Thankful Me

  A camper drives by a sign marked "Zuma Beach" I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the twenty-sixth post in the series. I couldn't have made it all the way through visiting places in southern California without featuring a beach, so today let's go to Malibu and take a stroll along Zuma Beach. When I visited early in April on a weekday afternoon, it was neither crowded nor empty. I imagine that on summer days or weekends it would be much busier. The beach is free to visit, but I did pay to park in the lot.  Zuma Beach is the quintessential California beach, with long stretches of sand, waves for surfing, volleyball nets set up for pick-up games, and lifeguards stations dotting the area. A few families have claimed their spots on the sandy expanse Seagulls scope ou

A statue of Christ with upraised arms sits atop a hillside in Yucca Valley' Desert Christ Park I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the twenty-fifth post in the series. On my quest for a letter Y post, I drove out to Yucca Valley on a sunny spring day. My target was Desert Christ Park, nestled against a hillside and established when Reverend Eddie Garver invited sculptor Antone Martin to place his works on Garver's land.  A sign near the (free) parking lot tells of the purpose and early history of the park with a poem by the sculptor, which reads:  A fellow once dreamed of a grand peaceful world With banners of brotherhood ever unfurled, A world that had banished its hatreds and fears, A world freed of tensions and terrors and tears. He fashioned an object of concrete and st

  Lifesize pirate figurines adorn a house in Newport Beach, California I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the twenty-fourth post in the series. I imagine I'm not the only one, but I had to take some creative license to find a place to visit for today's #AtoZChallenge letter, X. I thought of the phrase, "X marks the spot," and went with that. In my research, I learned about a cartography museum, but sadly, they are no longer in operation. Then my mind turned to pirate maps and lo and behold a Google search unearthed the Pirate House in Newport Beach, California! The Pirate House is a private residence that certainly stands out in the neighborhood. Located at the corner of Marcus Ave and 35th Street, you can't miss it. On street parking is free, though I did ha

  John and I with the Pacific Ocean behind us I didn't get a Ten Things of Thankful post written last week, so I'll just jump right in and try to catch up today: I took my youngest granddaughter to Disneyland days before she turned 3. (It's a popular time to take a toddler, because 2-year-olds and younger don't need a ticket.) We enjoyed meeting Mickey Mouse and riding child-friendly attractions. We got stuck on a ride I had never been stuck on before--Jungle Cruise--but we were in a shady spot on the river, and granddaughter was able to catch a nap, so I really didn't mind the delay. I'm thankful for the chance to spend time with Baby-Baby. While we both enjoyed ourselves, I was both surprised and delighted when my granddaughter asked mid-day, "Can we go to the library?" I told her that of course we would go again to the library, but it wouldn't be that day. On the ride home, she again mentioned wanting to go to the library. When I explained the l

  The white Spanish-style Santa Barbara courthouse, with clock tower I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the twenty-third post in the series. Although a county courthouse doesn't seem like a likely tourist destination, in Santa Barbara, California, it is one of the most popular places to visit. The nearly 100-year-old building boasts beautiful Spanish architecture, colorful tile accents, and detailed murals. Visitors to the open rooms are welcome--even during weddings.  An interior room in the courthouse features tiles on the stairwell and walls, a round window with floral decor around it, and a large painting A wedding takes place inside the courtroom A highlight of the courthouse is the clock tower. Visitors can go up to the top of the tower for panoramic views. They also can

  The Famous Rocks at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area jut up toward the blue sky I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the twenty-second post in the series.  Even if you have never visited Vasquez Rocks, you've probably seen them on the big (or small) screen. Wikipedia has an article that lists nearly 300 movies and TV shows that have filmed at that location. Whether your interest lies in the entertainment industry, history--the place gets its name from the Robin Hood-esqe Mexican bandito from the 1800's, Tiburcio Vasquez--or nature, Vasquez Rocks has something for you. Vasquez Rocks Natural Area is free to enter, and parking is also free. I recommend stopping at the visitor's center, not only to pick up maps and information about the different trails, but also to view some o

  The exterior of Union Station in Los Angeles, with tall arched openings for doors and windows I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the twenty-first post in the series. I decided I wanted to take public transportation when I went to visit Olvera Street, because I wanted to be sure to visit the historic Union Station. It is billed as "the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western United States." When I stepped inside, I felt like I was transported back in time.  The arched walkways and beautifully tiled floors add a sense of opulence.  The painted ceilings and the large round light fixtures in the cavernous waiting area draw the eye upward The Art Deco style clock keeps passengers informed of the time The large leather chairs in the waiting area look like they sho

  A black locomotive appears to be smiling at the Travel Town Museum I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the twentieth post in the series. Travel Town Museum in Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California, is a must-visit for any little ones who are fascinated by trains. On the weekday I visited, most guests had children with them, but I was not the only adult unaccompanied by minors, so if trains are your thing (and even if they aren't), Travel Town makes for an interesting stop. Parking and admission are free. Some of the trains are out in the open, and a couple are even available to reserve for private parties. Most of the trains are in a train shed, though, protected from the elements. One of the locomotives at Travel Town Museum A couple of rows of trains in the train shed Lo

  A plaque titled "St. Francis Dam Disaster Site" tells the history of the dam failure  I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the nineteenth post in the series.  Until recently, I had never heard about the St. Francis Dam nor its history. I had heard of William Mulholland--he's the man who is recognized as the one who brought water to Los Angeles via the aqueduct system--but I didn't realize that the St. Francis Dam disaster effectively ended his career. The dam was completed in 1926, only to fail in 1928 hours after Mulholland himself had inspected it. When the dam collapsed, the subsequent flood killed over 400 people, making it one of the worst disasters in California history.  Rubble from the dam can still be seen, though locating it was a bit tricky. The plaque

  Sign at the California Route 66 Museum in Victorville, California states it is a Route 66 Roadside Attraction I'm living in southern California this year, and decided to use my exploration of the area as my focus for the #AtoZChallenge. I'm concentrating on free to see places, though I will include locations that require a parking fee. This is the eighteenth post in the series.  I drove to Victorville, California for the express purpose of checking out the California Route 66 Museum. I had a brief moment of panic when I checked Apple Maps navigation, as it listed the museum closed for the day, but a quick phone call assured me that the museum was indeed open. (And I was able to submit an edit to the app, which has since updated the business hours.) Anyway, word to the wise: always check with the location you are attempting to visit to verify that it is open.  The museum and parking are free, and the staff is friendly and welcoming. Route 66 came into being in 1926, when the U