Spur of the moment beach walk

Last week was really a downer for me. Not only was I without a computer but I had a family issue I was dealing with… back and forth on a decision I didn’t want to make because I didn’t know which was the right way to go… so I was in a dark place. Yesterday the decision was pretty much made for me… it’s not a good situation but today I felt that weight was at least off my shoulders.

This morning I had things to do but I decided life is short and “things” can wait. I read Mark Bialczak’s blog post about sub-zero temperatures in Syracuse, New York and I thought, how lucky can I be living in Southern California with 70F (21C) degree weather and the sun shining… I didn’t want to spend the day hunched over the computer!

So I ran out the door, jumped on the Metro #733 bus and pretty soon I was at the Santa Monica Pier. Aaaaahhhh, I already felt a million times better.

I have a ton of photos of the pier so today I mainly wanted to breathe the air and enjoy staring at the ocean. I really liked the texture and color of the above photo, pretty much the way it came out of the camera with just a little sharpening. It doesn’t even look like water, does it?

I just managed to get this photo with a tad of water on the left… would have been better with another quarter of an inch but I would have had to dangle off the side of the pier so I felt lucky to get this.

These white stars are at various locations on the pier. I don’t know what they signify. Maybe nothing. But I like them.

While on the pier I decided to treat myself to my favorite greasy tuna melt. Very unhealthy but delicious. So to compensate I walked the 2 1/2 miles along Ocean Front Walk from the pier to Windward Avenue in Venice so I could catch the Culver City #1 bus. That’s one of the many advantages of taking the bus as I don’t have to walk back to my car.

So obviously, the above photo is looking back to the pier. That’s the bike path all those people are walking along…

A view of the pier through the palm trees. Really, today I felt like I was on vacation in some exotic foreign land… and all just a short bus ride away.

Walking, walking, walking. No cars allowed here, just bikes, roller skaters and pedestrians.

I like this little play on words, loosely translated as “A clean beach is within our arm’s reach.”

These storm fences make a nice abstract composition.

A Santa Monica seagull. I liked the black and white art deco motif on his tail. This little rascal did not want to pose for me. Every time I clicked the shutter he turned his head away. Gotcha!

Now we have arrived in Venice. Can you tell the difference? There is a distinct feel in the air with the first footstep over the city limits from Santa Monica. Just for the record, Venice is a district in the City of Los Angeles, whereas Santa Monica is a separate city unto itself (but within Los Angeles County).

For one thing, you would never see a drinking fountain decorated like this in Santa Monica. Also in Santa Monica the beach birds are Seagulls. In Venice they are Pigeons. Only kidding…

Now for some history. I lived in Venice in the mid to late 70s. Yes I am that ancient. This was the apartment building we called home, right on Ocean Front Walk in the middle of the action. Back then our living/dining area was on the left hand side where now they sell t-shirts, umbrellas and boogie boards. On the right, where the smoke shop is now, was our bedroom.

Every time I walk past this building I get such a weird feeling seeing all these strangers walking around in my former home and I think of us still watching TV and eating dinner in there!

A lot of things have happened since those days to me and the world. Gosh, how did I get through each day with no computer and no internet? It was a cruel and barbaric era!

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

Joy to the Hills of Beverly

Last week I ended up in Beverly Hills so I decided I might as well take some photos of the holiday decorations on Rodeo Drive. This is one place in LA that tourists stand a chance of actually sighting a celebrity. Unfortunately, I am hopeless at recognizing them on the street. So while Angelina and Brad or Kim and Kanye could well have been shopping for gifts, I was too intent on taking pictures of the decorations to notice. Sorry folks…

At this point I was walking along Wilshire at Camden, just one block from Rodeo.

Closer, closer…

Almost there…

Ta da… at the corner of Wilshire and Rodeo in the heart of Beverly Hills. Note two jewelry stores waiting to greet you: Tiffany‘s and Stephen Webster. I could have picked up a bauble or two but I was on the hunt for other treasure.

Like this colorful tree with a handsome toy soldier.  This is on Two Rodeo, a cobble stone shopping block with no cars allowed.

The architect did a nice job on Rodeo Two which is designed in an Italianate style.

Just a good place to sit and watch the tourists.

Now we are on Rodeo Drive proper. A new Louis Vuitton emporium is being constructed behind this façade, opening next year. Needless to say, I can’t wait. (Uh, I don’t think so…)

At the corner of Rodeo Drive and Two Rodeo. This is where every self-respecting tourist wants to have their photo taken. Hey, why not…

At left you see people boarding the sight-seeing trolley that takes you around Beverly Hills, including the residential areas and the Beverly Hills Hotel (The Pink Palace).

Now, this is kind of a cute idea that went a little wrong. I think it’s fun to see crystal chandeliers hanging on Rodeo Drive. And I realize they wanted to protect them from the elements. But these clunky glass cases really spoiled the effect. Surely, Beverly Hills could come up with a better way… some kind of a seamless bubble maybe… okay, you have a whole year to think about it… I’ll be back next year to check it out.

Nice red and white plant choices. Poinsettias, snapdragons and cyclamens.

You’ll just have to imagine how great this all looks lit up at night.

 
And for our finale, the House of Bijan with red bows and pine boughs entwined in the red geraniums. I recommend clicking on the House of Bijan link for a peak inside the showroom which is a blast of yellow.

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

The Ginkos put on a show

Walking to the Huntington Library from the Gold Line train station last week (see my previous post), I saw this blaze of yellow up ahead.

I couldn’t figure out what it could possibly be.

When I got up close the leaves looked like Ginkos. When I got home I looked it up to make sure.

I just didn’t know they turned this gorgeous yellow in the fall.

Why haven’t I noticed them in previous years? Maybe the conditions have to be just right for such a brilliant display.

Who says we don’t have seasons in Southern California?

According to Wikipedia: Ginkgo biloba is a unique species of tree with no living relatives. The ginkgo is a living fossil, recognisably similar to fossils dating back 270 million years. Native to China, the tree is widely cultivated and was introduced early to human history. It has various uses in traditional medicine and as a source of food.

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

Maguire Gardens at Richard Riordan Central Library – Part Three

Entrance to Richard Riordan Central Library from Maguire Gardens

(See my previous posts first: One good kipper and a visit to the Central Library – Part One and Interior snapshots of Richard Riordan Central Library – Part Two)

Maguire Gardens, designed by Lawrence Halprin and completed in 1988, was inspired by Bertram Goodhue’s original ideas. Previously a parking lot, the gardens are now extended all the way out to meet Flower Street.

Looking from the library steps out to Flower Street. Look closely, you can see the reflection of the library and the Biltmore tower behind it in the building across the street.

Click on an image to start slideshow:

View from Maguire Gardens of 444 Building, Library Tower, Gas Company Tower

Building in the center is Library Tower, also known as US Bank, as of this writing the tallest building west of Chicago at 73 floors. The developers, Maguire Thomas, were able to buy the rights to build at this height when the Central Library sold its air rights in order raise money for the renovation and extension of the library building.

More views of the garden. Click on image to start the slideshow:

World Peace bell dedicated in 2001 by then Mayor Richard Riordan

The inscription reads (in part):

The World Peace Bell is an internationally recognized symbol of world peace. The bell is cast from coins and medals donated by 103 countries and represents a common bond among the nations of the world.

View from Maguire Gardens of Westin Bonaventure Hotel. Built in the mid 1970s it is still the largest hotel in LA… but for how long? The glass elevators were quite the innovation when it was first built.

At some point in the future my camera and I will be wandering around the exterior of the library building to take some shots of all the wonderful details. Don’t know when that will happen but it’s on my long long long long list of things to do.

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

Wayfarers Chapel in the green trees

Last week I accompanied my mother’s assisted living group to visit Wayfarers Chapel in Palos Verdes which is tucked into the southwest corner of Los Angeles County. Palos Verdes, loosely translated as the “green trees,” looks out on to the Pacific Ocean over rugged cliffs and a rocky shoreline.

First we stopped for a picnic lunch at Point Vicente Park between the Interpretive Center and the Lighthouse. It was very pleasant eating sandwiches under the trees and watching the pelicans flying across the water in search of their own lunch.

It was a beautiful day and as we drove up to the park we remarked that Santa Catalina Island looked close enough to walk over there. At that point the distance is approximately 20 miles  (32 km). Long distance swimmers usually pick that spot to swim over to the island. In fact, Steven Robles, who was attacked by a shark last week further up the coast, swam that route last year.

After our picnic we drove a couple of miles to the chapel. Designed by architect Lloyd Wright, the chapel is nestled amongst Redwoods and Italian Stone Pines. Made mostly of glass, it has spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. It was completed in 1951.

From the Wayfarers Chapel website: The mission of the Chapel is to nurture the spiritual journey of wayfarers. A church without a membership that welcomes people of all faiths.

Palos Verdes is about 30 miles from downtown Los Angeles… but it could be another country. Whenever I am driving along Palos Verdes Drive on a lovely sunny Southern California day, I always think of my trip to the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Of course, I love downtown LA too, and as I have said many times before, it is this diversity that makes me feel fortunate to live here.

Native California plants and trees are planted throughout the grounds, although not necessarily Southern California.

Click on an image below to start the slide show:

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

Cross of the Martyrs, Santa Fe, New Mexico

See my post here on One Good Life Travels about my visit to the Cross of the Martyrs in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

An encore visit to Malibu Family Wines at Saddlerock Ranch

My previous visit to the Malibu Family Wines at Saddlerock Ranch was in July of 2011 when I was part of a group of tour guides on an exploratory trip. You can see my post about that here. This time I was back for a photography opportunity with a group of fellow photography students.

Visitors from out of town, and even Angelenos, are surprised to learn that we have vineyards in our own backyard. This area is a mere 34-mile drive from my house in Culver City. No need to fly all the way to Napa Valley in Northern California!

The vineyards consist of approximately 60,000 vines on 65 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains.

According to the website: With the high altitude and separation from the coast, along with an ideal blend of weather conditions and rich, rocky soil, it’s the perfect environment for growing premium wine grapes.

The Saddleback Ranch area affords many photographic opportunities like this vintage Yellow Cab no longer in operation.

These Airstream trailers look like the makings for a dream vacation… but they are merely props to remind us of a bygone era.

Beautiful grassy area ideal for an event. Your wedding?

With our Mediterranean climate Southern California is like being in Italy or Greece or Spain. And whenever I visit those places I feel like I am still back in Southern California!

As a wino, it is lovely being in the midst of grape growing country. On my previous visit I tasted some of the wines and they have a Syrah that tastes like it is made in heaven. Well, Southern California is pretty close (when you are not fighting traffic!).

This area is home to a lot of rocky outcrops formed by, you got it… earthquakes…

Classic Airstream with 50s pink flamingo… wouldn’t you love to spend a week here? Well, a weekend, anyway…

Sunlight on the grape leaves. My parents used to grow grapes in their patio and I would pick the luscious leaves every year, brine them and stuff them with rice and raisins… oh yum.

Another kind of trailer. I could see myself getting up before dawn, sitting in that rocking chair and watching the sun rise across the vineyards with a good cup of coffee.

I love this photo. It says what this area is all about. Even though there are no people in the photo it expresses the idea of you and I relaxing in the midst of the grape vines. One of my favorite photos of the day.

Part Two will be about the animals on the ranch. Stay tuned!

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

California Plaza at Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles

California Plaza is an office tower, restaurant and courtyard complex located on Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles. It is at the top end of Angels Flight. You can see my blog about that here. One California Plaza was completed in 1985 (which actually surprised me) and Two California Plaza was completed in 1992. 1992 I knew about as I was still an architectural walking tour docent with the Los Angeles Conservancy. Anybody who was anybody in Los Angeles showed up for the gala opening. It was a beautiful evening. I was half the size I am now and wore a little number with a short skirt, plunging neckline and chiffon sleeves… oh, and four inch heels that I favored at the time. In case you are wondering, I’m much more comfortable now in jeans, LL Bean polo shirts and athletic shoes! But you’re right, this isn’t about me… The California Plaza complex also includes the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art (another blog post), the Colburn School of Performing Arts, the Omni Hotel (at right above)  and a 1.5-acre water court.   Free concerts are held here on week days and during the summer in the evenings. When Angels Flight is running again you can take the train from Central Market to California Plaza. From California Plaza you get a good view of the Subway Building. This is where, back in the good old days you bought a ticket to begin your journey by train throughout the Los Angeles area. We had over 1200 miles of track before the automobile industry destroyed the rail lines. Brenda Levin renovated the building in the 80s. Can you see the faux windows and the guy painting the “windows” (at left)?   Above Left: 1991 Gas Company Tower. Center: 1961 AT&T tower. Right: California Plaza. I couldn’t decide if I liked this photo better with or without the shrubbery so here are both versions! Reflection of Library Tower at right. I love wandering around this plaza. On a hot day in downtown the water features make me feel cooler. A great place for office workers to eat lunch during the week or to walk around on a Sunday when it is pretty much empty except for a few tourists. Above center is a good view of the US Bank building, also known as Library Tower for those of us who know its history. Still the tallest building West of Chicago at 73 floors.   In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I love taking photos of architecture and I especially like reflections! This sculpture at California Plaza is called Pre-Natal Memories by Mark di Suvero, 1976-1980.

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

The sad plight of Olivet and Sinai

Angels Flight on Hill Street in the Bunker Hill area of downtown Los Angeles is famously known as the shortest railway in the world. From 1901 until 1969 it connected the Central Market to the Victorian homes on the hill. In the 1970s Bunker Hill was cleared to make way for the office towers and apartment buildings that exist today.

In 1996 Angels Flight was re-opened a half block to the south. As Bunker Hill was regraded, so the cars, Olivet and Sinai, had to be installed on re-engineered bases to fit the new grade.

Unfortunately, the updated engineering for the railway was faulty. After an accident in 2001 when a passenger was killed, the engineering company went out of business and the owner disappeared, never to be found.

Angels Flight was closed again in 2010.

It was closed again for about a month in 2011.

Then, after another incident, it was closed again in 2013 and as I write this it has yet to re-open. The text on the plaque above reads:

Built in 1901 by Colonel J. W. Eddy, lawyer, engineer and friend of President Lincoln. Angels Flight is said to be the world’s shortest incorporated railway. The counterbalanced cars, controlled by cables, travel a 33 percent grade for 315 feet. It is estimated that Angels Flight has carried more passengers per mile than any other railway in the world, over a 100 million in its first fifty years. This incline railway is a public utility operating under a franchise granted by the City of Los Angeles. Marked by Beverly Hills Parlor #289 Native Daughters of the Golden West November 1952.

As of this writing Angels Flight still awaits its fate. All I can say is I have ridden this railway many many many times and as soon as it is up and running again I intend to be a passenger!

Now Angels Flight connects Hill Street with California Plaza, an office tower and public space.

I’ll be posting photos of California Plaza in a separate blog.

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!

My favorite kind of shopping

Yes, Photoshopping is the only kind of shopping I really enjoy! The photo above is the revised version of a photo I took last year.

I took the photo below from my deck but from my vantage point, no matter how I tried to move around, the Sony Studios water tower ended up splat in the middle of the palm tree.

I had the original photo printed on canvas but whenever I looked at it I wanted to take my scissors and move the water tower to the left. But thanks to Photoshop, I didn’t need to use scissors.

I like the revised image sooooooooo much better… and added a couple of birds for good measure!

What do you think?

All photos and content copyright roslyn m wilkins. Please feel free to pass along this post via email or social media, but if you wish to use some of our images or text outside of the context of this blog, either give full credit to myself and link to One Good Life in Los Angeles, or contact us for proper usage. Thanks!