Once again in Southern California

When I was in grade school we spent a couple of weeks every summer in Southern California. My parents grew up in Pasadena and Altadena, suburbs of Los Angeles. We went to see my grandparents and to explore the area. That included multiple trips to Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, various 'ancient' mission churches (ancient being relative - ancient for the New World) and the Scripts beach. It has been many a year since I set foot in that area. The upcoming wedding allowed for a trip down memory lane - or did it?

On Wednesday, 12 February, we flew into Burbank's Bob Hope airport. What a tiny place in relation to Denver's DIA and London's Heathrow! We picked up the rental car that Judy had reserved. She chose to be the driver which was more than fine with Glenn and me! She and Mark do better if she drives and he navigates. Between Mark's 'Gerta the GPS' and Glenn's iPhone she was well directed. Odd that Gerta and the iPhone rarely agreed. The Maps App usually gave better routes.

Our first stop was an Cafe Bravo, an Armenian restaurant in Glendale. Delicious kebobs in a variety of serving styles were most welcome. Next we stopped at a great grocery store for breakfast supplies. I want to take the store home! Just the fresh herb section was 6 feet long! Then virtually around the corner is Riverside Drive and Rivergate House. Judy found this wonderful AirB&B that just happened to be within no more than 5 miles from anywhere we had to go! Rivergate House was one of actress Bette Davis' homes. A small gated estate in Glendale, it has five buildings, the main house, our Dillard Pool House, two other houses for B&B guests and stables. Added features are a pool with a hot tub at one end, a lavender maze and many lovely places to sit out and enjoy the flora and fauna.

Being February, nights still got down to the 40's so the pool was cold. Even the hot tub was not terribly warm!

One entrance into the very fragrant lavender maze with the pool house and main house in the background.

For dinner Judy braved I-5 and US 134 at the multiple lane spaghetti junction to go about 5 miles to Skaf's Lebanese Restaurant. We thought Cafe Bravo was good. Skaf's left it far behind! I enjoyed a falafel wrap and cashew baclawa (yes, they spell it that way). Mark had mulberry juice which was delicious. Definitely a culinary delight!

The flora is fascinating There are all sorts of palm trees, short with a huge foliage diameter, very tall and spindly with a little poof of fronds on top, and everything in between. There are also long-needled pines, and lots of deciduous trees, most in full leaf and blossoms or fruit. On the grounds of Rivergate House are an orange, with branches weighed to the ground with fruit, a lemon and a kumquat tree. Kumquats are citrus fruit about the size of a small Roma tomato. Just bite into the fruit, peel and all, and it is both sweet and tart. A taste memory for certain. On one corner of Riverside Drive there were miniature palm trees, only about 3 feet tall, interspersed with lavender bushes. An odd combination in my mind, but then I have that with roses and lavender. Flowers were everywhere. My favourite bougainvillea blossomed all around, including at the gate into our estate.

When on the large roads seeing signs for nearby Pasadena pulled at my heart strings. But I imagine it is so different perhaps leaving it to memory is a better idea.

Thursday began the special events, but not until the afternoon. We decided to enjoy a quiet, restful morning at the Pool House. I explored the lavender maze, taking in its heady fragrance. I attempted to go into the pool, but when Judy came out we both got into the hot tub instead. It was about ordinary pool temperature, but lovely to sit in, chat, listen to the birdsong, and enjoy the green trees along with the warm sun. The remainder of our time was spent searching the web for places to visit Friday morning, and reading our books.

At 3:00 we were about 3 miles down Riverside Drive at the Disney Studio complex. Having received guest passes we headed to the designated gathering place. There we found my cousin Patrice and her husband Tom. Soon came her sister Cindy with her husband Dave and his sister Barbara. More and more people joined us, including my cousin Bruce, his wife Maryanne and two of their sons as well as two fellows who obviously worked at Disney, apparently our guides. One of them got my Uncle Bob and soon to be Aunt Margaret from a nearby building and introductions began. It was a treat to meet Margaret! She is a delightful, warm person. She and Uncle Bob are obviously smitten with one another! We met Margaret's son, two daughters, their kids and grandkids - there were about 30 of us milling around chatting. New family to get to know!

Tom, Cindy, Margaret (in green), Bob and Patrice

Bob and Margaret

Our guides were Howard Green, a VP at Disney who has known Margaret for all of his 43 years at Disney and Rick Law, animator and producer and great friend of Margaret. They had us gather at the corner of Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive for a group photo, and then it was up Dopey drive to the Animation building.

The Animation building was one of the original buildings at the Studios. We were lead down a long hall, the walls of which were covered by drawings, paintings and photos. I would have loved more time there!

My favourite is Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice! Once outside the far side of the building Howard pointed to the third floor corner which was Walt Disney's studio. It has been preserved exactly as it was the day he died, down to the box of tissues. Sadly, we were too big a group to visit there.

The next stop was the building with the Archives. In groups of ten we went in to view bits and pieces from over the years. It is a working office which made it even more interesting.

Tinker Bell and Willie Wonka's hat and glasses

Howard and Glenn

Before a quick stop at the Starbucks (within the building!), I had the pleasure of chatting with Margaret.

Partners, the brilliant statue of Walt and Mickey, and the new headquarters building.

The tour ended with a visit to the Disney shop where, thanks again to Margaret, we were given a healthy discount!

Our final stop of the day was at Conrad's for dinner with the group. It was a treat to chat more with new and old cousins!

#SouthernCalifornia #BetteDavis #MiddleEasternCuisine