Venice Beach

The best people watching! It was full of people selling things, or attempting to sell things, or just wanting money. Oh, and lots of hippies. And crazy people. This guy wasn't selling anything or trying to get money. He was just walking around with his radio, jammin to "Ride, Sally Ride."

How can you not laugh at him? We think he may have been an olympic lifter in the early eighties. He was hanging out around the gym, and we read some old poster they had of Arnold "I'll be Back" and one of the guys looked like him. Maybe. Or maybe he is just crazy.

That's broken glass.

This guy would just run up to people and scare the shit out of them. Sometimes he had half a ping-pong ball over one eye and a cookie in his mouth.And then he passed out. The best part is that the cops were called over a dispute with whose area this was. While they were arguing, he took advantage.

Remember that hilarous Chinese obstacle course show? Apparently there is an American version now, and they film in Venice Beach. So, we watched a few people attempt the course.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Vegas to party with Brad & Britt. I vow to stay up later than I did last time after our night at Nines! I will try to keep the Raspberry mojos to a minimum. Maybe we'll even find another Jasmine, or should I say JaZmine. Do I win the scavenger hunt again if I do??

This is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down.

Todd has driven all around L.A., (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, Malibu, Santa Monica) so we have been able to get a good feel of this city.

Venice Beach (the boardwalk will get its own post full of photos!)

Rodeo Drive. We saw Sharon Osbourne (Ozzy Osbourne's wife). Todd actually spotted her first while we were driving, or thought it could have been her. Then, we saw her while walking past stores. She was all alone and we could've went into the store, but it was just Sharon Osbourne so we passed. :)

This yacht had a helicopter on the back. Excessive, much? Then again, we were surrounded by Porsches, Bentleys, & Ferraris.

Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion gate. That's about all you can see. You get a glimpse of the top of the mansion, but there is landscaping and bushes everywhere.

I'm sad to report that I have no idea where the Fresh Prince's mansion is...But I did sing the song to Todd anyways when we drove through Bel-Air.
Is it in your head now?

Pacific Coast Highway

Wednesday we went to Monteray Bay/Carmel area. Beautiful! (especially when it wasn't foggy) Thursday we drove down the Pacific Coast highway through Big Sur, etc on our way to LA.

Famous Pebble Beach Golf course (that I knew nothing about until Todd told me, but had to take this picture for Andy Jr.)

Still having a blast! Can't believe Monday will mark 3 weeks of vacation.

San Francisco & Sonoma

We biked across the Golden Gate bridge Monday afternoon. Not as easy as it looks. The wind was intense! Our ears were hurting and frozen by the time we were done, but so glad we did it.

Sea lions at the pier

Painted ladies. Kira, these are the houses they show in Full House!

Monday morning we drove to Sonoma and visited a couple of wineries and had lunch. Lots of fun. We bought a bottle or two, or 12, of wine.

We are heading out tomorrow morning and going down the Pacific Coast Highway/Highway 1. Staying Wednesday night in Monteray Bay, and as usual, nothing planned for the following nights.

Yosemite

Not sure where to even begin to describe Yosemite. Pictures don't come close to doing this place justice. Beautiful. (And, once again, a lot of my photos are on my other camera, which I will have to upload once we get home.)

tree-hugger

Best hike we took! Only us, and another couple were out on these cliffs. This "fence" behind us was the only spot with any barrier. I was a little nervous.

Yes, I am holding on to him for dear life.

I couldn't count the amount of times I pleaded with him to stop getting so close to the edge. This was at a time he was somewhat not scaring me, but it drops off very close to his right.

Spot of our picnic today.

2900 miles

We just thought this was one of the most dangerous pumps ever. Don't know if you can see the fuel that is leaking out. And yes, the pump handle went back on the wooden spool. But, this was the only option for miles.

We are currently driving through Nevada, nearing Reno. We'll make it to Yosemite sometime tomorrow and stay there til at least Saturday.

KIRA & TJ: This is just for you. I forget to mention it in my last post. Uncle Toddy wanted to let you know that some of the rocks in Arches National Park look like dinosaurs took a big dump on them. He knew you would like that. :)

Arches National Park, Utah

We left Durango Monday morning and stopped to visit Arches National Park in Utah. We got to Salt Lake City Monday night. Today we are going to do a little sight-seeing and then head to Yosemite. Not sure how far we will make it tonight.

Todd thought it would be a good idea to climb to the top of this to see what was on the other side. Apparently a steep dropoff. Therefore I was freaking out, wanting him to climb back down and he found it funny. The usual.