The Festival of Books

Last weekend, I attended the LA Times Festival of Books. This was my first time attending this event that’s held annually at USC. I can’t believe that I have never been before! Not only is it just a 25 minute drive from my house, but it’s a book festival! I love books! This free event is fun for the whole family. There were cooking demonstrations, book readings, music, food and fun.

I didn’t bring the family, I attended alone because I wanted to check out some of the interview sessions. One that I attended was a conversation with our own Lt. Governor, Gavin Newsom. Newsom spoke about his first book, Citizenville: How to take the town square digital and reinvent government. While we all have embraced our new digital world through social media, portable devices, smart phones, infinite apps and the cloud, our government has yet to catch up and almost resists the change. After the event, I was able to meet and have Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom sign my book! Can’t wait to attend next year!

Crater Curious

I still can’t believe that this past holiday weekend was the first time we went out to the Amboy Crater! The crater site is only a short drive and the sites are amazing!

Once we parked, we took the trail to the crater. The trail is about 3 miles, round trip, and I was amazed that the kids made it! It is also very important to wear good sneakers or hiking boots and you should bring lots of water!

While on the trail, we spotted some lizards and lots of lava rock! Some where even put into shapes for everyone to enjoy!

Our weekend adventure

Skull Rock

We took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park this weekend. Purely by coincidence, the Los Angeles Times had this article in the Travel section and we looked for insight into our day trip.

A secret passage way

We stopped at the visitor center and picked up a map. We set out with a plan to walk a trial first, have lunch, then walk a second trail. The first walk we took was at Skull Rock, a 1.7 miles trail.

We climbed a few rocks and took in the view. The kids had a great time exploring.

We completed the first half of the trail and then the little one got tired and hungry. We cut the trail short and headed back to the car.

The next stop: Key View. This .25 mile trail has great panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. We had some lunch first, then walked the trail to see the sights.

We had a great time, despite the fact that it was extremely windy and a bit cold. We will be going back for sure… we have a pass now! Have you ever been? What are your favorite trails?

Pioneer Town, CA

Over the New Year’s weekend, we took a trip to Pioneer Town. Pioneer Town is a little town in the High Desert near Yucca Valley. We went specifically to eat at Pappy and Harriet’s, a fun place to eat with delicious burgers, chili and more! Pappy and Harriet’s was also featured on an Anthony Bourdain special, so they are kind of a big deal! The place has fun decor and band posters everywhere! They have a stage and lots of bands come to play live there.

After getting full on yummy grub, we walked through Pioneer Town.

This little tourist attraction reminds me of walking through Knott’s Berry Farm!

Have you ever been to any ghost towns or places like Pioneer Town? I love places like this!

Desert Love

Happy New Year! It feels like we have been away FOREVER! As you all know, my family and I travel to the desert a couple of times a year. It’s one of our favorite getaway spots and for good reason, it’s so beautiful and QUIET!

We spent New Year’s weekend in the desert again this year. The kids enjoy it so much, every trip is a wonderful adventure! I hope your 2012 is a wonderful adventure too!

Amelie

There is this great wine bar in San Francisco called Amelie. The atmosphere is chic and modern and they even have French written on the ceiling. Now, I don’t speak French nor read it, but there is an English translation painted on the wall as you go to the ladies room.

I tried a glass of French Mascato. I love sweet white wines and this one took the cake! I could have had an entire bottle myself! Some of the other ladies opted to try the wine flights. Wine flights are a great way to try a few wines without the hefty price tag.

While I was still full from fondue and appetizers we had at our first stop, some of the others tried escargot, ravioli with truffles and other tasty entrees. I am not one for trying snails, but everyone said I was missing out.

We all really enjoyed Amelie and would go again. The service was fantastic and we were in good company. Did I also mention that the bride was serenaded?

All photos are courtesy of the bride to be, Cecila!

Father’s Day Outing

This weekend we had an early Father’s Day outing. We visited our local wetlands preserve. It was a special Father’s Day event! Each father got a free native plant and we chose a native California Poppy.

The kids had a great time exploring and it was fun for us to see all the native plants and trees.

Our local wetlands preserve opens to the public for Second Sunday Strolls. It was a great way to spend the day as a family. The kids had quite the adventure too. We walked the trails, saw beautiful flowers, butterflies, crossed bridges and even spotted a lizard!

Happy Father’s Day!

An Oasis of Murals…

I’ve been to Twentynine Palms more times than I can count. I remember the first time I experienced this off-beat town. You drive into town and before you know it, you’ve driven out of town. It’s a small place that is home to a big Marine base. It also has hidden jem restaurants, quaint shops, antique stores and small art galleries. My favorite part are the murals painted along side many of the buildings… these are a few… ENJOY!

Desert Flowers

A Welcome Home

The Desert Trail

Marines in Combat

A Flash Flood

A desert landscape

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!

Twenty Nine Bistro

This weekend, my hubby and I managed to squeeze in a Date Night! We left the kiddies with the grandparents and set out to Twenty nine Bistro in Twentynine Palms! The little bistro is in town and has been open for a little over a year. We’ve been here a couple of times. It’s delicious!

Twenty nine Bistro is such great little date night spot. It’s small, cozy and the ambiance is fantastic! They sometimes have a guitarist playing softly, the lighting is semi-low. My favorite part is the wine storage cabinet! It’s huge, full of wine, made of walnut wood and seeded rain glass! I think it’s gorgeous! The huge wine cabinet also has a secondary role: the divider between the bar and the main dining room! Very clever!
I had a Stella and my husband had some wine. We ordered Spicy Crabcakes as an appetizer that was served on top of a small spring salad. For entrees, we had a glazed pork chop and grilled salmon. Everything we were served tasted so good! I can’t wait until we make another trip out here so we can try more from the menu!

Get Away from the Everyday

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day Weekend! We are spending ours in the desert. We thought about making a trip to Joshua Tree, but we couldn’t get the kids away from the pool! I went into town with my in-laws and we drove past some Joshua Trees… does that count?

Since being here, we have been for a walk, been in the pool, had a BBQ, saw a jack rabbit, saw some lizards…it’s been an eventful day!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Back to the grind for me on Monday!