Dreams, Moments, Travels
On our way back home from Santa Barbara to Phoenix, Arizona, we again stopped in West Covina, California, at the Hong Kong Plaza. This mini-mall is a treasure trove for culture seekers. Not only do they have an Indonesian restaurant, but they also have Malaysian, Korean BBQ, and a variety of Chinese restaurants, a Sushi bar, a Shabu Shabu restaurant, and a Boba Tea store. In between all of these dining choices are small shops, a grocery, gift stores, and this Tokyo 99 Cent Plus store.
Family friend Gail joined our aunt and uncle and us to start the day with a trip up to San Marcos Pass to the Cold Spring Tavern, an 1860s stagecoach stop near Santa Barbara, California. They have a great breakfast and, from what I’ve heard, a great prime rib for dinner.
The place is a popular destination for those lucky enough to have stumbled upon it and has earned the title “Most Romantic Getaway.” Check their entertainment schedule, as they often feature live music.
What would a visit to Southern California be without at least one stop at a Farmer’s Market?
Stopping in West Covina, California, on our way to Santa Barbara, we were hungry for some Asian food and took in a meal at a small Malaysian place. Caroline had the Nasi Goreng while I opted for the Bami Goreng – hers was a rice dish, mine noodle.
When we lived in Germany, we would make frequent trips to Amsterdam, where we often ate at Mr. Moto’s, an all-time favorite Indonesian fast food joint, which now seems to have merged into a new Asian-style Mongolian BBQ.
Two old animal skulls gather moss perched high on this shingle rooftop.
On my way home to Phoenix, Arizona. First, some shopping in Little Tokyo. Today is our 12th Anniversary. While I found some things Caroline would enjoy, I couldn’t find ‘the’ gift to celebrate our getting married. I had to go further east to an Asian shopping center off the 60 freeway at the Fullerton offramp, where I spotted a cute little set of 18k white gold Hello Kitty earrings.
Update: here we go again fooling around with the history of this blog by expanding what was originally posted. As I’ve said in other posts, this update is years after the fact, 2023, to be precise. Previously, I’ve shared that I’m updating some older posts with extra photos as they were relevant back when I shot them, but internet bandwidth limitations during those years dictated that I keep things small and simple. Now that this isn’t a concern, I present more of the past. This is our great Aunt Ann Burns.
These old photographs were passed countless times, and now I have no idea what happened to them. My father is in the top left I’m in the photo with my sister Share, her in the white wedding dress, and me in a white shirt over toward the lower right of the frame. The largest photo is of Jerry Burns, Uncle Woody’s brother.
Great Uncle Woody Burns at home in Goleta, California.
On the way home to Phoenix, I had to stop at Original Tommy’s, famous for their chili cheeseburgers.
Nothing left but desert ahead.
With Uncle Woody’s health back in check 30 days after his triple bypass, it is now time for me to go home to Phoenix, Arizona. It’s a long, heavy day for my aunt and uncle as they are sad to see me go. After 30 days I have done enough cooking, cleaning, shopping, driving, and nursing to last all of 2006. Tomorrow, I see Caroline but will miss these sunrises.