More California Scenes

Sharing with Our World Tuesday

and Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

Theme Day is Coming

The City Daily Photo Theme for April 1st is "My-Camera Shy Self-Portrait." I suggested the theme and now I need to get busy and post a picture for it!

Here's the photo I submitted as an example. I took it from Skyline Drive and the place we live is located somewhere in the distance.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other photographers come up with for this challenge.

Downtown Hollywood

I finally made it to Hollywood! I've been to Los Angeles multiple times but the trip earlier this month was the first time I saw Hollywood. Actually, it's not that impressive. It's busy with traffic, crowded with tourists, and congested with touts seeking to make money off visitors. But we had some laughs and I captured some photos to show you and share with three blog hops. 

Hollywood High School

The Good

We saw some fine murals on Hollywood High School. Stars like John Ritter, Dorothy Dandridge, and Dolores del Rio were painted there by artist Eloy Torrez. Unfortunately I didn't get to see all the images, some of which are hidden by trees.

The Random

Below: I made some random street scenes into a mosaic to show they belong to the same category.

The Fun

It was fun seeing the footprints outside Grumman's Chinese Theatre and the nearby Walk of Fame.  

Sharing with Monday Murals and Mosaic Monday

and The Good, The Random, The Fun

A Swan and a Duck

We saw these birds at the Lake Shrine and Meditation Garden that was the subject of my previous post. I also spotted a pretty bench with a pair of swans as decoration.

Sharing with Camera Critters and The Bird D'Pot

Lake Shrine and Gardens

One of the beautiful places we visited in Southern California was the Lake Shrine at Pacific Palisades. It features a peaceful lake, meditation gardens, and a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. There are symbols and signs honoring five major religions of the world.

On a hill above it is a temple which we did not go to but perhaps we will tour it on a future trip to California. Certainly the lake is worth another visit.

People come here to meditate, pray, or just enjoy the beauty.

Sharing with Inspired Sunday 

and Weekend Reflection

Bonsai in Sepia Tones

Sharing with Sepia Saturday

Spires

At Wayfarers Chapel

Sharing with The Weekend in Black and White

Point Vicente Light

Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Point Vicente Lighthouse

"The site was explored by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on Oct. 9, 1542, and named Pointe Vicente Bante Maria by Captain George Vancouver in 1793. Placed in service by the U.S. Lighthouse Service on May 1, 1926, it was renamed Point Vicente by the Pacific Geographical Society in 1933. Operation was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939. Radio distress monitoring capability was added in 1942."

Sharing with Skywatch Friday and That Friday Blog Hop

and Orange You Glad It's Friday

Point Vicente Sunset

When we were in California, we went to Point Vicente to see the sun go down over the Pacific Ocean. It was a lovely place to stroll, especially considering that winter was still chilling our home back in Virginia. We've been here a couple of times before; see all our Point Vicente posts.

"Do Not Climb On Or Over Railing

Don't Even Think About It"

Sharing with Signs, Signs and  Good Fences

and Look Up, Look Down

Sweet Sparrow

Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday and Camera Critters

and Black and White Wednesday

Our Dogs in the Kitchen

Sharing with Wordless Wednesday

and Wordless Wednesday Blog Paws

Lynn's New Nissan

Sharing with Wordless Wednesday on Tuesday

and Our World Tuesday

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

While we were in sunny California earlier this month, the weather in Virginia was still wintry. We missed an entire snowstorm, which was nice because we had already seen enough snow for one season! I captured this snow scene on February 24th in Shenandoah County.

The snow had melted by the time we got back except for some on the mountains. We have seen a few flurries since then but for the most part the weather has been cold at night and comfortable during the day, as long as you wear a jacket or thick sweater.

I took photos #2 and 3 last week in Rockingham County after having lunch with my older daughter in Harrisonburg and admiring her brand new car.

Sharing with The Barn Collective

Mural and Random Scenes

The Good: Public Art

Venice Beach is known as an off-beat town, but it's popular with tourists and we've visited there several times. There's plenty of art, from large murals to tattoo parlors.

For the Random-osity blog hop, I'm counting a picture of storefronts as "Random." The bright green shop appears to be a doctor's office advertising medical marijuana, but online reviews tell a different story.

At least the "fun" is genuine. Hundreds of people were enjoying the souvenir vendors, the beach, biking, and strolling.

The Random: Street by the Beach

The Fun: Biking

Sharing with Monday Murals

and The Good, Random, and Fun

Return to Wayfarers Chapel

Frank's favorite place in California is Wayfarers Chapel. Situated on a bluff on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, this inspiring building is an extremely popular spot for weddings. I've posted photos of it previously.

Sharing with Inspired Sunday

and Shadow Shot Sunday

Swedenborg (1688-1772) was a Swedish philosopher, scientist and theologian. 

Lunch Companion, San Pedro

Sharing with Saturday's Critters

and The Bird D'Pot