California Daze

With B-Rod’s convalescing period over and the all clear to go back to work, I thought I would see him a lot less. But then he was informed that he had holidays at the end of August. So, he went back to work for a shift and then returned home to go on holidays. Which means he got home just in time for my constant complaining about summer being over. On a Wednesday night, we decided that with B-Rod able to fly we wanted to finally try the flight service directly out of the Hat, I wanted to go somewhere that still had hot, summer like temps and it had to be close so I could be back in a couple days. We tried out a few different configurations to find that the one that would work out the best was . . . . . LA! So on Thursday we hopped on a couple flights, left directly from Medicine Hat and . . .   . . . . were in California before supper time. We both love California and have had great times in LA on previous trips. This one was no different. Some of the things we got up to on our (essentially) 2 days there.

• Going to the Santa Monica pier and riding on the ferris wheel. The last time we tried to do this it was windy and cold, but we are on a return to summer trip, so it was perfect conditions!
• A full day at the beach because that is my ideal summer day! We went the opposite direction than we have in the past and did the stretch from Manhattan beach to Hermosa beach. So . . . . a lot of walking (checking out the surfing, water sports and fishing) until our dawgs were barking and we finally suited up and took up a spot on the beach. I wasn’t fully convinced I’d go swimming, but once we got over the initial cold shock, it got better. The waves were tumbling which made perfect play conditions, and I’m so glad we went for it even if it meant we both ended up a bit lobster like.

  

• Watched the sunset because . . . . why wouldn’t you?!  
• Ate good food because . . . . . you can’t NOT find good food in LA      . . . . . . love that the States has given us an appreciation for grits! . . . . . . . . THE best Chai with hemp milk I’ve ever had!. . . . . . . omusubi . . . . a first ever on our ongoing food journey . . . . . . . . . always say YES to Poke!. . . . . . tacos + kimchi = winning combo!
• Experienced different modes of transportation including the the new mode that everyone is talking to us about. When we first got into the city, our Uber driver pointed out electric scooters scattered all over the side of the road. There are different companies with fleets of these things that use an app to sign them out. You can pick them up wherever you find them and drop them off wherever you want. It’s been about 6 months that the city of Santa Monica has allowed them, and you can see them everywhere! As our Airbnb host said it was started essentially for good intentions – reduce the use of cars for short trips thereby reducing smog. However, as with all new things there are problems. They are scattered all over the place a little like garbage and there are some safety issues! Seems to be a bit of resistance to this and I think the city is struggling with how to deal with them. We used the app called ‘Bird’ and though it took me a little bit to get used to it, I see the value in them. B-Rod of course was into it and having fun with it right away! We also took the more traditional bike way of getting around as there are bike docking stations that weren’t around the last time we were here. Such a great way to travel “The Strand” path along the coast line.

Some see LA as simply a big, messy city. Parts of it are, but we have loved every time we’ve come here – love the sea, the sand, the weather, the vibe, the food and the people. So glad we chose to go on this spontaneous getaway. No doubts in my mind we’ll see you again LA!