20th Anniversary in Santa Monica

For our 20th anniversary we wanted to go someplace nice but not have to fly. After careful consideration we chose Santa Monica beach. We'd never been there and it was close enough to make it a short drive.

Since this was our 20th we wanted to get a nice place and "A" found "The Georgian Hotel", it was built in 1933 in the art deco style. We kind of have a thing for the art deco style since our house is an art deco Spanish. I guess this place was in the movie Get Shorty. Anyway it's on the beach and we snagged an ocean view room.

Room is Circled

 

Fire Escape

"A's" Nemesis

 

 They have a veranda dining area in front where we ate breakfast. The food and coffee was damn good.

Trivia note: Route 66 ended in Santa Monica.

While we were there we went to a friends place in Rancho Palos Verdes (very expensive area) for lunch. It's about an hour drive (only 30 miles, but hey it's L.A.). They have a killer view and a really cool backyard. Down near the beach is where they filmed part of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Inception.

Unfortunately it was kind of cold and cloudy both days.

On the way home we drove to Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive. I have to say Rodeo drive was not impressive at all, but then I'm a guy.

 Overall it was a really enjoyable weekend!!
(remember you can click on the pictures to enlarge them and click on the lower right corner of the video to enlarge it too)

Canyon Fire

About 20 minutes after I got home from work I hear sirens (nothing new) but then they stop nearby. I don't think too much about it since ambulances sometimes turn off the sirens on the move.  Then I heard more and heard a helicopter pass close over the house. I looked out the window and there was a fire on the other side of the canyon.

Yesterday the temp was 92°F and the humidity was really low. But today was fairly cool with overcast skies. Also next week is the same week that we had the devastating fires in 2003 and 2007.

I will say that the fire department responded really quick with 3 or 4 engines and a helicopter.

And the news helicopter showed as well.

Beach Bonfire

Yesterday we were invited to a Beach Bonfire by a friend of ours. Of course I forgot my camera, this seems to become a habit that I have to break. So I was left with using my cell camera which is OK but not great.

Anyway, I took a few pictures and stitched them together. Since it rained on Thursday the air was really clear and you could see all the way to downtown. Unfortunately my cell will not zoom. But downtown is on the right side of the picture. (just a reminder, you can click on the picture for a larger resolution)

One thing I could not catch on film was a flock of birds skimming on the watter at sunset. They were literally inches above the water and there was at least 30 of them. I would have loved to catch it on video.

Block Party and Sky High Gas Prices

Last Saturday we had our annual block party and I was again in charge of the food. Actually I kinda slacked on this year's committee. We used the same food vendor, so I just had to come up with a new menu and the ticket prices for it.

My brother was in town so he got to attend and took the pictures because I forgot my camera. Each year is pretty much the same but it is really nice to close off the street and get together. This year we had Sue Palmer's band and they were really good.

As usual we had the city councilman and county supervisor show but this year the mayor, Jerry Sanders, also paid us a visit. It is probably because he is termed out and now has gone R.O.A.D. (retired on active duty) but it was still nice for him to show.

On a not so happy note, the gas prices are still going crazy!!!!