Santa Clarita, CA Dani & TJ's

March 21, 2021 

Drove Northwest to Santa Clarita to visit with Dani & TJ Miller

Here are our former neighbors and gracious hosts 

TJ helped Jim put the new leaf springs on the trailer.

Jim was happy to get the trailer in tip top shape.

And after that hard work we enjoyed a soak in the hot tub and dip in the pool.

March 22, 2021

If you think hummingbirds are small, check out these 2 baby hummingbirds nesting in a small bush in the front of the house.

We are headed to the coast, but first some lunch at the Moody Rooster.

TJ artfully handled the curvy Dexter Drive.

it is very curvy

with impressive views.

And my first glimpse at the Pacific Ocean in California.

Happy folks on the west coast.

Malibu 

Surfers brave the cold ocean

This boat shaped house on the hill really stood out. (photo credit Dani M)

We toured a neighborhood in Santa Monica.

A beautiful garden.

Tall pines line the street at the beach in Santa Monica.

Multi-colored succulents.

Spoke with the owner of this 13 year old house, I nice build that blends in as an older home.

How do you like the pagoda roof on the one?

A sailboat out on the ocean.

The Santa Monica pier.

This mansion is in Holmby Park

These palm lined streets say 90210

And the name of this expensive street of shops?

Rodeo Drive of course (photo credit Dani M)

At Bijan Rolls Royce in front of Bijan's where a tie can run a shopper as much as $1,000, while suits go for $25,000.

And finally this little cottage in Beverly Hills.

Another great day. (photo credit Dani M)

March 23, 2021

Everything's coming up roses. . .

Today we went to Pasadena, California via Sand Canyon Road.

TJ took the wheel on the curvaceous Sand Canyon Road.

First we passed a Disney owned movie set.

Then we got out to take some photos (photo credit TJ)

Here is the photo I took, which shows great scenery and the curvy road.

It's pretty pretty around these parts.

Back on the road to Pasadena.

to the headquarters of the Tournament of Roses

The first plant we see is the Bird of Paradise, fitting since it smelled like paradise here with all the spring flowers and trees blossoming.

Roses in the garden here.

Oh, I wish you could smell the fragrant roses here.

Just gorgeous

"The Wrigley Rose Gardens at Tournament House are maintained with great care by the Pacific Rose Society and dedicated to all who enjoy roses."

Rose Garden budding and soon to explode with more roses.

The Tournament House.

A 1906 Renaissance design mansion with 4.5 acre flower gardens

"The Italian Renaissance-style mansion was presented to the City of Pasadena in 1958 by the Wrigley family with the understanding that it would become the permanent headquarters for the Tournament of Roses"

A magnificent Moreton Bay fig tree here on the grounds.

Here in my Cubs jersey on William Wrigley Jr's bench in Wrigley Gardens at the Tournament of Roses

Wisteria here (photo credit Dani)

We walked around in Pasadena and checked out some of the homes nearby.

Some stained glass for side lights.

A Victorian

One of Dani's favorite plants pointing at her favorite man TJ

A blooming succulent.

A stop for some coffee and a snack.

Happy Dani and TJ out and about.

Does this garage look familiar?  It was in a movie you probably saw back in 1985.

The house may also look familiar.

It was Doc's house in Back to the Future.

In reality it is the Gamble House (photo credit Dani)

"The Gamble House, also known as the David B. Gamble House, is an iconic American Craftsman home in Pasadena, California, designed by the architectural firm Greene and Greene."

Us on the porch pretending it is our house. (photo by Dani)

"Said to be located at 1640 Riverside Drive in Hill Valley in the movie, the Gamble House can actually be found at 4 Westmoreland Place in Pasadena.  The three-story, 6,100-square-foot structure was built in 1908 by brothers Charles and Henry Greene."

I feel in love with this fairy tale garden wall in the backyard.

The garden behind the garage was also pretty nice.

So many flowers blooming in March.

We walked over to the Rose Bowl.

The views here are pretty sweet.

A statue of Brandi Chastain

"The statue, located outside Gate A, recreates the famous moment Chastain dropped to her knees and stripped down to her sports bra to celebrate her World Cup-winning penalty kick in the Rose Bowl on July 10, 1999."

The US Women's Team behind Brandi statue

A rose at the rose bowl.

Jackie Robinson statue.

"Jack "Jackie" Roosevelt Robinson's courage and determination changed a game, a society, and America's perception of what makes a hero. Pasadena, California, was where his legacy began." 

And a neighbor of the Rose Bowl.  NASA's jet propulsion laboratory (JPL)

Time to head back to Santa Clarita, traffic is not too bad and the views, oh the views.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

 Jackie Robinson

March 24, 2021

Here is our parking spot while in Santa Clarita

And the Miller's house where we were so graciously treated to a wonderful stay in California.  Thank you so much Dani, TJ and KC for everything.  You are the best.

TJ in the hot tub putting the Wellness in his Wellness Time away from the office.

Jim also enjoying a soak in the hot tub.

Today we chilled around the house and did some chores, laundry and grocery shopping before heading out for an evening tour of LA and Hollywood.

First a stop for some dinner.

It looks good, because it is so good.

A California tasty tradition.

We caught a beautiful sunset sky up above LA.

Los Angeles looks magical lit up at night.

Here we are up above the city.

TJ & Dani

And yes, this California girl is decked out in her VANS.

"Griffith Observatory is a facility in Los Angeles, California, sitting on the south-facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles' Griffith Park. It commands a view of the Los Angeles Basin, including Downtown Los Angeles to the southeast, Hollywood to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest."

Wide shot of the Griffith Observatory (photo credit TJ Miller)

Statue of scientists out front. (photo credit Dani Miler)

The front doors.

And now back down the hill to see Hollywood.

Hurray for Hollywood!

Nightlife

Mural on an adult learning center.

A nice Porsche

The Laugh Factory

"Well-known comedy club for seasoned & emerging stand-up acts, plus surprise celebrity guests."

Mel's Drive In

Located on the famous Sunset Strip in West Hollywood

"Whisky a Go Go, the first ever live music venue to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and the most iconic club of the Strip."

I never realized how close all of these places are to each other.

Hollywood High School

Hollywood High has been the filming location for movies, television shows, and other productions

Wow, what a great time we have had here with Dani & TJ.  California Dreaming come to life.

And now it is time to say goodbye to KC, thanks for all the tail wagging good times.