Weekend in Los Angeles

There was this itch. That of not having been on a road trip to one of our favorite haunts in all California. That of the L.A area visit that we had a run rate of visiting at least once in six months. It had been close to 18. Had to do it. Had to.

So we went. This glorious summer weekend. On the itinerary were places to see that keep surprising us and keep confirming our faith that there is still a lot left. Food of course. Mountains and sand and sea. Pacific majesty to what some might call God's amazing grace and places where folks go to worship this unseen entity. It was all on the agenda.

First stop - Santa Clara valley and its neighboring hills. A place carved by geology. A site for Star Trek fans where some scenes were immortalized. Had to check it out. This place is called the Vasquez Rocks.

Star Trekkies come to hang (literally since it is good rock climbing too) and it is a backdrop to a scene with Capt Kirk

The park is an open acreage where the PCT also runs through and an occasional hiker is seen making their way to Canada from San Diego.

Followed by some amazing Cuban cuisine. Yes - lots of it. And some baked goodies. Porto's in Burbank is a family run business for decades. We stuffed ourselves with a lot of seasonal items including this awesome guava infused barbecued pork sandwich on sweet bun. That right there made the trip worth it.

Sandwich and fresh plantain chips - more than filling

This was then followed by a visit to BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills. An eastern burb of the LA Area around 50 miles out. This was a volunteer built magnificence made with Indian sandstone and Carrara marble and wood detail in teak. It is a temple for Krishna Radha - among the most eminent in the Hindu pantheon.

BAPS mandir

Sanctum Sanctroum - the roof is hand carved marble and the whole edifice is Quake Proof

After soaking in some Hinduism we headed back west to hit up a glass cathedral. It is the largest glass structures in the world created by an architect who lived to be 98.

Glassy eyed by the time we were done

The main building is being renovated but there is acres to wander in the campus and impressive structures and water features to hang out. We had some Vietnamese Sesame balls for a snack from local vendors.

From there another drive to another chapel - this designed by Frank Lloyd's son on a hill overlooking the Pacific. Another hour in the car but enjoyable as we drove past the port of Long Beach to get here.

Wayfarer Chapel based on Swedenborg ideology

Evening on Redondo Beach

Last workout before nap time

Finally we wove our way to the coast (Redondo Beach) to play in the water before bedtime.

Of chocolates

I like chocolates. Godiva Dark with Almonds - not sure of the naked woman on the horse to be the icon of some choice cocoa based products but tastes good. Started in Belgium but now owned by some Turks. Cadburys - Fruit and Nut Milk Bars - awesome combination of dried fruit pieces along with a medley of nuts makes your toungue dance - started by a Brit now owen by Kraft USA. Lindt Hazelnut spheres - made by a Swiss confectioner are divine balls that melt in your mouth with a lingering nutty taste Ghirardelli Milk Crisp Squares - crunchy and light these milk squares are easy on the palate but pack some serious calories - all good I say! Originally founded by an Italian who moved around till he landed in SF Bay today also owned by the Swiss Lindt empire.

Columbia SC

The Palmetto state. One of the confederate kinds. History dating couple centuries back. We visited the capital yet again this time to take in the SC State Museum. Occupying the former digs (literally remodeled) of an erstwhile cotton mill this structure is an amazing piece of reimagination. Four floors of excitement for kids and young at heart alike. Located on the shores of the Congaree River formed when the Broad meets up with the Saluda River, this edifice is approx. 60 years old. The front of the building has a more modern planetarium that was added about a decade ago. The museum itself has different areas of interest segregated on each of its four floors. The first floor has gift shop and a diorama of some of the local geography including the swamps and the state beaches with audio guides to help understand what fauna thrives locally. The second floor is all about natural history and showcases animal kingdom that may have survived on this latitud...

Cost of entrepreneurship

Last night I attended a guest lecture on the subject of disruptive technology and entrepreneurship. Lecture was free but it was used as a pitch by the University that hosted it to attract new customers. The speaker was somewhat respectable fellow who happened to hail from India and spoke eloquently. One of the key message was around how the professors in this university were ranked among the very best money can buy. Cost of the MBA program mere $110,000 and oh we also buy some dinner if you have late class. So now the math is simple- is learning to be entrepreneurial worth the cost of entry? That is assuming you end up being one. What of those that do not? or the ones that are not successful at being the entrepreneur? Is that being a pessimist before even being handed the glass. What I found strange is that people will bet big money on the glimmer of hope that they might just make a entrepreneurial debut and hit it big. The unive...

Brown Motion

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