Daze in LalaLand

After my first night at my cousin's, I told him that I was not interested in touring L.A. and just wanted to spend as much time with him, and friends and any sightseeing was incidental gravy.  My cousin Adel made sure I didn't miss a beat, and pointed out everything worth pointing out, which apparently is everything.  Even the Beverly Hills police station which folks might remember from Beverly Hills Cop.  It's actually the nicest most beautiful police station I've ever seen.  I didn't see Sergeant Taggart  though.  And definitely no bananas in anyone's tailpipe.

So Adel took full advantage of my electronics knowledge and we hit Radio Shacks, Camera Shops, Best Buy, and any other place that might sell electronics so we might find him a nice point and shoot camera for everyday use without lugging a monster SLR.

As we drove the streets between electronics emporiums, I saw lots of interesting things.  Adel pointed out that the people on the street sitting down were wannabes waiting to audition for a role or part in a movie or television show.  It was a really hot day, so I did not envy them.  But I did wish I could talk to some of them about their experiences.  Perhaps one day there will be a reality show about wannabes.  I won't produce it, but I think I would watch it!

I saw the Hollywood sign for the first time.  I told Adel I was going to climb it one day, even though it would mean trespassing, and he told me to sign him up for when I committed the crime.  It's just one of those romantic things I know I'd have to do so I wouldn't be disappointed.  Bucket list kinda stuff.

After some knowledgeable electronics searching, I finally met up with my high school friend Sue, who is a teacher like me, and her husband Paul who I met for the first time.  It was great to see her!  And I'm proud that she is living and thriving in L.A. without a car!  We met at this great place called the Farmer's Market in The Grove.

After exploring a bunch of different places to consider eating, both my cousin and I decided to follow Sue and Paul's lead and go with the Brazilian steakhouse.  It was a great decision, and so delicious I on;y managed to take an after shot of the food.

I wish I could remember what this was, but I can't.  Perhaps Adel and Sue can fill in the blank.

The outdoor mall The Grove was pretty spectacular.  Lots of people walking around the mini-streets and grabbing the shuttle which would wander through the mini-streets.  They had all the best shops, and even a really nice Apple Store which is where we met Sue and Paul.  I even gave a little Apple 101 for Adel who I think is sold on Apple computers and possibly considering one as his next computer.

After a lovely afternoon, we all parted ways and we headed back home.  I also made friends with Cat.  Adel was amazed to find Cat on the mantle of the fireplace, which was apparently a first.  Staking ground while I was a guest, showing me who really runs the place.

Adel went to pick his wife Maha up from work while I took a dip in the pool, and did some exercise.  I didn't want the break to have a negative effect on the 100+ miles I still had ahead of me.  The garden and pool area is really wonderful.  It didn't need a half-naked mermaid, but it certainly didn't hurt.

The next morning Adel and I were involved in a rescue mission for a baby birdie, whose mam was swooping and looking around for her young, and we finally managed to get the birdie, who was stuck in the recycle bin, out and onto solid ground to be rescued by mama.

The morning involved a trip to Best Buy after I told Adel that a new washer and dryer were probably the most amazing recent appliance purchases I've made.  The LGs I have were available, but unless they were willing to move the shelving above them, it wouldn't work.  Front loading would be the easier choice.  

In the parking lot, Adel saw his dream car, and chatted up the owner who we saw as we were leaving.  The guy told him how much he would sell it form and all the work he had done.  Adel took his contact info and we continued.  I'm not a Merc guy, but it was a really pleasant example of automobilia.

Next, we needed to hit BMW to have Maha's car looked at.  We took this crazy wide highway, which was having many more lanes added to help make the congestion even more dense with gridlock.  I think it's a Guinness Record attempt or something.

That evening, we went to SugarFish for sushi, and met my good friend Lisa who went to Ryerson as well, and graduated from Radio and Television like me.  She brought her husband Richard, but sadly, she was in crutches after an unfortunate surfing incident.  She said the experience was surreal.  The guy who sliced her leg open with her board asked if she was OK, and she said honestly, "No!"  He then nodded and paddled away.  Unfortunately the surf spot was at the bottom of some cliffs, so it was a chore to get to safety and get medical attention.  Fortunately, it did not diminish my desire to surf, but this was helped by the many wonderful surfing stories from Lisa and Rich.  Adel, Maha, Rich, Lisa and I all agreed the Sushi was fantastic.  I still preferred the Omakase in Seattle, but I don't know that anyone will ever be able to touch that experience.  Oh, and Rich really knew how to rock the pink.  One day, I too will rock pink like a rock star!

Oh, and I only just realized, but note the girl in the background between Lisa and Richard.  She was one girl with 4 or 5 other guys eating at Sugarfish.  Don't forget her face.

It was so great to see Lisa after so many years.  Last time I saw her was when she was living in New York City.  It was great to see her so happy with her career decisions and continental movement!

On the way back to the car, I saw a bum. No, not a vagabond, but a bum.  A statue of a bum.  Not a statue of a vagabond.... Oh, Just look at the picture!!!

Statues were plenty, even outside malls.

The mall we went to the next day. I fell in love with these modular sofas.

More swimming in the afternoon, and then getting ready for an evening out.  Adel and Maha were going to treat me to a restaurant they had been trying to go to for ages, but plans always fell through or they couldn't get a reservation when they were available.  When we walked in, and I saw the hostess, I immediately recognized her from the previous night.  I told Adel and Maha, and they felt it necessary to verify it.  Sure enough, she said she was at Sugarfish with her colleagues on their night off.  Hilarious.

After we ate, Adel said, "Happy Anniversary" to Maha and I felt like I had crashed their party.  They assured me they were happy to have me share in the event.  We were all glad we ordered the Tiramisu, which you have to order at an Italian Restaurant to gauge their standard, and they definitely fulfilled with what was probably the best Tiramisu I've ever had!

When we left, a nice Rolls Phantom pulled in, and there was paparazzi everywhere, and restaurant folk asking them to please stay off the property and step back to the sidewalk.  It was quite an interesting experience.  It drew quite a crowd.  I was leaving the next night, but like every night, we all stayed up and chatted around the TV and discussed all sorts of topics, but since I though I would be doing 100 miles, my first imperial century, I needed to get up and leave super early.

Beverly Hills, with emphasis on the Hills!

When I woke up, Dave was washing up and I started packing.  It was a little after 6 and I wanted to be ready to leave before 6:30 so as not to delay his 7am departure.  I was actually happy to get such an early start, even though I only got about 4 hours of sleep.  Dave offered me breakfast and I just had a bit of fruit including one if my Apples.  We continued to chat and I continued to learn.  But it was finally time to say goodbye.  I hit the road bit made sure to get daytime photos of all the things he had shown me the night before!  Including this 24 hour donut shop!  I might have ended up sleeping there had it not been for Dave!

The city of Oxnard had built a shopping area to draw in tourists bug according to Dave it was a big of a failure.  

I continued to follow the coastal route and stopped for drink, and a strawberry shortcake Popsicle at La Tapatia Market. As I ate my Popsicle outside sitting ony trike, I noticed the cashier looking at me. We exchanged nods before he went back to his Mexican soap operas, or whatever it was that was playing on the TV.  I wondered about La Tapatia Market #1 and #3 before heading out.  I had to be careful as the 4 lane road was reduced to 2 lanes and so I was holding up traffic, but everyone was patient.  Then I realized I could use the bike lane going the other way.  It was early enough that I didn't have to worry about oncoming  bikers.

I was still in an area that had lots of farmland and the workers were already out mending and treating fields.

I was now inland and waiting for the street Navalair Road.  Turns out it wasn't really Nah-Vah-Lair.  It was Naval Air.  I wasn't sure if I should take pictures or not since I didn't know the rules regarding military sites, but I did anyway.

Then I came along this really cool picnic area with missiles and planes!!!

I had to use FaceTime for the 3rd time as my friend who I had FaceTimed with in San Francisco was a huge plane buff!

After touring the whole area with him and his mom, I once again got on the road and headed for L.A. And the "Hills".  I started seeing some interesting signs alongside the military site!

I was making great time as it was relatively flat.  I came across a guy who waved and slowed down, so I did the same.  Only he was on the other side of the highway!  We spoke shouting across the highway as it was 4 lanes with fast cars.  We could only talk while there were no cars.  He was on an elliptical bike and apparently he used it to get across America!  I asked how he carried his gear and he said, "On my back! 18 lbs!"  He also suggested I google the Eliptigo and I'd find articles about him.  Apparently he was famous!

A little while later I stumbled across an unusual sight.  Up on this dune, guys were jogging in place and as I sat there trying to figure out what was going on, the guy at the bottom carrying a football kicked it up the hill.  He then climbed to retrieve it as one of the jiggers made his way down to the bottom.  It was too confusing to figure out so I continued on.

Aside from the little bit by the military, I was by the water almost the entire time.

There were lots of surfers!

There were also lots of bikers!

And even as I started riding by done of the pricey beachfront properties, I discovered rich areas are not immune to cool and interesting mailboxes!

It was not long after I saw an unusual sight and stopped to observe.  I saw a bunch if people in the water facing the beach and another bunch of people, all in similar swimsuits and carrying a similar device, and I guessed it was a lifeguard school!  And right on cue, the people in the water started waving their hands and I could hear them shouting "help!" and "over here!"  The lifeguards in training then ran into the water and saw out to them.

I got to the state park, Leo Carillo which would have been the park I stayed at had I not skipped Carpenteria.

It's interesting how you know about places, but not sure what they are like nor their proximity to other places.  I knew Malibu was close to L.A. but didn't know if it was part of L.A. or just close by. Seemed it was the latter.

When I got to Malibu proper, it was mostly nice homes and not much by way of services.

Not too long after I entered Malibu a bike racer came over and said, "Wow man!  That's great!  Where you coming from?!" I told him.  "Wow!!! I love what you guys man!  You gotta let me buy you a drink!  There's a place up here!  I'm going to buy you whatever you want!  Just follow me."  He spoke a mile a minute and I knew he was a kindred spirit.  I followed him and eventually we reached the gas station.  We spoke for a while outside and I made eyes with the guy inside the gas station who was on break eating his lunch.  He pointed at my bike and put his hands together and rested his head on it demonstrating the international sign for sleeping.  I laughed and gave him the thumbs up sign and he laughed.  Then he did his sign again and laughed.  Gint, my new biking buddy, enthusiastically motioned me in and told me to buy whatever I wanted.  I said I would have what he was having.  He said, "No man, get what you want.  Don't get what I'm having.  I want you up choose what you want, forget about what I'm getting!"

I chose a Cherry Coke and he got a Powerade.  He knew the names of the people who worked there.  Manuel who was the guy eating lunch and Cynthia who worked the cash.  He knew them well and told them his far I had traveled.  Manuel seemed impressed, raising his eyebrows and lowering his lips with a few nods.  Gint said he was a climber because he was small and light.  His bike looked really light!!!

Gint and I went back outside and he told me about the biker he knew who played for Rage Against the Machine.  He mentioned a few others, Australian competition riders I think.  I offered to let him rage on my machine.

Manuel wanted to try too!  At first he mock-slept and laughed again!  Not long after while Ging and I continued to talk, Sam, am officer, came buy. Gint told him about my travels.  He was a great publicist. Cynthia told Sam to ride my machine, and said that she had.  I called her out saying she had not!  She mock shushed me and Sam declined.  

Sam went inside and Gint and I hugged it out!  His enthusiasm the entire time was a real natural boost!  He kept offering my fist to butt with my fist when I said something cool or when we were in agreement.  He took off ahead of me after i said bye to Cynthia, Manuel and Sam.  I followed, but then thought I lost my phone.  I doubled back and asked Manuel if he saw a phone.  I found it in my back pocket.  I crossed the highway and continued.  I saw Sam coming up behind me in his cruiser and waved.  He gave me a siren chirp as he passed.

Gint had mentioned that I would hit some hills and around Zuma I did get a few.  They weren't too bad, and the down hills were fun!  I got my first dirty look when I took my right if way and surprised a women who needed to yield.  I think she was upset that she had to brake slightly. I was going much faster than her on a downhill.

I finally caught some pelicans with my camera.  And I ended up blocking a car trying to make am illegal u-turn to take this picture.  I missed getting the dock area, but this was an entrance to a fishing dock.

I was a little hungry but wanted to get to Beverly Hills.  This place was definitely tempting!

I found remnants from Christmas on some power post stabilizers.

There were some very fancy homes and as I got out if Malibu, they remained nice but on smaller plots.

On the beach side they eventually butted up against each other, but based on the cars that were coming out if them, like a Bentley I was afraid to hit as it exited, they seemed to be very expensive.  This might be because I was getting much closer to L.A.

When I reached the bike path I knew I was getting very close! I was going to take Santa Monica inland and figured I'd just have to exit at the Santa Minoca pier to get the road.

I knew Lewicki and Ming would have made some if the beaches their playground.  The volleyball nets were calling for them!

When I saw the Ferris wheel I knew I was close, and it wasn't even 2pm yet! 

I had been to the pier before, but did not recall the Ferris wheel.  I asked a woman how to get up to Ocean drive so I could access Santa Monica.  Turns out Santa Monica doesn't lead to the pier. I overshot it by a few blocks.

I needed to go under the pier and make my way from there.  I admired a surf/summer camp on the beach.  

The tunnel was a nice break from the sun but I didn't like the feeling that I was delayed for no reason.  Stupid bluffs.

I finally got to Ocean and started navigating L.A. Traffic.  I passed the pier entrance.

I also passed the hotel I had stayed at the year before at the end of my Route 66 trip.  It was over $500/night but well worth it!

As I made my way up Santa Monica Boulevard, the transit buses gave me room and cars were very nice to me.  Nobody seemed upset as I made my way.  I eventually found a sign letting me know I was in Los Angeles.

It was many miles (13?) before I turned in to start heading up the hills.  But I made it to Beverly Hills, and it was only around 3pm.  

I started singing Stir It Up by Patti LaBelle because that was the song that played when Axel Foley arrived in Beverly Hills.  These are the trees they showed at the beginning. Beverly Drive.

I had to head East to get to Loma Vista, a road that kept getting steeper. It was unrelenting.  I got off my trike to push it for the first time of the trip.  It was slow going.  My estimate of arriving before 4pm vanished.

Again, the mailboxes in Beverly Hills proved money and class had no bearing on sidewalk decor.  The style might have been influenced. 

I passed lots of gardeners and workers who smiled as I rode past themat a snails pace.  Even the grass in Beverly Hills had hills.

Some parts were insanely steep when they weren't incredibly steep.  I would pedal two car lengths before taking a break.  My cousin informed me he had to pick up his wife from work at 4:45pm.  I was hoping I would make it.

As I got to the final stretch, there was a fast downhill before a final super steep climb up the road to Janice Place.  I met his neighbour who stopped me to chat as her young daughters stared at me.  I finally got up to my cousins place as he was leaving.  He stopped to take my picture.  You can see Rihanna's Beverly Hills home in the background, which is the end of his cul de sac.

Adel told me to go inside, and help myself to yogourt in the fridge.

I saw a Corona and helped myself.  The picture shows one sip.  I could have chugged the whole thing in one go but stopped for the picture. I downed the rest in a second sip.

I unloaded my gear and took a shower.  I was going to go for a dip in the pool but I opted to eat the refreshing Yogourt/Cucumber salad my cousin made for me.  It turns out Maha, my cousin's wife, would join us later. Adel came home after dropping her off at her meeting.  When he got home we toasted my arrival with a fed coronas. In the end, the meeting Maha went to had so much food that Adel and I had steaks by ourselves.  I blogged when he went to pick her up from her meeting. We spent the evening catching up and chatting.  It was nice to be with familiar faces.  I was wondering if I would comprehend what sleeping in a bed was like after almost 4 weeks on an air mattress.