Trip Review - Around Town

November-December 2016

BIRTHDAY PARTIES and LOCAL CAMPING

​For many reasons this has been an interesting period of time.  I've been attempting  a blog post, for a month now, about my revulsion regarding the US Presidential election but I'll save that and for now just tell you about the birthday party for my twin grandchildren in LA and about some time spent nearby in the Casper's Wilderness Park off the Ortega Highway near San Juan Capistrano.

Joaquin and Finley turned two in November and here are a few photos of their party at a park in the San Fernando Valley.   I know this is a travel blog and not Facebook (thank heavens) but I'm hoping you'll indulge me just a bit for my family pride. 

I also decided to spend a few days at a local campground.  Near San Juan Capistrano, off the Ortega Highway, is a large expanse of land that hasn't been completely over-developed so I guess that passes for a "wilderness" these days... 

It was difficult to find locations for photos that didn't include, roads, telephone poles and lines, people and/or cars.  I did manage to take a few short hikes which has a bit more of a wild feel but it wasn't a "photo trip" anyway.  It got very cold. Down to 30F one night and was I glad I had the cozy trailer.  A highlight was that my young buddy Tim joined me for a night.  Tim's father and grandfather lived on the same street as my grandparents when I was a child and they both became very good friends of mine.  Tim is Lilly's brother by a different marriage.  Lots of interesting connections!  Timmy has had a lot of challenges in life and it was good for both of us that he came along...

My next plans are on hold right now as my Nissan Frontier Pro-4X has been in the shop for 5 days and the dealership still can't figure out how to fix it.  A light on the instrument panel illuminated and, apparently, the greatest minds at Nissan are baffled. Can you say amazed and frustrated?  I told them I'm an obsessive vagabond but I don't think they quite understood.

I do hope that each of you, my dear friends, has a beautiful and peaceful Holiday season and let's hope for a good 2017.  We may need a little good fortune...but we all deserve it.

Peace.