Side Trip 1

Some of my travels are minor excursions, side trips, that I don’t know where or how to post it. I did have some quick stops posted from before like Walt Disney Concert Hall, Marilyn Monroe’s statue, Drive-In Theater, Shell Beach in Pismo, etc. Mind you, side trips are not to be ignored. Some of my trips are even a collection of side trips like when I got my kicks on Route 66. Some of my side trips didn’t turn out to be what it supposed to or thought it’d be such as LA’s Arboretum, San Juan Capistrano Mission, Venice Canal, etc. In order for me to have one specific post for my side trips, this is going to be a running post every month.

For my first side trip… the world’s shortest railway, Angels Flight…

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For only 50 cents, you get to ride a part of Los Angeles history. Oh yeah, it is very short, looks so charming, and going UP is just er? … a sweet ride. It looks cool now as it was before …
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Angels Flight is in Downtown LA so it’s easy to make it a brief stop on your way to an event in LA, or maybe to Chinatown like what I did.
Read all about it from a previous Featured Blogger here.
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Then to the top, I walked a little further and, by chance, spotted LA’s Museum of Contemporary Art .


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Closer look…
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Those are scraps of metal of aircraft. The museum was closed so I didn’t get to see the inside. it reminded me so much of San Diego’s.
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This time it’s scraps of boats. And this time I went in.
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I can’t put my finger on the one on the left. To be honest, I don’t really understand most art.
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San Diego’s MOCA is very small. Definitely consider it just a side trip. Although it is smack dab right by La Jolla shores. And the good thing of the museum being small, it allows every exhibits to shine compared to other clustered and spacious museums.
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That’s it for now. You see, side trips and quick stops are definitely not to reckoned with. A little bit of this and that will definitely do as my travel medicine.

Anywho…

Last Calls…
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FEATURED BLOG

Give way for this shining, glimmering and blooming blogger and her site, I am Super Star.   Joycelyn has that zest for life that surely glows, and can be very contagious. Expect poetry, Philippine travels, journal entries, photoshoots (yup), beach, beach fun, fun, lots of fun, and the personalities she surrounds with . Here’s a post with lots of sun, smiles, poses and, of course, fun … Friends, Fun, Fridges at Boracay Part 1.

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See you next month for more Side Trip.

Hiking in Joshua Tree National Park

After Palm Springs, I spotted another sign on the road that interest me. I did a little bit of research, found a decent price hotel, and off I went to 29 Palms.

I got there at night, perfect timing actually. Palm Springs was so good, Joshua Tree was very promising, and Rommel was just pumped up ready to do something but was getting eaten by boredom.

I remedied that with a relaxing, feel-good undertaking …

Drive-In Theater

A blast from the past, very cool Drive-In Theater! I got me a popcorn, nachos and soda, and was just eating and sitting at the comfort of my car. It sounds low but it really was just awesome experience to me. I mean, you don’t have to worry about cellphone ringing, muttering voices, people standing up for nature calls and tugging feet at the back of your chair.

Ow, I also found this on the way to 29 Palms…

Sonic in California

America’s Drive-In. Weee!Two Drive-In,’s sweet! I miss this so much.
i used to go here all the time when I was in Mississippi. Basically, for those who are not acquainted, this is Southerners’ pride Fast Food where you can park your car, get your order, stay there because they bring your food to your car so you just sit back and relax, and eat! I got me a grilled cheese sandwich, a hotdog, their tots and a slush. Exactly the signature Sonic meal.

Do check out my post on the Jumbo Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park


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Continuing on …

Being a mecca for all things outdoorsy including numerous hiking trails, Joshua Tree National Parks, to me, is an instant addition to my list of Absolute Musts.

Cholla Cactus Garden

First off was a quick stroll with these interesting kind of cactus …

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It was cool because there’s a garden of these Cholla cacti. But then, one spool of spines clung to my jacket and poked me. It was so hard to detach it without any gloves. That’s all I’m gonna say :D ..

Skull Rock Trail

I was confused with this trail. I didn’t think I followed the trail. I stayed around because the entrance area alone is already magnificent, and fun! There were people going up the rocks, jumping from one rock to another, ducking in between rocks, and just reeling in the fascination of these rocks…

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Clever of them to call this Skull Rock Trail.

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There’s a cool guy who posed for the camera…
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Unto the Wall Street Mill Trail I went on…
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At the edge of the Wonderland of Rocks sits the Wall Street Mill, a finest example of gold processing mill remaining in the park. This trail shows what’s left during the second gold rush which happened here – the mill, dilapidated buildings, windmill, and some awesome old cars.
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Last Call..
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At times I get frustrated when a pamphlet would tell you that you can see these species and flowers that a lot of times, in reality, are actually hard to come by. Well, after coming back from this 2-mile round hike, I spotted this bird. :)
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I even sushed some people, not to startle the bird so I can capture it. :D

I always envy those who hike farther and more regularly, esp. RV’ers. I guess with Joshua Tree National Park, i found myself extremely content having gone to a RV-type, kind of location. :) And eventhough I resulted to shorter hikes, as I always do, it’s just not at all hard to love Joshua Tree National Park. Driving there alone, seeing the magnificent rock formations is already a bliss.

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Featured Blog

Djmaticcus. This guy is from the California desert. This guy has it all as this guy updates his blog frequently. This guy talks about everything and anything under the sun. This guy shares his personal stories including some lovely ones about his marriage. This guy shares funny reads including a Q and A Parody Madness sequel. This guy is eloquent and partakes to Daily Prompt writing challenges. This guy has an awesome blog,

    thematiccuskingdom

 

. My favorite post – click please – > here.

Point Reyes

I know. I know it is sometimes hard, and can be so overwhelming. And that it is easier said than done. But look at the things I see …

California 1 en route to Point Reyes

Even just driving to the destination makes me think how being on the road, going outside, traveling can be oh-so rewarding ….

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I know. I know that there’s is that fine line between living vicariously and living responsibly. But sometimes, stop worrying. It’s okay, there’s plenty of time to adjust. You really just have to get out there and stop thinking, contemplating. When you have the liberty to do so, then do. Take some smart risks. Remove all your attachments. Sacrifice, for yourself, you owe that. I know. I know you do.

Drake’s Beach

The world is your lighthouse’s view. I say, get your binocular and scan it to the littlest part the best that you can.

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‘Cause you never know what you might miss. For me, I don’t want to make the same regrets of missing travel opportunities. This time, I want to make at least an effort to go see and explore…

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…other life than mine. To see nature’s wonderful offerings …

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… to find serenity, quietude and peace …


… witness how the world operates …

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I know. I understand. You can mope around the house, watch TV, stay online, or play video games. You can attend to your needs, your responsibilities and your problems. What I don’t understand are people who constantly are so caught up in achieving so much of the material things that they (think) need to worry about. I’m sorry if you disagree, they can have the physical wealth they can have but I don’t envy people who focus in one kind of success.

I beg of you …

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Travel and go see the world!

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Photography, Travel and Discussions?

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St James Church-L If you don’t know this blog, then you are missing out, my friend. The (Semi-Regular) Roaming Lama focuses in one photo in each post. Carefully perfecting the composition of the image, and then expanding his subject with great inputs, whether it be informative, recommending, thought-provoking or entertaining, related or not to the picture. Mind you, though he only shares a picture at a time and that most of his posts are easy reads, he’s not one of those dull bloggers. He’s intellectual and can really make a conversation whilst you get dumbfounded by his incredible images.

This is just one of my favorites from his Photo of the Day section – Pillow Fighting in Berlin.

 

 

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I’ll let LuAnn tell you more about Point Reyes National Seashore