Not quite Hawaii...

But Catalina!

Boarded the boat with my mom at 8:30 am with an arrival of about 9:45. We first stopped to make a paragliding appointment for 3:30 but that got rescheduled for tomorrow morning due to windy weather. Then to our hotel room to drop off the luggage while we tour the island ( check in is at 3pm).

Next toured the casino which in its heyday was quite the place to be. No gambling just theater and a grand circular ballroom! Today they have a nightly movie and occasional dances or you can rent part of it out.

Went swimming. The water was 66°F not horrible,  laid out to warm up and dry off then checked formally into room. Bathed and napped in the luxurious bed before getting in a boat to see California  flying fish. They were really neat gliding over the water and being hunted by pelicans.

Ended the evening with a delicious seafood dinner at the lobster trap and had a tasty Tangerine wheat beer ( even mom liked it). Now sleep tomorrow parasail and boat home!

Not quite the Grand Canyon...

the Hollyridge trail up to the backside of the Hollywood sign.

The Hollywood sign is about 1600 FT Elevation (started hike at around 500 ft) and one and a half miles up. Grand canyon was about 1500 feet and one and a half miles down into the canyon.  I must say starting out going up made so much difference.

The views of Hollywood and century city on the southside and the valley ob the north were great. ( lucky me it was a clear day).

As for the sign itself there was a fence and lots of security signs saying there was no hiking to the sign itself. While there someone attempted to get a closer look and a police helicopter showed up and hovered until the offender left. The trail takes you around the backside of the sign and it is large enough that my camera couldn't capture it all.

Nursery with a view.

If you have ever wanted large pots, bushes, ferns, trees, flowers (fake or real) this would be your stop. Take a moment to enjoy the view as well.

Another beach day!

Sitting on the beach watching the eaves. Mom and dad joined me. So it may be a little cold and raining. ( California rain ie drizzle, sun, drizzle).

Roller skated!

Today I rented a pair of old school skates and went for a trip down the bike path between the venice pier and the santa Monica pier. It was about 6.5 Miles round trip and made more complicated by the pedestrian traffic and sand. My dad joined me on his bicycle.

I had no clue the path would be so sandy. In some spots it was do bad my wheels would stop and I'd get thrown off balance e. To my credit I only actually fell once and the knee and wrist guards saved me from any scraps or injuries. There were a lot of pedestrians to navigate around ( likely didn't read the no walking signs). The other bikers and skaters made me nervous as the sand slowed me down so suddenly I had the picture of one of them running me down but that was just my overactive imagination.

All in all it was a very nice time with my dad who kept up very well on his bike for a 69 year old :).

I haven't done much other than relax and enjoy having family around.

Busy week!

After Santa Monica and Venice Beach we had a day of rest and regrouping. We asked ourselves - " You just drove 2400 miles on the American mother road what are you going to do next?"

"We're going to Disneyland!!"

So we packed up left early morning and went to California Adventure where we visited the awesome new Cars Land. A route 66 and Cars ( the movie) themed area. It was very well done. I also bought my first set of Mickey ears. I couldn't pass up the route 66 themed ones. They also have light up ears that sync with their night show, very awesome!

We stayed in a nearby hotel and went to Disneyland proper the next day. We were exhausted by the time we got back to my parents house.

The 4th was another catch up day wandered the neighborhood watching illegal firework displays.

Today we went to La Brea tar pits ti see asphalt and the renains of aninala trapped within ( mostly sabertooths and dire wolves). We also toured the zany/odd/random museum of Jurrasic technology http://www.mjt.org where there are sections dedicated to trailer parks, miniature mosaics, and old wives tale remedies like eating mice on toast to cure bed wetting. No photography allowed though.

My two travel companions head back to Ohio tomorrow. I will be here in Los Angeles until July 23. No real plans just visit family and friends. Enjoy the weather :)

day 12

Yesterday we finished route 66 and looked out over the Pacific Ocean off the Santa Monica Pier. We took the rest of the afternoon off it was nice to just sit and enjoy the beautiful California weather.

Today we toured Venice boardwalk. Tomorrow maybe Disneyland but for now back to relaxing :-)