MT. SAN ANTONIO

San Gabriel Mountain Range

So Cal

3-4-2015

This is what I get to see from my front yard although this was shot at a park a few blocks away.  First time in 2 winters it's had a snow cap like this. :)  This mountain is also known as "Mt. Baldy" because there's no trees at its top; elevation 10,068 feet.

This is to the east of me and is the San Bernadino Mountain Range.  

Mt. Baldy is to the northwest about 25 miles from me, 45 from LA and I discovered has ski lifts which I never knew - Road Trip!!

A  RETURN  TRIP TO JOSHUA TREE

2/21/15

While in the area of Salton Sea this day, David and I decided to see Joshua Tree again but this time we entered through the south entrance (vs the north the first time) which is off I-10, about a half hours drive from where we were.  

It was much different than our first trip, yet still interesting as the Joshua Trees we saw on our first visit were at a higher altitude than where we were and this entrance was basically a "shortcut highway" to Twenty Nine Palms or a "over the hill" destination, thus no trees.

Yet we still viewed new things like these cacti:

Then we came across these Cholla cacti along with their warning:

But they are beautiful so here's some individual pics of them as well as showing they blanket an entire valley (last pic.) Notice it's "babies" in this photo.

For those in the north and midwest, hate to say but it was 82 here.  Hope you enjoyed these travel photos and David and I will be returning again!

Greg

SALTON  SEA, CA - DAY TRIP- 2/21/15

David and I explored this last weekend, a still occupied yet abandoned area of eastern California (just southeast of Palm Springs.)  What was once touted "The New Recreation of So Cal" in the 50's is now a relic. Back in those days, all the Hollywood stars were out here, big $$ boats were floating etc.

It started off with engineers filling in the area (Salton Pit) via the Colorado River creating a 15 mile wide by 30 mile long "lake," big $$ LA realtors developed housing tracks, people and businesses moved there, all was good until the levees broke and flooded the area for 18 months. Basically, everyone (with $$) left and gave up.

Yet to this day, many still live there, all-be-it under different circumstances some positive, many negative.  Google "Salton Sea" as it does have a rich and interesting history which was my drive to go see and well worth your viewing.  Meanwhile our visit was much like seeing a semi-active ghost town.

We stopped at Desert Shores first (west side of Salton Sea), now just a "trailer trash" community yet I still found interesting.  This image pretty much says it all about the area; flags at the local "fire station." (?)

Next is the "fire station" but have no idea if that truck actually works, although it appears to be fairly new.  Wonder if the "fire volunteers" just walk down to this and hope "Bubba" brought the gate key when they get a call??

While in this area we viewed an abandoned marina and you can see how the water used to be so much higher:

And the marina building itself:

Here's one photo of the current "neighborhood," yet you go in a few blocks and there's actually some very nice, well maintained double-wide units with lawns, flowers etc.  Strange!  

After this stop we headed south to Salton City, basically another trailer community on the shores (but better.)  Again we found the same thing; useless/deserted/burnt out buildings against the backdrop of fully functional homes (double wides) but much "cleaner."  I kinda felt like I was in a "Chernobyl" time warp!

The hardest thing I'm trying to figure out is why aren't these property owners held accountable to either fix up or tear down all this crap and why is the local community so 

complacent about it all??  There's actually beautiful homes just 2 blocks in from here, which of course I didn't get any photos of. :(

This last photo is of the "lake itself."  We stepped out of our car and could actually taste the salinity in the air, yuk. :( Disturbing to find "environmentalist" haven't addressed this issue here yet (but you need to read up on it) as it's such a wildlife waterway.

That ends this post and at least I can say "been there, done that."  One more visit off the Bucket List.

Greg

Starting Off 2015 With A Trip To Knotts Berry Farm

My friend John visited over New Years and on Fri, 1/2 took David and I to Knotts Berry Farms.  Have always heard about it, just never the opportunity to go see it.  Knotts had a Vet special going on, free admission with one guest and reduced fares for up to 6 guests.  Hard to refuse!

Here's the 3 of us at the main gate:

Mr. Knotts built an exact replica of Independence Hall so kids from the West Coast wouldn't have to go to the East Coast to see it.  You can zoom in on all photos.

The park is more "family" than it is thrill rides so has a lot of displays, shops, shows etc.

A Madame is on the left, leather shop center, Undertaker right.

The Vaudeville Christmas show

Old funeral coach on left.

Interesting history of barbed wire.

Think I'll use the right photo for my Easter Greeting?

I need one of these in my backyard!

Museum Items

 This is some kind of train work crew vehicle.  1940's?

I call this end of the park the "Psycho Area" because this is where all the crazy rides are.  Of course, these guys favorite area.

Guess who couldn't pass the ride "test seat" because they needed 6 more inches of seat belt to get around their gut?

Must compliment the park on their variety of plants throughout.  You can also see the Calico Mine train passing by.  Went to that next.

Unfortunately the only shot I got inside the "mine" - too dark, train moving too fast.

 A water cannon.  Used in mining to wash away hillsides.

The Parks Tree.

One of the rides but you can also see the stage coach.

My favorite thing in the park, this locomotive!

The ol' saying of there being beautiful people in So Cal obviously does not apply to theme parks. 

And finally a sign I saw that I knew Brett needed either on his door or out in his BBQ area.

It was a enjoyable day but probably my last going to a theme park, just too much walking!  We and the park were surprised so many people showed up this day which made walking even more difficult but I made it through.  Weather was OK, sunny but "cold."