Friday, September 16, 2011

California Trip Part 2

Can you take some more California pics?  Well, I can. Here's some pics from LA and points north on our cruise up Hwy 1.  I'll explain as I go...

Below, a couple of pics of the La Brea Tar Pits in LA.  In these ponds of yuck, there is oil and crud bubbling up STILL, and big goopy globs of asphalt rise to the surface.  Bleh...


Now we go inside to the Page Museum there at the location to view some of the fossils that have been extracted from the tar pits.  They were absolutely amazing.  I didn't know if I was going to like this exhibit, but Tony wanted to go see it, and I wound up really enjoying it!  This first one is a giant ground sloth and believe me, it was giant. 

Above is a huge ancient bison.



Below is a saber-toothed cat attacking the giant sloth...


Then we took a spin down Rodeo Drive...  


Finally, we get to the coast of California.  It was just spectacular...  My first look at the Pacific Ocean.  There were folks there relaxing for the Labor Day weekend.  We sat on the beach for a while before continuing on our journey.  Being seaside is just intoxicating for me.  There's something about water, particularly an ocean that just mesmerizes me.  We soaked up some sunshine and decided to go on down the coast to wherever our next destination might be.  We were vagabonds on this trip and just drove wherever our whims decided.  Such a fun way to travel!



Next up the coast we made a swing through Santa Barbara to see the mission there... It was getting late in the afternoon and they were about to close.  You know, it was actually chilly there!  You can't imagine how good it felt after leaving our 100+ temps behind in Texas!!!!




Before we left we ran across this fellow - Friar Antonio.  I decided that he could come with me on my trip...


Tune back next time for the next leg of our trip!  Thanks for looking!

13 comments:

Vee said...

That is the cutest picture of Antonio. Ha! I enjoy your pictures very much as it is unlikely that I'll ever see these sights on my own.

Sunny said...

Oooohing and Aaaaahing over that coastline and those mission photos!Great job, my friend! (Painting, painting, painting)

Packrat said...

Lucky you! All of the times I've been through LA and have not been to the tar pits. sad. Isn't the Queen of the Missions absolutely beautiful?. (My husband is from Santa Barbara, and my in-laws still live there. Husband is related to most of the people buried in the Mission cemetery.) The Friar is a new addition, or else he's been hidden away. So glad you let him go along with you. Long walk home. ;) Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

we honeymooned in Santa Barbara..beautiful city and they have a great beach...glad you got to see so much of our great state...

Tanna said...

The coastline is just amazingly beautiful. In 2000, I ran the Big Sur Marathon... it remains one of the most moving experiences in my life... the beauty could take your breath away. So glad you had this trip! blessings ~ tanna

angela said...

being a vagabon is the best way to enjoy your holidays. Loved the photos! thanks for sharing

Patty Marker said...

Being a native California girl, these pictures are so familiar to me. I visited the tar pits and museums when I was in grade school and chaperoned my own girls when they went on field trips there. I love your ocean pictures, too.

Karen Carter said...

I'm glad you enjoyed California!! I went to the tar pits on a field trip when I was in grade school. We live here and you have seen more than me now : ) I agree the ocean is amazing! I never tire of it and feel so close to God while I am there for some reason. Its good for my soul. Great pictures and Ya'll come back !

Tara said...

Beautiful scenery! Looks like you two had a wonderful time. Isn't it great to get away with your hunny. Great pics. Miss Ya!
Hugs,
tara

Tara said...

Forgot to tell ya...love your header!

Paula said...

Oh, these are wonderful pictures, Vickie... what a gorgeous place!!
The Mission is amazing... and Friar Antonio fits right in! *hehe*

Dolores said...

I'm loving looking at your beautiful pictures and reminiscing of our trip to California......so much beauty to behold.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

I've heard of the tar pits but have never seen photos of them. Very cool! I'm enjoying your photos. I was born in California but haven't been back to the west coast in over 30 years!