Summer Vacation - Day 3

We had one specific goal the day we spent in Downtown L.A.

and this wasn't it. But that is the best part about vacations, finding things you werent looking for. This is the Disney Concert Hall. There was no place to park, or at least we couldn't figure it out. So instead we drove around a couple of times and took these pictures from the car.

Amazingly beautiful building.

We spent a bit of time on Olvera Street. Which we later found out after the 5th time around the block, isn't really a street. Not in the conventional way. It is the very oldest part of L.A. Built more like a small town square, cobblestone street, old buildings and shopping. Tiny shops built into basements and tucked into small areas. We found this leather shop, it smelled wonderful. I took this photo before I read the sign..."No Photos Allowed." oops.

This was our destination, our main goal, thanks to the Travel Channel.

The pictures tell the story.

Success!

Stay tuned for Day 4!

Summer Vacation Day 2 - The Natural History Museum

There are only a few things that Little One loves more then a bookstore...and a museum is one of them. Our second day finds us leaving the excitement of Hollywood for the quiet solitude of the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum.

Good Morning Mr. Dinosaur
Forgive me my bad photos...museums can prove challenging.

A donation box outside the children's hands-on area. To leave money you had to stick your hand in his mouth and the donation would fall into the box below.

Miniature Spanish Ship - in the history of California area.

The Gem and Mineral Room...beautiful. This room was large, dark, and a giant vault. No kidding, the door was a vault door.

One of the many touch screens. I had never seen one of these before in a museum.

Using a touch screen to learn more about the exhibit in front of her.

Gorgeous...be careful of that llama though.

Hello Mr. Polar Bear.

Little One was very concerned about how this bear came to be in a museum.

"What happened to him?" "Did someone hurt him?"

He was absolutely beautiful...and very very big.

This whale skeleton was in a room or should I say a hall, suspended in the air.

Checking out the Diorama Hall

When we first arrived this room was empty except for us. Really beautiful with tiled floors and dark wood paneling. Each area depicted animals local to California. For a minute I thought I was in a scene from Night at the Museum!

Goodbye Mr. Dinosaur

Summer Vacation Day 1 - Hollywood

Last summer what was suppose to be a short trip to Los Angeles, ended in a five night exploration of the city and surrounding areas. Our main purpose was to check out a few museums that Little One had really been wanting to see.

From there it grew into following the stars on Hollywood Blvd to Disneyland, to the beach, to Downtown and of course to the Museums.
In the end we had a great time, and learned you don't have to travel far from home to have a memorable vacation.
Over the next few days I will share our vacation with you, perhaps it will inspire you to plan your next great getaway!

Little One loves to dance, so this was a must. I think it might have been a mistake at first. In the end, I loved just seeing the pink toes...very appropriate.

Inside the Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

We tried to tour the Kodak Theatre but they were filled up for the day. I am really glad we did this instead, it was just beautiful. We had the standard tour and the history was interesting. The interior is a beautiful dark red and gold, and we learned this place has held up under fairly large sized California earthquakes!






Outside Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Beautiful old Hollywood Architecture

I wanted to capture the stonework on this building.

This was an adventure and a whole blog post on it's own! Let's just say, we wanted to see the pool...and we did. We also saw many, many scantly clad bodies. We later learned it is a hangout for some of the young Hollywood elite...and probably a few not-so-elite. As we walked around the pool, which did by the way look like a scene from a movie. In shorts and T-shirts we looked like we were dressed for the winter! Little One said, "I didn't see anyone famous." I am sure she did...but who could tell? Skin and sunglasses all look the same!

And...it was very beautiful. Incredible architecture, luxurious sofas and curtains in the lobby and home to the first Academy Awards.

This was fun, growing up in California...I had never actually seen the Walk of Fame or the impressions outside the Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Little One took pictures next to some of her grandparent's favorite stars and we e-mailed them on the spot. Technology can be fun!
Some of those included, John Wayne, Sophia Loren and of course Marilyn Monroe. By the way, she didn't know who any of them were!!! But, she did know this one.

A trip down Hollywood Boulevard isn't complete without a visit to a junkie souvenir shop. Need an Oscar? Want an Oscar? This is the place.

The Hollywood Sign - on a nice clear L.A. day. Just kidding, actually it probably was a clear day!

Hollywood and Highland Shopping Area. We didn't see any movie stars...but we did see a few interesting characters. And just because we like to document our explorations we did snap a couple of pictures. But in keeping with the PG rating of this post...I can't show you. Use your imagination, fishnets, high heels, garter belt, almost long enough T-shirt. Can ya see it?

Okay, I have to admit that my family has preoccupation with the Travel Channel's food shows. So whenever they are showing a place close to home, we write down the info. On this trip we had 3 places to visit or rather eat at. Here was the first one...Pink's Famous Hot Dogs.

Did they measure up? You bet, it was the first time I bit into a hot dog and it snapped. Delicious!

Hope you enjoyed our day in Hollywood, tomorrow we are off to Disneyland and Downtown!

To Tell a Story

These photos were taken a few years ago at my daughter's dance recital

They are backstage photos, as she waited patiently for her turn.

There were many girls in a very small room.

My goal was to capture a moment and perhaps tell a story.

I really do love the simplicity of these photographs. Upon seeing them again, they bring back that day as well as the emotions. To tell a story with a photograph means to allow the observer to step into a moment in time.

Kite Flying

Kite flying in my family is a much loved tradition.

This would be the "Master Kite Flyer" and passer-down of the tradition.


The next generation of fliers.



As you can see, there is plenty of room for flying...and chasing!

I have found that the simplest of activities, bring the greatest joy.

Simple. Joy. Family. Memories.

Walter

Walter is a simple soul.
He sees the world very clearly.

He is a bit tarnished.

He is quite lovely.

Walter came into this world in a dusty place. A place where you sleep outside under the stars every night of your life. A place where you can hear the wind blowing through the trees. Where life tends to move at a slower pace.

Walter is not pretty. To me though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Walter has character and depth of soul. You can see it in his eyes.

Walter is old. When I first met Walter, he fit in a box on my lap. I had not finished school, was unmarried, and had no children. I don't live with Walter. He has grown old in the place that I grew up.

Walter is lovely. His bones creak, he is skinny, his eyes have turned cloudy, and his teeth worn down.

Walter loves ham.

Dyeing, Hiding, and the Egg Eater

It has become a tradition in our family, to decorate some of your eggs with Sharpie's!

That looks like a green one...I never get tired of hand pictures. I love the delicate hold and the stained fingers.

The Egg Eater otherwise known as Biscuit the Dog!

When I was a child it was a tradition for me to dye Easter Eggs with my dad. It was our thing to do together. So when Poppy was old enough, the tradition continued. Each year Poppy and Mountain Man Dye eggs together. As she grows hers become more and more creative...his on the other hand...uh well lets just say he does a good job.

Egg dyed done. Pictures taken done. Easter Morning...time to hide the eggs. My job.

In order to keep up with the whole Easter Bunny thing it is necessary for me to hide the eggs very early in the morning. Especially since Poppy is a bit of an early riser, and the excitement of Easter makes it even a little earlier.

Outside I go, with a flashlight and two dozen eggs. This is a job that is wrought with danger...because of the Egg Eater and also because of the dog bombs! Who is the Egg Eater? The same creature who leaves the bombs! It's cold, I am in my pj's, the grass is wet, dodging the bombs, holding the flashlight and hiding the eggs. I feel like I should be wearing camouflage.

Now I have to catch the Egg Eater and bring her inside...hence the name Egg Eater. She won't come in...get close to the door...runs away. I am about ready to toss and egg at her! Finally, I coax her in with a swing of her leash and promise of a walk. I know it's shameless...but a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do!

Happy Easter Everyone! Enjoy your family and friends and the joyous Spring Day!