To La La Land
We spent the MLK holiday driving out of Las Vegas on Hwy 15 to head to Los Angeles.
We didn't realize that hundreds of people from LA would also be doing the same thing. There was steady traffic the whole way and we realized we will have to get used to this now that we will be in California for the next 6 weeks. LA will be the first work stop on our trip.
It didn't take us long to come across something very interesting as we headed across the Mojave Desert. Just as we were about to cross the California border, we noticed something very alien on the north side of the highway. These very tall bright lights were casting their gamma rays back down to earth. It was like something out of Lost In Space. I said to Rowan " Warning! Warning! Dr. Smith! Warning! (those of you who grew up on that 1960's show know what I'm talking about :o) ) We had just passed the little town of Primm, Nevada, so I had Rowan fire up google to see if we could find out what this thing was.
Here is what Wiki said we were seeing:
We didn't realize that hundreds of people from LA would also be doing the same thing. There was steady traffic the whole way and we realized we will have to get used to this now that we will be in California for the next 6 weeks. LA will be the first work stop on our trip.
It didn't take us long to come across something very interesting as we headed across the Mojave Desert. Just as we were about to cross the California border, we noticed something very alien on the north side of the highway. These very tall bright lights were casting their gamma rays back down to earth. It was like something out of Lost In Space. I said to Rowan " Warning! Warning! Dr. Smith! Warning! (those of you who grew up on that 1960's show know what I'm talking about :o) ) We had just passed the little town of Primm, Nevada, so I had Rowan fire up google to see if we could find out what this thing was.
Here is what Wiki said we were seeing:
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System is a concentrated solar thermal plant in the Mojave Desert. Located at the base of Clark Mountain in California, just over the state line between Primm, Nevada and Nipton, California, the plant has a gross capacity of 392 megawatts (MW). It deploys 173,500 heliostats, each with two mirrors, focusing solar energy on boilers located on three centralized solar power towers. Unit 1 of the project was connected to the grid in September 2013 in an initial sync testing. The facility formally opened on February 13, 2014, and it is currently the worlds largest solar thermal power station.
This is a photo of just one of the towers (there are 3). The towers are just gigantic. It really does look like something you would see on Mars. It was just fascinating to find this going on out here in the middle of the Mojave Desert. Those bloody aliens from Roswell are obviously still following us!
As we got closer to LA, all of the recent rains had turned the normally brown mountains very green. There was even snow up on Big Bear.
We battled that famous LA traffic to get to the city of Orange where we will stay with dear old friends Corina and Maricela.
Maricela has expressed her Mexican roots through her art and the garden all around their house. They have guava and banana trees everywhere.
Maricela also creates delicious Mexican food from scratch.
Here is a bowl of her homemade Pico de Gallo salsa
We couldn't resist the plentiful sunshine outside so our first excursion was to go out to Laguna Beach to soak up some vitamin D.
Corina and Maricela have two Chihuahua's who run their house. They are so adorable and they go everywhere we go. We took them to the beach with us and of course they were hilarious.
This is Aapje (Op-e-ah). His name means little monkey in Dutch.
Us with Corina
Us with Corina
This is Aapje's sister Guera (Hu-er-a) Mexican Spanish slag for 'White Girl'. She is protecting us from the scary waves.
Maricela sunbathing with the dogs (I think it is safe to say the dogs are "all ears" :o)
As you will notice when you are reading the blog, I love taking photos of public art. I thought these two pieces were perfect considering the trying times we are in at this very moment.
The ocean was very calm and peaceful today. I think it is definitely the calm before the storm (as you will see in my next post). My favorite Pelican limerick:
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican,
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
BUT I'M DAMNED IF I SEE HOW THE HELICAN!"
Maricela sunbathing with the dogs (I think it is safe to say the dogs are "all ears" :o)
As you will notice when you are reading the blog, I love taking photos of public art. I thought these two pieces were perfect considering the trying times we are in at this very moment.
The ocean was very calm and peaceful today. I think it is definitely the calm before the storm (as you will see in my next post). My favorite Pelican limerick:
A wonderful bird is the pelican,
His bill will hold more than his belican,
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week
BUT I'M DAMNED IF I SEE HOW THE HELICAN!"
I was very excited to have my toes back in the sand and in the Pacific Ocean :o)
One of the things I miss most about California.
Rowan was pretty excited too!
The Mediterranean climate out here creates some of the most beautiful trees and plant life. This tree was just stunning to stand under. It was enormous!
I leave you with this hilarious video of the dogs doing tricks (they have many).
Next stop, my favorite Surfer/Hippie town, Pismo Beach.
