Pink’s – A Hollywood Legend Since 1939

Dear Cholesterol, I am sorry to say this but you surely must have known that one day Pink’s Hot Dogs would come between us, it was inevitable… Yes Pink’s have been knocking out delicious hot dogs, sausages, burgers and more from the same Hollywood location since 1939 (they went from a humble hot dog stand in 1939 to…

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum

RONALD WILSON REAGAN (February 6th, 1911 – June 5th, 2004) I have wanted to visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California for years and I am glad to say I finally made it there. The museum is a fantastic recollection on the life and career of Ronald Reagan, the former…

Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, California is a showcase of the life and times of Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9th, 1913 to April 22nd, 1994), the controversial 37th President of the United States (Republican) from January 20th, 1969 to August 9th, 1974 when his presidency ended in political turmoil with…

Kings Canyon National Park

Once you wind your way along most of the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway you will find yourself entering the main section of Kings Canyon National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Not long after you will soon literally hit the end of the road within the national park too! The canyon views along the…

Kings Canyon Scenic Byway

From the Sierra Nevada foothills past the Giant Sequoia tree grove of the first part of Kings Canyon National Park you follow the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway through the mountainous Canyonlands of Sequoia National Forest for 80 kilometres / 50 miles along this amazing winding byway until you reach roads end in the mighty Kings Canyon itself ….

Kings Canyon National Park – General Grant Tree

Although better known for the mighty canyon from which it gets its name, Kings Canyon National Park is also home to some mighty Giant Sequoia trees. In March 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the new Kings Canyon National Park to include the glacially formed and massive Kings Canyon and absorbed the former General Grant National Park into it (in…

Sequoia National Park – Land of the Giants

Sequoia National Park in California is home to the Giant Sequoia tree (they only grow naturally on the western slope of Sierra Nevada range). While not as tall as the coastal Giant Redwood the Giant Sequoia has a massive tree trunk, giving them more volume and they are generally much older (the Redwoods are up…

Sequoia National Park – Close Encounter of the Bear Kind

If you go down to the woods today You’re sure of a big surprise. If you go down to the woods today You’d better go in disguise. For every bear that ever there was Will gather there for certain, because Today’s the day the teddy bears have their picnic. I recently took a wander in…

Joshua Tree National Park – Lost Horse Mine

During, before and after the California Gold Rush of 1849, hardy men and women set off into the harsh California interior and mountains to find gold and hopefully make their fortune (not many did). The desert terrain of what is now Joshua Tree National Park was no exception and some 300 mines were developed there. Most…

Joshua Tree National Park: Looking Across the Coachella Valley

Looking across the Coachella Valley from Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park. Quite the view in this arid landscape!

Joshua Tree National Park – Wall Street Mill

The old Wall Street Mill can be found on a relatively short hike (3.54 km / 2.2. mile round trip) through the desert from the Wonderland of Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park. This was a two stamp mill used to process gold found by gold prospectors within the region and was operated as needed from 1930…

Drive-In Movie Nostalgia

Today I walked past the old Starlite Drive-in movie theatre site in South El Monte, California which is now a weekend swap meet of all things. The Starlite opened in 1950 and had an 860 car capacity but by 1997 the screen was torn down and its movie days were over. It got me thinking about…