Vera's 90th Birthday

2-13-10
Today we celebrated Vera’s 90th birthday at the Santa Ana Country Club. This is the reason why we came to Santa Ana.
Vera is Doreen’s sister in law. Doreen’s husband and Vera’s husband George were brothers.
Doreen’s son Regie and his wife Leslie, and Doreen’s daughter Sandra came up from San Diego.
Vera’s friends from Australia and England were here too. Vera enjoyed also to have her great grandchildren around her. Vera’s son Chris and his wife organized the affair. The weather was summer like and we had a good time.
The food was good and we had good conversations.

Getty Museum and Santa Monica Pier

2-12-10
Today we went to the Getty Museum. It too has changed from the last time we were there.
But the view from the top of the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, and the landscaping of the gardens around the museum are still fantastic.

















There are fountains and water is used to beautify the complex. One fountain is a 120 foot linear fountain.













We spent a few hours looking at paintings of the old masters. One room was dedicated to show how a bronze statue is cast using the lost wax process. In one building is the center for photography. Here were large photos displayed.
The Getty has the money to purchase the best art in the world.















A tram moves the visitors from the parking garage to the museum. The tram is a horizontal elevator. It is an electric, cable driven system. The frictionless cars ride on a cushion of air, they are designed to give the passengers the feeling " of being elevated out of their day-to-day experience.












We had pretty good weather, but the city is still in a haze.














Our next stop was the famous Santa Monica Pier. This is not a regular pier. A small amusement park is located on it. There is a carousel, a roller coaster, a ferries wheel and a couple other attractions.












The pier is the end of route 66.

Griffith Park and Farmers Market

2-11-10
We left Carlsbad at 8:30 AM and arrived at the Santa Ana Elks Lodge about 10:00 AM.
After setting up the motorhome we took a little rest and then had lunch.
After lunch we headed for Griffith Park and the Griffith Observatory. From the Observatory one can see the Hollywood sign.













The James Dean monument is there too.












While we were there a photographer took pictures of some kind of models.












On a clear day down town Los Angeles can be seen. Today it was hazy.














After visiting the observatory and checking out the displays, we left and drove to the Farmers Market.
When we lived in Los Alamitos, while I was working for McDonnel Douglas/Boeing, we did a lot of sightseeing in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
The Farmers Market has changed a lot. We had Chinese food. There are all kind of outdoor restaurants, from many different countries.















Next to the old market is "The Grove", a fancy shopping mall, with expensive stores, and nice restaurants. They even have a trolley.

San Diego Wild Animal Park

2-8-10
There was a blue sky when I woke up this morning. The rain clouds were gone.
When Doreen got up I told her we should go to the Wild Animal Park. We have a ticket for free parking which expires the end of February.
Our first stop was the Lorikeet area. Here, one can buy a little cup with some sweet liquid in it.
The birds love this drink and fly to the people with the cups. Some kids had five or more birds on their arms.












The San Diego Wild Animal Park is not only known for its animals. The landscaping is well known too.
The Southern California climate makes it possible to have all kind of exotic flowers and bushes and trees.
We attended a bird show and did some walking.
Since we are members of the Zoological Society, we have a yearly pass, and do not have to see everything in one day.
We had brought our own lunch and enjoyed it while watching what happened around us.

New Catalytic Heater

2-4-10
Every time I see Bob Parker I end up with more work.
I bought a new catalytic heater in Quartzsite. When I told Bob about it he suggested that I buy a kitchen cabinet door at The Gambler and attach a piano hinge to it, and mount it to the back of the dinette seat.
Then attach the heater to the door. This way the heater can be moved in different directions.
I did it yesterday. While buying the door for the heater I also bought a door for the TV. This will be my next project.
















When I came back from Quartzsite I had a little surprise. It looks like my Coachmen motorhome has a little brother or sister. While we were gone somebody moved in the site next to mine. It is a 24 foot Coachmen Class C. I have not found out yet who is the owner .