A Bit of Culture in L.A.

Indian breakfast in Little India Los Angeles, California

We went over to Little India in Artesia to get breakfast at Annapurna Cuisine because we love pongal (the stuff on the right), and idle and sambar are pretty good, too. In Phoenix, there is zero opportunity to have such a meal unless a friend makes it and invites us to their house.

Raenu, Arturito, and Caroline Wise in China Town Los Angeles, California

From there, we went over to Chinatown with Raenu and Arturito, looking for bargains. Actually, I don’t think Arturito cared one bit about shopping, he was a hard read to know if he was even having fun. I guess he’s kind of like his dad, Arturo Silva, an old friend of mine (this is his son) who is the master of the emotionless face.

Los Angeles, California

Hanging out on Olvera Street in the old Pueblo of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles, California

Shopping for more bargains.

Los Angeles, California

From there, we hopped over to Little Tokyo but took no photos of that excursion before we started our drive east in earnest.

Raenu, Arturito, Caroline Wise and John Wise at Ten Ren Tea Time in Los Angeles, California

Earnestly until we got to Diamond Bar so we could stop in on Ten Ren’s Tea Time and introduce these guys to boba tea, at the time in the early 21st century, it wasn’t a thing among America’s youth yet. And so, this was Caroline’s birthday weekend.

Disneyland – Caroline’s Birthday

Here we are at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, also known as The Happiest Place on Earth. Indeed. Tomorrow is Caroline’s 37th birthday, but that’s a Sunday when we have to drive home, so here we are on Saturday, planning on being here until the wee hours.

It’s the holiday season, not that you’d know it by looking at Tom Sawyer Island or the paddleboat, but this is a clue to where we are heading the first thing this morning.

That’s right, the Haunted House in Jack Skellington style because we just love its “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme.

Now as I run out of things to write about, I’ll point out that it is September 2022 when I’m writing this post. This trip to the Magic Kingdom was taken the year before I started blogging, and I’ve just now gotten around to adding it to our semi-permanent record (as if something can exist on the internet permanently).

Because it is Caroline’s birthday, we’ll do all the sappy romantic things.

Oh yeah, we brought friends along with us! Meet Raenu and Arturito; no, they are not a couple; they just met yesterday, as a matter of fact. You might notice we have a Park Hopper Pass.

Caroline Wise at Disneyland in California

The shirt Caroline is wearing was purchased in December 1992 while visiting Paris, France, and EuroDisney because that’s where we went for her 25th birthday. Then, in 1994, it was the shirt she wore when we were married in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Little White Chapel.

The flash on the camera foiled Caroline’s ability to keep her eyes open. This might be the last time I ever attempted to use a flash with her.

We’re down for a Christmas parade.

And then back to California Adventure for some thrill rides.

Maybe too thrilling.

Even more thrilling.

If I’m not mistaken, California Adventure closed before Main Street, so we still have time for more Disney excitement.

Nope, we’re done.

Thanksgiving 2004 – Day 5

Caroline Wise at the Gold Star Inn in Sacramento, California

As this blog entry is only being put together in early 2020 from notes we took back in 2004 there is some reflecting on the differences the intervening decade and a half has brought. While this photo is poor in quality, it’s what it shows that is important. One, it’s obviously a cheap place, but look around. The TV is not a flat-screen but a big old picture tube there on the right. There’s an ashtray on the table next to Caroline, while on the bed with her is a paper map of the U.S., and under it is a holder of about 200 CDs we used to take with us for music. Since that time, phones from rooms have mostly disappeared as wake-up calls have become a thing of the past. Paper bills are no longer slipped under the door as they are now emailed with our smartphones the connection to the outside world; they are our alarms, maps, and source of entertainment.

Sunrise south of Sacramento, California

We were out before sunrise and passing through Stockton, California before the first hint of the sun peeks over the horizon.

Oil well in the Central Valley of California

Somewhere near Kettleman City off Interstate 5, it’s only 8:45, and we’re already 210 miles closer to home. It’s amazing the distance we can cover when we aren’t distracted with frequent stops.

Call Box next to the highway in Kern County California

Time to turn on our idiot mode as we are now feeling we are making such good time we can afford detours. At the turnoff for the 58, we head towards Buttonwillow and McKittrick to visit a national monument we have yet to see.

Central Valley of California

Over the hills we go, driving west when we should be going east.

Central Valley of California

But if we position ourselves just right, we can head south after our detour and pass through Los Angeles, and who doesn’t want an extra side trip to L.A.?

Central Valley of California

We’re almost there.

Caroline Wise and John Wise at Carrizo Plain National Monument in California

Caroline Wise and John Wise on their first visit to the Carrizo Plain National Monument. Those are not the faces of regret for taking the wrong road in the wrong direction to see something not seen before. They may be the faces of idiots, but at least they are still happy after having already driven over 2,000 miles on this trip.

Carrizo Plain National Monument in California

And this is what we drove out to. This area of the California Central Valley is about all that remains of the original landscape before farming and cities took over and erased what the land once looked like. Maybe we can time a return following spring rains to witness the wildflower bloom that is supposed to be spectacular out here.

Central Valley of California

The drive out of Carrizo is on the Soda Lake road going south.

Abandoned Union 76 Gas Station in California

Hanging out at the intersection of Soda Lake Road and the West Side Highway. From looking at Google Earth, I can tell you that somewhere before the end of 2018, the Union 76 sign was cut off the building, as I’m guessing it was more valuable as an item exchanged for cash than an aesthetic artifact that added to the view.

North Woods Inn in Covina, California

Call this a late lunch or early dinner, but arriving at the North Woods Inn in Covina, California, at 2:15 p.m. is a luxury as it means we’ll likely be on the road to Phoenix by 3:00 and that screams at us that we’ll be home by 9:00 which is EARLY EARLY EARLY!

Thanksgiving 2004 – Day 4

Eureka, California

Welcome to Junkie City, USA, a.k.a. Eureka, California. What is the attraction of this place to those who prefer life on a needle instead of working to find something akin to happiness? Oh, I know the answer is that those who’ve taken this path are suffering from deep pain inflicted upon them by those who have denied them love and betrayed the trust that should exist between family members. Well, that’s likely the most common cause, as why else would someone have so little self-confidence and self-loathing to try a little bit of suicide every day?

As for this small town of only about 27,000 people, it is beautiful and loaded with Victorian homes, so it’s certainly worth a visit.

Eureka, California

Across from Old Town Eureka is Woodley Island, and behind that is Indian Island.

Clam Beach County Park in Northern California

By 8:30, we were out on Clam Beach, walking north to the Little River State Beach.

Clam Beach County Park in Northern California

There was a lot of ice out on the beach and even something called Frost Heave. When ice is forming below the surface and pushes up it can create some very strange soil extrusions. While I got a couple of photos of the phenomenon, I wasn’t happy enough with any one of them, so I give you a giant jellyfish, of which there were many on our oceanside walk.

Northern California Coast

I have no idea where this was, but it adds to the beauty of the day, so here it is.

Fern Canyon area in Redwoods National Park, California

This is on our way to Fern Canyon at the Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and marks our second visit.

Fern Canyon area in Redwoods National Park, California

Yes, it’s still that cold out here.

Fern Canyon area in Redwoods National Park, California

Fern Canyon and our camera do not like each other. What a strange place this is with these vertical fern-covered canyon walls. We weren’t able to hike too far in as we weren’t wearing the right shoes for getting through the creek that runs through the canyon.

Fern Canyon area in Redwoods National Park, California

I’ve got a hunch that we’ll be bringing my mother-in-law Jutta up into this corner of America on her next visit.

Fern Canyon area in Redwoods National Park, California

About to leave Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and head up to the Redwoods National Park.

Redwoods National Park, California

Into the woods we go with god rays leading the way.

Redwoods National Park, California

Big, thick bark on big old Redwood trees makes big old me happy.

Redwoods National Park, California

The roads less traveled are the perfect trails for us to follow.

Redwoods National Park, California

Has anyone ever seen all the redwoods that there are to see? How many people will attempt to hike the few remaining forests where these giants continue to exist in order to witness them firsthand before we lose our minds and finish the process of pushing them to extinction, which we were almost successful with?

Caroline Wise at Redwoods National Park, California

How could we have ever been so merciless to just go after these forest dinosaurs and never consider anything other than the financial gain?

Redwoods National Park, California

We take the energy of the sun while it smiles upon us, giving life. The symbiotic nature of it all is so easy to take for granted, as though reality is just this thing that happens and always has. I wish to know if, even for only a day, how the minds of early humans walked past this scene and interpreted the air visualized with the light of the sun that seemed to reach out to the observer.

O'Brien, California

Caroline is over there behind the door on the right. We are in O’Brien when we have a really great stupid idea.

Caroline Wise and John Wise at Dutch Bros in Grants Pass, Oregon

How about we drive up to Grants Pass for a cup of coffee from Dutch Bros? But wait a second, don’t we have to be in Phoenix tomorrow? So, what’s your point?

Gold Star Inn in Sacramento, California

If you think this “bath mat” is indicative of our $50 room at the Gold Star Motel in Sacramento, you wouldn’t be too far off. Good thing we only have 750 miles and about 11 hours of driving tomorrow otherwise, we’d probably have to remain on the road tonight beyond the already late hour of nearly 11:00 p.m. My apologies in advance if there are no photos posted tomorrow, as we’ll have to focus on driving.

Thanksgiving 2004 – Day 3

Northern California Coast

This idea of the early bird catching the worm doesn’t always hold true, as at 7:00 in the morning, you might be too early to enter the Muir Woods National Monument. Muir Beach is also not visitable, but at least the overlook is accessible on this cold and windy morning.

Caroline Wise in the surf up on the Northern California Coast near Pt. Reyes National Seashore

Put it on the list as Caroline steps into the early morning surf here at the Pt. Reyes National Seashore and Drake Bay. You can tell by the look on her face that we aren’t bothered in the least by not being able to visit the Muir Woods on this trip; we’ll get there someday.

Northern California Coast

The Lipnosky Dacha in Inverness is a strange sight as the onion-domed architecture comes into view. I wish I’d gotten a better photo, but at least I have a reminder of this place, and who knows, maybe they rent it out and we can stay here on a future visit.

Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California Coast

Wow, I can’t believe we are here on the right day, a perfect day, a day when somehow we seem to have Pt. Reyes to ourselves. I’m sure this can’t happen twice in a lifetime.

Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California Coast

So we aren’t totally alone, as there are these coastal cows lounging on the grass. If it weren’t for the status of this area as a national seashore, it would be home to 15 billionaires who would be able to covet the views for themselves. Instead, cows own this luxury.

Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California Coast

These are Tule Elk statues at Pt. Reyes. No, they are not statues but real elk with one of the most priceless views on earth who seem to be sharing the wealth with the cows above. If only we humans could be so generous.

Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California Coast

This is not an optical illusion; the road really did just drop off into the ocean.

Whale Autopsy at Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California Coast

A few researchers were out here performing a necropsy on a baby Sperm Whale that sadly either came to shore to die or maybe washed up. In any case, these people will try to find out why it died and then distribute the pieces of the whale across the beach so other animals can help dispose of the carcass.

Northern California Coast

I’m pretty sure we are on Tomales Bay, but I wouldn’t put money on it.

Northern California Coast

On the way to Bodega Bay.

Northern California Coast

And by 2:00 p.m. here we are at Arch Rock in Bodega Bay, California.

Northern California Coast

You’ll never be able to explain to me why, on a Saturday here during the extended Thanksgiving weekend, we are not encountering overwhelming crowds who want to enjoy the weather. A couple of years ago, we understood the emptiness of places due to the fear that stopped American travel post-9/11, but we’ve mostly recovered from that, so what gives? Maybe part of the answer lies in the absurd amounts of traffic and the hours required to move in and out of the San Francisco area, especially on holidays. In any case, I have to pinch myself that, along with the cows and elk, the place is all ours.

Northern California Coast

Pampas grass may be invasive, but there’s no denying that it adds to the beauty of our coastal drives.

Point Arena Lighthouse on the Northern California Coast

It’s shortly after 5:00 in the afternoon when we arrive at the Point Arena Lighthouse, which closes to visitors at 3:30, so we can only admire it from afar.

Northern California Coast

A half-hour after passing through Ft. Bragg, we are about to turn away from the coast, but not before watching the sunset over the ocean. Our timing to be in the right place at the right time often feels extraordinary, though inexplicable. We still have two hours before we reach Eureka, where we’ll stop at Big Louie’s Pizzaria for dinner and check into the Town House Motel for the smoking rate of only $49 for the night. Cheap is our middle name.