Exploring Angeles National Forest

Dan and I went for a Sunday afternoon drive in Angeles National Forest. This time, we went beyond the Mt. WIlson turnoff and went deeper into the forest. We even hit areas with signs that told us that we could not park without an Adventure Pass. We had no idea what that was, but figured that it was something that we ought to buy. We had quite the driving adventure, but maybe next time we can get the pass and do some hiking or maybe even try camping. Truthfully, we are more the "Let's Camp at the Four Seasons and rough it with room service" types, but the idea of pitching a tent in the forest does appeal to our sense of adventure! It also appeals to our sense of shopping for gadgets. Camping equipment is pretty darn cool. Here we are, only thirty miles from home, yet it feels like a completely different world.

We found a dirt road and decided that the Smart car could handle it.

The road looks wide in the shot, but it got narrow and bumpy. Of course, the Smart handled it just fine. Who needs a truck? Not us!

Looking up at a pretty tree while on the dirt road.

Burnt trees while on the trail. We were in a fairly remote area and didn't see too many other people.

It was closed, but we stopped by the visitors center, which was a cool looking building.

We encountered some unusual signs. I learned about Vetter Towers, Sunday drives can be educational!

We all drove passed this dive. Next time, we might join the bikers for a burger and beer.

I still can't believe that all of this is so close to home. There is still so much that we have yet to explore.

One last picture, the Smart needed a bath after all of the dirt roads, so we took her to a car wash in La Canada. Pretty rainbow colored soap! I always revert to a five year old when I go through the car washes.

Celebrating the 4th in a New Way

With the exception of two years, I have always spent the 4th of July with my family. The two years that I skipped out, were due to having to work, the only acceptable excuse for missing my Aunt and Uncle's annual pool party. It used to be a big deal, between 30-40 people, BBQ, pool volleyball and fireworks. The party has dwindled over the years and is now more of a small gathering rather than a party. Still, attendance on my part was considered mandatory, I've never enjoyed it. I love the people who come, but a whole day of sitting around the pool, helping out and making small talk is just not my idea of a fun way to spend the 4th. Additionally, the mandatory attendance just irks me. Somehow, the 4th has been elevated to a family holiday, near to the same level as Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year, I decided to make a stand. It resulted in a bit of family drama and a fight, but I just wasn't going to do the normal 4th of July routine. I asserted my independence. This refusal led to a day without plans and an adventure!

For as long as I have known him, Dan has been wanting to drive up route two and into Angeles National Park. Growing up in Glendale, the Angeles Forrest is in my backyard, but I had never explored it. We fueled up on pancakes and hit the road with no particular destination in mind.

Here is one of our Smart Cars on Angeles Crest Highway. Zippy and a convertible, a perfect partner on our expedition.

Beautiful winding roads and nearly empty of other drivers, we decided to head up to Mount WIlson. Growing up in Southern California, I heard mention of Mount Wilson constantly on the news. The "Mount Wilson Cam" is always talked about with the weather reports. However, Mount Wilson was a vague concept, because I never knew or bothered to find out where it was located. Let me tell you that is was worth the drive.

Look what we saw at the top of Mount Wilson

And beautiful wildflowers at the head of a hiking trail. Next time we will come prepared to go on a hike.

Lastly, a memorial marker that has a bit of a tie in to the 4th of July with the D.A.R.. Speaking of which, I remember as a child that my mom was thinking of joining the D.A.R., which thinking back now, just seems odd.

After our driving adventure, we ended up having our own Hot Dog eating contest on the patio and washing it down with bucket loads of wine. The best 4th of July ever! ( Dan even said so and he naturally makes a point NOT to celebrate the day)

A Castle in L.A.?

A few weeks ago, I went on my first outing with SoCal Smarties, a Smart Car enthusiast meet-up group. More about them in another post. I didn't expect much from the outing and didn't look up info on the meet up location prior to heading out to Glendora on a gloomy Saturday morning. I am here to tell you that Rubel's Castle is the coolest thing in L.A. that you've probably never heard of. I am a local and this place wasn't even vaguely familiar. I have since told nearly everyone that I have encountered and no one else has a clue about the place. It's a hidden gem.

At first glance, it doesn't look like much. It's in a wealthy neighborhood up in the Hills of Glendora and the enormous perimeter is fenced. There is very little to look at from the outside.

The magic is inside. It's like a mix of a Renaissance Fair, WDW's defunct Adventurers Club and The Magic Castle. It's completely crazy and enormous. The property was originally a citrus packing plant. I am so excited about this place, that I don't want to tell you any of the cool stories, so that you can go take a tour and hear them for yourself. GO!!! The property is now run by the Glendora Historical Society and they offer tours on certain days of the month or for private groups. GO!!! Here are a few more teaser pictures...

There is a cemetery.

A small part of the Castle and not by a long shot the crazy part of the property.

And a sign that I liked. Just a few pictures to show a little without killing the magic. Rubel's Castle is really what happens when an adult is given the means to live out his childhood dreams and he decides to run wild with his imagination. I think that MIchael Rubel created something that we all wish that we had the guts to create. Not that we all want to build a castle out of junk, but we wish that we could relax enough to allow ourselves to dream big and see what could come of it. Seriously, go see this place, it's both nutty and inspirational.