My Niece

Another winter day at Lake Arrowhead. My niece, Megan.

Rialto's Nip Tuck

South Pasadena, CA -- Another Southern California, Route 66 icon receives gentle attention.

When I saw the crane extended and men in hard hats working along the blocked off sidewalk, I had to pull over and get the scoop on the 85-year old theater. I spoke with the workers and they said some of the plaster was falling off the building (part of the National Register of Historic Places), and they were shoring it up. No major face lift today, just and a little lawsuit prevention.

Sunset at Malibu

Malibu is one of those iconic, Hollywood beaches in California. Minutes from this location, hundreds of Hollywood films were shot on the shore at Leo Carrillo State Beach.

Clever Imposters

Mobile phone towers dressed up like palm trees is a fairly common sight around LA. We also have pine tree cell phone antenna towers.

What kind of cell phone trees do you have in your part of the world?

Faces of Los Angeles

The Fashion District, Los Angeles, CA -- They call this "Santee Alley." I enlarged the photo so that if you click on it, you will see all the interesting expressions of the people of downtown LA.

Although many of the neighboring streets are packed with vendors and shoppers, nothing compares to the crowds that cram the alleyways like Santee. Looking for bargains? They are definitely found here.

Calico Ghost Town

A Fence, a boot, a piece of Old Glory (American flag), and you've got art.

More on the Historic Orange

"Bonita" saw me squatting down, taking photos of the giant orange. She asked if I wanted my picture taken but I told her I'd rather have her in the photo. She agreed and she will receive prints in a couple days.

View of Urban Decay

Not far from the California/Nevada state line is a road that leads to an old ghost town. The commercialized silver mining town was fun and educational, but the true roadside entertainment is found along side the byways of the high deserts.

This is an abandoned garage with it's back wall blown out by what looks like buckshot and weather-induced erosion. There is no sign of a home, which leads one to think that the trailer was hauled away years ago.

Saturday Morning Breakfast

Downtown Los Angeles, CA -- When my buddy, Dean and his family visit from Sacramento each year, we always patronize The Pantry in the heart of Downtown LA. I have featured the venerable restaurant a few times before, but somehow this LA icon always makes it back on my blog.

They claim to have never closed (even at night) since 1924 and are never without a customer. The Pantry serves more than 20,000 cups of coffee each week.

High Fashion Pedestrians

Long Beach, CA -- The light turned red and I was in a hurry. I slammed on my brakes and and let out a few words under my breath.

I glanced to my left to see two smiling seniors standing, waiting for the signal to turn green. I reached back for my camera on the floor of the back seat, rolled down my window and prepared to steal a shot. Then I decided to practice what I preach and I yelled out to the jovial couple and asked if I could take their picture. Both of them smiled, raised their hands and thanked ME for thinking of them!