neon sun

It just so happens that I ended up driving through Beverly Hills and West Hollywood via Santa Monica Blvd twice this week. The first time was at night and I noticed some very large and kind of random neon signs, in the center divider. Hey, it's L.A. right? Nothing here is normal. The second time, was during the day, and it was a bit traffic-y, so I got a closer look at one of these signs and made a mental note of the website at the bottom: neonmona.org.

Remember when I posted about the Neon Boneyard outside Vegas? (Which I still need to make a trip to see!) Well turns out Los Angeles, has their very own Museum of Neon Art.

These neon signs I spotted are intentionally placed, as part of a neon exhibit, along the historic Route 66 (another dream road trip of mine, LA to chicago along the old Route 66, but I digress).

Visit here for a slideshow of all the pieces involved, or just take a little drive through LA! (which I plan to do soon!)

zephyr

I just discovered the most glorious travel idea. The California Zephyr. A train route between San Francisco and Chicago run by Amtrak. This journey takes 51 hours, covers almost 2500 miles and has been departing daily since 1909. Heavenly! It is said to be the most beautiful and scenic train trip on the continent. You get to cross the Great Plains, the Mississippi, The continental divide, the Rockies and the Sierra Nevadas.
Read more in this particularly eloquent post from someone who has experienced the magic firsthand.

(via the standard edition)

el canyon grande

did i ever tell you i've been to the grand canyon? I went the summer after i graduated high school while i was volunteering at a summer camp in Arizona. We drove over at dawn and it was glorious.

there are no words to describe that place. it's a giant carved out hole in the earth. there's a million shades of red/orange/brown. it makes you feel really really small. it's magnificent.


I threw a penny in.

some people's pennies didn't quite make it

my work crew ladies. i miss this summer, it was amazing! (that's me being cool in stripes)


and i will leave you with a quote from one of the boys:
"doesn't this place just make you want to YELL!!! .... and litter?"

hop in the car

Finals make me want to escape even more than usual. Something simple like a last minute road trip would do the trip. California is perfect for road trips. There's SO MUCH in this state, it's incredibly diverse and you can find just about anything you're looking for. Beaches, forests, deserts, mountains, snow, you name it. Two years ago for spring break my cousin and I hopped in the car and headed north up the Pacific Coast Highway. It was lovely.

We stayed in Santa Cruz and visited Monterey. I believe it was two nights, three days. There's the infamous Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Plenty of rides and terrible food. It was still a bit freezing in March so we didn't get any beach time. Downtown Santa Cruz is fabulous. Walnut Cafe, Kianti's and Pizza My Heart are great for munching and there's plenty of shopping and a great movie theater to keep you entertained. We drove up to the University of California, Santa Cruz and I kind of wish I had applied there, it's really beautiful, on top of a hill surrounded by coastal woodlands.





Monterey is becoming of my favorite places. James and I stopped there on the drive north to go home last year. I definitely prefer northern california beach towns to southern california. Maybe it's the cool weather and morning fog. Monterey's cannery row will keep you occupied with all the shops and galleries. Perfect for a relaxing meander around town. Of course there's the Monterey Bay aquarium. So fascinating, I recommend it. I have so much more exploring to do here!




A friend was going to Cal State Monterey Bay and recommended this hidden trail that lead us straight to these giant dunes and secret beach. It's a little secret.
Heading North on the freeway, exit CSUMB. Turn Left at the 2nd traffic light. Then Left at the 4 way stop intersection. Park at the freeway overpass bridge and take the trail out to the dunes! It goes on for miles and we only saw a couple people.



No California road trip is complete without In N Out. Seriously, if you don't live in the southwestern U.S. you're missing out. It's all about the secret menu. I recommend fries well done (that means extra crispy!)

part 1 - the drive

to sum up the whole week in one word=relaxing.
MUCH needed.
but i didn't get to do everything or see everyone I wanted.
(apologies shanny and lorrin :C )

so the boy made us get up BEFORE the crack of dawn:



surprise #1: taking the scenic route, the 101.
he made us get up early so we could see the sunrise along the coast
...except it was foggy and overcast


but we didn't let that bother us.
it was still beautiful.


nothing beats that stretch of ocean on the way to santa barbara
(also quite enjoyable by train if you get the chance!)

and long periods of sports radio were broken up by musicians like jackie wilson.
we have a habit of singing "your love (is lifting me higher)" at the top of our lungs.

he loves to travel in style (yes he wore a 3 piece suit WITH dress shoes...hehe)

all the while, my trusty tomtom led the way...

to surprise #3! lunch in monterey :D

this was the only part of our trip that the sun actually came out, it drizzled the rest of the way home.



it took about 2 or 3 extra hours as opposed to taking the 5 but it was worth it!
stay tuned for more of my trip

(though I must admit my photo taking steadily declined after this, in exchange for sleep and food and sitting on couches with the ones I love)

vacation!

oh spring break, i have been waiting so long for you.

tomorrow the man and i are taking the drive up to the top half of california. apparently there's some surprises in store for me? he likes to do that, and as much as i love being surprised, i hate knowing that one is coming...if that makes sense. next week will be much relaxation with side trips to downtown sacramento and hopefully san francisco!

get ready for actual travel posts in a travel blog! (what a concept!)

i wish our 7-ish hour drive will be as glamorous as this vogue editorial:

but i won't get my hopes up :) it will probably more likely involve comfy clothes, chex mix and gatorades, which is quite wonderful as well.