A Taste Of: Old Town Orange

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Rachael

This guest post has been graciously provided by Melanie Kaminski. Melanie is the author of the blog LA Explorer, where she shares her favorite discoveries from her adventures around Southern California.

Old Town Orange is located in the heart of Orange County and has long been a filming location for several Hollywood films. No wonder because it is quaintness personified.

When I was growing up, the Orange Circle (as locals call it) was home to countless antique shops and a few tea houses. In recent years it has become a hotspot for restaurants like Haven Gastropub (the original)

and Linx.

But local fixture Watson’s Drugs and Soda Fountain (going strong for over a century) endures.

Antique stores do remain but they are now joined by boutique shops like Elsewhere Vintage

and Eikon Home.

Though the business district is always evolving the buildings remain the same.

And glimpses of the past can be found everywhere:

Thank you for guest posting, Melanie!

Travel: United States Botanic Garden Conservatory (Washington DC)

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Rachael

By the end of my first weekend in Washington DC, I was equal parts excited and nervous. Excited, because the metro subway system in Washington DC was easy to master and I was getting the confidence up to venture out on my own, further than I had traveled Friday the 15th, the day after my arrival. Nervous, because a cold front was swooping in and going to test my Southern California skin with its gray skies, chilled winds, on and of rain and daily high of 40 degrees. FORTY! That is 4.4 degrees Celcius! Not that it doesn’t drop to 40 in the L.A. winter, but at least the temperature has the decency to wait until midnight to do something so indecent.

Thankfully, KD and her husband, Guille, had given me a great insiders tip over the weekend: Head out to the United States Botanic Garden Conservatory and enjoy some refreshing humidity among the beautiful, tropical gardens. Not only would I get to enjoy the bright colors of nature, but I would be able to get out of the house and do something without having to stress about being chilled to the bone. So, come Monday, I found the courage to bundle up, grab my camera and my SmartTap metro card, and head out.

Thankfully, my friends live around the corner from the Orange & Blue lines, and signage at every Metro Station is very clear so I was only ever turned around when I had to go from one platform to another in stations with four lines. Getting to the Botanic Gardens from Capitol Hill SE was very direct, as it is off of the Federal Center SW station. It was just a matter of walking down two blocks and over another block as fast as humanly possible. I decided to cut through Bartholdi Park, where I caught glimpses of the Capitol Building through the evergreens and deciduous trees, and made a little friend (pictured above).

There wasn’t too much going on in the park, so I moved on for greener, warmer, and decidedly more colorful views at the Conservatory. Constructed by Lord & Burnham (architect of the Capitol) in 1933, this historic greenhouse contains two courtyard gardens and 10 indoor garden rooms, totaling 28,944 square feet of growing space.

Here are some of my favorite shots:

Sanokku Orchid - United States Botanic Garden Conservatory

Aside: My grandmother grew orchids in her front yard, and while I never appreciated their draw, many other people did. Living in a cul-de-sac off a busy thoroughfare, my grandmother marveled at how common it became to find a car pulling alongside the curb and a perfect stranger(s) would come out, camera in hand, to snap photographs of her many orchids. They ranged from professional set-ups, tripods and all, to amateur point-and-shoot from orchid enthusiasts. She did not care one way or the other, so long as nobody picked them. Me, being the uncouth country girl I am, never thought orchids could compare to the simple beauty of the daisy, nor hold its own with the classic rose. Now, here I am trying to grab the best shot of these cosmopolitan flowers, and I cannot look upon an orchid without thinking of my grandmother.

Guzmania Marjan - United States Botanic Garden Conservatory

True story: When I saw the final shot, I nearly cried from joy. People, I in no way consider myself a visual artist, so when I manage to snap a photo like the one above, it makes me want to break into song and dance with strangers in the middle of the street – rain or no rain.

Pink Pentas - United States Botanic Garden Conservatory

To view all of my photos, please visit my Washington DC photoset on Flickr!

United States Botanic Garden Conservatory
100 Maryland Ave SW
Washington, DC 20024
202-225-8333
http://www.usbg.gov

Greetings from Washington DC!

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Rachael

I only have a couple of days left here in the capital of the United States of America, but it has been a very jammed-packed trip filled with museums, good food, cross-stitching, American history, quality time with my best childhood friend, and becoming reacquainted with the cold. Brrrrr! While I never feel like I’ve ever had enough time spent with my BFF, I am desperately yearning for the Southern California sunshine! Yesterday, a few flakes of snow flitted down from the sky as I lunched in Bethesda. SNOW. SNOW?! No, get the frigid hell beast away from me! Kill it with fire! Hiss! This witch of the west may not be allergic to water, but throw a bucket of snow on me and I’ll definitely melt away, declaring what a cruel world it is indeed.

The above picture was snapped at The National Mall, as I headed from the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. One lonely cherry tree, all a-bloom while its brothers and sisters remained tightly closed up due to an unexpected cold front. Yep, I’m going to miss out on the glory of the Cherry Tree blossom festival! Ah, well; I feel fortunate enough that this guy was in full bloom and I could snap a few decent pictures through the chilly wind.

I’m looking forward to sharing the rest of my trip with you, so please stay tuned!

A Taste Of: Culver City

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Rachael

Helms Bakery Shopping Center - Culver City

My latest article for The Place: Los Angeles is all about Culver City, with nods to the Helms Bakery District (where Father’s Office is located) and the early film history of the area. The restaurant I highlighted was >Waterloo & City, a real gem I will not hesitate for a moment to recommend. Below are some behind the scenes notes on my day in Culver City.

CLICK HERE to read DISCOVERING: CULVER CITY

CLICK HERE to read all about WATERLOO & CITY

Beef Wellington – Waterloo & City

I knew going in that night that I would be ordering the beef wellington, a dish I once tried to master, but wound up sobbing in tears because I used too thick of a piece of meat and parts of it wound up well done. Luckily, the center only made it to medium, but I was still heartbroken. This beef wellington was beyond words in terms of flavor and execution; I am inspired to give it another go.

Fountain at the Helms Baking District

Culver City Studios

In 1918, film pioneer Thomas Ince set up shop in Culver City, erecting this mansion to house his studios. Throughout the years, the keys turned over to Cecil B. DeMille, RKO and DesiLu Productions, home of I Love Lucy. Films and TV shot there include Gone with the Wind, Kill Bill, Star Trek (original), and Batman, starring Adam West. To take this shot, I had to stand on a brick fence and lean against, and anchor my feet, under the iron posts of the fence built on top of the brick.

Arcana: Books on the Arts

I could have spent an entire day inside Arcana, flipping through their massive collection on photography, fashion and textiles, architecture and travel. I was particularly taken with a book on pin-up photographer Bunny Yeager, and made sure to scrawl its title down for future reference. I remember Arcana from their days at their shop on 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica; they hung on as long as they could but the atmosphere and direction of the once unique outdoor promenade is now but a sad, carbon copy of any mall in America. Arcana has thrived, and is enjoying their new digs at the Helms Bakery District.

Duck and Walnut County Pate – Waterloo & City

The Art Deco Pacific Theatre

Rejuvenation: Classic American Lighting and House Parts

What’s that, my precious? You want to come home with mummy? If only I could. We will just have to be content with this picture and the memories of our fated meeting. I will always think of you fondly. Yes, I have a thing for light fixtures.

Olive Oil Cake – Waterloo & City

Helms Bakery Delivery Truck

My mother had a kick of a time recalling the days of the Helms Bakery Delivery truck, delivering fresh baked bread to her L.A. suburb home until costs outweighed profit and shut the business down shortly after the moon landing in 1969.

Helms: Olympic Bread

Old Town Culver City

It had rained, down poured, right before I headed out to Culver City. I had hesitated going on, not so much because of my inherent aversion to rain, but because I feared my camera would get damaged. Luckily, the skies parted and the rain moved on and left me with an amazing afternoon of the only kind of perfect lighting that Mother Nature could only provide.

Please enjoy the entire set of my day in Culver City!

12517 West Washington Blvd,
Culver City, CA 90066

Helms Bakery District
8800 Venice Boulevard
Culver City, 90034

A Taste Of: Los Alamos, California

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Rachael

While checking out at Apple Farm Inn, my sister and I inquired after any must see stops along our leisure way back to Los Angeles. The concierge recommended a restaurant in Los Alamos, a 2.4 square mile one-horse town directly off the 101, just north of Solvang. Annette and found it easily enough, though the restaurant in question, Full of Life Flatbread, was closed until dinner time. As Solvang was not too far off, we decided to spend a few hours there and then come back for dinner. In the meantime, however, we explored around the main street, Bell Street, this isolated gem of a town.

The Victorian Mansion at Los Alamos

I’m rather smitten with this 1864 Victorian house. This adorably majestic Bed & Breakfast offers six themed suites including a Roman suite, Gypsy suite, Egyptian suite, French suite, Pirate suite and 1950′s suite. I am keeping their brochure in the hopes of a future stay.

Union Hotel & Saloon

Normally I’m wary of such hokey places that capitalize on Old West themes; but, how can one argue when the original 1880 facade is still intact? When I peeped inside, I saw the bartender with sleeve garters. Dude. Must return.

Gussied Up Antiques

Aside from the guy in the saloon and the woman running this antiques shop, there wasn’t another soul stirring along Bell Street. It was kind of creepy, in a fun sort of way.

This entire house was tricked out into a home for wayward antiques. I could have easily dropped all of my money, plus sold a kidney for some of the gorgeous items in there.

It was soon time to take off, though not before stopping to fill up the tank:

Los Alamos is just off the 101 Freeway (Los Alamos exit), 17 miles Northeast of Solvang. It is adjacent to the Santa Ynez Valley, in the deep heart of Santa Barbara Wine Country. Plan your trip by visiting www.losalamosvalley.org.

Union Hotel
362 Bell Street
Los Alamos, CA 93440
www.unionhotelvictmansion.com

The Victorian Mansion B&B
326 Bell Street
Los Alamos, CA 93440
www.thevick.com

A Taste Of: Highland Park and Maximiliano’s

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Rachael

I am swamped with deadlines this week, but in the meantime I want to tell you all about Highland Park – one of L.A. County’s best kept secrets. It is an area bordering the San Gabriel Valley (where I live!), steeped in Latin American history, and American car culture, with an abundance of nationally recognized scenery and intensely favored flavors. Stay true blue, Highland Park. You’re an amazing little city within a city!

CLICK HERE to read DISCOVERING HIGHLAND PARK

CLICK HERE to read the full article in the digital edition of The Place: Los Angeles – which includes my write up on Maximiliano! Pages 50 & 51

A Taste Of: The High Line (New York City)

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Rachael

View from High Line Park - Chelsea, New York City

On a surprisingly warm October Saturday in New York City, I met up with my friend Jen at Penn Station, squealing as I ran to her, uncaring of the stares as this was the first time I had laid eyes on her in over six years. Jen is the kind of friend one happens upon under the most unassuming, random circumstances in life – a reoccurring theme for my closest kinships, truth be told:
KD – A friend I made in first grade when she, a shyer than most girl, uncharacteristically approached me to play a game.
Annie – We had mutual frenemy who dragged Annie over to my place, only to drag us both out to accompany her on errands.
Steffie – I stole her lunches. In high school. She just kept feeding me, as if I were a wild squirrel.

Jen and I met via fandom, and though she was not the first nor the last friend I made through mutual geekdom, she remains the only internet-pal turned traveling companion sight unseen. Yup. We trusted one another enough not to be middle-aged sexual predators luring the other into an After School Special trap. Not only were we not preying on the other, but we got along splendidly and had a grand adventure. By “grand” I mean “dove head first into international travel with as little know-how as possible”.

Street Art by Kobra

Flash-forward to that ecstatic moment when we were finally reunited. We had already decided on The High Line for our Saturday excursion, though we weren’t precisely prepared for the droves that had the exact idea. My photos, alas, suffered a bit from the crowds in that I could not successfully snap a single photo of the High Line interior as the swarms kept photobombing me. Originally a rail yard erected in the 1930s, 30 feet above pedestrian level to eliminate dangerous train traffic from the street, The High Line is located in the now fashionable Meatpacking District / West Chelsea / Hell’s Kitchen/Clinton neighborhoods. Exactly that I imagine a true urban park to be, The High Line offers visitors a narrow walkway along the old railway tracks, now overgrown with grass and wildflowers. There are wide wooden benches and lounges to take a rest, vendors hawking food (I recommend La Newyorkina Mexican frozen treats), reflecting pools, musicians and wide, sweeping views of the surrounding area – which is what I am featuring here. Enjoy!

The High Line
http://www.thehighline.org/

Current Hours: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Phone: (212) 500-6035

Subway Routes to The High Line:
L or the A / C / E to 14th Street & 8th Avenue
C / E to 23rd Street & 8th Avenue
1 / 2 / 3 to 14th Street & 7th Avenue
1 to 18th Street & 7th Avenue
1 to 23rd Street & 7th Avenue

Smoking and dogs prohibited

A Taste Of: Washington

Posted on December 11, 2012 by Rachael

Mt. Rainier

This photo was snapped from my window seat after the conclusion of my first Washington adventure. I was there to visit my favorite cousins and, most importantly, play bridesmaid to my high school friend, Liz, who married her college sweetheart on the University of Washington campus. Though my first visit was merely six days, Washington left a lasting impression on me as one of the most aesthetically pleasing areas to visit in the USA. From metropolitan Seattle, to the scenic lake-filled central landscapes, all of the way to the ocean and up the majestic Olympics, Washington will remain in my top 3 favorite states for a very long time. Not to mention it is home to my favorite convention – Geek Girl Con. See you in October, Washington!

Flying Virgin America

A Taste Of: Blarney Castle and Gardens, Ireland

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Rachael

We’re going to pretend that I posted this, oh, about two and half years ago. I know over the years I’ve posted pictures of Blarney, but apparently I never write a comprehensive post on the afternoon Steffie and I spent there. Let’s just pretend I’m a better blogger than I really am, okay?

It was a gorgeous June day when Steffie and I visited Blarney, and although everyone else made a bee-line straight for the Blarney Castle, Stef and I decided to explore the extensive grounds instead. Following a flyer that detailed the grounds with certain highlights, Stef and I took our time exploring winding paths, groves, sparkling ponds, and other greenery goodness.

Steffie Conquers the Blarney Stump!

Paying Homage at Rock Close

Though it isn’t technically required to pay homage to Rock Close, Stef and I weren’t about to anger ancient Celtic spirits of Druids, so we dug though our pockets to scrounge up a worthy enough homage. As every Euro counted, we didn’t want to have to use our change, as you can see many others before us had done. Luckily, I found a 2 for 1 coupon at the ioWest in Hollywood (blue paper above). So it covered both Steffie and I. Score.

Waterfall

The Wishing Steps

I wished for world peace and for global warming to magically recede in a sparkly cloud of pink cotton candy. OK, I wished for more food and shoes.
FOOD AND SHOES > World Peace.

Wheeeeeeee!

I love tire swings. Love them. Love them like warm summer days at my best friend’s childhood home, drinking out of the hose, eating barbecue, and catching fireflies at twilight. There were children gathering. I didn’t care. Stefanie had to nearly drag me away from the tire swing. I almost changed my address to “Rachael – The Tire Swing – Blarney – Co. Cork, Ireland”.

We played a rousing game of hide and go seek here

Tower with a View

We were far more interested in this derelict tower than the castle itself, to be honest. I think it would make a great club house for kids. With a curved slide and a ball pit. Bazinga.

Steffie rollin’ in the fields

We may or may not have rolled around in a patch of wildflowers for an inordinate amount of time.

Blarney Castle and Gardens

Hours:
Monday-Saturday:
May: 9.00am to 6.30pm
Jun-Jul-Aug: 9.00am to 7.00pm
Sept: 9.00am to 6.30pm
Oct-Apr: 9.00am to sundown

Sundays:
Summer: 9.00am to 5.30pm
Winter: 9.00am to sundown

Rates:
Adult Admission: €12
Student / Seniors: €10
Children (8-14 years): €5
Family (2 Adults, 2 Children): €30.00

No credit cards are accepted at our main turnstile except for large groups.

Glass of Win

adventures of a food loving, globe-trekking geek girl extraordinaire

Category Archives: Travel Journal