Living full time in our motor home allows us to be Ready To Go. . .on to the next adventure!

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco Skyline as seen from the Marin Headlands - California

Monday, March 30, 2015

Channel Islands National Park and Whale Watching off the California Coast

well. . .our trip to Channel Island National Park was a bit of a bust. . .

not a COMPLETE bust. . .but not a huge success either. . .



First off. . .the
National Park is a Marine Sanctuary located about
12 miles and, an hour and a half by boat, from the mainland. . .

Whale Watching Tour

started out so promising. . .clear skies. . .beautiful seas. . .ahhhhh. . .

Whale Watching Tour

Dave valiantly whale watching. . .

Whale Watching TourWhale Watching Tour

the brown pelicans flew alongside and
kept us company the entire trip. . .out and back. . .

Whale Watching Tour

about an hour out, we began to see the islands,
but the marine haze was really settling in. . .

Whale Watching Tour

although on a clear day we could have seen Santa Cruz Island,
today we felt fortunate to see a portion of Anacapa Island

Whale Watching Tour

and to view the Anacapa Arch at the East End of the island. . .

Whale Watching TourWhale Watching Tour

this smaller fin whale on the island side of the boat. . .
you can just see the plume to the right of the lady in red. . .

Whale Watching Tour

and this larger fin whale on the other side of the boat. . .
the naturalist determined it to be about 65 feet long. . .

these particular whales only surface enough to breath,
and then dive again. . .so pics were very difficult to get. . .

Whale Watching Tour

I just sat in one spot, and waited. . .
this is how my side of the boat looked when the captain
would say the whale was surfacing on the other side. . .LOL!

although disappointed in not having more excitement. . .
we still felt as though we got our money’s worth. . .
$33 per senior on Island Packers National Park Concessionaire Boat. . .

would we return, get off on the islands, and explore?  Probably. . .

This wraps up our time in the Los Angeles Area,
and at Soledad Canyon Thousand Trails Park. . .

see you next time in Bakersfield. . .

’til then,
Janice and Dave


Saturday, March 28, 2015

A Visit to the Ronald Reagan Library–Simi Valley California

I’m only going to show you a few of our very favorite pics. . .

it’s just too much to take in. . .and there’s no way to ever explain it all. . .

plus. . .we went on a Saturday. . .and it was packed,
so I asked the docent if it was better during the week. .

She said they have school groups in every day. . .

hmmm. . .packed with adults vs packed with kids. . .
yeah. ..we’ll stay and deal. . .thanks!

Ronald Reagan Library

first off. . .when we pulled up in the parking lot. . .
wow. . .look at these beauties. . .

Ronald Reagan Library

The Corvette Club was having a show. . .

Ronald Reagan Library

the entry. . .

Ronald Reagan Library

always love the portraits. . .

Campaign Slogan - Ronald Reagan Library

campaign slogan. . .

Teleprompter - Ronald Reagan LibraryTeleprompter - Ronald Reagan Library

how the teleprompters work. . .I never knew. . .

Ronald Reagan Library

remember I mentioned packed. . .one of the very congested places. . .

Oval Office - Ronald Reagan Library

Oval Office

Redecorating the White House with Donated Funds - Ronald Reagan Library

redecorating the State Rooms. . .donated funds. . .

Lunch - Ronald Reagan LibraryLunch - Ronald Reagan Library

we needed a break. . .a beautiful place for lunch. . .

the line waiting to enter Air Force One - Ronald Reagan Library

the line to tour Air Force One. . .yes. . .we waited. . .

Jelly Beans - Ronald Reagan Library

jelly beans. . .

actual piece of Berlin Wall - Ronald Reagan Library

actual piece of Berlin Wall

Graveside & Memorial - Ronald Reagan Library

Memorial Site

Simi Valley Vista - Ronald Reagan Library

Simi Valley Vista. . .

This is only a small portion of all there is to see. . .
so much to absorb. . .yes, it was worth it. . .
once we determined to deal with the crowds
and absorb the atmosphere. . .it was great. . .
not sure you could ever take it all in. . .

highly recommend. . .wow!

see you next time whale watching at Channel Islands National Park. . .

’til then,
Janice and Dave



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Venice Canals–Marina Bay–Santa Monica Pier–finishing up our tour. . .


California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Canal, Evans, David

.Venice Canals. . .yup. . .that’s one of the canals right there. . .
we passed by it on our way to

Marina Del Rey Harbor

Marina del Rey Harbor

Marina Del Rey - Fisherman's Village

and Fisherman’s Village

Marina Del Rey WelcomeMarina Del Rey - Shorty and Lizwith RV Friends Shorty and Liz Guptill

what a beautiful place. . .

Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Fisherman's Village 3

to just be by the water. . .and unwind
we were looking for seals, but the tide was in. . .
so. . .no luck. . .

Beautiful Wooden BoatFishing Boat

some beautiful boats


4 story yacht - charter for only $1 million per week

and. . .a fabulous 4 story yacht that you can
charter for only 1 million $$$$ per WEEK. . .wow!

yeah. . .back on the tour bus to reality. . .

Santa Monica Beach and Pier

next up. . .finally. . .Santa Monica Pier
which reminded me a lot of Navy Pier in Chicago,
only, not nearly as large. . .

Santa Monica Pier and Beach

the Pier was packed. . .

Santa Monica Pier and Beach

and the Beach was getting there. . .
still Spring Break y’all. . .

Route 66 - Santa Monica Pier and BeachRoute 66 - Santa Monica Pier and Beach

but, we got our End of the Trail – Route 66 pics. . .so we were happy!

Santa Monica Pier and Beach

Santa Monica California

RV'ing at the Pier - Santa Monica Pier and Beach

and my fave. ..
RV’ing on the Boardwalk anyone?

I must say, the first day tour was much better than the second,
but we had a great time. . .definitely got our money’s worth. . .
and we’re glad we came and saw. . .

and now we are done. . .

See you next time at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. . .

’til then,
Janice and Dave


Venice Beach–Los Angeles CA

We determined that of the five routes available on the HopOn/HopOff Tours,
there were only TWO that we were interested in. . .

The first day we did the RED ROUTE
and parked in the garage at the Chinese Theatre. . .
Santa Monica Beach and PierReady To Go Full Time RVing: Hopping On–Hopping Off in Los Angeles

we decided the second day, for the GREEN ROUTE
the better plan was to park in the garage near
Santa Monica Pier and start our tour from there. . .
worked out perfectly. . .

we’ll get on the bus. . .do the tour,
and explore the pier at the end of our day. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (19)California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA
first stop. . .Venice Beach. . .(see the V)

now. . .a few years ago we were in LA for a cruise,
and arrived a few days early to assist with an
Azusa Street Ministry Drama entitled
“The Fire Still Falls”
a powerful musical drama written by our
personal friend Pastor Ken Gurley – First Church – Pearland TX

anyway. . .Dave and I were there a few days before the drama started
to assist with backdrops, props, and all around whatever needed to be done,
and had an opportunity to see a bit of LA. . .but. . .
did not get to see Venice Beach (which a friend told us is NOT to be missed)

so. . .I was DETERMINED to SEE IT this trip. .
Los Angeles, Venice Beach 4 .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (22)California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (3)

some interesting art and artists. . .

some so vulgar I wouldn’t show it here,
even if had taken pics. . .which I didn’t
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (6)California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (7)

couple of nice murals. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (9)

very nice bike path. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (14)
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (12)California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (13)
Los Angeles, Venice Beach 3Los Angeles, Venice Beach 8
exceptional skateboard park
Los Angeles, Venice Beach 6Los Angeles, Venice Beach 5

typical tourist shopping and specialties. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (2)

Police Station and Police Presence
along the boardwalk. . .

I can definitely see how it would be a
madhouse on the weekends. . .aii yaiiii yaiiiii. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (15)

the beach itself. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (17)

clean and lovely. . .at least the day we were there. . .
Los Angeles, Venice Beach 9

even the graffitti
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (18)

was interesting. . .but oh man. . .let me tell you. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (8)
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (21)California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (5)

oh my goodness y’all. . .
there is some stuff goin’ on down there. . .whoooo weee

this does not even begin to show the craziness. . .
it was a zoo on a weekday. . .

and my sensory overload kicked in rather quickly,
which Shorty found quite humorous. . .

wow. . .

you gotta just go walk down there. . .
go on a weekend, so YOU can get the FULL experience. . .

yeah. . .not sure what else to say. . .
California 2015, Los Angeles CA, Starline Hop On Hop Off, Venice Beach CA (20)

after a couple hours of
“oh my goodnessing”

Liz quickly whipped out her handy dandy app
to find out when the next bus would arrive. . .
although Dave says she choose this spot
to check out the hookah pipes. . .LOL!

We did have some good eats. . .
the churros were yummy as was the frozen lemonade. . .

and now, this post has gone on long enough. . .
so I think I’ll save the rest of the tour for next time. . .

Hope I’ve inspired you to visit Venice Beach and Boardwalk. . ha ha!

’til next time,
Janice and Dave


Tuesday, March 24, 2015

HOLLYWOOD–Sunset Strip and the Walk of Fame

 

Driving down Sunset Strip

after lunch at the Farmer’s Market
we headed to Sunset Strip in Hollywood. . .

another view of the Hollywood Sign from the Sunset Strip

Liz got an exceptionally good pic of the Hollywood sign. . .

Capitol Records - Sunset Strip

here are a few more things we saw as we whizzed past. . .

Capitol Records

all things Garlic restaurant. . .Sunset Strip

all things garlic restaurant. . .yum!

Beverly Hills Police Station - Sunset Strip

the Beverly Hills Police station
where Zsa Zsa Gabor was taken for slapping an officer. . .oops!

Beverly Hills City Hall - Sunset Strip

actually the Beverly Hills City Hall. ..
but portrayed as the Police Station in some movie. . .
I don’t know which one. . .just sayin’

House of Blues owned by Dan Akroyd - http://www.seeing-stars.com/Dine/HouseOfBlues.shtml

House of Blues owned by Dan Akroyd,
and featured in several movies as well. . .no clue!

scheduled to be torn down and relocated. . .

John Wayne - Sunset Strip

statue of John Wayne. . .

gorgeous bougainvilla everywhere

the bougainvilla all over town is just glorious. . .

and now. . .on to the main event. . .

Hollywood Walk of Fame

the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Star TrekSteven Seagol

John TravoltaJohn Wayne

and the handprints, footprints signatures

Chinese TheatreChinese Theatre

located in the front courtyard of the Chinese Theatre. . .

Tom Selleck

Donald TrumpKermit the Frog

a few of my faves. . .

Now. . .you would think getting your very own Hollywood Star
would be “extra, extra special”. . .right?

hmmmm. . .well. . .there are sixteen BLOCKS of these “Stars”
lining both sides of the street. . .whoop tee doo is what I thought. . .

if you breathe (and generate a certain number of $$$$$$ signs)
I guess you get one. . .’cause I’m tellin you. . .

some of the folks names I saw all glittered up
were not really all that special (in my opinion – you understand)

. . .AND. . .

Chinese Theatre

by the time we made it back around to explore the handprints/footprints further
this is how the courtyard looked. . .LOL! 

Wall to Wall Tourists. . .extremely entertaining. . .

at this point, we all decided we had pretty much had our fill for the day. . .

We came. . .we saw. . .we did NOT necessarily conquer. . .
but we sure had fun trying!

See you next time at the Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach. . .whoooo weee. . .

’til then,
Janice and Dave