“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” ~F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Fall comes late in California. The warm gentle air of summer still lingers, wrapping itself around your shoulders like a favorite woolen sweater. The earth is a dusty powder; the sky, the color of sapphire. But for … Read More
“Afoot and lighthearted, I take to the open road. Healthy, free, the world before me, The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.” ~Walt Whitman, Song of the Open Road The original plan was to fly. In the perfect world scenario that had played in my mind, our bags would be packed, and … Read More
“The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.” ~Louis Kahn, Salk Institute Architect They sit like two mirrored rows of accordion doors, unfolding as they march at perfect angles toward the Pacific. From a distance, bits of glass and wood peek out from partly-concealed recesses, adding warmth … Read More
The pirate tower makes its appearance at low tide. Hidden around a rocky corner at Laguna’s Victoria Beach, the sepia-toned stone structure stands tall and narrow against the surrounding cliff, as if pretending to be a natural part of the landscape. It’s a moody sort of place, a bit foreboding, forlorn and solitary, clinging to … Read More
“Keep close to Nature’s heart…and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.” ~John Muir There are places in this world that hold special meaning to us. Places where moments are forever etched in our memories, written in indelible ink and frozen … Read More
Although it’s only about a twenty-minute drive from The Getty Center, The Getty Villa feels like a world away. Nestled in the hills of LA’s Pacific Palisades, the Villa is more of a home than a museum, designed to resemble a grand Italian residence – the Villa dei Papiri – that was destroyed by the … Read More
“And the wind went sighing over the land, Tossing the grasses to and fro, And a rainbow held out its shining hand – So what could I do but laugh and go?” ~Richard Le Gallienne, I Meant To Do My Work Today Winter has been lingering longer than usual in Southern California, transforming rain-drenched hills … Read More
I first discovered scavengerhunt.com in one of those heading-down-the-rabbit-hole research moments of travel planning. A modern take on the traditional scavenger hunt game – minus the knocking on doors and asking for random items – it intrigued me as an interesting idea for travelers visiting unfamiliar places as well as a fun activity close to … Read More
The doorway to Sunny Jim Cave feels like entering a hidden staircase from an old mystery novel. Inside a weathered shingled beach shop, a clerk at a small wooden desk collects a $5 fee and records each payment with a color-coded tally mark on a sheet of paper. Just beyond, a sign warns that although … Read More
On recent day trips to visit our LA-based son, we have found ourselves exploring the city’s Downtown District. Off the beaten path from major tourist attractions in Hollywood and the Coast, the area offers fabulous architecture, a rich history and even a couple of hidden treasures. I found this part of the city to be … Read More