A surprise garden on a Culver City street corner

Garden at Beatrice and Mesmer, Culver City

Whenever I drop my car off at Modesti’s on Jefferson Blvd. in Culver City I like to walk home when I have the time. It takes me over an hour to make the 3.7-mile journey, as although I walk pretty fast, I like to stop and look at stuff along the way.

Culver City garden at Beatrice and Mesmer

One nice surprise a few weeks ago was stumbling upon a community garden at Mesmer and Beatrice.

A little oasis at Beatrice and Mesmer

This could be a very bleak corner across the street from the intersection of the Marina and San Diego freeways and overlooking the concrete walls of a Ballona Creek tributary.

Community garden at Beatrice and Mesmer overlooking creek

Instead, there is a color palette of reds, purples, yellows, rusts and greens welcoming the weary pedestrian into a small plot of land containing trees, bushes and flowers, maybe to rest for a while on the garden bench before continuing on.

Garden bench for the weary traveler

I wonder if anybody racing by in a car even knows this is here.

(Photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)

Culver City Art Group visits the Annenberg Space for Photography

Century City Annenberg Space for Photography

See my post about the Annenberg Space for Photography at my Art, Tiles and Mosaics blog.

(Photo copyright roslyn m wilkins)

Poinsettias are not just in pots

Poinsettias in Culver City

I always have several poinsettias in the house at the holidays. I no longer bother with a Christmas tree (I display my Dickens Village instead, which is a whole other story) but I gotta have those poinsettias. My favorite is still the traditional lush red. But I also indulge in the new varieties.

This year I gave my mother a red with yellow speckles. I also bought a white poinsettia that I am looking at now in my upstairs office. A plant with leaves of red on the perimeter and pink in the center adorns my coffee table in the living room.

The traditional red I always buy met a fate too horrible to think about. The recent windstorm which caused a huge power blackout over much of the Los Angeles area also claimed the poinsettia I had placed at the bottom of the steps outside my front door. I opened the door to find my neighbor was cradling it in his arms like a baby. I was going to rescue my plant, I said. I think it’s too late, he replied.

He was right. I put what was left in six vases but they wilted the next day. 

culver city poinsettias

But as the title of this blog says, poinsettias are not just in pots. In my walks around my neighborhood in Culver City I discovered this beautiful poinsettia tree growing in a yard. I like to think this started out as a Christmas poinsettia given as a gift. Why not? One of my poinsettias lasted three years but I had to put it down due to some kind of blight. It was sad.

culver city poinsettias up close and personal

The first time I met a poinsettia was in Florida. My parents and I had just arrived from England. We attended a party at somebody’s house. They had a bright pool anteroom filled with pots of poinsettias they had collected over the years. There was no need to take a photo as decades later that scene is emblazened in my mind.

My favorite place to buy poinsettias is at Armstrongs Garden Center in Westchester just south of Culver City. I buzz over there around Thanksgiving every year as they have the best selection for the best prices in my humble opinion.

  

Riverside’s Mission Inn lights up for the holidays

Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights Bell Tower

Several years ago I took a day trip to Riverside with the West LA group of the Sierra Club. We learned about the history of oranges in southern California, visited a museum and a mansion. The highlight of the day was the tour of the Mission Inn Hotel designed in the Mission Revival style.

Originally built in 1876 as a two-story adobe guest house (which no longer stands) the hotel now offers 238 guest rooms. In 1952 Ronald and Nancy Reagan spent their honeymoon night at the hotel. And before that Richard Nixon married Pat at one of the wedding chapels in 1940.  

But you can read all about that elsewhere.

Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights Porte-cochere

During the holiday season the Mission Inn Hotel lights up like Disneyland with 3.5 million lights. The Festival of Lights runs from November 25, 2011 through January 8, 2012.

The ITMI (International Tour Management Institute) So Cal Network chose the venue for our annual holiday dinner. First we were given a comprehensive tour of the hotel by one of our members, Carol Williams, who is also a Mission Inn docent. I remembered some of the information from my previous tour, but there is always something new to learn.

We had a little free time before dinner was served so I walked around gawking at the lights. The hotel takes on a totally different and magical ambience at this time of year. One of the reasons I love the holiday season is because of the decorations and light displays. I revert to my six-year-old self.

Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights Cinderella coach

I was especially delighted to see the horse-drawn Cinderella carriages transporting people around the streets. What an amazing way to view all the decorations in the area.

I recently read an article in the London Telegraph about an Englishman who decorates his house with 40,000 lights and makes three or four trips to the US every year to procure them. Now that is a man after my own heart!

I was so enamored with the lights and festive decorations I was late for the buffet. A feast for the eyes versus a feast for the stomach. Hard for me to choose!

Click here for a photo gallery of the lights.

 (All photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)

Ronald Reagan Library and Museum rides again

Ever since I first heard that Air Force One was being retired and put out to pasture at the Reagan Library and Museum, I have wanted to make a return visit. My opportunity came yesterday when my ITMI (International Tour Management Institute) SoCal Network chose the site for our October outing.

The last (and second) time I visited was several years ago. Since then the museum has been completely overhauled and expanded. The only other presidential library I have visited is that of Richard Nixon. The two facilities are very different in layout and approach and I like each of them for their own merits. I would love to see some other presidential libraries, particularly the one in Arkansas! I spent a considerable amount of time in that state at one point in my life, and it would be a good excuse to go back.

View from Ronald Reagan Library and Museum

The Ronald Reagan Library and Museum is located in Simi Valley, Ventura County, just north of Los Angeles. The grounds are on a hilltop with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. Since my last visit the pristine hillsides have become somewhat cluttered with pockets of homes in every direction. But for the time being there is still plenty of space for the eye to wander.

Inside, the galleries are a living history book, giving the visitor an “up close and personal” look at the life and times of the former head of state. Regardless of your political leanings, it would be difficult to come away not being impressed by all his achievements as a radio announcer, movie star, governor and president.

I am currently reading Bill Clinton’s autobiography, My Life. From a very young age he was a go-getter, just like Reagan and Nixon too. There is something inherently special about people who rise to this level of government. I am sure the same can be said of Fidel Castro, Winston Churchill, Mao Tse-Tung or any other world leader you may love or hate. They are fascinating personalities.

Air Force One

Perhaps the highlight of the day for me was, as I have alluded to, being able to see inside (although not take photos of) Air Force One. This plane served seven U.S Presidents from 1973 to 2001, including Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush. That makes for one giant power vortex inside that small space!

Riding the range with President Reagan

There are interactive displays popular with the kids. And for the kid in you, a photo-op riding on horseback with Mr. Reagan out on the ranch.

Ronald Reagan meeting the people

Including a short stop for lunch in the café or a coffee outside on the terrace, you can easily spend four or five hours hanging out in the museum with time for the gift shop. It goes without saying I had to buy a refrigerator magnet although I was disappointed with the rather bland choices. It’s hard to top the “Nixon meets the King” magnet I purchased at that other guy’s library, but a “Ronnie meets Maggie” magnet would have been a winner for me (just send me my percentage for the suggestion).

Click here for photo gallery.

(All photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)

San Pedro’s Ports o’ Call Village and a Po’ Boy

My memories of the Ports o’ Call Village in San Pedro, California, go back to the 1970s when some relatives were visiting from England. At that period of time the village was a prime tourist attraction bustling with activity and a fun place to bring visitors.

Over thirty years passed since I had the opportunity to return. I came for a luncheon for my tour leader networking group at Ports o’ Call Restaurant in December of last year. That day the skies opened up and treated us to a veritable monsoon. All I could see from the window was rain beating against the glass. I vowed to return on a better day.

That day was in March, enjoying happy hour on the restaurant’s patio. A fellow tour guide and I had spent the day on a scouting trip through Long Beach and San Pedro as those are the pickup points for the cruise ship passengers we take on our tours. But that will be another blog entry one of these days!

Ports o' Call Restaurant entrance

Last Wednesday my mother’s senior living group decided to head to the Ports o’ Call Village for a lunch outing. We have been having some gloomy days lately where we barely see the sun, and this was a rather hazy grey day. But it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the participants.

Barge with tugboats passing by

At the Ports o’ Call Restaurant we were seated at a long table by the window. We watched barges and tugboats pass by on the channel into the port. The Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro is the number one port by container volume and cargo value in the United States. (Long Beach, just over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, is the second busiest port in the United States, and if combined, the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles would be the world’s sixth-busiest port.)

Po' Boy Catfish Sandwich... oh so yummy!

I chose the Po’ Boy Catfish Sandwich on a French baguette with mashed potatoes. Oh so sinful, but definitely worth it. The catfish was perfect, moist and juicy on the inside with a light spicy batter.  I was proud of myself for putting half the meal in a box to take home. Others chose the fish ‘n chips (like my mother) and various other seafood delights.

Spruce Goose in 1947 and photos from the early 1900s

I was intrigued by the chandeliers made of seashells. And hanging on the walls are photos of Long Beach and San Pedro from days gone by. My favorite is the aerial shot of Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose around the time of its one and only flight in 1947.

The Boat House at Ports o' Call Village

After our feast we wandered around the Village. A few souvenir shops were open. A cruise ship was in port, but most passengers sign up for the bus tours of Los Angeles and “Hollywood.” Ports o’ Call is mostly neglected these days. It’s a shame because it used to be, and could be again, a very cute place. But in these times of economic uncertainty it would take a courageous person to invest the millions of dollars necessary to upgrade the area and market it in order to put it back on the map. There is supposed to be a tram that runs from the cruise ships to the village, but in all the time I have been greeting passengers at the ships, I have never seen it run, and it is quite a hike for anyone who doesn’t enjoy walking.

Another lovely outing was over and as we climbed back aboard the bus I was already looking forward to the second half of that catfish!

For a photo gallery click here.

(All photos copyright roslyn m wilkins)

Hot day in the city—cool day at Terranea on the Palos Verdes Peninsula

View from Nelson's Restaurant at Terranea Resort

It was a hot day in the city on Wednesday when seventeen residents and guests from my mother’s senior residence packed into the bus for the hour-long trip to Terranea Resort on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, about 20 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport.

From 1954 to 1987 this piece of land was home to Marineland, the world’s largest oceanarium at the time. Terranea, which opened only a couple of years ago, is a sprawling, 100-acre complex including the hotel, eight restaurants, bungalows, casitas and villas, all with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

Catalina Island on the horizon across the water from Terranea

This was a perfect day to visit. As we approached, we could see Catalina Island clearly across the blue and turquoise water. We parked the bus at the hotel entrance where we were transported via golf-cart style shuttles to Nelson’s Restaurant in a park-like setting close to the cliff edge.

The name “Nelson” pays tribute to the TV character Mike Nelson of Sea Hunt (155 episodes from 1958 to 1961). One of the locales for filming the show was Marineland.

Eating "al fresco" at Nelson's at Terranea Resort

Eight of us elected to take advantage of this wonderful southern California day by eating our lunch al fresco. It was pleasantly warm outside with cooling breezes under the shade of the umbrella. I chose the Mahi Mahi fish tacos. My mother decided on the Fish ‘n Chips, her favorite dish. As usual, there were too many French fries with her cod so I helped her out!

Seating area with a wonderful view

Outside the restaurant there are plenty of seating areas to enjoy the amazing views including pelicans flying by in formation.

Pelicans flying by in formation

This was my third visit to Terranea. The first time was three or four months ago when I picked up a coach-load of tourists. Why they wanted to trade the idyllic ambience of Terranea for the noise and crowds of Hollywood Boulevard I do not know, but it was not my job to question why. My second visit was a couple of months ago with a friend. I made sure I had freshly recharged batteries in my camera but when I lined up the perfect shot I realized I had forgotten to install a memory card!

Viewof the Lighthouse on Palos Verdes Peninsula

Of course, with seniors on their walkers it was not possible on this trip to hike around. But until I can arrange to return another day, which I hope will be soon, these photos give you a pretty good taste of how truly beautiful Terranea is.

Click here for photo gallery.

(All photos copyright roslyn m wilkins.)

A Figueroa Corridor/University Park Walk-around

After a morning meeting at the Los Angeles Convention Center, I decided to walk down Figueroa Avenue, south of downtown, to visit some buildings I had only talked about driving by on the tour bus. I wanted to see them up close and personal. It was a boiling hot day and at each block I wanted nothing more than to turn around and go back to the bus stop to catch the bus that would take me home to the cooling breezes of Culver City. But ever the intrepid adventurer, I forged ahead.

Stimson Mansion on Figueroa

The first building on my list was the 1891 Stimson House, home to the lumber and banking millionaire, Thomas Douglas Stimson. From the beginning it has been a city landmark and the costliest home ever built at the time, to the tune of $150,000.  Stimson hired the 27-year-old  architect H. Carroll Brown to design his home in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, reminiscent of a castle or fortress with rough-hewn stone, arched windows and a turret.

As it was already past my lunchtime and my tummy was rumbling, I headed over to Popeye’s, the only eating establishment in my field of vision. I ordered the three-wing meal with red beans and rice and a biscuit. Oh my, compared to this Kentucky Fried Chicken is health food! But I gobbled it up. While sitting in the restaurant I noticed the MTA local 37 at the bus stop. It had the heading West LA Transit Center so I realized I did not have to walk all the way back to Venice Blvd. to catch the 733, I could take this bus and transfer to the Culver City Line 1.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

Next I visited St. Vincent de Paul’s Catholic Church, designed by architect Albert C. Martin, Sr. and dedicated in 1925, it is the second oldest Catholic church in the city. It is also famous for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1999 film End of Days. The exterior is in the Spanish Churrigueresque Baroque style and inside you can imagine you are indeed deep in the heart of Spain with a magnificent gold leaf altar and beautiful stained glass windows. 

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic church

I arrived just in time for the noon service. Although I am not religious, I always feel a profound sense of peace and comfort in any house of worship.

Southern California Automobile Club

From there I moved on to the Automobile Club of Southern California building erected in 1921 in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style. The architects were Hunt and Burns, and Roland E. Coate. Walking through the Figueroa entrance I was greeted by a century-old Moreton Bay fig tree. I was then surprised by the size of the complex. The immense courtyard is actually a parking lot (with another one behind it). An old-fashioned (I am guessing from the 1920s) AAA truck stands in a covered parking spot. An array of flags hang from the building in the rear but I have not been able to find any information on them.

Amat House in University Park neighborhood

Knowing I could catch the number 37 bus on Adams, I decided to walk further. I was delighted to find some Victorian houses including the Amat House. Then I walked through a gate into what I thought was a park to find myself on the campus of Mount St. Mary’s College Doheny Campus. This is the advantage of taking the bus and walking through neighborhoods versus driving everywhere. Mount St. Mary’s is a liberal arts Catholic college, primarily for women. The campus is comprised of two city blocks of Queen Anne-style Victorian mansions including the Doheny Mansion built in 1899 by the architects Theodore Eisen and Sumner Hunt.

Doheny Mansion, Mount St Mary's College

At this point I was hot and tired so I found the next bus stop. I climbed on board the bus happy that I had yet another adventure to add to my list.

Click here for photo gallery.  

(All photos copyright roslyn m wilkins) 

A tasty trip to Malibu’s wine country

Outdoor wine tasting at Malibu Wines

Sun, wine, zebras, sand traps—these were all elements of a memorable Wednesday in Malibu. S invited some of her fellow tour guides to a wine sampling at Malibu Wines on Mulholland Highway at Kanan Dume Road in Malibu, California.

All five of us packed into J’s SUV in the early afternoon for our trip from West Los Angeles up the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). It was a spectacular day with clear views from Palos Verdes to the Malibu Peninsula. When the sky is free of haze Santa Catalina Island, 20 miles off mainland Los Angeles, is easily visible. But on this unusually pristine day it was so clear we could see the outlines of buildings on the island.

The Pacific Ocean has many colors in its palette depending on the weather. This day we were treated to a deep teal/turquoise with choppy white wavelets. Unfortunately, on the trip along PCH from Santa Monica to Malibu there is not a continuous view of the ocean as it is obstructed by beach houses and condos two or three stories high. There are stretches of hundreds of yards where there is not so much as a crack of daylight between buildings. In effect, unless you are particularly interested in creative uses of stucco, this drive can be pretty boring and disappointing to out-of-town guests.

We turned right off PCH on to Kanan Dume Road. Once through the tunnel you are in an entirely different country. In fact, you are in the country. The vista changes to rolling green hillsides decorated with yellow monkey flowers (mimulus brevipes). I felt like I was back in Italy as the vineyards came into view with neat rows of plantings climbing the slopes of the Santa Monica Mountains. Who knew there was a flourishing wine industry just 35 miles west of downtown Los Angeles?

Our congenial bartender

We found a shady spot to park the car and were greeted by B who directed us to the wine tasting area which is an outdoor walkup bar. We were instructed to pick our choice of wine tastings from three flights: Semler Estate, Saddlerock Ranch or a flight of light wines. As I prefer reds, I picked the Ranch flight. Our server was most congenial, describing each wine as he poured. 

My first taste was a Chardonnay. As I am not a connoisseur of white wines, I really can’t comment. The next two wines were a Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon which were both fine. I have probably drunk more Pinot and Cab in my lifetime than most people but neither of these appeal  to me anymore.

Shady umbrellas at Malibu Wines

The last wine on my list was a Syrah. For the past year, since a friend and I enjoyed a first-rate bottle of Syrah at a popular Culver City restaurant near my house, I have been a big fan of this variety. So my anticipation level for this wine was very high and it could have been a huge letdown. I picked up the glass and sniffed a little. I had already read the description which promised a “nose of blackberries, blueberries and a hint of vanilla.”  So far so good.

I took the first sip. Let me just say that at that very moment in time I could not recall ever tasting a better wine. Maybe it was the beautiful day, maybe it was the lovely environment. Nevertheless, my lips were caressed by the finest silk, angels sang, perfume filled my nostrils, I felt gossamer wings of butterflies on my tongue and I envisioned endless fields of summer flowers. If I had tasted this wine first I would not have wanted to spoil it with any other.

Lest you think we were all tipsy by now, each tasting was about one-eighth of a normal serving of wine, enough to get a good sense of the flavors, but not enough to become inebriated. 

Saddle rock formation at Saddlerock Ranch

Our hostess then offered to take us on a tour of Saddlerock Ranch (the namesake of my wine flight.) We piled into her truck and took off down the road. We were in ranch country, no doubt about it. Could we still possibly be in Los Angeles?

This is one of the reasons I love living in LA as we have such a large variety of scenarios to choose from. Take your pick of snow-covered mountains, sandy beaches, desert landscapes, world class orchestras or art museums, the country life with horses or big-city living with skyscrapers—you can have it all and if you drive fast, sometimes in the same day!

We arrived at the Saddlerock Ranch gate, having no idea what to expect with the exception that we would be looking at some grapevines—okay. Have you visited Denali Park in Alaska where from the comfort of the bus you see magnificent vistas, including Mt. McKinley (Denali) and various kinds of wildlife. This was a mini version of that excursion, but southern California-style.

Airstream camping grounds

First of all, Saddlerock is just that: a rocky formation jutting out of the landscape in the shape of a horse saddle. Then, happily grazing or sleeping in their various corrals we encountered bison, llamas, camels, zebras—and horses, of course. Throughout the ranch we viewed staged vignettes of country living from days gone by including a John Deere tractor, an Airstream trailer park (albeit not functional) and a big yellow 50s taxi. The whole time I was still tasting that wonderful Syrah, imagining that it was actually grown on the vines we were passing on our tour (I know, it really comes from the Central Coast).

The adventure continued as we climbed back on board the truck. Next stop, the Malibu Golf Club on Encinal Canyon Road. Upon entering the clubhouse we noticed the high wood panel ceiling was dotted with dollar bills and we were conjecturing how they got up there.

Malibu Golf Club

The restaurant windows provide a wide view overlooking the golf course which is lined with trees in a picturesque setting surrounded by the greenery of the Santa Monica’s. The outside bar is a converted cargo container with chandeliers made of wine glasses and wine bottles. Very creative recycling.

We returned to Malibu Wines where B graciously provided us with a bottle of wine of our own choosing to split five ways. S and I pumped for the Syrah and the others (wisely) acquiesced. We sat at a table in the garden shaded by an umbrella, contentedly munching on crackers and nuts as we shared that scintillating Syrah. I could have stayed the rest of the afternoon and evening soaking up the peace and serenity (not to mention the wine). But it was the end of our idyllic visit. The traffic and civilization were beckoning.

On the return trip we noticed a dome structure on the hillside to the south of Kanan Dume Road. In the sunlight it glowed as if built of copper.  Searching the internet later on, I discovered it is a house constructed of wood which you can check out by clicking here.

As we turned off Kanan Dume on to PCH, the sparkling Pacific Ocean was still waiting for us with its many hues of blues and greens. We all agreed we were indeed fortunate to live in southern California in such close proximity to so much of nature’s bounty.

For a photo gallery, click here. Some of the photos of the ranch may be a tad blurry as they were taken from a moving truck.

(All photos copyright roslyn m wilkins.)

A terrific escapade with Tourific Escapes

What could be a better way to spend a day than touring Hollywood and filling your tummy with delicious food? 

On Tuesday morning, June 21, a dozen intrepid adventurers, otherwise known as tour guides, joined Trish Proscetto and Matt Rubenstein, the husband and wife owners of Tourific Escapes, for their Hollywood Sites and Bites Tour. 

The trip was sponsored by the ITMI So Cal Network, an organization consisting of graduates of the International Tour Management Institute who live or work in southern California.

Meeting at the Roosevelt Hotel lobby

We met at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Since I last took a tour group through this 1927 hotel it has been remodeled and all the wonderful photos of old Hollywood have been removed from the mezzanine. This saddens me and I wonder if they are still displayed somewhere else? 

We began our food safari with a walk around the Hollywood Highland Center. Trish showed us a secret corner in the shopping mall for an unobstructed view of the Hollywood sign. I hope I can remember where it is next time I give a tour there.

Crumbs Bake Shop

Our first tasting was at Crumbs Bake Shop, just off the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, where we sampled a specialty coffee and mini cupcakes. I am not a cupcake fan myself, but if you are, Crumbs boasts more than 50 varieties baked fresh daily with a new cupcake of the week every Monday. And you can’t quarrel with the location!

Panoramic view of city from Yamashiro's

We then drove up the hill behind Hollywood Boulevard past the Magic Castle to Yamashiro’s restaurant on Sycamore. Although we didn’t go inside, the gardens afford a spectacular view of the city below.

Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles

Next up was Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles on North Gower Street. I have eaten at the original location in Long Beach but I was not aware there was one located in Hollywood—until now. We were each presented with a quarter of a waffle (made with their secret recipe) and a fried chicken wing. People always seem to think I am being polite when I choose the wing off a plate of chicken pieces, but that is my favorite part, and apparently I am not alone as this is their best seller. You have to eat the chicken and waffle together with maple syrup drizzled over the concoction.   

What separates Trish and Matt’s tour from the ordinary food tour is that Trish is very knowledgeable about the area and was able to regale us with a plethora of information and stories as we traveled from eatery to eatery—not to mention her charming and effusive personality.

The red glow of STREET's patio

Our third stop was at Susan Feniger’s STREET on North Highland Avenue. We were treated to a ginger tamarind cooler, Susan’s unique Kaya Toast and a variety of sampler platters. Each new taste was simply amazing. I would go back there any day. And eating outside in the patio we were bathed in a red glow from the canopy.  

 Although by now I was stuffed to the gills, we were not done yet.

Greenblatt's Deli

Greenblatt’s Deli is located on Sunset Boulevard. We ate upstairs overlooking colorful stained glass windows. While the others were served pastrami sandwiches and pickle spears, I enjoyed a very good potato knish with excellent coleslaw. Downstairs is the wine shop and a takeout counter stocked with eye-catching delights such as maple-mustard chicken, stuffed cabbage and garlic broccoli. It might be worth stopping in there to pick up dinner on my next visit to the area.

Making a decision about those chocolates

After the deli I really had to take a break from eating. Our next venue was John Kelly Chocolates on N. Sierra Bonita Avenue. They have some unusual flavors such as sea salt and chili. Perhaps it is fortunate that I do not care for dark chocolate or at that point there is no doubt I would have burst at the seams. Everybody else was obviously enjoying the samples, so I am sure the chocolate was first class. We were afforded the privilege of taking a look at the chocolate production in the adjoining space where the confection is all handmade. It is encouraging to see such a small operation thriving as a business.

Mashti Malone's legend

 As our final port of call was Mashti Malone’s ice cream store (on North La Brea Avenue) I was indeed happy that I had left some space for some serious sampling. Mashti Malone’s Persian creations include exotic ingredients such as rosewater, saffron, cardomom, orchid root and Arabian gum. The more I sampled, the more indecisive I became! I finally settled on the rosewater saffron combination just because I had to choose one, but I could easily have ordered them all. In my opinion, ice cream is the true nectar of the gods. I like to eat it and savor it ever-so-slowly so I had to finish my cup on the bus.

Matt drove us safely back to the Roosevelt Hotel. After our four-hour expedition I felt like I had been on vacation for a week.

For information about other Tourific Escapes tours, you can visit the website at http://www.tourificescapes.com/.

Click here for a photo gallery.

(All photos copyright roslyn m wilkins.)