Curiosity 45: LA – random ramblings

Today was a free day, so we did some exploring, some socializing. It was lovely just to relax and poke around.

It started with a hike (and a little geocaching) in the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area above Studio City, followed by brunch with my howler/writing friend Sherilyn and her husband, Grant. It was so nice to hang out and catch up! We "see" each other virtually every day virtually, but it had been several years since I'd seen Sherilyn in person. 

Then we headed over the hills toward Santa Monica. As we were about to turn from Beverly Glen onto Sunset, two motorcycle cops pulled out in front of our line of cars with flashing lights and instructed everyone to turn around. What? We tried reaching Sunset at a couple of other spots, but same thing: road blocked. Then we remembered: President Biden is in town. This was probably that.... At the final blockade we just turned off the car and waited. Fifteen or twenty minutes later, the police car pulled away and we were back to normal reality. Well, except that traffic was probably even a little worse than usual. 

Then on to Santa Monica, where we strolled down through Palisades Park to the Santa Monica Pier. And did some geocaching. It was a gorgeous day and people were out in force, having a splendid time. It was fun for me to revisit some of my old haunts. I don't come to Santa Monica much anymore, but it's where I grew up. It's changed a lot, and at the same time it's hardly changed at all.

View of the pier and Palos Verdes Peninsula
from the park

The pedestrian overpass above the California Incline

The iconic sign leading you onto the pier

The carousel

Whac-a-Mole—and next door was Whac-a-Mole Nachos,
to take care of that appetite you'd worked up whacking the moles

Looking south toward Venice Beach

Looking north from the pier along Santa Monica Beach

Just a colorful corner

The old statue of Saint Monica (1935): classic

And then we headed to our friends Brian and Melissa's house, and from there to dinner in Marina del Rey. It was the annual Christmas boat parade, which (a) caused major traffic (more traffic! so much traffic!) but (b) gave us a few glimpses of gaily lit up sailboats as well as—surprise!—a firework show! I also had a great view of a sous chef, chopping up all manner of veggies. The food was great. And once again, it was really nice to catch up with old friends.