Our kids have always come to us for the holidays. This year marks the first time we are going to them. Kathy and I flew into Burbank on Wednesday night where our daughter Deena picked us up. After Thai food in Silver Lake, we slept on the floor of Deena's apartment.
We got up early and joined Deena on her professional rounds. First stop, Pasadena, where Deena had an appointment at a very large bank headquarters.
Pasadena Deena, 8:27 a.m. November 21, 2012
I asked if we could join her in the meeting ("Good morning. These are my parents from Arizona and they are shadowing me all day today. If you have any questions about the Old West my father has an opinion. . .") For some unnamed reason Deena wanted us to stay in the lobby.
I was too restless for that, so I took off walking up Green Street which was quite green with tree-shaded streets. Ran across a movie being filmed and the key grip made me cross to the other side of the street. But before I complied I got the name of the movie "Bad Words" an indie that appears to be about a spelling bee. There was a faux news conference at the foot of the stairs of an old twenties style courthouse building and the reporters are jostling and yelling and two of the actors walk back up the steps and into the building, first one, then the other. Big banners are draped down the front of the building and the middle one has the word spelling bee on it. Bad words: spelling bee. Get it?
Thanks to GPS Deena found me wandering the streets and we headed to her second appointment about a mile away. By the way, the bleachers are already going up for the Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade.
This time Kathy and I both wandered the streets looking for book stores. Everyone appeared to be closed for the holidays, so we ended up at Starbucks, where I borrowed a New York Times, sat outside with my coffee and read while a homeless man yelled at his surroundings the entire time.
From Pasadena, we motored up the 2 to Montrose, a lovely mountainside community where Deena's new husband, Mike, works at a motorcycle dealership. Here he is in their new showroom where they are going to feature Triumphs.
Mike And His Bikes, 12:30 p.m. in Montrose, California
The middle bike is a TT Scrambler made to the specs of the Steve McQueen bike he rode in "The Great Escape." I, of course, owned several Triumphs in my amateur racing days so I was amazed at how much bikes haven't changed and at the same time how much they have (better suspensions, fuel injection, etc.). Mike couldn't join us for lunch so the girls and I headed to the quaint, and also tree-lined main street of Montrose where we landed at The Black Cow.
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t was during this lunch that Kathy and I both came to the realization that Deena has my mother's nose. I thought it was just me, but Kathy later told me she had the same realization. Food was great. I had the salmon, Kathy got the grilled chicken salad and Deena had the grilled chicken and avacado sando (I paid, $56, whipped-out-painting money).
After lunch we went to two grocery stores to get Thanksgiving supplies. First stop Trader Joe's, which was slammed, and then Von's. We got back to Deena's apartment, mid-afternoon, which is high on a hill in Silver Lake.
Home for The Holidays, 2:14 p.m., November 21, 2012
After a nap on the floor, Deena, Kathy and I took off on a foot tour of Silver Lake. Loved this bus stop advertisement:
Silver Lake Tequila Wisdom, 5:22 p.m. November 21, 2012
After street tacos and margaritas at Chola Restaurant on Sunset Blvd. we walked to The Vista an old school movie theatre with handprints on the sidewalk a la the Chinese deal in Hollywood. the only name i recognized was Martin Landau, but I loved the ticket booth, the old popcorn popper and, of course, the wonderful decor inside.
Silver Linings Play Date, 6:05 p.m., November 21, 2012
I know I've said this before but these photos were taken with MY PHONE! It is the best camera I've ever had and that includes many Nikons and Canons and other brand names I have forgotten already.
Yes, the movie was very odd in a good way. We all enjoyed it. Walked home about three miles and then checked into the Comfort Inn at 11 our time. Long day, but much fun.
"Home is where the heart is."
—Old Vaquero Saying
