Only In LA

i knew that i missed LA news for some reason....today there was the "required" police pursuit on the freeways.  The suspect was described as the "triple threat bandit" who had robbed 4 Orange County banks over the last month and did another one today and a Fullerton PD officer saw his vehicle and the chase was on.  the Highway Patrol (troopers to you right coasters) took over and for one hour they chased him up and down the 91 freeway and several surface streets while he was throwing money out of the window.  This went on for an hour then he just stops for no apparent reason and he's taken into custody.  At least there wasn't an intersection t-bone with an innocent driver.  Only in L.A.

We are packing up tomorrow and will be out of here early saturday morning.  Quartzsite, AZ will be the first "berg" of interest.  4 days after that we land in Highlands, TX a "burb" of Houston.  We will remain there until next spring.  Looked at the long range weather from the fall & clear into spring and its all 75.

For you Maine readers, NJ is going to be in Augusta for a teaching gig starting Oct 1.  Will be there a week.

St. John's Dinner

The St. John's group of old met again last night at Yoland's Mexican Restaurant at the Channel Islands Harbor for dinner and to once again re-live the days gone past.  It was a great evening with lots of laughs and great friendships.

The Island of Catalina and the Mystical Town of Avalon

Yesterday Nj and Gail Miley rode the Island Express from Long Beach to Catalina Island for a fun-filled day of sun, ocean, and wonderful weather.   The first three pictures are of the town and the harbor.  The fourth is of an old stage coach stop.  The fifth and sixth are of harbours on the back side of the island.  The last picture is of a 1953 "Flexible" bus they took a tour of the island on.  Enjoy her pictures!

The Animals of Catalina Island

Nj was able to get some pictures of both the native and non-native species found on the island, including the American Bison singularly and a herd.  A captive Bald Eagle, a Seagull & Cormorant and a CA Pelican.

The 4th picture she titled "Guess Who Is Coming to Dinner" and the picture of the Pelican she added the limerick her father often told her, "The Pelican is a magnificent bird whose beak can hold more than his belly can."

The Plants of Catalina Island

As you can see the majority of the native plants on the island are the desert type you would expect to see in AZ or NM.  Never the less even these plants held a beauty not seen on the east coast.

Downtown Ventura, CA

This afternoon we visited downtown along with Tammy and Robin.  Like most downtown's it has suffered over the years because of the mega malls but the city has put a lot of time and money to bring it back.  Large movie house and lots of high-end restaurants and pubs mixed with "recycled" and craft stores.  Nice surprise.

Also if you need to trade or exchange your buffalo see picture #2.

Lunch Today at the Habit (burger joint)

Not much to post but today a funny thing happened at the Habit.  Went in with my very good friend of many years, John Lopez, probably the best softball umpire I ever worked with along with Bruce Bianchini (he wasn't with us today).  So I forgot that I was wearing and In-N-Out T-shirt, another burger place and a big time competitior with the Habit.  When i get to the register, the girl sees the shirt, smiles and says very loud, Carlos (the manager) can you get security?  Now the whole place is interested and this is at noon so its packed.  He comes up and sees the shirt and laughs and then he disappears only to be back in a few with a Habit T and says he dares me to wear it into In-N-Out.  I say you give it to me and its done.  John and I think that it may be a way to score an shirt for him.  Told you it was a slow blog day.  Anyway it looks like at this point that we will be on the road on the 17th.