I'm sure if you got it running again, you could figure a way to get
one." The older gentleman named his price, which Emma
thought seemed a bit on the high side, particularly for what she had in mind.
Emma tentatively explained that they hoped to plant it with drought tolerant
plants and then put it on display. After a few moments of consideration the
truck owner decided to hold onto his truck and see if he could eventually get his asking price.
Disappointed but hopeful, Emma gave him a business card and said, "Here's our
number if you change your mind." A few weeks later, Emma received a call from gentleman asking if we were still interested in buying the truck, as his wife was
eager to get it off of the property. Excited about getting the truck - and at the
price Emma had offered - all that was left to do was get it out of the avocado
grove.
With the help of Linda's brother and some major
pushing to get it out from within the avocado trees they managed to roll it down a hill with Linda driving and load it onto a
trailer for the journey to Oceanside.
In 2007, Glorious Gardens was able to include the
truck as part of their Garden Master's exhibit at the San Diego Spring Home & Garden. On a limited budget Emma and Linda installed their first
truck bed planter display. The outcome was a photo & write up in the Union Tribune,
an award for "Most Appealing to Children", and many, many wonderful
comments from visitors at the show. It seemed like every other person took a
photograph of the old truck and it brought many smiles, which was a
major compliment. After the San Diego Home Garden Show, the old truck was transported back to Oceanside,
where it resided until Linda and Emma opened the Glorious Gardens Landscape Design Center and Nursery. In December of 2009, the truck was moved to the location at the corner of Leucadia Boulevard and Orpheus Avenue in Encinitas (Leucadia). We
feel that our old truck is now in an ideal location, where it can be admired by "children" of all ages. In March of 2010, it was added as a GeoCache site,
which means that from time to time our truck has exclusive visitors of its own (If you are Geocaching, please don't step on the plants - thanks).
The neighbors complement on its changes through the seasons especially the pumpkin head for Halloween and the bearded Pumpkin Santa and lights for Christmas time.
Now the truck has become a Leucadia icon and if you Google image Leucadia, CA you can find photos of the truck. Some neighbors have even said, "If you leave Leucadia, the truck's staying."
© All photos are property of Emma Haynes and Linda Fox of Glorious Gardens.
With the help of Linda's brother and some major
pushing to get it out from within the avocado trees they managed to roll it down a hill with Linda driving and load it onto a
trailer for the journey to Oceanside.
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