I LOVE LA !!!!

Friday
March18

 Can't believe my trip is only a few days from being over.

But OVER it is and I'm ready for it to be OVER.

Want to be back in my own place with my clothes hanging in the closet.

My first day back in California since Christmas.
 Entered thru the desert so don't know if that actually counts as being in California.
Not my fav part of my home state.

But the desert does have beautiful sunsets, like this one at the Needles KOA.

I must be back in California from the looks of prices at the pump

The Wig Wam Motel on Route 66 in San Bernardino.

The only thing worth seeing in SB and I wish it was time for bed so I could stay here.

Since these are my last few days on the road I treat myself to the ultra smancy 

Newport Dunes RV Resort in Newport Beach... $114/night 

I have Happy Hour at their Bistro and people listen to the couple at the bar discuss the relative pros and cons of Donald Trump.  It's like people watching, but listening instead.  Some of the most interesting conversations I've had are ones I haven't actually taken part in.

DDD, Guy Fieri's Diners, Dives and Drive Ins
TV show on the Food Channel has been my source

for some great places to eat on the road.  

 

That's where I found the Semper Fi Cafe in Fountain City which is loaded with Marine memorabilia for a special kind of ambiance. And since I know a Marine, I had to check it out.

Chatted with Bob, the owner's father, who was there early like me.

Had the glorified version of SOS on a military tray. Scrambled eggs under the gravy.

 YUM!  It really was.

By the time I left it was full of people. 

 Now called Paul's Cafe since they added different branches of service.

 

Visited the Getty Villa

in Pacific Palisades

J.Paul Getty bought 64 acres in Malibu in 1945

 and housed  his collection of ancient Greek and Roman artifacts in an existing home on the property.

In 1968 he re-created a first century Roman country house on the property

to display his growing collection of art.

Yes, I'm in LA

First century Roman fountain of mosaic tiles and shells

Venus Goddess of Love













Getty Villa definitely worth a visit.
 So much more character than the new Getty museum up on the hill.

Santa Monica Pier

Wacky fun place that also happens to be the official end of
Route 66

with a sign to mark the spot

Love the energy of the Los Angelenos.
Always moving, fun city with that special young vibe.

Probably best in small doses. If I lived here I might not feel the same.