Deeply Routed in 66

Barstow, CA -- One after another popped up while driving with one eye on Route 66 and the other on buildings decorated in the old highway's glory day theme.

Route 66 El Rancho Motel

Barstow, CA -- A classic motel along Route 66 in the California high desert. Barstow is at one end of the National Trails Highway. This scenic byway gives the driver a never-ending show of historic buildings, 1930s era gas stations and cafes. Many of the building walls are abandon and surrounded by a fence but their spirit lives on.

The Bottletree Man

Oro Grande, CA -- (Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Los Angeles along the National Trails Highway on the old Route 66 near Barstow)

He calls himself "The Bottletree Man" or just, "The Bottleman." He also goes by Elmer. A labor of love and an expression of artistic talent, this strip of desert land is yet another classic example of what one may find along California's old Route 66.

Elmer took us on a tour of his property after talking to another interested blogger, traveling from Santa Cruz in Northern California. The Bottleman was happy to tell his story of each artifact attached to the top of every bottletree. He said he's been retired for some time now and is happy working on his on-going project. He doesn't charge anything to wander the forest of empty glass Coke, 7-Up, Royal Crown Cola and even relics like the one printed on the side: "Frank M. Towne, Pharmacist. San Bernardino, Cal. Open all night." Each tree, of course, has it's own trophy welded on top collected by Elmer and even his dad.

A few of the artifacts on the trees are a shot gun, cash register, saxophone, two California Highway Patrol helmets, an antique Radio Flyer wagon, truck horn, various wheels, and even an old dresser top mirror his mother bought used in 1939. And that's only the beginning; he has over 400 trees!

Visit Elmer either in person or his blog at bottletreeman.blogspot.com

Mako Sharks of West Covina

West Covina, CA -- Until today, I didn't realize we had Mako sharks roaming the hills of LA.

While on a trail in Galster Wilderness Park, I ran into an amateur paleontologist. Wearing a loupe around his neck and a rock pick in his hand, Keith pulled out a handful of sharks teeth and set them on white paper. He said the teeth (pictured) are millions of years old and are abundant in the hills of the Park. He also showed me a fossil of a prehistoric fish, closely related to a sardine. He said the teeth were found on the trail within the last hour!

Fascinating and quite serendipitous.

Supporting Single Moms

Los Angeles -- While standing in line at the Pantry Cafe in LA, Vince was strutting his new, Christmas shirt for the passersby. I'm not a fan of what the shirt says (or it's meaning...) but I thought the photo was worth posting.

Cowgirl in Hollywood

Many of the movies filmed in "Hollywood" are in fact in Burbank, California. I guess Hollywood simply sounds better than Burbank.

I shot this photo at a neighborhood horse stable in Burbank, about a mile from Disney Studios. No, that's not Dale Evens, that's my Saddle Pal "Scout." I took a series of shots of her in different locations throughout the property; all reminiscent of the old western do-gooder cowboy flicks of the 40s and 50s.

Ghost Town George

Randsburg, CA -- At first you might think this 2-wheel road warrior's name is Jake. But it's not--meet George.

George didn't bother removing his goggles for the photo but he sure enjoyed having his picture taken. Randsburg is full of interesting people and artifacts. Less than an hour from the Los Angeles county line, the town of Randsburg has plenty to see if you are easy to please. It doesn't have as much commercial appeal as it does character and quirky charm. The tiny town is surrounded by dozens of abandoned mines, a few car chassis and lots of dirt, wind and a passing tumble weed or two. My kind of place.

Sky on Fire

I shot this while driving home. No filter--no special effects. Pure Southern California sunset.

Accordion King of Venice

Venice Beach, CA -- His music was inspiring, but it was his spirit and stage presents that stole the show.

“Sometimes we strive so hard for perfection that we forget that imperfection is happiness” --Karen Nave

Passion for Cactus

Beavertail Cactus are abundant in and around Southern California. It thrives in the canyons and home gardens in the LA area, but never have I seen such a subspecies such as this.... It looked as though someone "modified" the beavertails into valentine figurines.