Pet Iguana: Third Street, Santa Monica

Seeing someone out and about with a large pet iguana is uncommon, even for Los Angeles.


Some students from our summer ministry and I were out on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica a couple of weeks ago. We came across this guy with a large (OK, huge) pet iguana in his lap. Had to stop for a moment and take a couple photos.

"Mom, can I have a pet iguana for Christmas - pleeease?"

Saved a trip to the Los Angeles Zoo.

Another "experiencing L.A." moment.

© 2010 www.experiencingla.com

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Coming to America

One hundred years ago today, June 23, 1910, my great grandfather Josef arrived in the United States from Poland, which at the time had been absorbed into the Austria-Hungarian Empire, aboard the steamship Deutschland, pictured above. He was 25 years old.

A few months later he sent for my great-grandmother and my 10 month old grandfather.

I am forever humbled and grateful for the decision they made to come to America.

Like most immigrants of that period, they passed through Ellis Island. In fact, much of what I know about my great-grandparents' arrival came from the Ellis Island website www.ellisisland.org a few years ago.

My wife and I were at a conference in New York City earlier this year and were able to take some extra time to see Ellis Island. It's been beautifully restored to a museum and historic monument as part of the National Park Service.


The decisions and sacrifices of my ancestors one hundred years ago made this visit especially meaningful to me.

As I've posted previously on this blog, I wonder how the decisions and sacrifices I am making today are going to affect my great-grandchildren?

As a Christian, I'm reminded of the Psalms and the concept of impacting "the next generation, even children yet to be born." (Psalm 78:6).

Even children yet to be born. One hundred years from now, I hope that my "someday" grandchildren and great-grandchildren will celebrate the bi-centennial of the arrival of our ancestors to this country . . . and maybe even a decision or two their grandfather/great-grandfather (me) made.

Here's to celebrating "arrival day" - and continuing to make decisions and sacrifices that influence the next generation.

© 2010 www.experiencingla.com

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Beyond June Gloom

Los Angeles, along with the rest of coastal Southern California, experiences a unique weather pattern, known as "June gloom" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Gloom.

Throughout the spring and early summer, this means very thick low fog along the coastal regions. Ironically, coastal Southern California experiences more sunshine in January than June.

There are several ways to deal with June gloom: ignore it, wait until around noon when it "burns off," drive inland away from the coast, or - perhaps the most interesting - get above it.

One of my favorite hikes in Los Angeles gets above it. It's a fairly easy hike along the western ridge of upper Temescal Canyon, accessible from the top of the Palisades Highlands (in Pacific Palisades).


A recent hike, which started in thick fog, slowly gave way to hints of blue sky as I climbed a bit in elevation.


Sunrise through the edge of the fog a little before 6am. Pretty neat.


More blue sky ahead. On this particular morning, the coastal fog topped off around 1600 feet. While the rest of Los Angeles was socked in, the peaks of the Santa Monica Mountains poked through, making for a great hike.


Turning around, the normally visible Santa Monica Bay and city of Los Angeles were blanketed in low coast fog.


Looking northwest, fog up against the mountains of the upper Palisades Highlands and Topanga Canyon. This entire area is part of the extensive Topanga State Park. Here's a link to a previous post on Topanga State Park: http://www.ExperiencingLA.com/2009/04/topanga-state-park.html.


Another view looking back towards the city. An slight ocean breeze caused the fog to literally pour up and over the ridge I was just on.


I ended up walking another 30 minutes or so, to where the Temescal Ridge Trail connects with the Rogers Road Trail. If you're really ambitious can take this trail and either hike or mountain bike 5 1/2 miles south to Will Rogers State Historic Park. I opted for the easier route back to where I started.


Heading back, the fog against the mountain peaks made for some pretty stellar views. Glad I had my camera. In previous blog posts, I've shared some thoughts on how the creation points to the Creator http://www.ExperiencingLA.com/2010/05sunset-north-of-sunset.html. This was definitely my experience on this hike.

A mountain peak, guessing about 1800 feet, peaking though the fog.


Bright morning sun and blue skies while the rest of coastal Los Angeles was still under a thick blanket of fog.


Looking into upper Temescal Canyon. Here's some previous thoughts on coastal fog and a similar hike: http://www.ExperiencingLA.com/2009/05/fog.html


Weird. No, this isn't a double exposure. Just fog surrounding the same peak on the eastern ridge of upper Temescal Canyon.


This entire area is within Los Angeles city limits.

I've often hiked this ridge with a group of guys from my church. Amazingly, we rarely - if ever - see anyone else on this trail.

A final shot - this one of "1729" - or what a local hiker calls "High Peak"- on the eastern ridge of Temescal Canyon. Another link to this hike: http://www.experiencingla.com/2008/05/not-on-digitized-road-pacific-palisades.html

I headed back into the fog, and to my car. I would definitely recommend a hike along the western ridge of upper Temescal Canyon.

Directions to the trailhead: take the Pacific Coast Highway to Sunset Blvd (in Pacific Palisades) and turn north. Continue four blocks up Sunset and turn LEFT at the 2nd light: Palisades Drive. Continue up Palisades Drive 2 1/2 miles pass a traffic light and continue another 1 1/2 as it curves to the left and becomes Chastain Parkway. At the 2nd stop sign you'll be at Via Las Palmas and turn RIGHT at the Via Las Palmas.


click on this map for a larger view

Via Las Palmas is technically a "private" street - but with public access to the trail head. Continue up Via Las Palmas one block around a traffic circle and continue another short block to the parking lot. There is a parking lot, a bathroom, and a drinking fountain at the trailhead. Walk across the street and follow the paved trail, which becomes a dirt trail after about 1/8 of a mile. Continue to the ridge where you can either turn left (north) and enjoy the hike I took, or turn right (south) to Skull Rock - and eventually back to Sunset Blvd.

click on this map for a larger view

© 2010 www.experiencingla.com
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Rooster Mobile: Santa Monica

Tuesday night three students and I were coming back from an outreach in Santa Monica. Driving along California Avenue (between 17th & 18th Streets) we came across what can only be called the "rooster mobile" parked along the street.

Had to stop. Even by Los Angeles standards, this is wacky.

What in the world? Guess Josh (student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) was still hungry.


This is something you expect to see at a county fair or car show. Not parked in a residential neighborhood.

Can you imagine your neighbor parking this out front of your house?

Is this even legal? I guess so.

Can't believe I've never seen this before.


OK, I really want to know the story behind this car.

Where did this amazing rooster head even come from?

How did the owner attach it?

What's it like driving around town?


And the tail. The MASSIVE tail.

How does that even affect the handling?

Can you even open the truck?

Would you want to?


Josh (Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo) Steve (Cal Poly, Pomona) and Matt (Cal State Fullerton) - 3 of the 70 students investing their summer here in Santa Monica. More on that in a later post.

In the meantime, I'm curious to know the backstory on the "rooster mobile."

© 2010 www.experiencingla.com

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Providing Hope

Hope Gardens is an outreach of the Union Rescue Mission, providing shelter and long term solutions for ending homelessness for children and single moms who would otherwise would be living on the streets.

It's an outstanding ministry - and in danger of closing.

According to this article from the Los Angeles Daily News http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15199439 Hope Gardens will have to close it's doors unless $2.8 million dollars can be raised by the end of June.

Hope Gardens will never have the glitz or glamor of Cahuenga Peak, the open space next to the Hollywood Sign recently purchased to the tune of $12.5 million http://www.experiencingla.com/2010/04/another-take-on-hollywood-sign.html

Providing more than just food and shelter, Hope Gardens is providing long term solution to end homelessness. We love that vision. And we think it's worth investing in.

Here's the link to their site: http://www.urm.org

© 2010 www.experiencingla.com

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The Getty Center, Los Angeles (Part I)

Saturday evenings are "free night" at the Getty Center. Admission to the museum is always free, but on Saturday nights they even waive the $15 parking fee, making a great thing even better. Last month we headed on over to see the special Leonardo da Vinci exhibit.


If you've never been the Getty, it's a must visit. Above the massive parking garage is the tram station for the 1/2 mile ride to the museum.


Of course, our kids think this is one of the best parts of a visit, especially if they can score the seat at the front of the tram. No matter where you sit, you'll get great views looking out as you climb the hill.


The tram arrives and you head toward the entrance.


The Getty Museum actually has two locations: the original "Getty Villa" located in Pacific Palisades, and the much larger "Getty Center" located off the 405 Freeway in Brentwood. The Getty Villa requires advanced parking reservations, the Getty Center does not. Here's a few thoughts on the Getty Villa from previous post. 


The Getty Center is a series of gallaries centered around a large, open courtyard. There is a small family room, which is great for younger children. We've taken our kids there many times.

March 23–June 20, 2010 the Getty has a special exhibit featuring the work of Leonardo da Vinci. As I said, that's why we decided to go. 


If you want to see the Mona Lisa, you'll need to go to the Louvre in Paris. But if you'd like to see dozens of Leonardo da Vinci's original sketches as well as some of his massive sculpture, then head over to the Getty.

The museum has a very strict "no photography" policy in the galleries. This was just outside the gallery, looking in. That's OK, right?

It was an amazing display, and I'd LOVE to go back again and spend more time there - although the exhibit is only there two more weeks. If you're in the Los Angeles area, I highly recommend going.


There's a large gift shop immediately has you exit the exhibit. In that sense, it was just like Disneyland. You know, "get off Star Tours and buy a Yoda mask."


Well, I couldn't take pictures inside the galleries of Leonardo's work. Figured I could take a few from the books inside the gift shop. Wrong. "Sir, there is no photography anywhere inside the galleries, including the gift shop."

Time to head outside to the gardens (see Part II) where photography is allowed.

Here's the Getty's website: www.getty.edu

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© 2010 www.experiencingla.com

The Getty Center, Los Angeles (Part II)

Despite the strict "no photography" policy inside the Leonardo da Vinci galleries (see previous post) it was incredible and worth a visit. Afterwards, we headed outside to explore.

Even if you don't like artwork, it's worth a trip to the Getty Center just to see the gardens and - on a clear day - the view. Especially true if you have kids.


The water display and maze. Pretty cool.


There is an incredible display of flowers, with lots of people enjoying (and photographing) them.


Including yours truly. These are some sort of exotic red and black poppies. Our kids liked walking around and exploring.


Before heading home, we walked through several other galleries, and stopped off to see a personal favorite: "Christ and the Adulteress."

I continue to find this painting by Valentin de Boulogne moving.

Here are a few thoughts "Finding Christ at the Getty" from a previous visit. 


We thought we'd only be there 90 minutes - we ended staying close to four hours.

It's an amazing place, and worth a visit.

Admission is always free, and Saturday night they even waive the normal parking fee of $15.

For more information: www.getty.edu


View Getty Center, Los Angeles in a larger map

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© 2010 www.experiencingla.com


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John Wooden 1910-2010

UCLA legend John Wooden died Friday June 4th here in Los Angeles. He was 99.

Considered by many to be the greatest coach ever, Wooden led UCLA's men's basketball team to 10 national championships, including an astonishing seven straight from 1967 - 1973, a stretch that included 88 consecutive victories.

As columnist Mark Moring wrote, "That’s how he’s most remembered. But perhaps he’ll be best remembered as a mentor, a friend, a loving husband and father, and a source of endless wisdom and grace to hundreds of players, thousands of coaches, and millions of fans and admirers through the decades and around the world.

what a privilege it was for me to meet Coach John Wooden back in 1995

Wooden has long said that his wisdom came primarily from two sources—his earthly father, Joshua Wooden, and from his heavenly Father."

According to a wikipedia article, "He was a Christian for many years and his beliefs were more important to him than basketball, "I have always tried to make it clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior."

Wooden's faith strongly influenced his life. He read the Bible daily and attended the First Christian Church. He said that he hopes his faith is apparent to others, "If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I truly hope there would be enough evidence to convict me."

There was more than enough evidence.

John Wooden: a life placed in the hands of the Savior Jesus Christ.

© 2010 www.experiencingla.com

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