My First Home -- An Unlikely Tale

The first transmission didn't work out, and we found that out Friday after closing time.  The shop owner Paul tried a Hail Mary fix on Saturday, which seemed promising for 9/10ths of the test drive, but then we had the same problem, a torque converter lock-up that caused the engine to stall.

That means sticking around for another weekend in San Gabriel, CA, until a new replacement transmission could arrive from Ford.  But we did put our time to good use.  First, I went back to my first home in Arcadia, CA (where I lived until I was 4 years old).  My sister (10 years older) remembers it very well, and asked me to knock on the door and try to take some pictures.  I asked her what were the odds it would still look the same?  What do you think?

Well, this house is at the end of a private road with a locked gate at the end, right across from the LA Arboretum (more foreshadowing).  So Carol and I get out of the car, and a lady comes out of the house and she does not look too happy with us.  We explain why we are there, and after chatting for quite some time, she's softens and is happy to show us the property.  And guess what?  It hasn't changed at all!  Can you imagine the odds of the couple who bought the house from my parents still living in the same house (well the wife, anyway) 55 years later?  She's 90 years old and sharp as a tack.  And literally changed almost nothing inside or out.

Here is one picture that shows the family room with a cork floor -- the same one my Dad had installed when he custom-designed the house 60 years ago.  Incredible really.  Who knew anything, especially cork, would hold up under 60 years of use.

My First Home, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I took a bunch more pictures but those will only mean anything to my sister.  It was a really interesting visit, and I so wish my Mom or Dad were still around and could have been there.  That would have really been something to hear the stories.

OK, enough words.  In the next post we get back to pictures of the Arboretum since another visit was clearly in order after George pointed out all the places we did not see ;-)

East Shore RV Park

So after leaving the Lazy Daze Factory, we headed over to All-Car Specialists to meet the owner Paul Brow.  Vince from Lazy Daze had strongly recommended him to take a look at my transmission.  After a couple of hours, the diagnosis was that it needed to be replaced.  They identified one that could be available the following day, so off to a nearby RV park we went for one night.

The East Shore RV Park overlooks a small lake and sits up on a hill.  It's the only park nearby, and was a bit pricey.  But not bad for one night, and it was pretty scenic, so you know what that means -- more pictures!

Out of My League, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Wiener Pups, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Cute Couple, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Pretty Scenic, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Line 'Em Up, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Class A Pirate?, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Bunnies All Around, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Cactus Blossoms Galore, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Pretty Grasses Too, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Lots of Buds, East Shore RV Park, San Dimas, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Now it's time to get my rear window glass replaced, and then back to All-Car Specialists to get my *first* transmission installed (that's called foreshadowing ;-)

Visiting with Greg

We were fortunate to find a hotel very close to where Greg lives, and that made it pretty easy to get together for our short weekend visit.  We met Greg and his girlfriend Katherine at Big Basin Redwoods State Park for some nature-time on Earth Day.  (Note to self -- everybody thinks nature-time is fun on Earth Day, making the parking just a tad ridiculous ;-)

Greg and Katherine, Big Basin Redwoods State Park (SP), Boulder Creek, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol and Greg, Big Basin Redwoods SP, Boulder Creek, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Father of the Forest, Big Basin Redwoods SP, Boulder Creek, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Nice Overlook, outside Big Basin Redwoods SP, Boulder Creek, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The next day I was able to go visit someone who I have been listening to for more than 12 years via AugioDharma.org -- Gil Fronsdal.  He was an ordained Buddhist monk, has a PhD from Stanford, and now teaches Vipassana Meditation (you might know it as Mindfulness Training).  If you have any interest or curiosity into this sort of thing, I'd strongly encourage you to listen to some of his Dharma podcasts.  They, like everything at the Insight Meditation Center, are offered freely.

Insight Meditation Center (IMC), Redwood City, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Another Redwood, Redwood City, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

So after my mindfulness meditation sessions and dharma talk (for which neither Carol nor Greg wished to join me ;-), it was time to get my haircut so I would no longer be mistaken for Aqualung or a random homeless guy.  Then we went out to dinner with Greg and took a few more photos.

Here's To Ya!, San Jose, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol and Greg in the Sun, San Jose, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Nice Photo Backdrop, San Jose CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

It was great to see Greg before he got on another plane.  The timing worked out great, and we got back in time to pick up our RV from the Lazy Daze Factory.  And for those keeping score, it was not finished on Friday, so this turned out to be a perfect side trip.

Bye, Bye Motel ... Hello Greg!

There was a slim chance that our RV would be finished Friday afternoon.  But if anything went amiss, they would not be able to get the painting finished or the ladder re-attached.  At the same time, our son Greg would only be home this weekend, before jetting back off to China.  So we decided to check out early Friday morning.

Carol was able to get a wall hanging finished (so it wasn't wasted time in the motel), and we also had a very patient dragonfly let us take some photos of him before we departed.

Look What Carol Made, Best Western Pine Tree Model, Chino, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Beautiful and Colorful, Best Western Pine Tree Model, Chino, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Flame Skimmer Dragonfly, Best Western Pine Tree Model, Chino, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Flame Skimmer (different angle), Best Western Pine Tree Model, Chino, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We drove the rental car up to see Greg in Santa Clara, CA.  We thought about taking the Pacific Coast Highway, but that would take a long time, and even worse, it is closed in sections due to land slides and a bridge that has to be replaced.  So up the I-5 it was.  Not a bad ride all things considered, and pretty scenic in a few areas.

A quick stop in Greg's apartment, where we noted the Marimekko Trapunto wall-hanging that Carol made right after we were married, and gave to Greg many years ago.  A little faded, but still "hanging in there." ;-)  Then off to dinner somewhere on Santana Row, where it was really hopping Friday night.

May The Fedora Be With You, Greg's Apartment, Santa Clara, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Greg and a 37-year old Classic, Greg's Apartment, Santa Clara, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Walking Around, Santana Row, San Jose, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

She's a Beauty, Santana Row, San Jose, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Twilight Flowers, Santana Row, San Jose, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Chameleon Stogie?, Santana Row, San Jose, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Thank God for Elon Musk, Santana Row, San Jose, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

There's Something about George

I was strolling off the motel grounds, looking for interesting things to photograph, when this gentleman introduced himself and we got to talking.  George was his name, and seeing me taking pictures of flowers, he suggested that I visit the Arcadia Arboretum.  He said he worked there for 5 years back in 1979, and he really loved the place.

I told him we would do that, and how I grew up in Arcadia (until the ripe old age of 4 years old).  We kept chatting, and I learned a few years back George was doing up to 480 pushups a day!  He said he had to stop, because if he reached 500, he'd just have to keep on going ;-)

There was something about George (and maybe me) that just kept us chatting.  And when we wrapped up he gave me his phone number, and said, "Stevie, give me a call after you visit the Arboretum."

So here are a few photos from our visit.  It was relatively brief, as it was getting hot, but we had a nice lunch at the Peacock Cafe.

Show-Off!, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Bird on a Flower, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Arboretum Fountain, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Peacock Cafe Deserves Its Name, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

As it turns out I lost George's phone number (bad iPhone, bad ;-).  So I figured since we were still at the motel, I would try to track him down at his retirement community.  So let me introduce George:

Meet George, Chino, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Peacock Power, Chino, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I had purchased a pin and card for George to thank him for the suggestion.  I mentioned I also bought a pin for Carol since we had a pin collection, and George asked me to hold tight for a bit, while he went back to his room.  He came back and gave me a beautiful vintage peacock pin.

As I said, there's just something about George!  As we talked about our visit to the Arboretum, he said, did you get to Tallac Knoll?  Nope.  OK, how about the Rose Garden?  Nope.  Did you at least see the Queen Anne cottage?  Well yes, from a distance.

Even if you have never been to the LA Arboretum, you have probably seen it on TV or in the movies. If you ever watched Fantasy Island, you too have seen the Queen Anne cottage, since that is where Tattoo points and says "Da Plane, Da Plane".  (For those who are too young, or just nostalgic, here is the opening clip.)

George also said "Stevie, drop me a letter when you return home."  (Unfortunately, George does not use a computer, so he can't follow these adventures online.)  You can count on it George!

Now Go Take a Hike!

We found what looked like a nice State Park, also up in Chino Hills.  All of the restaurants we ate at were also up here.  Looks like we may have stayed in the wrong neighborhood, but it wasn't that far of a drive.

A tipster on Yelp explained how it would be better to drive into the park and go past a horse barn for parking, rather than trying to hike in from outside the entrance.  That would have been impossible given the heat and long distance.  So this worked out pretty well.

As it was, it was hot enough that we were always looking for the next shady spot.  Not sure how these Californians manage in the heat of the summer.  It's only April!

We've Got Yellow Covered, Chino Hills State Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Thistle, but no Dew Too, Chino Hills State Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Blue over Yellow x2, Chino Hills State Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Wind Power, Chino Hills State Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Life *is* Good, Chino Hills State Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Oldie but Goodie, Chino Hills State Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Verdant Valley, Chino Hills State Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We were hoping to see some different wild flowers, but it turns out those were on different trails.  I needed to do a bit more homework.  But this was a good outing and workout.

A Walk in the Park

After getting a little antsy holed up in the motel, I decided I needed to talk a walk.  Carol was being productive with a quilt project she wanted to finish for her friend's birthday, so I went out alone and unafraid ;-)

Found this cute little park, so it was more of a stroll than a walk.  And boy did they have some wildlife.  That and a wedding party, taking their own pictures.  A nice, if somewhat brief, outing.

Chalk One Love, English Springs Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I'm Shy!, English Springs Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Meet the Parents, English Springs Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Bouncers in Front, Parents in Rear, English Springs Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

It was pretty funny watching these ducks with the chicks.  The two in front that originally I thought were the parents, were just the guard dogs.  The went after a few photographers that got too close.  Actually bit one.  Must give the animals adequate space, people!  That's where a telephoto lens comes in handy.

Smiley and Colorful, English Springs Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Quite a Schnoz, English Springs Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

No Need to get Uppity, English Springs Park, Chino Hills, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Quite a nice park, with lots of healthy and happy animals.  And they are pretty photogenic, I think!