It had been a couple of decades since we had explored the lower left coast. One of the things I remember from visiting our friend Dennis in Reseda was his being impressed with our lightning blitztour of Universal. This time our raison d’voyage was to see how Chip was surviving in East Hollywood. We did have some reason for concern when we were asked by Chip to view the following picture on Facebook. We were to figure it out from the visual context:
Yes, he is working his way through the opening in the “H” of the Hollywood sign. (You can take the boy out of Chicago…). The event was inspired by a visit from his Chicago ‘Urban Guide’ photographer. This seemed like ‘fun’.
So after a three hour delay at Logan and a nice dinner at Legal Sea Foods, we arrived at LAX at thirty four o’clock Pacific time. Chip was dutifully waiting and eager, as were we, to unite the family.
Now let it be said that there are many traffic nightmares in this country: the LIE (Long Island Expressway) and DC at rush hour immediately come to mind. There might even be something to marvel about the daytime density there also along with some other major urban areas in the US. LA however is a 24/7 stream of automotive angst and vehicular effluvia – YUK!
To each rapturous LA accolade and ambient vista there was the accompaniment of a traffic flashback. Should we decide to bring the retroment out west for a month or more there may need to begin a conscientiously applied program of damnitol and regularly applied psychiatric care.
Chip, our dutiful chauffeur, weathered it all. Of course he had the assistance of two iPhones and a manic navigator.
What a trip, however. We grabbed a few hours of sleep and then headed for Santa Monica. Brunch reminded us of the fact that we were in fresh fruit and vegetable land. We then made our way along the Third Street Promenade which reminded us a lot of Lincoln Road in Miami Beach.
It also allows an easy ramble along the ocean.
There was even a hint of deco:
In coordination with our preponderance of coincidence and kharma we then met with Chris’ Irish cousins who were on a more extensive tour of the western United States. These rendezvous have occurred in Avignon, Tuscany, Ireland, New England and now Santa Monica.
It was great to see them and catch up with news of family and just enjoy each other’s company. Dinner was a bit of a challenge on a Saturday night but Chip managed to find an Italian Restaurant that would serve us before midnight. But then we were reminded of some of the ‘charm’ of Southern California – the portion sizes. Though exquisite of taste and presentation, the allotment of food is parsimonious at best. Paedar firmly announced, after splitting the two scallop appetizer with Noreen, that he would not be ‘sharing’.
Entrees were also delicious but meretricious (Gini felt that hers was just enough – the male contingent was ready to pursue mastodon or sabertooth, Noreen kept her own counsel)
The price, of course, was inversely proportional to the portions (antiportional?)
None the less it did not deter us from sitting on the porch of their B&B into the night hours and conversing. Another coincidence is that this B&B was only a few blocks from where Chip works. Chip, who had been up for at least three hundred hours between work and chauffeur duties, finally called a timeout and we headed to his apartment.
Once again our fabulous son performed a work of mercy by giving up his bed and sleeping on an air mattress right next to us in his limited space residence.
Art has taken a back seat to his current employment. He works at a sober living residence for young men between 18-25. There are currently 8 clients. It is on the upscale side and the house includes chandeliers (Gini was very impressed), a pool, Jacuzzi, rec room and dorm-like suites. Of course Chip has introduced climbing into the routine of the household. Enthusiasm can readily be observed among these guys and, as many of us might know, people recovering from substance abuse and trying to stabilize their lives are not always described as ‘enthusiastic’. Yea Chip!
Though Chip is committed to this group we arrived in the midst of business negotiations. One of the residents had been asked to leave, as he had been from several other sober living situations. The young man’s parents, who love their son dearly but also are very wealthy, were negotiating with Chip to establish a team for another residence. This would have more structure and challenge the ‘clients’ much more seriously. We shall see over the next few weeks what becomes of this.
The weather was not behaving in a very California way so we headed for the Getty Museum. Actually the Museum is composed of two locations: the Getty Center and the Getty Villa. The Villa is dedicated to ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan art and theater. Our destination was the Center.
A tram glides its way up a quintessential pacific hillside and deposits you at the entrance:
The exhibits, though good (we viewed photographs of Cuba through the years and illuminated manuscripts, for example, both very interesting) were outdone by the complex of buildings and the grounds. As you climb the steps up to the main level you can get an appreciable panorama:
Lovely gardens and lawns (yes a lawn in these brown hills) flow from the main area:
Later that evening we vicariously extended our experience by taking in the movie ‘Drive’ which takes place in Los Angeles. Violent and graphic so as not for all but we thought it was good (especially the scenes of places we had just been riding through for the past couple of days).
The next day we went to work with Chip and enjoyed downtown Pacific Palisades and the residence. After work Chip needed to do something physical so he cut us loose as he joined a fellow climber for ascents that, if viewed parentally, would create dissents. We went to the nearest mall.
For our last day we headed for Malibu where Chip hopes to rent a house for the new venture. We had a great ride, also, through Topanga Canyon and then a fabulous tour of Rick Leslie’s house, which is also near where Chip works in Pacific Palisades. The house was mind blowing. Built into a hillside, this friend of Tom and Michele’s has created an open concept of earth materials, solar assisted living and realized vision. Taking pictures while being given a tour just did not happen. I apologize. It was so engrossing.
However here are some views along the Pacific Coast Highway:
Finally, here are some proud parents and their son:
Our chauffeur wakened us at 5:30 AM, drove us to the airport and then headed for work. May the Force be with him.
