Because my flight from LAX to Sydney took me across the International Date Line, Day 7 of my trip was essentially a “lost day,” all of which was spent at cruising altitude over the Pacific Ocean.  Essentially, I never got to have an October 24th.  However, I’ll get one really long day on the way back over the Pacific sometime in February. Americans dream of … Continue reading Day 7: The Lost Day

After returning to Los Angeles from Palm Springs, I decided to drive up to the Griffith Observatory, which sits at a high point offering spectacular views of the Los Angeles Basin, and do some hiking nearby. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that the observatory is closed to the public on Mondays; however, you can still walk around the building and admire the views.  An upside of … Continue reading Day 4: Hiking above Hollywood

After catching up over dinner and drinks with some LA friends on Friday night in West Hollywood, my friend Jim and I made a 2 hour drive out to Palm Springs and checked in very late at the Villa Royale.  The desert beauty of Palm Springs revealed itself in the morning as I took a walk around the Villa Royale’s charming courtyards and admired the … Continue reading Days 2-4: Palm Springs

The weather couldn’t have been more amazing in Los Angeles yesterday.  After landing at LAX and picking up my rental car, I headed to Santa Monica to explore the beach and take a walk around the city.  The Santa Monica pier is admittedly touristy, but it’s a pleasant way to walk around and soak up the California sun, watch surfers ride the waves and admire … Continue reading California Dreamin’: Exploring Santa Monica