I always love coming to LA!
Yes it has traffic, and sometimes smog, but there is always so many interesting things to see and do.
The people watching alone is worth a visit.
Yes it has traffic, and sometimes smog, but there is always so many interesting things to see and do.
The people watching alone is worth a visit.
You have the rich and famous, the rich and shameless,
the plastic people, the natural new agers, the hippies, the hippie wannabes,
the surfer dudes, the body builders and the body builder watchers.
the family types, and the DINKS.
So many life styles, all mixed into one big, uniquely LA lifestyle.
Sort of a massive Gilligans Island
We left Quartzsite on Sunday morning for our 250 mile drive.
Our destination was Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, Ca.
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| Climbing out of Quartzsite into the Dome Rock Mountains. |
To get to the coast we first drop into the Coachella Valley, home of Palm Springs.
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| I-10 looking west down into the Coachella Valley |
Driving thru Palm Springs, Rob (on the right) was passed by
his Bus Doppelgänger.
The final obstacle to reaching the coast is San Gorgornio Pass.
You climb to about 2,800' and pass thru a cut between the 11,000' mountains and then drop off
the Great Basin into the Coastal Plain.
A final rest stop on the east side of the pass - I caught a quick shot of this old bus converted
into a motorhome as it left the rest area.
With a manual transmission, I enjoyed hearing the old Detroit Diesel scream as the driver
jammed his way thru the gears!
As we transited the LA basin, we heard the sad news on the radio of the passing
of Kobe Bryant. Since he spent his whole career here, and still lived in the area,
it was probably bigger news here.
We arrived as Bolsa Chica.
Basically a parking lot with RV spaces and Elec Water Hookups,
we still loved the view and proximity to the beach.
There is miles of paved trails running right past the park so each day we took some
nice strolls up and down the beach.
Of course we got to observe the ever-present surfers practicing their sport.
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| This surfer had a hydroplane type board. Very cool! |
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| View along the trail in Huntington Beach a couple of miles south of our RV |
All the critters in the front window.
More surfers using conventional boards.
Monday night friends Ken and Catherine came over to the bus for dinner and then
on Tuesday we headed over to Rancho Palo Verde with Rob and Pat to visit friends
of theirs who live in a beautiful spot overlooking the Pacific.
Enroute to their home, we drove down some of the pretty palm lined roadways
that are so common in the area.
We passed by the Port of Long Beach.
I was amazed at the sheer size of the port loaded with thousands of containers.
The view below stretched for miles.
Eventually we were rewarded by this beautiful seaside view, and a sunset.
Plus the wonderful hospitality of our hosts, fine wine, cheese, and dinner.
On the drive home I had to get another photo of the port at night.
Weds was time for me to take a "dip"
The water was cool and I only went in up to my knees, but I always like to
get my feet wet in any ocean we visit.
Weds night we visited Ken & Catherine at their home for another
great dinner accompanied by more wine and lots of laughs.
No this is not their home... just a house a few blocks away.
The canals in Newport Beach
Scully was our canine host for the evening.
You might remember Scully from our time on the QM2 and you will
be seeing more of her on her next crossing in April.
Thursday night we were back down in Newport Beach for a special boat tour
of Newport Harbor.
Knowing the right people in Newport Beach (Ken & Catherine) allowed us to meet
their friends who have this cool electric boat.
They are called a Duffy Boat and are a big thing around here.
Knowing the right people in Newport Beach (Ken & Catherine) allowed us to meet
their friends who have this cool electric boat.
They are called a Duffy Boat and are a big thing around here.
We tooled around the islands in Newport Harbor, passed by houses of the rich and famous.
The man who invented Simple Green, John Wayne, and Nicholas Gage were a few
of the houses we saw.
Eventually we made it to the north end of the bay and pulled into
Woodys Wharf. A local laid back watering hole.
Thursday night the wine is half price and was delicious as we washed down
some fish tacos and spent so time exchanging some laughs.
Our ride back was at night and the lights along the shore were magical.
If you ever wondered what John Waynes house looked like at night...
Wonder no more.
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| John Waynes house |
Soon it was time to say goodbye.
New friends made, and old ones reacquainted.
We'll see Ken & Catherine soon on the Queen Mary 2 as we head towards England.
Meanwhile Gracie & Lucy spent the evening at Rob & Pats bus.
Rob texted me this picture of the Doodles looking out the window waiting for us to come home.
Gracie does most of the watching.... Lucy is content to let her do the heavy lifting.
It was a super week spent here in LA.
We all had a blast!
Now its time to move on.
Tomorrow morning it's wheels up at 0830.
We are off to the desert where we'll spend some time boondocking in the
Mojave National Preserve as we work our way up to Las Vegas.
But that's a story for another day.
Sounds like a great time.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had fun in LA LA Land! Loved the photo of Gracie waiting for you to come home! And I was surprised to see your new opening photo and quote - Nice update.We spent July 4th in Huntingdon Beach a few years ago. Very authentic 4th of July parade. It was a big parade that felt "small town USA." Since then, my wonderful great-niece moved to Huntingdon Beach and manages a Sherwin Williams store in Newport Beach. Would have been fun for you to drop in and say HI! She's the one who got engaged while the entire family was together in Portland, OR this summer. Have fun in the Mojave! XOXO
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