Spent the day in Malibu at County Line. Quick lunch overlooking the sea at iconic biker hangout, Neptune’s Net. On the weekends, throngs of bikers make their way along the winding coast for brunch. During the week, there are more locals and a few tourists. Headed across Pacific Coast Highway to watch the daring Kite Surfers on another gloriously sunny, foggy, windy Malibu day.
In search of wildflowers, I found a little slice of heaven. Discovered another hike along Zuma Ridge Trail up a mountain with birds-eye views of Malibu and the ocean. Keep driving up Busch Drive to a little parking lot. Just amazing!
Took a lovely hike at Solstice Canyon off Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Discovered lots of great spots since moving here last year. It’s hard to leave! Check this one out if you’re in town. Best to go during the week, when parking will be easier. Bring water. There’s a small falls at the end, but it’s the journey that counts. Happy hiking!
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Just spent a few days on Catalina Island, 26 miles from the mainland of Southern California, or as the locals call it, “overtown.” Hadn’t been there in nearly a decade, but nothing’s changed much. Still life at a slower pace, except on cruise ship days, when hungry voyagers roam the island in search of food, … Continue reading
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Attended the 18th annual Chumash Day Powwow last weekend in Malibu, California. Beautiful costumes and intriguing dances and rituals. Great way to get a glimpse of Native American culture.
Spent a great night at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival directors panel, featuring all five of this year’s Academy Award nominated directors – Lenny Abrahamson (ROOM), Alejandro G. Iñárritu (THE REVENANT), Tom McCarthy (SPOTLIGHT), Adam McKay (THE BIG SHORT), and George Miller (MAD MAX: FURY ROAD). All were awarded Outstanding Directors of the Year. Last night, in my opinion, funniest award goes to McKay, most humble to Miller, and most intense to Iñárritu. Festival continues through February 13, 2016. Check it all out at http://sbiff.org.
I drove to Ashland, Oregon from Los Angeles this June, and decided to visit Crater Lake National Park for the first time. I wasn’t disappointed. Amazing blue water in the midst of a mountain that blew its top nearly 7,700 years ago. It filled with water over time and another volcanic island called, “Wizard Island,” formed inside.
Oregon’s only national park is a mere two hour drive from Medford in Southern Oregon and well worth the trip. I was lucky enough to score a modest, but pricey, room at the historic Crater Lake Lodge, which is currently celebrating its 100th year. My room overlooked the lake, in theory, but I couldn’t see the actual water unless I went into the Great Room or outside. Still, a remarkable trip.
Right now, there’s less snow than usual – ah climate change; although there was still too much to drive the entire rim. So, I hiked a bit and the next day drove partially around the lake. I’m not big on heights, so the perspective of being so high from the water is quite daunting. And, as I drove along the western rim, I was actually glad I didn’t get to drive the entire rim. I did stop at the closest overlook to Wizard Island and it was incredible.
I continued along the road out of the northern entrance to the park towards the smaller Diamond Lake and then towards Highway 138, the Highway of Waterfalls. Stopped and hiked in fern-laden green forests amidst several waterfalls. It was hot, nearly 100 degrees at times, so I continued on towards Roseburg, then south along Highway 5 to my favorite southern Oregon town of Ashland.
