Toluca Lake

Packed up and left Santa Monica a little after 10 am and headed to Toluca Lake to spend the weekend with the LA Sullivans.  Traffic was pretty light considering we are in LA.  The handy dandy gps worked great getting us here (except for one minor screw up by yours truly-missed one exit but it wasn't too much of a hassle). Still, we arrived shortly after 11. LA standards that is pretty good for the 19 mile distance.

Liam and Tali were outside waiting for us.  She is real big and a real doll. Lots of moving around and a whole lot ot talking. The house is great - much nicer than their condo. We hung around till lunch time. We decided to take a walk while Liam put Tali down for her nap. We have stayed in Toluca Lake before so we are pretty familiar with the area.  We walked down Riverside to find a lunch spot. Stopped at Paty's which is pretty popluar. After lunch, we continued down the main thoroughfare to take a snapshot of Bob's Big Boy coffee shop.  An icon and one of LA's landmarks. Across the street from Bob's is the Falcom theater. Liam performed there way back when. Found out that George Carlin's daughter, Kelly, is doing a show :The George Carlin Home Companion. About her life growing with GC as her dad.  Looked like it might be fun so we bought some tickets for next Friday night.

Took the scenic route home through the lovely Toluca Lake mansions. Many famous people behind all those gates and hedges.  As usual, the only ones walking outside are us, the gardeners, and the nannies. We had some time to talk with Liam while Tali was still asleep. Ilana came home around 4pm. They both seem to be doing pretty good which is good to see. 

Dinner was fabulous. Ilana made salmon, kale salad, and lentil curry with rice. Very yummy. Looks like we won't be going hungry on this trip. Geoff and I took care of KP while it was bath time for Tali. Hit the hay at around 10. 

Ilana made breakfast pancakes and then headed out for drum circle. We stayed behind and met up with them at the Desconso Gardens. Alena also showed up.  Toured the gardens some, ate lunch.The family left to go  - it was Tali's nap time. The 3 of us walked around some more. Hiked up the hills to see the vista. Toured the Boddy house and gallery. It was time to hit the road. We all met up back at the house.

Getting ready to go to go to Ernie's for dinner.

Next time.... Not really sure

Biking to Malibu

Well, we never made it to Malibu.  After a rough night of inflating the deflating (how ironic is that!) air mattress, we gave up trying to sleep and got up at around 6:30. Alena crawled out of bed closer to 8am.  Think we will just couch surf for our last night here. Chatted with A over some breakfast.  Sent her off to work and then saddled up the bikes for what we thought was going to be a 35 mile round trip ride to Malibu.

The weather is absolutely perfect. Got down to the beach bike path and headed north. About 5 miles up the path just ends.  It was take the Pacific Highway or turn around.  While we were debating about what to do, we got into a conversation with a great guy from the area.  He will be heading up to the Northeast this May. Part of his journey includes Newfoundland. Geoff told him about the Sullivan clan from Pooch Cove - so maybe he will pass through and mention his name. 

We felt it a wiser decision to turn around and head south than to try to bike along Route 1 on the cruisers. Stopped off at the Santa Monica Pier.  Bought a post card for the grandkids, watched the dolphins, and just took in the ambiance. Passed by the Google Maps Man with his traveling camera rig. Headed back down towards Venice and lunched at a beach cafe for some fish tacos.  Continued on through Venice and boom - the bike path ended AGAIN! We took to the streets to try to go further south. Got as far as Marina del Ray but it was kind of a drag.  Ran into the mail lady and got directions to the nearest post office. So we turned around and headed back towards Venice to the PO. Bought stamps, mailed the card, back down to the beach for some relaxing and an afternoon java.


Back at the shack at around 3:30. All tolled our 35mi ride turned into about 18.  But it was leisurely and beautiful. Did I mention that I absolutely LOVE this bike gps. It is great having the street map so handy.  Not sure what's going on for dinner. Talked with Liam this afternoon and he is off tomorrow. We will head up to his house after the morning rush. Spend a couple of nights with them before going to Palm Springs.

Walked down to a Mexican restaurant for dinner. Their specialty is mole sauces. We ordered the sampler with 7 different sauces with some jumbo shrimp for dipping. Had no idea mole sauce came in anything other than chocolate. It turns out that, according to the owner, mole is the process of how the sauce is made. They were all pretty much yummy.  On the way home, we stopped in for some ice cream where our taste buds were in for some more treats.  One scoop rosemary, date with salted pistachio ice cream and one scoop black sesame seeds and soy - wow!


Had a great night's sleep on the new couch formation. Very cozy and more importantly, no inflation necessary! Alena is off to work and we are gathering up to head out to Liam's.  Alena is coming over to Liam's on Saturday so we will see her again over there. She has been a terrific host. We could not have had a better time here. Having use of the bikes was awesome.  


Next time...Toluca Lake

LaLaLand

 THE BUTLER DID IT 

IN THE END ZONE

WITH A PICK

That's right sports fans, that's me with the hero of the New England Patriots, Malcolm Butler.  He was also escaping the cold and was on our flight from Boston to LA.  We were lucky enough to chat with him in baggage before the hoards of people came down.  I walked up and asked: "Are you him?"  He gave me a big grin. I shook his hand - chatted for a bit and then gave him a big hug and thanked him for saving the day. Great guy.

Our car showed up on time and although there was some concern of traffic, it was all pretty much clear sailing to the airport.  The sky was grey and, yes, still snowing. Miraculously, as we approached the city, the clouds parted and lo and behold - the sun was shining.  Boston looked like OZ in the distance. Nice blue sky and clear for take-off.

Other than having Mr. Butler on our flight, it was pretty uneventful.  We landed early and made our way to the car rental. Set my handy-dandy bike gps to drive mode and we were off.  It was after 10pm and Alena sounded pretty drowsy when I phoned.  Sure enough, she was sound asleep when finally we got in.

Up bright and early - need to adjust internal clock. Have yet to see Alena.  She should be headed to work soon.  We plan to take the bikes to the beach and head to Malibu - soak up the sunshine and warm breezes. Meet up with Alena later for dinner.

Next time .... Biking to Malibu

California Here We Come

First and foremost, I have to acknowledge our New England Patriots for standing tall through all the bs to pull off another Superbowl Championship. A nail-biter for sure with lots of drama. But then it wouldn't be the Pats without some dramatic climax.  On to next year and ring #5!

As for life on the tundra.... We were hit with more snow yesterday but it looks like we will be spared today and tomorrow before it starts all over again on Thursday.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that Logan will be clear and flights will be on time tomorrow.  The countdown clock is ticking -- we don't take-off till 5:45 so there is lots of time to clear snow and get to the airport. Car picks us up at 2pm. I will give a plug to our car service here.  They are out of Foxboro but handle the Southcoast area also. Can't say enough good things about them. They are wonderful and pretty reasonable considering the competition:  The Shuttle

We should land in LAX at around 10pm - pick up a car and head to Alena's (our niece).   Last time we saw her was at her wedding in Wiscasset, ME two summers ago.  Unfortunately, Andy, her husband, will not be there.  He is a high diver and travels around the world doing Red Bull competitions when he isn't in LA doing stunt work. It'll be great to spend some time with Alena.

So we are all packed and ready to go.  Some good friends down the beach will be watching the house and watering the plants.  Not much to do now but wait.

Next time .... LaLaLand

Get Out Your Shovels!

Skies are brighter, the wind has died down, but the temperature is hovering around 20 degrees.  We suited up right after breakfast, grabbed a shovel and dug in - literally.

The worst part was the usual huge pile the street plow makes.  We managed to shovel out the cars and then we tackled the backyard.


Came in for lunch.  A quick trip to the store and then we wait for the next storm, which is predicted to some sometime in the next couple of days.  Just keeping our fingers crossed that all is clear for our Feb 11th take-off.

Wonderful feeling looking at all this snow and thinking we will soon be in the sunshine.


Well, that's it from Juno: The Blizzard of 2015.  Be sure to check out the rest of the photos with the link in the left hand panel.

Below is a quick itinerary of our upcoming adventure:
2/11: LA/Palm Springs
2/22: Vietnam
2/26: Bike from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi (17 days)
3/14: Hanoi
3/16: Tokyo
3/19: Arishyama
3/20: Kyoto
3/24: Hakone
3/26: Fly Home
3/27: Arrive Home

As always, we welcome your comments and love hearing from you while we are on the road.

Next time....  California, Here We Come

Welcome Back: Winter Wonderland

Since we are hunkered down here today, seemed like a good time to start the blog.  Juno has arrived in full force. Nothing like a good blizzard to kick-off a vacation.  Speaking of kick-off, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that all this deflate-gate nonsense is nothing but a bunch of hot air.  Go get 'em Pats!

Back to the Blizzard of 2015.  Woke up early to a thunder/lightening storm along with extremely strong winds.  Our meter was up to 67 mph.  A record for us since we have lived here, which is exactly 10 years next month.  Geoff noticed that the lid on utility box where we keep the deck furniture cushions, flew open. Time to crawl out of bed and see if anything went flying out.  Dressed up in all our winter gear, we trekked through the snowdrifts to the back.  Sure enough, lid is open and we lost one of the chaise cushions.  Secured the box and the hot tub. Noticed that we lost a few shingles.  UGH! One good thing about the solar panels - it keeps most of the shingles on the roof.

It is not terribly cold, but the winds are brutal.  There is no threat of flooding for us - so not to worry about that.  So far we have power, and we are warm and safe.  Hope you all are doing the same.

Next time.... Get out the shovels!

Coming Soon

Stay tuned for our 2015 winter adventure. We leave mid-February. Starting out in LA and then off to Vietnam and Japan. Please sign up on the left if you would like to follow along.

Susan & Geoff