POPPIES, MY PRETTIES, POPPIES!

 One of the glories of spring in SoCal are the 2-4 week window we get for wild flowers. And what more revered posey than California's Official Flower, the Golden Poppy.

And of course, that means a Road Trip to see 'em! I'll make this simple and give you GPS via points to guide you off the freeways whenever possible. You should be able to set your Sat-Nav to the "California Poppy Reserve" as a destination, then, to get the most out of the drive, set as a "Via Point" the "Drinkwater Flats OHV." This will send you up the I-5 to CA126, and instead of going west, go east and up Francisquito Canyon Rd. 

This spot has the added interest as the sight of the 1928 St. Francis Dam disaster that flooded all the way to Santa Paula and Ventura. It ruined our water bearing pioneer, Mulholland. 

From there, via Muntz Rd. you'll snake over the hills to the Reserve. It's best to go on a week day as the place is packed on a weekend. By the look of things, you probably have at least a week to see the poppies in their glory. It's $4.50 ea for seniors. There's a visitor center and potties, benches from which to gaze, and trails to hike for those so inclined. Plan to get there mid-morning. Too early and the poppies haven't opened up yet and you miss the show.

Now, you COULD just go home, but, NOOOO. You're a Road Tripper! So (and I hope you packed a picnic lunch?) reset the GPS for Caliente or Bealville. Either will take you up past Willow Springs Raceway and to Tehachapi for some rail fanning. The original "Road Trippin'" book will give you ideas for where to spot choo-choos and yes, there is food in Tehachapi. I suggest a picnic in Caliente however. It's a wonderfully quiet spot. 

Now, to get home, there's a couple of options. The best is to (again refer to the book--wait, WHAT you haven't bought it yet? Sheesh! Go to www.mccarthypix.com and get one. It's all new and improved and updated!!) head back on Caliente-Bodfish Rd. to "Bena," thence to Bakersfield. For best results, turn RIGHT on Bena Rd.! 

You'll join up with CA58, then home via CA99 and over the Grapevine. OR, take either CA58 or CA166 to the Central Coast and US101. 

So, here's some photos to inspire you:

Site of the St. Francis Damn disaster.

Muntz Rd. 

Poppies! 

Not all beauty comes out of the ground! 

And of course, Trains!

Caliente for a picnic! 

Bena Rd. 

Oh, and remember 

DO NOT PICK THE POPPIES! IT IS ILLEGAL AND THE WICKED WITCH WILL SEND OUT HER FLYING MONKIES IF YOU DO! 

Cars and Coffee

 Recently, the LA Times ran a hit-piece, involving the wonderful, whiny people of Malibu, that treasured enclave of entitled rich folk. Seems they've been "inconvenienced" by hundreds of dastardly Car Nuts, clogging PCH in general and the parking lots around the Malibu Cafe in particular. Some guy named Jay and his buddy Jerry like to have a nice weekend breakfast there and the results are sadly predictable. All the West Side Wannabes show up, hoping to rub elbows and maybe secure some kind of TV deal or in hopes of selling their car to said well known Car Guys. 

As a result, local business people aren't really happy with the behavior of said wannabes and expect Jay and Jerry to put a stop to it. And just how should they do that? Not show up? Never go out anywhere for breakfast? Really? 

Now, I've seen first hand how Jay is mobbed at car shows. He shows up and there is an instant crowd around whatever neat car he brought. He's always pleasant, takes photos, signs stuff, you name it. That is, unless you try to pitch something to him. Then, he walks away. Celebrity is a kind of prison, no doubt about it. 

But that's not the point of this post. It's about the nature of the dozens upon dozens of "Cars and Coffees" that are held all over So Cal (and I'm assuming in other areas as well). 

Every one of them I've visited are far from the characterization (and blanket condemnation) of the Times. 

There is no rowdy behaviour. Occasionally, some guy will burn rubber leaving, but when he comes back, someone will "speak" to him about unacceptible behavior and it's not repeated. Or, he doesn't come back. 

These are affable affairs of mostly guys (and yes, there are a number of Car Gals who attend, and are always most welcome) who share a love for cars. All cars. Unlike official Car Shows, C&Cs have no entry fees, no charity donations, no T-shirts, no dash plaques, and no trophies. They are just for fun. 

And, as a result, they attract the most eclectic cars you've ever seen in one place. All loved by their owners, all respected by most everyone else. From the Lamborghinis and Ferraris to the box stock VW Bugs, from the Triumphs and Healys to early Porsches. Hell, even FRENCH cars get respect! 

I've probably given the "This is how the weird suspention on a Citroen works" lecture a hundred times. It's fun to show off and have people interested. 

People beging to arrive around 7AM and leave around 9. That way, they can still attack the list of "Honeydews" back at home. They're always held where there's at least a GotBucks Pretentious Coffee place, and it is generally understood that most people will get a cuppa something as a thanks. If there's an actual diner, most will get breakfast. 

There's almost always someone or group who have organized the C&C, but mostly only to the extent of asking permission of the business to use the parking lot. Sometimes, they arrange music, but that's rare. I've only seen it where the spot is nowhere near houses. Few people really want 60s Rock and Roll at 8AM on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Some guys even bring free donuts and coffee. 

The main point is guys are there to have fun, ogle each others cars, and then go home. Nobody wants to poop where they live. The only real understanding is that if you don't have something nice to say about somebody's pride and joy, just keep quiet. He (or she) might be standing nearby. 

So, here's some photos from a few C&Cs of the past few weeks. Enjoy and see if you can ID the real oddities that show up. 

CarCadia-Last Sunday of each month. Vons parking lot behind the Burlington store at Baldwin and Duarte in Arcadia, CA:

Cars and Coffee, UA Theater, Verdugo Blvd, Montrose. Every Saturday morning

Showing off the underhood froggy weirdness. SO many questions!

Any ideas why the hood scoop is off to one side? 

Autobooks/Aerobooks 2900 Magnolia, Burbank

Most Saturdays, esp. if there's a book signing.