L.A. Times - Venice Beach

 

Since moving to Texas whenever we mention we're from California ,everybody ask or assumes we're from Los Angeles. Actually in all my 37 years of being a Californian I've never been to L.A.

Last month we went on a  mission during a hurricane approaching our gulf coast, heading to wildfires in our home state ,smack in the middle of a pandemic! Time is of the essence when life grabs you by the throat, and Mama Bear don't play when it comes down to protecting the tribe at all cost.

On the return trip back home as we were heading out of California, I asked my daughter how far was the nearest beach. Santa Cruz and San Francisco were out of the question because of the fires and we were in So Cal already. Red Hot Chili Peppers singing about under the bridge and a 45 minute away response from the back seat had me mapping us down to Venice Beach. We didn't come all this way not to touch the sand and feel the power of the Pacific Ocean we miss so much.

It's crazy how  Pandora just kept playing music as we were driving through L.A. about the places we were passing by.  A spiritual journey pathed us on the destination. When life gets so synchronistic you stop questioning if what you chose to do was right. Go with the flow, time is but a construct at some pivotal points in life.

Friday morning work traffic in Los Angeles is crazy, but we made it down to Venice Beach.The first thing you see is homeless tent cities everywhere, and the transients roaming around. Being from the hood, we knew what to expect. We were called Rats and asked if we were having a nice f*$%ing day from a woman who thought we were following here. In retrospect we were also blessed by a man who showed gratitude for $2.00 towards a cup of coffee.

First kiss of the day, with gratitude that we are all together as a family again. Behind us is a Mark di Suvero sculpture called "Declaration".  I declare that nothing about this day was planned, but I was feeling blessed as the sea breeze filled my lungs under clear blue sky's at the beach, under the golden California sunshine.

SKATEBOARDING

VENICE GRAFFITI WALLS   Location- Ocean Front Walk Venice, C.A. 90291

FLAGS FROM DRUM DANCE PRAY- ONE LOVE

GRAFFITI WALL COLUMN

CALIFORNIA LOVE

SANTA MONICA PIER  Location-200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, C.A. 90401

 

PRIDE LIFEGUARD STATION  Location-998 Ocean Walk Front 90291

SURF & MANGONADA

LIFEGUARD STATION & ROOMS WITH A VIEW

"LUMINARIES OF PANTHEISM"  Location-2201 Ocean Front Walk -Paradise Project

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS location- Speedway & 19th Venice, C.A.

"MORNING SHOT"  JIM MORRISON MURAL

 Location- 1811 Ocean Front Walk Speedway & 18th Place, Venice C.A.

So now when it comes up as us being Californians in Texas we can say "no we are not from Los Angeles but we've been there"........... and Arizona & New Mexico. They are the roads that lead back home in either direction.

P.S.  Although California was and still is on fire, we didn't encounter any flames directly, the hurricane had missed our neck of the woods, and the mission that spurred this roadtrip is an ongoing journey.

The Road Trip - California

Here's a quick update for yall. We have been here in Texas for a week now and we are currently looking for a home in the heart of the country. I'm in unknown mode right now but found some time to update everyone. These shots were taken from inside the truck while we were driving along California I-5 . The kids were taking turns getting sick out the windows. A lot of craziness happened along the way which I may blog about later. One thing though, do not stop in Indio C.A.

 Farmland

 Angeles National Forest

 Fault Lines

 LA Cityscape

 Miller Lite Plant

Devil's Slide-San Mateo

Intrigue got the best of us as we were cruising Pacific Coast Highway 1 towards San Francisco. A  building on the hill, what could it be? After parking in the designated parking lot and a stroll down a paved walkway with the ocean waves lapping at the rocky cliffs as our view, we arrived at the foot of Devil's Slide Military Bunker hill. Climbing up to the vista is worth the exploration. The once World War II observation point is now a graffiti artist canvas. The view from the top is breathtaking on all sides and a guarantee to clear your head, salty sea mist is amazing for the body and soul. The drive through the tunnel takes us to the city were I always leave my heart💙

Side Notes:

                  . Park in the designated parking lot not on the side off the road, police will ticket               

                  . not recommended for toddlers, sharp drop off on all sides of the vista

                  .located between San Mateo & Pacifica

Pigeon Point Lighthouse

Our third stop on the Pacific Coast Highway 1 roadtrip leads us to the tallest operating lighthouse on the West Coast, Pigeon Point Lighthouse in Pescadero, California. If your new to this roadtrip we started in Santa Cruz and stopped at Swanton Berry Farm before heading toward the bay area.

Even during the crisp morning hours this lighthouse beckoned us to stop and discover a piece of California's golden history along the jagged coast line. When visiting the West Coast wear layers.

 The lighthouse is currently closed for tours as fundraising efforts are underway for restoration, but there were still plenty of treasures to discover during our visit.

The glass enclosed room at the top of the tower housed a 16 foot tall Fresnel lens weighing in at two tons. The Fresnel lens was dismantled and reassembled in the Fog Signal building . An exterior automated beam still flashes at 10 second intervals.

 French designer Augustin Jean Fresnel handcrafted 1008 brass framed lenses and prisms that concentrate light up to 24 miles. This reminds me of the Wonkavator that shoots through the roof of the factory.

 A clockwork mechanism rotates the panels producing a light flash every 10 seconds. The light prisms are stacked vertically to form two dozen nine and a half tall panels on a circular frame. The docents on the grounds are really informative and have a way of taking you back into mariner history.

 Pigeon Point has a Hostel lodging option. Imagine sitting in a hot tub looking out at these coastal views. I wouldn't mind staying here if I could convince the Renaissance man of shared restroom and kitchen quarters with other guest.

Pigeon Point was originally named Whale Point due to the grey whale migration to the area. In June of 1853 a clipper ship on her maiden voyage named Carrier Pigeon crashed on fog covered rocks and the point was renamed Pigeon Point.

 This grey whale skull was amazing to photograph,  puts in prospective how massive these sea beauties are. We are really small fish in a big pond so to speak.

 I kept my eye on the ocean in hopes of glimpsing a pod traveling by. Lush ice plants and moss lining the bluffs paints a poetic memory in my mind, I can still smell the salt infused air.

 A mother and her pups relaxed on a bed of kelp without a care in the world.

Kelp that reminds me of mini palm trees swaying in the breeze. Pigeon Point Lighthouse is a must stop for sure if your coasting by. Next stop on the roadtrip will have you living on the edge.

Swanton Berry Farm

 Next stop on our California Pacific Coast Highway 1 roadtrip was getting our jam on in Davenport, California, a quick pit stop to a quint U-Pick berry farm and mercantile.

Inside the sheltered farm stand you can sample a variety of  jams and purchase homemade goodness such as pies, shortcakes, cider, and lemonades to name a few.

 A beautiful picnic area among the nopales ripe with tunas is the perfect place to enjoy a treat or rest your feet after picking your own strawberries from the field.

 We did not pick our own berries that day, it was early in the morning and the coastal wind was whipping a chill through my bones. If you would like to experience Swanton Berry Farm for yourself there open everyday from 8 a.m - 7 p.m. at 25 Swanton Rd. Davenport, C.A. 95017

 So on the road again we go in search of a lighthouse to lead the way to a town with a fishy name. Did you miss the first stop of the roadtrip? The beginning can be found here {Let's Go On A Roadtrip.}

Let's Go On A Roadtrip California's Pacific Coast Highway 1

Let's take a trip back in time to Mother's Day weekend. The family took me to my favorite little beach town Santa Cruz California. Saturday's weather was perfect Cali sunshine to go on rides, stroll the beach, and indulge in treats for our sweet tooth. The next day I woke up with the wild idea to do something I've been wanting to do as a teen...... cruise Pacific Coast Highway 1.  Turns out the tribe agreed this would be a fine way to spend a Sunday and off we drove. Come along on this journey and enjoy some of California's Gold down Coastal Highway 1. I was channeling my inner Huell Howser right there, now ain't that amazing!

The start off point of this trip is from West Cliff  Drive Santa Cruz, California. I was thrilled to finally snap a photo of the famous "To Honor Surfers Monument", which brings in mind to honor Jack O'Niell the pioneer of the wetsuit and the O'Niell surf brand who recently passed away on Friday.  West Cliff drive loops around with scenic coast line to the  left and majestic coastal homes to the right. 

 How is that for some ocean front homes! I love the diversity in the structures of these homes and the natural materials used.

So where does this road lead to? You will have to wait and see in my next installment of the roadtrip. Here's a hint it involves fruit.