Adventure No. 5: Self-Realization Fellowship

It’s clear that Paramahansa Yogananda knew what was up. Firstly, he was the founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship – a worldwide spiritual organization based on Yogananda’s teachings – Kriya Yoga, meditation, and the Worldwide Prayer Circle, which is a network of groups that pray for world peace and harmony. Secondly, the SRF is based and was founded in 1920 in Mt. Washington, one of my favorite pockets of anywhere I’ve ever been – and I’m sure it was even more gorgeous in 1920. Yogananda is also known as the Father of Yoga in the West. Sounds like a pretty cool dude, right?

Of course, there is way more information on Yogananda and the SRF, and if you’re interested in the backstory, or you’d like to learn more about the foundations of the SRF, then you should really browse the Web. It’s out there.

But for us, SRF’s International HQ, tucked away in the quiet woodland neighborhood of Mt. Washington, is another sweet spot in the City of Angels for our father and daughter adventures.

How it went:

The day after Halloween: It was kind of quiet, the world was a little tousled, and one felt a bit more settled into fall, a perfect day for adventure time with my girl. There were no obstacles in getting from point A to B, and in L.A., that’s a rarity. A welcome one.

We took off into the autumn glow around four in the afternoon, coming from Glassell Park. From our apartment, by street, it took a total of eight minutes. Having been to our destination before, there was no getting lost. We wove through the canyon neighborhoods, getting vistas of the Glassell and Highland Park’s Spanish and Craftsman style homes compacted into the hillsides.

You wouldn’t know the SRF was there unless you were told to look for it. The neighborhood of Mt. Washington is a pretty posh, upper-middleclass one I’d assume, with nice two-story homes, gates, and lion statues. From the outside, the SRF looks a bit like Daddy Warbucks’s casa. A big white gate for the driveway and some kind of garden wall for the perimeter; fancy, but inoffensive.

We parked on the street. There is parking on the property, but I thought we could use the extra jaunt. Although we’d been here before, I wanted to get a little info from the Visitors’ Center (for the sake of the blog), so I could at least appear to have some journalistic intent.

The Visitors’ Center is just inside the gate and to the left. I didn’t catch the concierge’s name, but she was cordial and helpful in directing us to locations on the property, although she gave me a look of, “What are you doing here with that baby, if not to meditate and self-realize?” Understandable.

There is a paved private road with a sidewalk that runs down the center of the property. The Visitors’ Center, main house, koi pond, and wishing well are off to the left. Along – and at the end of – the road there are parking spaces. Beyond, there are employee living quarters. To the right there is a big grass lawn with benches and a variety of plant life; a tennis court with tables, benches and other sitting apparatus; and, through a cluster of trees, a path that leads to a few small garden meditating zones to get zoned out in.

We chose the right. Insert metaphor.

The lawn area was pleasant, but we were told no sitting on the grass, ‘cause that’s what the benches were for. Cool, no biggie.

It was QUIET. No cars passing by. No dude with his shirt off, on his marathon training run where you either eat his dust or get spun like a turnstile. No ladies on their power walk chatting loudly about their jobs and husbands. Just quiet.

The clear view of downtown is at the tennis court, so we headed over. There’s something very English about it all. It looks like the set from A Room with a View or some Kenneth Branagh period piece. At the tennis court, I can picture Englishmen in white suits playing a set while the ladies sit at the tables sipping on some Earl Grey.

The tennis court is very well kept, but it doesn’t even look like it’s being used. There are benches and tables to sit at and enjoy the peace. This day was particularly smoggy/hazy and downtown was but a dream. We moved on.

Through a cluster of trees is an enchanted garden forest with little annexes for meditating. Streams of sunset were bolting through the trees. We were alone. It was so mellow.

I took Riv out of the baby carrier and held her in my arms for a while. No fuss. She thrives in the outdoors. I think she’s going to be a nature girl, just like her mommy and daddy. She loves to look at everything.

It was getting late and we wanted to catch the main house where the old chapel and library are located. Unfortunately, we were too late, and told (very nicely) that it was time to go.

We bid farewell to the kindly robed man and woman getting into their car. They were high on life and so were we.

Pros and Cons:

As soon as you walk onto the property you feel like you’re in Utopia. Everyone who works the grounds seems to have some enlightenment high, and the estate is aesthetically manicured and beautiful. It’s like a sanctuary within the safe zone of Mt. Washington. When Riv is up and running I’d like to take her back there to give her legs the workout they deserve on that lawn.

Except … that probably won’t happen. The Self-Realization Fellowship’s not really intended as a park for toddlers to run around in. It’s a place to be quiet and self-realize. Our presence there didn’t seem to bother anyone, but I would feel a bit anxious toting a wild one around while seekers were zoning out in the gardens.

Adventure No. 4: Elysian Park & Angels Point

Elysian Park doesn’t need too much of an introduction. It’s the oldest – and
second largest – park in Los Angeles. Should be enough, right?

Practically everybody and their mother from the valleys of San Gabriel and
San Fernando has graced these grounds. It has a lot of history – and a lot of
controversy, due to the uprooting of communities for a baseball stadium and a
freeway.

Folks still seem to be somewhat divided on this hillside haven. If you want a
giggle, then Google the Elysian Park Yelp page. There are tales of forgotten
restrooms, prowling prowlers, graffiti, used condoms, and generally shady
debauchery. Then, there are reviews that are all smiles and rainbows. Hiking
trails, scenic views, and walking the dog on a Sunday; the hidden gem of Los
Angeles.

A few years back, before we were residents and parents living in the City of
Angels, we went to Elysian for a kind of hippie hoedown with friends involving
guitars, tambourines, and a peace pipe. The logistics remain unclear, and so
do my recollections. Hence, the park was a foggy memory that needed to be
revisited.

Elysian is pretty massive in size and there’s quite a bit to take in, so with
this entry we’ll be focusing on Angels Point: a very apt name for a beautiful
overlook.

How it went:

Riv and I have been marooned of late due to a couple of unexpected curveballs
thrown our way.

The first: a tale as old as time, car problems, something that rears its not-so-
funny head a few times a year.

And second: it’s been the hottest summer in recorded history. You don’t just
drive your four month old around in a death trap when it’s 108 degrees outside!
So, it was a waiting game. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long, because
we’ve been a very good family this year – and a good family gets a new ride! A
Jeep!

The day we went was fairly clear. Partial blue skies with a bit of haze. It was
hot in the early afternoon, but it started cooling off when a sweet pre-fall
breeze came blowing through town. Just had to get Riv suited up for adventure
time.

She’s been really maturing lately. When I get home from work, she always
seems a little different. It’s a trip to watch, day by day.

Here’s an example: Since it’s been so hot, we’ll just have her in her chonies
until it’s time to go out. Whenever she sees me with her clothes for getting
dressed, she starts cracking up. She correlates that with going out. Either that,
or I’m going crazy. Which could easily be true.

Once River was dressed and fed, we hopped in our new-to-us Jeep and headed
for the hills. Taking streets of course. Freeways in the afternoon are a definite
no-go.

We come from the Highland Park area, so we took Fletcher to Riverside to
Stadium Way to Angels Point Road to the top of the hill through a quick and
winding canyon drive. At the top of the hill is Angels Point. Plenty of parking!

I got River in her Baby Bjorn and we walked down a dirt path to the first thing
we saw, which was a public art sculpture that also acts as a gazebo. Beauty
was not in the eye of this beholder. If you’ve seen the movie Toys starring
Robin Williams and love the art direction/set design, and then you get a bunch
of gangsters to tag all over it, then this is your bag. It’s a bit out of place. But,
what you can get from this vista is an amazing view of downtown Los Angeles,
Hollywood, Koreatown, and, in the distant eastern haze, the San Gabriel
Mountains.

We took it in for a bit. You could hear mariachi music coming from down in the
canyons, but no real buzz from the city. Peaceful … until some hombre came
out from the bushes puffin’ smoke. It didn’t really bother me, but we took it as
our cue to continue our journey.

Down below the art structure is a small park with about 20 picnic tables and
matching trashcans. There were some sweethearts at a table getting an early
supper, and down at the end, in the grass, was a woman sprawled out on a
Mexican blanket catching some z’s. It was quiet, but not eerie.

Over by the sleeping woman you could get a great view of Dodger Stadium and
what was once Chavez Ravine.

Adjacent to this grassy eating sanctuary was some kind of desert garden-
esque walking path area. It was neat. No one was using it. We took a stroll.
Eucalyptus trees were overhead. There were a couple of Porta-Potties off
to the side, but they were out of the way and didn’t detract from the super
California vibes we were getting.

Between the Toys gazebo and the eating area was a dusty down hill trail … we
ventured further.

The trail was short and winding. California shrubs tangled along the slopes, and
wafts of sage picked up on dusty gusts channeling through the canyons.

The trail spits you out into a mini park on the corner of Academy Road, a
block down from the Police Academy, and 100 feet across the street from the
Dodger Stadium parking lot. The mini park has a climbing apparatus, a slide,
benches, a picnic table, and a trashcan. It’s very well kept, cut grass and all.
Aesthetically, it looks a bit like something out of the 1980s suburbs.

No one was around. There were no cars or cadets making their way down
Academy Road. It was mellow, but we were hot and sweaty from our hillside
escapades and it was time to get back to the Jeep and head home before the
witching hour.

Pro and Cons:

We’d go back again for sure. It was a nice exercise with plenty to look at for
my little muñeca. It’s also a great L.A. experience because of its unique mix
of southern California chaparral and raw urban undertones. There were picnic
tables for eats, grass for blankets, benches for the sitting, trashcans for dirty
diapers – and if you couldn’t wait, Porta-Potties for you know what.

Sure, we saw Bob Marley Reincarnate coming out of the bushes, and, yes, there
was maybe a little too much “street art” here and there (even some on Mother
Nature), but what do you expect? Yosemite?

If you’re looking for your tiptoe through the daffodils to be scored by the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir, then this is not your trip. But if you’re willing to get
a little down and dirty while scoring on some surreal vista, then it just might
be your spot.

Good Luck and Peace

Adventure No. 3: The Los Angeles River

Everybody loves the Los Angeles River. Well, maybe not everyone—but many
people do, and if they don’t, then they’re missing out.

The river is for sure not L.A.’s best-kept secret, but I know quite a few
Angelinos (some who have lived in this desert longer than we have) who have
never gone down to its waters. Blasphemy, I say. Blasphemy!

The river is on my “Top Five Favorite Things About L.A. with a Bullet” list.
River (my daughter) and I cruise down there a few times a week. Sometimes, a
couple times a day. No kidding.

Look up the L.A. River online and you’ll find so much information your cup may
well runneth over. But if you’re seeking some quick meat-and-potatoes-style
info, then check out the ever-helpful Wikipedia, lariver.org, or the Friends of
the Los Angeles River page—an organization that has been holding the torch of
appreciation since 1986. Those people love, love, love the river and do regular
cleanups so we can all enjoy it.

A river in this city is an ironic juxtaposition of sorts, and I was reminded of
this when one of our Facebook compadres posted a paraphrased Louis C.K.
joke, which I’m about to paraphrase even further. It was something like: When
someone lives in the city and they see a deer they say, “How precious and
sacred,” but when you live in the country you’re like, “Oh, great. It’s the
hooved rats again!”

Funny, right? There is some strong truth to it, too—but mostly it just drives
home the point that sometimes when you live in a city you forget about nature,
and sometimes when you live in nature, you take it for granted. For those of us
who live in the City of Los Angeles, the river is a way to stay in touch with the
natural world, and to remember that we’re a part of it.

I like to close my eyes and picture what was there before the skyscrapers and
highways. I marvel at these modern feats of ingenuity, of course, but I like
to dream of what it must have been like to stumble upon an untouched Los
Angeles. I’m assuming it would have been magical.

The Los Angles River begins in the San Fernando Valley and lets out, at its
mouth, in Long Beach. Our adventure, however, takes place along the section
of riverbank between Rattlesnake Park and Marsh Park, a little jaunt with stops
along the way.

How it went:

A four-day weekend! It’s nice when you get that rare three-day weekend … but
a four-day weekend? It’s like striking gold. Thank you, God, LAUSD, and Labor
Day! We’ve been getting burned-out so easily these days between taking care
of baby, going to work, taking care of baby, and then barely getting any sleep
(all you parents know what’s up), so this four-day weekend was a much-needed
sabbatical.

Better still, Tania and I both had Labor Day off. Huzzah! Sometimes it feels
like we’re ships passing in the night, but this Labor Day we were docked and on
shore leave together.

It took us awhile to get going. (Side note: when one is not used to having time
off, one can stay on the couch all day watching Lethal Weapon 4 and having a
fat fest.) But finally, round sunset, we had a thought bubble of blue herons and
ducks floating downstream. A River with River stroll! Off we went, down to the
river by street in our little Saturn Twin Cam. It was a fresh, blue-sky day, and
the San Gabriel Mountains were vivid.

 We like to park by the Fletcher Drive Bridge on Ripple Street. There are
nearly always spots there, but if you can’t find one, there’s a little parking
lot adjacent to the street that’s good, too. We got Riv in her Baby Bjorn, and
walked down to the path.

When you walk down from Ripple it’ll spit you out onto the west bank. We
walked with the flow. Bikers whizzed by, but there were also couples of all
ages taking that dusky stroll. First stop was Rattlesnake Park—not a very
welcoming-sounding destination, but all the same, a sweet location with some
benches and a trash can. Pretty well kept. Not the Garden of Eden, but a calm
spot to people-watch, and, of course, river-watch.

Our thought bubble became a reality. Blue herons craned upward against
the current-like statues, mama ducks and their ducklings scurried about with
places to go, and cars crossed the bridge above, making a sound of rushing
wind combined with wobbly bridge suspension noises. The music of the river
and the city. Our River was wide-eyed and loving it.

We walked on. Between Rattlesnake Park and Marsh Park, it’s mostly just path.
This gives you a great opportunity to observe the living and thriving ecosystem
that is the Los Angeles River—instead of driving by it on the freeway and
going, “What in the hell is that? Hobo Jungle?”

Down on the banks were some tatted up cholos, fishing. They had lawn chairs
and beers going. I inquired down towards the water, “You catch anything?”
One of the dudes pulled a pretty big fish out of his bucket. It was big from 20
yards away. We gave them the thumbs up. These are the moments we love.

We kept on rolling. There are a couple of workout/exercise spots along the
path that could be really cool for those of you out there with the older kiddos.
But for us, it would be a production with our little senorita. Just a bit further
down from the workout stations is Marsh Park in the Elysian Valley. Mostly an
open space of grassy lawn, tiny rolling slopes, and a playground consisting of
climbing toys that resemble giant animals, i.e., a rattlesnake, a toad, etc.
There are some benches and trashcans. It’s small.

I would definitely recommend checking this place out. Bring a blanket and
some snacks. No one was there when we went. So mellow and kid friendly,
with exception of there not being other children present for the congregating.
They say Elysian Valley is one of the safer neighborhoods in L.A., next to
Brentwood. Seemed to be true for us.

The sun was sinking behind the power lines and leaving the sky with trails of
gold and pink. River was still pumped and ready to keep the party going, but
her sleep schedule was calling. Time to go.

Pros and cons:

I probably can’t gush enough about this little strip of solace. It’s given me
and mine such peace of mind on those days where peace of mind was much
needed. It seems to be safe and child-friendly, and out of the fifty times we’ve
gone there we’ve never felt threatened, though at dark walking next to any
river could be questionable.

If I had to find something to pick at, it would be that the bikers on the path
act as if they own the road. Meaning, some are courteous, but some act a bit
entitled. Just keep your eyes open and it won’t be a big deal.

This is isn’t Chuck E. Cheese’s or the mall. It’s not American Conventional
Family Fun. There’s not much for the kids to touch, but there’s plenty for them
to observe and learn about. Go for a walk, a bike ride, or a sit.

It’s worth it a thousand times over.

Peace and Good Luck.

Adventure No. 2: Silver Lake Meadow

Let’s face it, Silver Lake … you’re really nice. You’re the type of place that’s featured in Dwell or Sunset magazine. You’re the kind of neighborhood one can walk safely in, whether it’s to the store to pick up some kind of bougie organic treat—or down to the bar to watch the next band to be featured on a late night talk show. You’ve got your quaint little boutique shops and your slightly harder-edged Sunset Junction. You probably feel so cool, don’t you? Well, you just might just be entitled.

Sliver Lake is surrounded by Echo Park, East Hollywood, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, and Elysian Valley, aka Frogtown. Centrally located? Or the eye of the storm. No matter how you look at it, Silver Lake is in the thick of it.

According to the Silver Lake Wikipedia page, Silver Lake contains some of the most famous modernist architecture in North America. Take a Sunday drive through those hills and dream of fancy futures, I tell ya. Also, Beck lives there.

This adventure isn’t really about the Silver Lake District and its celebs as much as it’s about the Silver Lake Reservoir, and, specifically, the adjacent (and aptly titled) Silver Lake Meadow.

How it went:

It was definitely the golden hour in L.A., plus no traffic. Hejira was on. Smooth tune-age for smooth sailing. We took streets to the reservoir and parked on Silver Lake Boulevard across from the meadow.

No trouble finding parking, surprisingly—especially since it was the time of day when most folks are getting home from their nine to five.

I got Riv saddled up in the Baby Bjorn and we walked over to the meadow. Lots of people were there: beautiful soon-to-be stars running the 2.2 mile trail that circles the reservoir, and, out in the meadow, couples smooching, along with a few folks laying low reading or just kicking back and watching the sun sink behind the hill.

It had been a scorcher of a week, so it was nice to get that breeze off the water. River really loves the wind. Especially when we’re walking into it and it’s blowing against her face. We found a sweet annex in the corner of the meadow and made camp.

I took a look around. The reservoir is fenced off. This makes sense, because it provides water to 600,000 homes in downtown Los Angeles. You don’t want people acting a fool up in that. There are no bathrooms or benches. Just grass, and a path that cuts through for the walking.

I scoped further with my new journalistic eye. A lot of mommies with Starbucks and iPhones. I’m not trying to typecast anyone, and I’m totally unaware if this is a cliché, but there were many of them scattered about the meadow. If there was a Starbucks and iPhone giveaway around the corner, then I’m bummed I didn’t find it. My phone is from 2005 and it would be nice to take a picture, while sending an email, while watching a Rolling Stones video, while hanging out with my daughter, while sipping on Starbucks.

There were no dads to be found. At least not when we were there. I put a blanket on the grass and lay River down on it. She was very contented listening to kids laughing and playing, the patter of foot traffic on the trail, and the rush hour on Silver Lake Boulevard.

I gave River her dinner of mother’s milk and we watched a little boy fly a kite that was in the shape of an eagle. It was a beautiful sunset. Palm trees silhouetted on the hillside, a ghetto bird flying over East Hollywood. River finished her bottle as the sun finished its day. We packed up and went back to the car. It was getting dark, and time for bed.

Pros and Cons:

The Silver Lake Meadow is definitely a destination for parents who are looking to be out with the people. It’s a well-maintained green and grassy park: an open space for you and the kiddos. Bring a Frisbee, bring a picnic; blankets are a must, and if you can score the shady lane underneath the ONE tree, then you’re really in for a good/comfortable time.

Truth be told, though, if I were to have a scoring system of 1-10, I’d give the meadow a seven. It was fair. Silver Lake is a really neat hood with beautiful architecture and historical significance ... and that’s not quite captured here. This park was built in 2011, and has a 2011 vibe. Let me put it this way: imagine that San Francisco’s Dolores Park had a wonderful night with a park in Irvine and then … bam! This park is born.

Keep in mind: there are two other parks at the reservoir, making it a total of three. You might go hang at the meadow for a bit, get a little bored, and then head on down to the rec center or take your pooch to the dog park. Or, you might just enjoy the trail. River and I have, on a few occasions.

One of my favorite things about Los Angeles is there are little safe havens where one can discover the unpredictable … maybe it was the time of day, but I found it a challenge to tune out the predictable. We’ll definitely go back, but it’s not next on the list.

Peace and Good Luck.

Adventure No. 1: Elyria Canyon Park

Elyria Canyon Park. This preserve is 35-acres of native habitat
nestled between the neighborhoods of Mt. Washington and Glassell
Park. Apparently, from the signage, it’s taken care of by the Santa
Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Tania and I discovered it by happenstance just after we had moved
to L.A. by taking an exploratory drive. You really wouldn’t know it
was there unless you stumbled upon it or were told to look for it.

When you come from the suburbs to the city you must locate the
parks. It’s in your blood. I can’t speak for everyone from the burbs,
but parks to us are fair game for hanging out and getting your drink
on. Good times. Sorry, Mom.

But now that we are of the parental persuasion, things have
changed. Parks are sunshine and moonbeams.

That being said, I don’t have a problem if I get a waft of Otto’s
Jacket or stumble across some punker kids glugging down a sixer of
Natty Ice. It feels like home.

Before River was born, we put on a couple of secret shows at Elyria
and had a few sunrise sessions at the top of the hill, but since the
light of my life came into this world, Elyria has been nothing but a
fond memory. It was time to go back.

How it went:

The afternoon had that beautiful hazy glow, which seems like
only L.A. can produce, and River was in her cheery 3-month-old
disposition, i.e., napped, fed, and changed.

So off we went.

To my knowledge there are only few entrances to Elyria. We like to
enter on Wollam St. You can park on the street if there is parking,
or you can park in the dirt lot until sunset when the rangers come
and close the gate. We parked on the street.

Funnily enough, upon entry into the park there was a group of
ballers imbibing a swisher blunt, while up ahead floating above
the trail mouth was a red-tailed hawk. Was this a metaphor? Quite
possibly … so we continued.

There are many different trails in the park, all of the hiking variety.
Some were beaten, and some not so beaten. My suggestion would
be to take the gut instinct trail, which is basically the main trail,
most child-friendly, and takes you to the top of the hill. It’s about
a quarter mile at the most, but with a little baby and other gear
strapped to you it feels like half a mile. At the tippity top of the hill
there is a bluff with a lonely bench out in the open for the sitting,
and a pretty sweet view of: Glassell Park, Atwater, Los Feliz, a
little bit of Glendale, and maybe on a super clear day you’d catch a
view of Burbank. If you keep going up the trail about 25 feet and off
to the left there are two more benches in a little more of a shady
secluded area, but you won't have quite the same view.

We started to watch the sunset. Down below you could see the city
vibrate. Cars gliding up and down Eagle Rock Blvd where there used
to be a trolley. The 2 was clear! How I wished that was the case on
my way to work in the morning. Just taking in the good moments as
they come. That’s what type of place this is.

My little bean was getting tired and a bit fussy, so we made our
trek back to the car for homeward bounding. She started to laugh
and babble from the bouncing up and down in her Baby Bjorn. Her
smile and laugh can cure me of anything. We didn’t see any human
beings (except for the Laker fans upon arrival) going up or coming
down the trails, just some quail crossing the path and a few lizards
basking on rocks. Got back down to the car and “Summer Breeze”
was on. It was perfect.

Pro and Cons:

I really love this spot. It’s quiet, which is a plus for me, and it’s a
bit more on the natural side. It’s a great exercise for you and the
kiddo while taking in some classic California. I really recommend it.

For those of you who are looking to push a stroller or give the babe
a much-needed opportunity to burn off that extra energy with a
slide and a swing, then this might not be what you’re looking for.

Go prepared if you can. Baby carriers are awesome for this! You
might want to bring a diaper backpack instead of a diaper bag.
The trail is short, but as mentioned before it could turn out to be a
moderate hike, so dress light if it’s hot and think about what kind of
shoes you’re wearing.

Also noteworthy is that there are no bathrooms, though Mother
Nature can help you out if no one is looking.

This might not be the park of your wildest dreams, but it could be
the park of your fondest memories. Simple and sweet.

Good luck & peace.

Introduction

Hola! Welcome to our little corner of the Internet. This is, in part,

the story of me, my daughter River, and our adventures in Los

Angeles. It’s also (and mostly) a podium from which I can write

about (from a dad’s perspective) some of L.A.’s finer attributes and

fun spots for daddies, mommies, parents, and their kids.

There seems to be a ton of info out there for all the big kids livin’

the single life in the city: clubs, bars, shows, et cetera. Duh. (And

rightly so.)

I just thought it might be nice, for folks of a parental nature, to

share in all the radness that L.A. has to offer. Especially for those

whose nightlife has been limited.

Here’s just a little background information about myself. I’ll keep

it quick. If I was going to label myself, then first and foremost I’m a

husband and a dad. That is my calling. After that, I’m a family man,

a friend, a musician, a working stiff, and a M*A*S*H* fanatic among

many other things.

I’m also a 29-year-old Southern California native. Spent my early

childhood in Riverside and the rest of my formative years in

Ventura. My wife, daughter, and I now reside in northeast L.A. and

have lived here for the last two years.

BLOG OBJECTIVES:

1. I’m going into this knowing that one man’s trash is another

man’s treasure. Meaning, if Riv and I don’t dig it, that doesn’t

mean YOU won’t!

2. I’m always gonna keep it positive and try not complain

about any of our adventures’ shortcomings, but I will keep it

real. Which means I might complain from time to time …

3. We’re really gonna try to explore Los Angeles and L.A.

County, but we’ll be starting on the northeast side,
i.e. Glassell Park, Highland Park, Eagle Rock, and Mt.

Washington. Also their surrounding neighborhoods, including

Echo Park, Silver Lake, South Pasadena … You get the

picture. This isn’t because I don’t like the rest of it. It’s

because I have a little baby with me, and it’s good to stay

close to home.

4. Fourthly, we wanna let you know where the family fun can go

down (and hopefully for free) … Actually, most likely it will be

free, ‘cause we’re broke!

Some people really detest L.A. Go figure. Its smoggy skies,

its shallow Hollywood surface, its New Age trustafarian rich

kid population, and, of course, its notorious traffic. I’m really

going off what I’ve heard others say, and I kinda get it … but,

whatever. Every city has some crappy aspects. We’re gonna keep

it positive here though, and hopefully River and I can show you the

other side of what L.A. has to offer. The L.A. we love.

Peace.