#like I’m on a path to Venice and Santa Monica now and I’m like

[bioswear]

Dead island 2 is fun and a great cathartic stress reliever but it is also incredibly linear and the gameplay doesn’t offer as much “play styles” as I was hoping it would (for someone who bought the game on a whim)

[amanda-glassen]

Hi! Could you write prompt 103. "I don’t know anyone else who can make me feel this way" about Jerena? Thanks.

Thank you so much for the request. Once again, I'm sorry that my drabbles turn into full-on one shots. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this non-drabble drabble.

Jamie was a romantic. Whenever she imagined proposing to the woman she loved, she had imagined roses, maybe a candlelit dinner, and some champagne, but she hadn’t counted on the woman she’d eventually propose to being anything like Serena. “Proposals aren’t one-size fits all,” Mrs. Benson had told her the night before. “Just enjoy your day together and you’ll know when the moment is right. Serena is so in love with you. She’s going to say yes no matter what.”

They had gone sight-seeing as a family when they first arrived in LA. With Serena and her family, she had seen Hollywood Boulevard, the Griffith Observatory, Venice Beach, LACMA, the Santa Monica Pier, and the Sunset strip.

“I don’t want you to be a tourist anymore,” Serena told her one morning when Mr. and Mrs. Benson offered to take Alex and Olivia to Universal Studios. “Amusement parks and beaches are fun, but I want to show you my LA.”

Her girlfriend was wearing ripped jeans, leather flip flops, and a gray baby tee. Her outfit was nothing like the dresses and heels she wore in New York, but she liked this side of her. Serena was comfortable and having fun and, when they walked hand in hand along Westwood Boulevard to get to Serena’s favorite cookie shop, Jamie realized Serena was in her element. She had moved out of this city years ago but it was still as if she had never left.

“This is where Ollie had her first cookie and first taste of ice cream,” Serena told her as they sat at a table outside eating chocolate chip and vanilla ice cream sandwiches. “I used to come here a lot with my dad when I was a little girl. If you go down the street, there’s the Regency Bruin Theater. My dad’s a producer, which I know I’ve already told you that, but whenever one of his movies had a premiere, it’d be at that theater and I’d get to go with him.”

Although they had been dating for a year, there was still so much about her past that Serena hadn’t told her and this trip made her feel as if she was looking at a scrapbook of her girlfriend’s life.

“I grew up in Beverly Hills, on Mulholland Drive,” Serena told her. “That’s not too far from here. We can go there next.”

“Mulholland, one of the most famous streets in LA?” Jamie asked in disbelief. “Why do you say it like it’s not a big deal?”

“Because it isn’t,” Serena shrugged. “It was kind of lonely. Yes, it’s a very expensive area, but I wanted the kind of childhood that you had. I wanted to be able to run around outside and play with other kids in the neighborhood. My siblings and I didn’t have that opportunity so we just kept to ourselves. My parents still live there part-time and they say the house is mine if I ever want to move back, but I’m happy in my two-bedroom apartment where Ollie has friends in our building and knows all the kids on our block. I love seeing her happy like that. Tomorrow night, we can come back and go to the Mulholland Scenic Overview. You’ll get the best view of the city that way. I’ll have Lexie show us. She knows it better than I do and I want Ollie and Alex to see it, too.”

With every location they stopped at, Jamie got another glimpse into her girlfriend’s life and, although this newfound information made her fall even more in love with Serena, she still hadn’t found that place that made her feel like ‘This is the one. This is where I ask her.’

Jamie’s tour ended at an old house in South Pasadena. “Don’t tell me your family owns this house, too?”

“No,” Serena chuckled. “But I wish they did. No one owns it right now. Babe, grab the blanket from the trunk.”

“What are we doing here, Ser?” Jamie asked as she opened the trunk. “This place is kinda ominous.”

Serena took the blanket and led Jamie to the front yard. “Take a closer look and tell me you don’t recognize this house.”

“Babe, I swear to you I don’t recognize this house.”

Serena spread out the blanket and urged Jamie to lie down with her. “Do you remember our first time?”

“What kind of question is that?” Jamie pulled her in as close as she could. “You’re asking if I remember the first time I got the full Serena Benson Experience?”

“I’m done with you.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” Jamie said before kissing her. “Yes, I remember. Our first time was on Halloween night. The best Halloween of my life, I might add. All of that pent-up tension you had, I thought you were gonna break me but in the best way.”

Serena rolled her eyes. “Do you remember what we did after? What movie did we watch?”

“You were lying on top of me and you were naked. My mind was on how I could get round two so no I do not remember what movie we watched.”

“Fair enough,” Serena leaned in to kiss her. “My mind was also on round two.”

“Babe, I know what movie we were watching. I was just trying to get a rise out of you. We turned on the TV and Halloween was on. You told me it had been your favorite since you were a little kid. You even dressed as Michael Myers when you were 7. I never forget anything you tell me about yourself. I love learning about you. In fact, I want to spend the rest of my life learning about you.”

“Hmm. There’s not much to learn.”

“Yes, there is,” Jamie insisted. “There’s so much to learn about you and so much to love about you. For starters, I love that you brought me to the Halloween house for the sheer fact that it was the movie we watched after our first time. You’re a bit of a romantic in your own way.”

“Take that last part back,” Serena said playfully. She kissed Jamie again before resting her head on her chest. “I know it hasn’t always been easy, but thank you for loving me. I never expected to find you. After what happened with...I never expected to fall in love ever again. But falling in love with you has been nothing like falling in love with him. You’re my best friend and my perfect partner and I hope this isn’t premature, but when I look at you I feel as if I’m looking at the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

“Babe, are you crying?”

“No,” Serena responded, although Jamie could hear her sniffling. “Jamie, I’m not used to this. I don’t know anyone else who can make me feel this way.”

When they left the beach house that morning, Jamie’s focus was on the tight, ripped jeans her girlfriend was wearing and the short, baby tee that hugged her in all the right places. Although that same woman was currently in her arms, Jamie felt as if Serena wasn’t the same. With every location they stopped at, Jamie was given more pieces of the puzzle that was Serena. They were in front of a house that was featured in a movie they watched after their first time, which was the first time Serena had trusted her enough to give herself to her completely. Her mom was right. When it’s the right time and the right place, I’ll know.

“Ser?”

“Hmm?”

“What you said earlier about hoping this isn’t premature, it isn’t,” Jamie said as she held her close. “I waited for you to say it first because I didn’t want you to feel rushed, but from our very first date, I knew I was going to fall in love with you and it wasn’t long before I did. I love everything about you, Serena, and I know things aren’t always easy for you, but I promise to love you twice as much on those days that you can’t love yourself. This path that you’re on toward healing from what happened to you in college and what happened to you when you were only thirteen, you don’t have to go at it alone. You never have to go through anything in life alone. I know you’re strong and independent, but I want you to know that I’ll spend the rest of my life protecting and loving you and our Olliegator. I want us to be a family.” She stuck her free hand in the front pocket of her jeans, holding tight to the ring. “I love you so much Serena and I know the way I love you right now cannot even compare to how much I’ll love you tomorrow or the day after that.” Without giving her nervousness another thought, she slipped the ring on Serena’s finger. “Serena Michelle Benson, will you marry me and let me spend the rest of my life loving you?”

Serena sat up while she looked at the ring, which prompted Jamie to sit up as well, although she didn’t know why because it was a mere three seconds before Serena pounced on her and knocked the two of them back down again. “Yes,” she said in between the sweetest kisses. “Jamie, I want nothing more than to be your wife and spend forever by your side. I can’t wait to tell Ollie we’re going to be a family.”

Jamie looked up at her overly excited fiancée. “Babe, she already knows. Who do you think gave me permission to marry you?”

[wallpaperpainting]

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“Don Giovanni”

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L.A.-based Barak Ballet streams a 2019 achievement of this in-the-round assignment by aggregation architect Melissa Barak. Anytime, Friday through Sunday. Free. youtube.com

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LACO at Home

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Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra streams selections from two 2018 installments of the orchestra’s “Sessions” alternation that accommodate works from abreast composers Nina C. Young, Juan Pablo Contreras and Pulitzer Prize champ Caroline Shaw. 7:30 p.m. Friday; accessible on-demand afterward. Free. LACO.org/laco-at-home

“Liturgy”

New York City Ballet streams a 2017 achievement of choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s 2003 ball assignment set to the music of Arvo Pärt. Also on the bill: a 2018 achievement of Wheeldon’s “Carousel (A Dance).” 5 p.m. Friday. Free. nycballet.com, facebook.com/nycballet and youtube.com

Spoleto at Home

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Normally captivated anniversary bounce in Charleston, S.C., and founded by Pulitzer Prize-winning artisan Gian Carlo Menotti, the Spoleto Festival USA moves online

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[trulyowenfree]

Why Norwood Fisher might think I'm the Devil!

  Well, after that random roadside run-in with Johnny Knoxville (see my last blog entry), you can bet I was ready and gunning! With game stickers in hand, and the tie-straps of my backpack (it's an old olive-green canvas military one) halfway undone, so I could get into it quick. Even though it's not what I expected when I went to LA, or certainly not what I went there for, serendipitously meeting one mega-celebrity had me vow silently to myself...that the next one wasn't gonna get away so easily. After such a huge 'defeat' I decided very firmly, that if I ran into any more celebrities on that tour, like Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, or even Crispin Glover...then I was gonna make darn sure that I at least got a book into their hand. And hopefully even tell them something about my TV and Movie ideas. Though of course...I also really didn't think any of that kinda stuff was gonna happen again. Not to goofy old me anyway. But, if you are a True Fighter like I am, then every defeat you get handed is only an excuse to fight harder, and so that's exactly what I did. I hit those sweet old LA streets the very next day! Right back out there, trying to make my own Luck! And I even put that lucky Devil Pin on my hat (the one I found on the train down from Seattle) to see me safely through the city. This time I caught the train out to Santa Monica, and planted stickers all around the college. Then I hit the library and handed out some more fliers until the cops started looking my way, and you can say whatever you want about the folks in Los Angeles, but most of them are at least half-friendly. I mean, nobody threw the fliers back at me or anything, but no one really seemed like they cared a whole bunch either, and I even found a few of them cast down onto the ground around the corner, like brightly colored leaves that had just fallen off the Give-a-Damn Tree. So of course I picked them up, because nobody likes a litter bug...and they also have a link to my website, right there on the front. Next I rented another scooter and cruised down the beach-path through Venice, and on to Marina Del Rey, where boy-oh-boy do they got boats! My skull and crossbones stickers didn't look out of place at all either. Not there among all the sailboats and mega-yachts. Like any minute now a group of Real Pirates might shamble down the sidewalk and invite me out to lunch or something. Or maybe even rum, but I only drink coffee now.

I stopped off at the library there too, and people seemed very responsive when I told them about my books and handed them a flier. People who live on boats tend to be a literate lot, since cruising often has a bunch of down time to it, and books don't eat up your batteries. So a well stocked library is a fine addition to any good vessel, and especially books about pirates and treasure, or even just a few short sea tales, or traveling to another country. After Marina Del Rey I headed back to Venice, and my dear readers...I have to tell you...that place is kind of a Heartbreak now. It used to be one of the most magical parts of the Los Angeles metro area, or am I wrong? More than many other places in the City of Angels...Venice will make you feel like any second you might become famous. Like any given moment you and Roller Skate Guitar Guy might end up on the big screen, or that some big producer might spot you loitering by old Muscle Beach and ask you to be in their film. And the Boardwalk... But now...in late 2018...the whole neighborhood smells like some kinda' thrown-away-dirty-hippie-super-polluted-gutter-punk-Hemp-Fest; with two-block long piles of garbage, and super depressing homeless encampments in almost every alley. Even all along the main sidewalk at the beach, like nobody cares at all anymore, or like The Desolation has just gotten so far out of hand now, that there just is no way to ever catch up again. Like there really never was a way to take care of everyone, and we are all on our own now. Welcome to Hell. And don't get me wrong either, I'm not against Marijuana legalization or even Weed itself, but when it's all you can smell all day, and there are kids and families around, but so many crowds of heavily unwashed people (who are obviously the ones smoking it, right out in the open)...well...it just doesn't have the attraction it used to for me. Which is totally fine actually. I've been meaning to quit anyway, and the outside thought that it might lead me (back) to a life on the streets someday...is a clear and easy deterrent. Nobody wants to be a smelly old street bum. No matter how high or drunk you get all day. But I was just being dramatic above. Ganja by itself will probably never force a person out into a life of blatherskite level homelessness, but it's still a good idea to be careful. I bought myself a new hat from one of the vendor booths along the main drag. A distressed-looking ball cap with the big brown bear from the California flag riding an even bigger bright green surfboard. Then I went to find myself something decent to eat, away from all the smells and commotion. Which wasn't as hard as I am making it sound really, because Venice, California is still one of the hippest, coolest, and most interestingly flavorful places on the planet, so I ducked into one of the many colorfully decorated breezeways off the main boardwalk and found a cute little one-of-a-kind coffee shop to get a sandwich from. Two fried eggs on good wheat toast, with broccoli sprouts and feta cheese...and yes oh yes I poured a whole bunch of hot-sauce on there too. Then, what was shaping up to be a super-fine day turned into an even brighter one, because when I stepped back out into the courtyard a long thin and lovely Mocha-skinned lady was sitting at one of the tables underneath a brightly colored canvas umbrella, and she smiled really wide and toothily at me when I looked her way, so I walked right over and sat down next to her. I guess I must have looked like Mr. Confidence about the whole thing too, because she even cleared all her papers and books over to one side of the table, just so I could put my plate, cup, and backpack down. But, if you've ever read anything else I write, then you know darn well I was actually coaching myself through each and every played-out moment, like: “Oh man, you're doing good, Free...don't screw it up. Just keep your cool and do not let her know how fine she really is. Holy crap! Look at those...cheekbones. Ah ha ha ha!!” (Look, I'm really only asking your opinion here, but do you guys think it means a person is clinically crazy...if they laugh out loud at their own jokes---but only inside their own head...a lot? OK...maybe even all the time. Well? Huh? Does it? Wha'd'ya think? And...what about if it echoes?)

Her name was Nadia and she said she lived over in Inglewood, but liked to come out to the beach to visit her mother in her condo. She reminded me of a dancer as we talked, with quick graceful movements of her long lovely hands, and an evil-sweet toothy smile that could melt the paint right off a gas pump from fifty yards away. Nadia smelled like some kind of bright purple flower too, so I leaned in close as we spoke, just to breathe in as much of her as I could. And she didn't seem to mind at all. “So what brings you out here to LA? You come down to try some of this Cali bud? Shit'll knock you right out if you ain't careful...” “No honey, I'm visiting from Colorado, and we have all the Weed you could ever ask for. It's like going to Baskin Robbins or something; 33 flavors in every store. I'm actually out here on a book tour, to promote my new Treasure Hunt Game. I write coffee-table adventure books, and if you solve the puzzles inside...you could be the first to find my Hidden Pirate treasure.” I took out a copy of the first book, and I even had a couple copies of Three Short See Tails with me too, so I laid them out on the table for her to look through, while I bragged about myself some more. But don't be trying to judge me for it either. You would have pulled all the stops out for this girl too. I mean it y'all...she was fine! And the sizzling hot idea of me scoring even one of her Cappuccino kisses made it seem like the whole rather uphill tour might just pay off after all. Yes! “So you're a real shipwreck treasure hunter? Wow! Man, my horoscope even said I was gonna meet somebody interesting today, but I didn't know it was gonna be someone like you. This must be our lucky day.” The way Nadia looked at me right then, with just a bit of flush to her cheeks, and dilated auburn eyes, let me know she really meant what she said, so I took her beautiful brown hand and moved myself even closer, suddenly feeling a whole lot warmer in the cool December air. “I actually have to get going right now, Babe. I'm out here today doing a bunch street-level promo work for my website, and I want to cover as much ground as possible before dark. Sunset comes kinda early this time of year, though not nearly quite as bad as up in the mountains, but I want to try and hit the gym before dinner too. Do you think maybe we could meet up later? If you're not busy...” “I actually am busy tonight.” As she picked up my phone and started typing her number into it. “I have my kids this evening, but we could go out tomorrow night if you are still around. I'd love to show you all the local sights.” She gave me another one of those smolderingly fantastic LA Woman looks, and let it linger even longer just to punctuate her last sentence, so my dumb old heart fell right into it. Pounding so loudly now at the thought of what 'sights' she might have been exactly referring to, that I was totally sure sweet Nadia might even hear it. So I gathered up all my things as calmly as I could and excused myself quickly, before I fumbled and failed, but then made sure to steal a kiss from her velvety fragrant cheek as I walked away. Just in case it was all a dream. Out on the sand again, I ran into a regular looking middle-aged guy running an expensive looking metal detector back and forth across the golden cinnamon sand. We met over by the graffiti walls, near Old Muscle Beach. I stopped him to talk, and he was very friendly, especially when I told him about what I was out there doing, and that I was a detectorist too.

“Yeah, I actually live up there in Ventura, but we come down here on the weekends and do really well sometimes. One weekend me and my partners found six-thousand dollars worth of jewelry. Not too bad for only the cost of a tank of gas! But I sure would like to get down there to Florida some day though. I bet I could really clean up.” I asked him (I think his name was Jonah) if it was OK for me to put a picture of him on my blog, and he said it was no problem at all, so here you go sir, and Good Luck: Next I stopped by the book-store in Venice, to try and consign my work, but the buyer wasn't in so I made my way over to the Santa Monica Pier, sticking my skull-and-crossbones Treasure Hunt stickers everywhere I went in between. On the backs of signs, on light-posts, dumpsters, newspaper stands, and especially onto any pieces of graffiti I really liked. Though of course one has to wonder at the possible efficacy of a sticker-marketing campaign...in a place so very sticker-polluted as Venice. Like everybody who has access to a printer and a pack of label-paper tried to leave their mark at one time or another, but at least I'm not the only one. Santa Monica was totally crowded that day too, since it was a Saturday. Just imagine a half-crushed case of sardines thrown down into a trash compactor, then getting squashed by some gigantic falling boulder. I mean it. We could barely move! And then a box of canned peas and carrots showed up on the very next train. So it was packed! I put up with it long enough to fight my way out to the end of the pier. And I was lucky enough to spot a long silver sea-lion playing around in the foam while waiting around for a fish. The ocean was green and cool-looking, with long strands of red-blue Kelp undulating around the barnacle crusted pilings, and the sounds of carnival rides and screaming children hung in the air like diurnal sonic fireflies. If there even is such a thing.

And it sure is funny how the dank and briny smell of the sea goes so perfectly well with the savory floating scent of hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy. Sorta like mermaids and pirates holding hands. They're not even of the same World really at all, but still somehow just seem naturally made for one another. The sun was getting low in the sky by that time, so I walked into the shopping district on the bluff, to go get some weight-lifting in before dark. I'm not a beef-head or anything either, in case you were wondering, or a gym-nut, health-freak, or even all that into the whole thing really, but I started going to the gym last winter (in Colorado) to keep from falling asleep when the sun went down (at 4pm), and fell totally in love with what a half-hour-a-day on the weights does for my overall energy levels. Plus I have a few deep nagging joint-injuries, from being a construction worker most of my life, and whatever beneficial chemical it is that weight-lifting releases into my body...does absolute wonders for all that stuff too. So yes, I highly recommend it, and especially after you work at a physically demanding job all day. Because then you get the real benefit. Going to the gym, or running, biking, surfing, or even playing sports after you bust your hump outside all day...is like putting the icing...on a steak. Plus, higher-end public gyms generally have really nice showers and saunas in them too, so I walked out of there feeling like a Movie Star or something. Ready to take on the World...again!

The cool evening air felt amazing on my clean and freshly-worked body, while the wafting smells of food and cigars decorated the Santa Monica streets, and I was breathing it all in deeply. I stopped at a food vendor across the street in the park on the high bluff (forgot the name), then leaned on the cement balcony and watched the lights out on the pier as I devoured three more very heavenly tacos.  I walked toward the train feeling very satisfied, and was just about to call up Nadia to make the whole day complete, when I looked to my left and noticed a couple walking leisurely beside me, which seemed out of place in the Saturday evening bustle. The man turned towards me a bit so I could see his face better, and I couldn't believe it! It was Norwood Fisher; the bass player and founding member of Fishbone!! “Excuse me sir, is your name Norwood?” “Yeah, that's me.” He replied with a wry little smile. His date was a cute and tiny surfer chick, with shiny blue eyes and a bob-style haircut. She seemed especially amused that her date was getting recognized, so they stopped right there in the middle of the sidewalk, just to talk to me. I immediately pulled up my shirt-sleeve, to show him my Fishbone fore-arm-tattoo, and told him “My name is Truly Owen Free, and I've been a Fishbone Soldier (it's what they call their fans) for a really long time now. We've actually met before. A couple times, and in different towns around the country...but I'm sure you meet a lot of people....” “Well alright! That's very cool man! What you up to this evening?” “Oh I'm just out walking the city and promoting these books I've been trying to write.” As I reached for my trusty backpack. “Would you mind if I gave you one? I think you'll like it.” I handed him a sticker too, then pulled out a copy of How I Became a Real Pirate, and he took that graciously too, but I have to go ahead and tell on myself again, when I say that I was making another mistake right there. And it was because of that stupid Starstruck thing again. Norwood Fisher is one of the most down-to-Earth Rock Stars you could ever want to meet, but for some stupid reason I was getting nervous while I talked to him. I guess part of it is I feel weird for treating someone special, but I was also interrupting his date. It was all inside me though. I was the only one having a problem. If I had been paying better attention I would have realized he was ready to have a real conversation, and was genuinely interested in what I had to say, but of course I assumed otherwise, and I really can't tell you why. But I did manage to spit out, “Yeah, I'm on a multi-city promo tour for my two new books. I'm riding the trains around the country and trying to generate some sales. Grass roots style! Street level.” “Well that's the way we do it!”, as he turned the book over a couple times, to check out the cover. The copy I gave him was the older out-of-print version too (see my Amazon account); with the black cover and only the skull and crossbones on the front, and the somewhat-sinister sub-title that only comes with the full-length novel. And I don't know if it was the very piratical cover that spooked him, or if he was picking up on my nervous vibe, but when Norwood looked up again...he gave me a cock-eyed taken-aback guard-dog look, like he wasn't too sure about me now. Like he had noticed something new about me, which he hadn't seen before, so maybe now he better put his guard up. And of course that just made me even more nervous, so I said “Thank you Norwood. Hope you enjoy it, and there's links to my site inside. You guys have a good night.”, then walked away quickly, before I made it worse. I walked backwards through the crowd, away from the train (?!), so I could cross the street and not seem like I was following them. But then when I started walking up the opposite side, I looked over...and they were walking parallel to me across the busy street. Norwood just happened to look my way at the same time too, and we even met eyes...so now it looked even more awkward! Like I was stalking them, and trying not to look like it! Celebrities are so weird. Of course I called my friend Terrence back in Tarpon City, just as soon as I was on the train. He's the only other person I know who is as big of a Fishbone fan as I am, so I just had to let him in on the story. “Are you serious? And you met him in LA?! Oh man, you are out there living life, my brother Truly! I wish I could be out there with you. And you say you even gave him one of your books? That is amazing. I bet he's gonna like it.” “Yeah Terrence, I can barely believe it just happened, and I was there. I totally screwed it up though. He was being really cool, and I think he even wanted to keep talking, but then I made him nervous or something. And I totally gave him the wrong book too. I gave him a copy of the pirate one, but should have totally given him Three Short See Tails. It even has Fishbone glyphs in it, from my tattoo, but I got all nervous again. I'm such a Starstruck little kook!” “Ahhh, don't be so hard on yourself buddy. At least you're out there trying, and it sounds like luck is on your side, if you ask me. Maybe you'll run into him again, or even somebody else. So you should just keep right on doing what you're doing. But hey listen I gotta run. I'm at work right now, and somebody might have a heart attack if I don't pay attention to these monitors, so let me get back to you later. Good to hear from you, bro. Keep on truckin'!”

But you know I still beat myself up, all the back to my vacation rental, which was really just a bunk in a tiny bedroom...with four other people in it. Not even a hostel really. Just some guys house he was paying off by running an Air-BnB mill. Pretty good trick really, and you would probably meet all kinds of people. Hmmm... I got back to the room about eight, and was feeling so low I decided to call it an early one. I put my bag in a locker and was just about to hang my hat up when I noticed the shiny red Devil Pin winking at me in the lamplight. “Oh! That's probably what freaked him out! Norwood saw the black sinister book cover, and the devil pin...and thought I was The Devil himself or something. Especially with my weird old name, and especially here in LA. 'Cuz I'm sure The Devil has a house around here somewhere. Probably a few...” Fishbone has some pretty strong ties to the Gospel community, and are known to be mostly good and spiritual people too, so maybe Norwood thought I was some kinda evil weirdo trying to get at him. Or at least that's the best I could figure. And that really sucked. What another major fail! Just trying to do something good, but I ended up freaking out someone I wanted to get closer to. Dammit! I vowed right then and there...to go to the very next Fishbone show and explain myself. But if you are an adventurer too, then maybe you should check out my armchair treasure hunt. Bet you can't crack the code. Copyright 2020 Truly Owen Free. All rights reserved. Read the full article

[traviswsoul]

Day 4 Long Beach to Leo Carillo 57 Miles

@mexicanus2017 @malayerba.design

waking up at brooks this morning was delightful. I finally gave up on going back to sleep and did 40 minutes of yoga.  It was the right decision for sure. Today would have been much worse without it. So far so good across the board. I left Long Beach around ten, rode west until the dead end into the Los Angeles river, that you have to ride a few miles north before you can cross on 223th st which takes you through Carson and into Torrance.  It was long but went quick, I was in no mood to linger. I was determined to get to camp with plenty of time to set up and enjoy it, which was accomplished successfully, more about that later. Blasted through all the south bay beach towns, It’s the 13 mile stretch that I first started biking on.  in the spring of 2015, when I was brand new to LA, I started going to this amazing exercise studio that was the Laguere method of pilates, Pilates on crack, well the first time i did it i thought i was going to die, for sure. However, It was awesome and inspired the wave of extreme fitness I’m still riding today doing this trip. Studio MDR as it was called was 13 miles away from my house in the south bay so soon after I could survive the class the goal was to cycle there and back, and I did and the achievement felt was exhilerating.  Certainly that has a lot to do with why I’m on the road right now.  That stretch is on along the beach, like sand up against the bike path on the beach, lovely ride, then you have to turn inland to ride around the Marina, at Marina Del Ray (hence Studio MDR).  Immediately there after you are in Venice. Oh Venice, California, you’re such a lovable dirt bag.  I had rode down the board walk by muscle beach, then cut over to see the skate park, ate two slices and got back on the route. I always right on the streets between MDR and Santa Monica,  The bath is just too full of meandering tourists. Which reminds me, I barely collided with a guy today.  He was an idiot, a young kid swerving all across the path, when I said “ on your right” he paused then slowly drifted over toward me, right along side.  I leaned into him and peddled hard and away.  I just remember thinking about how weird it was to have had the feeling of contact with a person.  Touch is not something I have experiened much these few days, and it’s certainly a strange thing to have while riding.  While I wasn’t dealing with a crash it did still have a very intruded on feeling.  weird thing, anyway, he was an idiot, not drunk, not disabled, just really oblivious, doesn’t belong on the  bike path.  Where was I?  Oh yeah, Santa Monica, I didn’t go see the slack line park which surprised me but I was really driven to make good time today.  I made ok time. A left turn right before the Santa Monica Pier is a downward ramp that shoots you out on PCH.  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be through Malibu,  there were only a few scary moments but nothing big.  It was definitely right to be sure and hit it before traffic.  I thought of my friends BK and JA whom I have spent most of my time in Malibu with. Right in the heart of it you have the first hill at Pepperdine University with it perfect and expansive bright green lawn.  You go up and down several times each down brings a beautiful view of cove with peeling waves and sandy beaches, i thought “it was the west coast view you’d expect on this trip.” Luckily I recognized the market across from where you turn off to go to JA’s beach house and had a hunch it was the last place to grab supplies so I did. Two full roasted chicken legs, a roll, a green juice and a beer.  I should eat some more, but I haven’t even gotten to the best part. After the last five of the 57 miles today I pulled into Leo Carillo State Park.  I pulled up and this cute blonde park ranger was smiling and greeting me with “hike and bike?"  Music to my ears because there was also a campsite full sign in plain view.  "That’ll be ten dollars” she continued, getting sweeter with each thing she said, I was expecting to pay 45!  I totally forgot the direction to the hike and bike site which she informed me had three others in it already, because I was so impressed with the state parks department’s excellent staffing decision. A sign however pointed me in the right direction and the small corner site with three bikes in it lead the way.  My campmates are Gabriella from Guadalajara, and two brother from mexico city, Nacho and Esteban who are working on a project about milinials getting out and doing shit, or something like that.  They have an underlying theme to them about making fun of the stereotypes about youth today, their attachment to electronics and validation seeking via social media.  The are also traveling to Vanouver, they are doing it in 30 days.  We all went down to the beach together for sunset and had a lot of laughs, they are each a real blessing.  Garbriella live in San Diego, I hope to see her again, she seems exceptionally intelligent and has quite a pretty smile, she is painting right now with water colors, her goal is a painting a day on her trip from San Luis Obisbo to S.D. What an amazing crew to stumble upon, again I’m amazed at how human interaction,  strangers actually getting along, is the single most enriching part of being a alive.  Why can’t we all just get along? And again a feeling I’ve had for a long time is reinforced, I fucking love Mexicans

[ultrascentedbouquetduckus-blog]

A Two Week California Road Trip Itinerary

The us is quite tons the proper us of a to avenue trip in, with remarkable roads, cheap fuel and hundreds of splendid destinations to select from. It’s no marvel that a California street ride is on many traffic to-do lists!

We’ve taken a number of extremely good US road trips, including course 66, the Pacific Coast dual carriageway, the Oregon path and a path thru the Deep South, and have by no means failed to have a great time.

one in all our favorite states to explore even though needs to be California. With a mix of an top notch weather, a number of the pleasant country wide Parks within the u . s ., and international well-known towns to discover, you’re by no means going to run short of things to do in Discover Torrance Beach California.

With this in mind, I wanted to prepare a traditional week California street journey itinerary, taking in a number of the pleasant that the light country has to provide. I did a ride almost precisely the same as this a few years again, so I recognize that it’s an awesome one.

California road experience

weeks is likewise a good quantity of time for a trip like this, although you can of course enlarge it by using some days if you wanted to peer a bit extra, or desired to head a piece slower

1. San Francisco – 3 Days

We’re going to begin with San Francisco. It’s domestic to the second biggest airport in California, so there are masses of opportunities for purchasing here for both home and worldwide visitors.

Tram in San Francisco streets

It’s additionally an top notch town to base your self on your first three days. in case you’re arriving across the world, you’re going to need a few days to modify to the time quarter distinction earlier than hopping right into a vehicle, so I’m going to endorse spending three nights in San Francisco, and picking up your rent vehicle as you leave – you received’t want (or want!) a car while you’re in the city.

You received’t be brief on things to do in San Francisco, and actually, may sense a little crushed via all the selections! Our recommendations might be to take in the Golden Gate bridge (rent a motorbike to get here without problems), discover Chinatown, pop throughout to Alcatraz, enjoy the traveler lure that is Fisherman’s Wharf, don’t miss golden gate park, head to the pinnacle of Nob Hill for cocktails on the Mark, hop on a cable car and, in case you nevertheless have time, take a walk at Lands stop.

San Francisco sunset

To get your self oriented, we can also propose taking a walking excursion with the exquisite SFNative oldsters, they realize the metropolis backwards and their pints and politics strolling excursion especially is brilliant. eventually, if you’re searching out a few splendid photo opportunities, take a look at out our guide to the great images locations in San Francisco.

accommodation smart, there are lots of options in San Francisco. We’ve stayed at and are satisfied to recommend the motel Rex, which was flawlessly placed within taking walks distance of the entirety we desired to look, imparting a terrific balance of consolation and rate. See extra alternatives for motels in San Francisco right here.

2. Pacific Coast toll road – 2 Days

The force down the section of the Pacific Coast dual carriageway from San Francisco to l.  a. is definitely one of the quality street journeys within the global. Even country wide Geographic agree. So it’s virtually 7c5d89b5be9179482b8568d00a9357b2 that this will be your first vacation spot once you choose up your lease vehicle and head out of the city.

Pacific Coast motorway California

there are numerous highlights along the manner, from adorable beach towns to excellent wilderness areas. Don’t miss Santa Cruz, Monterey, massive Sur and the Julia Pfeffer Burns country Park (camp right here if you may!). The latter is especially well-known for the waterfall that cascades onto the beach, a suitable image possibility.

From huge Sur head further south and soak up highlights like the seals at Cambria, tasty meals at San Luis Obispo, the excellent Pismo seaside, and greater. For hundreds greater records on this stretch of toll road to help you plan the best path, check out this terrific precise guide to making plans a Pacific Coast dual carriageway experience.

Waterfall onto seaside Juiia Pfieffer Burns nation Park California large Sur

There are lots of lodging options all the manner down this stretch of dual carriageway, from campsites and B&B’s to luxurious resorts – all of it relies upon on your price range and what you’re aiming for.

3. Santa Monica, los angeles – 2 Days

l.  a. can be a large, puzzling vicinity, mainly after your journey down the Pacific Coast motorway. That’s why I recommend you head to Santa Monica and make that your l.  a. base. at the coast, and technically a separate town (it’s form of difficult to tell as los angeles and its surrounds are a part of a fairly big urban sprawl), you’ll have get right of entry to to the extremely good beach and pier, in addition to close by Venice, maximum famous for its beach and those looking opportunities.

santa monica sunset

again, there’s no scarcity of factors to do in la. in case you’re interested in film, you could visit the Hollywood signal, stroll the Hollywood stroll of fame or pass on a excursion of the backlot at typical Studios.

artwork enthusiasts will find their thrills on the Getty middle, which also offers fantastic panoramic views of the encircling metropolis. different highlights consist of sunset street, and of direction, you could hop on one of those tours of the celebs houses in case you’re so willing. la also has abundant lodging options to suit all finances – check out listings right here for proposal.

in case you’re now not excited about l.  a., you can also pick to bypass it and head down the coast to San Diego, a greater laid back (and effortlessly navigable!) enjoy. For more studying on San Diego, test out this first-rate San Diego guide.

4. Joshua Tree national Park – 1 Day

Time to go out of the city, and the the rest of this itinerary is going to recognition on exploring a number of California’s fantastic desert regions and country wide Parks. We’re going to start this off with a ride to the Joshua Tree countrywide Park, domestic to those iconic formed bushes that the park is called for.

It’s a exquisite place, the assembly factor of two deserts, and offers precise opportunities for camping, trekking and star-gazing. The nice manner to experience the park is to camp in a single day in one of it’s many campgrounds (you should certainly reserve a gap nicely in advance if this is your plan), otherwise, there are various accommodations opportunities outside the park if you’re now not massive into camping.

You have to additionally be aware that there may be very limited water availability in the park (and no hookups for RV’s), so ensure you convey plenty of water and meals – this is a far flung wasteland surroundings in any case!

5. loss of life Valley national Park – 1 Day

transferring on from one wasteland environment to another wilderness surroundings – and the biggest country wide park inside the contiguous u.s.. death Valley (the call became given through gold rush travelers who nearly perished here) is the hottest and driest vicinity in North america, and has recorded the hottest ambient air temperature inside the world.

Badwater basin

So, overall, a warm region.

other than making you want to crank up the AC then, what does death Valley offer? nicely, there’s that feel of remoteness. The substantial, unforgiving wilderness. The expertise which you’d possibly die fairly fast in case you manifest to wander off and wander away (don’t wander off and get lost oldsters).

death Valley

truth be advised, there’s plenty to do right here. you could go to Badwater Basin, the lowest point within the entire North the usa, which surely sits 86 metres below sea degree. Then there are sand dunes, salt flats, craters, colourful canyons and hiking possibilities galore.

simply be aware that that is a seriously inhospitable, and, within the summer season months, unbearably warm, vacation spot, so plan and % for that reason. if you’re seeking out extra ideas on spending an afternoon in death Valley, check out this fantastic put up.

6. immense Lakes – 1 Day

From dying Valley we’re going to go similarly north, as much as vast Lakes. This pressure is pretty incredible, alongside the Sierra Nevada mountains, and the surroundings (and temperatures) will change dramatically as you ascend into this fantastic part of the arena.

large Lakes are an adventure enthusiasts playground. you can cross hiking, camping, biking, mountaineering, horseback using, fishing – the list goes on! There’s also a ghost town, craft beer corporations, shopping possibilities – essentially, pretty a lot everything you can consider.

lake mono

even as you’re right here, you need to also take the opportunity to visit Lake Mono. Now a country nature reserve, Lake Mono is a million year vintage lake exceptional for the “tufa” towers, calcium carbonate structures that stand above the lake like bizarre cutting-edge art installations. actually well worth a visit, and especially photogenic at sunrise and sunset.

7. Yosemite national Park – three Days

sooner or later on our extremely good California street trip, I’m going to indicate you spend three days exploring Yosemite countrywide Park before heading back to San Francisco to return your rent car and head domestic.

Vernal falls Yosemite

Yosemite is surely one in all my favorite locations within the complete u.s.a.. It’s a marvel of nature, a photographer’s paradise, and someplace I dare every body to visit with out falling instantly in love.

There’s loads to look and do right here, which is why I’m going to suggest taking 3 days to get the maximum out of your go to. this may permit you to see all the highlights, in addition to pass for some longer hikes (or drives), and now not experience too rushed.

Glacier point view Yosemite

I’ve were given a full guide to photographing my favourite components of Yosemite, but in short, don’t omit Yosemite Falls, the hike up to Nevada and Vernal Falls, the pressure (or hike) to Glacier factor, Tunnel View, Valley View and Bridalveil Falls. in case you love longer, extra challenging day hikes, then half of Dome is a critically tough stroll (permit required), as is the stroll as much as the top of Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite country wide Park has a extensive range of lodging options, from carry your personal camping via to luxurious lodges. Be aware that spots ebook up speedy, specially in summer months and at weekends, so ebook properly earlier to avoid disappointment.

Yosemite view of El Capitan

California street journey Itinerary Map

We’ve prepare a map of the our cautioned California road ride itinerary, which you could see underneath, and also on Google Maps right here. observe that relying at the time of 12 months, access to Yosemite can be constrained because of snow, so that you must take the longer way spherical.

similarly, part of the Pacific Coast motorway stay closed due to harm due to landslides. This submit and map will be up to date after they re-open.

California road trip Itinerary Map

whilst to Take a California road trip

California is a reasonably suitable yr round vacation spot, however there are a few matters to be aware about when making plans your journey. inside the wintry weather months, places like Yosemite can come to be available mainly from the east aspect, because of snow, as you could see inside the map above.

the main road in to Yosemite is the Tioga street, and this is typically closed from November thru to may or even June. in addition, elements of the park, together with Glacier point road, are regularly closed for a similar timeframe.

If this happens to you, you’ll have to take a serious detour to get in based on this itinerary. A higher alternative is probably to embody the snow, and head up to Lake Tahoe for some extraordinary snowboarding opportunities. Or, you could head east, out to Nevada and the delight town of Las Vegas.

huge sur coastline

In summertime, the warmth may be pretty extreme, especially in locations like loss of life Valley, where within the summer season months temperatures can exceed 100F, and it’s not advocated to spend a good deal time outside.

in which to stay in California

California has a serious range of accommodation options to satisfy pretty plenty each price range, although larger cities and busier months do have a tendency to growth the fees. We’d always advise reserving in advance on your ride if viable – especially for country wide park campsites and motels, and to get the pleasant deals on metropolis centre accommodations.

for two people touring together, you’re searching at a finances variety of $60 – $a hundred and fifty in keeping with night time for secure private en-suite lodging, despite the fact that you may glaringly spend a long way more than that!

Our desired option for hotel booking is reserving.com, as they normally have the best prices, often run offers, and many houses provide suitable ultimate minute cancellation rules. See their listings for California, San Francisco and la to get you began.

For greater thoughts, take a look at our travel resources page for helpful guidelines and pointers on getting the first-class deal on lodging when you journey.

the way to Get round California

this is a street experience, so manifestly you’re going to need a hire a car! We nearly continually hire automobiles for our US avenue journeys thru organization. We generally locate they have the most competitive charges and widest preference of places, plus in case you’re contemplating a one way experience they've reasonable charges for doing that.

Drivers with foreign licenses are allowed to force, if your license is in a language other than English you then could be first-rate with both an worldwide drivers license, or a licensed translation.

some other alternative of route is to hire a camper van or RV, so that it will assist you to live in campgrounds and different, greater out of the manner areas. this can be a amusing way to journey in a extra self enough fashion. If this sounds like you, check out Outdoorsy, who provide peer to peer campervan apartment – a chunk like the AirBnB of RV rental.