Native American Lands – Day 0

Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona

Finally had the opportunity to sleep in a Wigwam here in Holbrook, Arizona. This is only one of three Wigwam properties that still exist. Built-in 1950 on old Route 66, it is an icon that has always attracted our attention when we’ve driven by it. Heading up to Colorado, we decided to shave some miles off our trip by driving the 186 miles (300 km) here to the Wigwam Motel, as this was as good an excuse as any to book a night. Bragging rights alone make this bit of Americana worth every penny.

Los Angeles

Sunset at Santa Monica Beach in California

Two weeks later and here we are in Los Angeles again. For a while, the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica was a serious draw for movies, food, books, and street life. At some point, Mark Shimer joined us; come to think of it, this was probably the weekend we convinced Caroline to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain, and with knees quivering, she rode Superman – and liked it!

Mark Shimer and Caroline Wise at Santa Monica Beach in California

No matter when and where, my wife will always try to get her shoes off for a walk in the water, add some golden sunset, and it all lends itself to a perfect day.

Los Angeles

Burning hay bales in Blythe, California

These burning hay bales near Blythe, California, are the only reminder that the weekend was spent in Los Angeles. No other photos were taken, and my memory is not good enough to figure out any of the details.

Maybe we took in a movie; maybe this was the weekend we stopped in at Disneyland for half a day, visited a museum, met with the family, or visited Little India or one of the other ethnic centers in Los Angeles; who knows?

Southern California – Day 3

Los Angeles, California

Headed out towards Valencia, California, to pick up our old friend Mark Shimer to spend some time with him today. These are the mountains around Ojai, which is one of the cutest small towns in Southern California.

Mark Shimer, Caroline Wise, and John Wise on the California Coast

We made it out to Pismo Beach because it has a beach and we could walk along the ocean. After a beautiful self-indulgent long weekend in Southern California, it was time to point the car east for our 550 miles (885 km) drive home to Phoenix, Arizona. Getting home after midnight can be a drag, but it’s all well worth the effort.

Southern California – Day 2

Southern California Coast

Wow, look at all the wildflowers! We are at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Southern California Coast

Yeah, wildflowers.

Southern California Coast

When we come to the oceans we try and go everywhere we’ve not previously been in addition to revisiting our favorite places.

Southern California Coast

I suppose I can see the draw of living in Malibu, even if it’s cliffside and not beachfront.

Caroline Wise and John Wise on the Southern California Coast

No visit to the ocean is complete without a walk along the beach.

Hollywood, California

I wonder if we tend to see Los Angeles through the eyes of someone who’s never been here. Although I grew up here, it always looks different to me now that I only visit on occasion. Back in the 1970s and early ’80s, I never really considered the environment with more than a passing glance; I was more interested in the city’s freakish street culture watching stoner hippies being replaced by cocaine-fueled disco divas followed by drunk punk rockers interspersed with roving gang members and hookers.

Los Angeles, California

Here in downtown L.A., I’d be witness to the homeless, winos, crazy people, junkies, prostitutes, and throngs of people scurrying about; that was not at all like my suburban experience growing up in Monterey Park and West Covina.

Back in those days, we often had smog alerts, and seeing the downtown area or even nearby mountains was impossible. Maybe it was due to those gray, smoggy days that I never really noticed the city I was living in and felt that nobody else was looking at it either. So it is still today that I feel that Angelenos go about their lives oblivious to where they actually live as they dwell within their existence and socio-economic identity.

Los Angeles, California

I’ve always loved this city of lights, and although it’s not Paris it has always been a place of magic for me as I never felt the city slept. It’s after midnight by the time we grab a motel.

Southern California – Day 1

Arizona

Taking off a Friday for a long weekend in the Los Angeles area. This is our last stop in Arizona before hitting the Golden State of California.

Joshua Tree, California

As if the Arizona desert wasn’t enough, we are venturing into Joshua Tree National Park today for some more desert and cactus.

Joshua Tree, California

You know you want to hug this stuff, and even if you don’t it might just want you enough to find its way to attaching to your socks or even your leg. This is a cholla cactus, also known as the jumping cactus or the seriously cute-sounding teddy bear cholla.

Joshua Tree, California

Rocks, because a visit to Joshua Tree without seeing rounded, soft-looking boulders wouldn’t be the same. There are locations within Joshua Tree that are absolutely famous for their rock formations.

Joshua Tree, California

A few examples of Joshua Trees from where this National Park got its name. Our visit here today was for the primary purpose of traveling some back roads we normally don’t get to see when in a regular passenger car. What you can’t see here is that Caroline has been driving the Expedition while I am afforded the luxury of having her pull over while I jump out and snap a photo here and there.

Joshua Tree, California

From here forward, I took over the driving as the road got a bit sketchier and narrow, and Caroline didn’t feel like testing her off-road skills any further. Once back on the 10 Freeway, we headed into Los Angeles for the night.