After a wonderful sleep and hearty breakfast we headed back to the crowded Yosemite Park. The traffic was atrocious - - there is a main loop, essentially, where cars have to go with pull outs at specific trails. It was slow-going, parking was bad. Yikes. Once we did park we decided to do the popular Vernal Waterfall Trail. I am glad we went at the beginning of the day because there were hundreds of people on the trail coming back. It's a longish trail, and it was a lovely warm day without being too hot. Many people don't make the whole hike as it gets pretty steep and slippery on rocks the last bit of it. Now we know why some smart people were hiking with those rain ponchos - you needed them the last couple hundred feet as the several hundred foot waterfall sprays the trail 24/7 and we were getting soaked - - more importantly, our camera equipment was getting soaked. No way- Jose - - we had to turn around at that last bit of trail.
Now that we know what to expect we will return to tent camp and do more trails at a leisurely pace. I hadn't been to Yosemite since I was 15 so there were some things I didn't remember clearly. Sadly, 2 days after we did that waterfall hike we heard 3 people perished falling in - well, one young gal climbed over the rail for a picture (!!!!!) and 2 jumped in trying to save her - all 3 dying. People - learn to respect nature - this was very scary to hear and hundreds of people saw them perish from the trail. :(
After leaving the beautiful northern Cal rugged coastline we headed back south towards San Francisco before heading east to Yosemite Park. What a treat! It was a looong drive that day - - getting into Yosemite around 4pm - just enough time to drive the main loop and do one shorter hike to a waterfall. The best thing, though, was that this was P's first time to Yosemite and it was my pleasure to share it with him. Also, coming at that time of day meant a lot of the day-tourists had left to drive back to their hotels, and all the campers had headed back to their camps for dinner and campfire. This meant the usual traffic of cars and people was substantially less and we enjoyed it greatly at the Golden Hour of sunset.
As the sun went down and we were exhausted from driving 8 hours that day we knew we needed to find a place to camp or stay. Of course all the campsites were full so we headed out of the park in a southern direction. I was on the phone with the closest town about an hour away trying to make hotel reservations for that night. As we exited the park and only about 10 minutes out of it was a large hotel that clearly was meant for those who wanted quick access to go back and forth to the park without camping in it. We were so tired, but we decided to go for it and see if they had availability and how much. (I told P of the story of when my ex and I went to the Grand Canyon and paid almost $200 to stay at the closest piece of junk motel to the park entrance.) Patrick didn't even park and stop the car but let me out at the lobby and I went in - where, miracle of miracles, I got the last room AND it was only $129! A DEAL!!! E loves a good deal!
Driving the tree-lined roads between the coastline and the inner freeway 5 and the wine country. We'd look for deer (see video) and noticed all the random, middle-of-nowhere "No Trespassing" signs and sudden dirt roads leading into the forests. Pot-growing establishments, no doubt. The week we returned we heard someone got shot for trespassing on one of those dirt roads on that 14 highway.
hehhe I love how quietly I am speaking so as not to scare them off :) I was really worried they were going to get hit head on by another car in the opposite direction!
Bright and early on Day 4 we left quaint Mendocino, had breakfast in the not-so-quaint Fort Bragg up north on Highway 1 and then overshot our next stop - the highly recommended Howard Creek Ranch. Upon our first evening in Oakland with cousin Maddy, she spoke of the Ranch and said how unique it was and with animals running around.
Well, we found it and luckily during the middle of the week it had it's best room (the suite, actually) available. We took the Captain's Quarters and marveled at the old place. There is a small house that serves as an office for the ranch hotel as well as 2 small dining rooms where the small amount of guests that can stay there eat at every morning. A DELICIOUS, fresh breakfast. It did NOT disappoint - especially the bisquits!
Our room was on the 2nd floor of the Carriage house - literally. An old carriage house, you could see where they would drive in the horse and buggy and leave it parked there in the middle of the building (there is a big open space for it - see video). Animals run around, sheep, horses, a llama, for example. It is old, musty, completely decorated in antiques. You can walk down to the beach or up into the foresty hillsides. Sally, the owner, would leave random hidden guest books or books open to write poetry or thoughts down. One was even wrapped in plastic in a hollowed tree at the end of the lovely Magic trail. It was so relaxing and beautiful! I am so pleased we stayed there! At night we took our firewood and went to the beach where we made a fire into the wee hours of the night - we had done this once before in 2006 in the Big Sur (see blog). Patrick took long-exposure photography of the waves crashing and the moon was out. It was priceless and such a joy--
From there we continued onto artsy Mendocino - which we had heard plenty about and was highly recommended. It was a lovely town and we had the best time walking around the main cliffs, around the quaint buildings and shops. Stopping into an organic pizzeria and ice cream parlor I almost lost my mind how good and fresh it was. So much so that P took pics of me enjoying myself!
After walking the cliffs behind the big jazz music festival tents that were set up we decided to drive up to the Lighthouse and trail up the road about 20 minutes near Caspar. This was a long walk, but very nice and we saw deer.
After that we decided to stay in Mendocino after all and drove straight to the oldest and largest (although small, by most standards) hotel there: The Mendocino Hotel. It wasn't cheap, the room was smaller than anything I'd ever had, no TV, and you had to share bathrooms and showers down the hall, but it had a magnificent decor, old bar down below, and a wonderful patio that overlooked the cliffs and festival tents across the streets and big, cozy white robes to wear and lounge around in.
We found the Irish pub a couple blocks away (there's always one everywhere in the world we go to) and enjoyed a beer and cocktail before retiring the night. It's interesting how much tourist traffic is there in the town during the day, but by nightfall it became a ghost town as most tourists opt to drive within an hour for cheaper hotels. So at the pub we were mostly with the locals - an entirely different feel.
After leaving the Bay Area we continued without a plan, itinerary, or reservation anywhere. It was exciting to do a road trip like this! We stayed on the inland freeway passing countless vineyards before cutting across west to the coastline. (No, we drove through but no wine-tasting for us - it's not our thing although the countryside is lovely and I certainly appreciated that!)
Patrick loves the sea, of course: growing up in a seaside town in Northern Ireland and being in the navy... he adores being by the water. I enjoy it, too - don't get me wrong. But I love trees. Trees are my thing. Even more than the desert and coastline. Heck, I even partly chose my college: UC Irvine, just because it had huge, luscious, gorgeous trees all over campus and especially the center park.
So, we needed a little break and a place to figure out where we were and what our plan for the day was. We saw a sign and pulled into Manchester State Park - which was a pleasant, empty beach save the white carcasses of dried and washed up huge redwood trees on the sand. Patrick immediately started shooting his black and white film. We made the mental note that we might actually spend the night there at that beach - - there was a campground and we had brought our tent and gear in case we never found hotels. After a bit of photography we decided to see what was up north, noting we could always return to camp at the beach.
Patrick took a week off work in early July so that we may take a road trip to Northern California. Neither of us had been north of the Bay Area so we were quite anxious to see more of our beautiful Golden State. There wasn't much of a plan outside of the first day driving straight up to the Bay Area where we spent a wonderful evening at the home of my dear cousin, Maddy, her baby boy and her gazillion cats - - she has 4 cats of her own but outside she traps to fix and feed ferrel cats. (heheh and you all thought I was a crazy Cat Lady).
After a relaxing time at Maddy's we left the next day to have lunch and visit Patrick's 91 year old 2nd cousin Dick. This is the 2nd time I've enjoyed visiting with him and it is just a joy to hear his family stories, see how meticulously keeps photograph records and what not. I told him that he should leave all those photos to Patrick as he is worried what will happen to them. I do hope that he does. All those stories he tells us are just wonderful and will one day just be forgotten if not passed down.
He showed us his music room which he hadn't on our previous visit. I couldn't believe he pushed me aside and started playing some old ragtime tunes - challenging, because the left hand (or bass line) jumps back and forth. God bless him - what a show!
Yup - it's the last day of August and I haven't posted since June. Whew! I have stories, travels, concerts, TONS of modeling to blog about but I guess being a wife, homeowner and stepmom really takes my freetime from blogging. :(
I am posting about the concert of one of my top 80s band faves, ABC, that Patrick and I went to The House of Blues on Sunset Strip earlier this summer. I am happy to report that lead singer Martin Fry is still thin, still has his hair, and his high notes. What a great concert - in a small, intimate venue with us standing close-enough to the stage that at one moment, debonair Fry actually locked eyes with me. Now don't think I am crazy because even my husband saw it. HAHAHAHHAH! Now, of COURSE, Martin Fry locked eyes with me - - I am beautiful-enough, tall, big eyes, singing along every word to every song - - oh, and I was also one of the few women there. The HOB on Sunset Strip is right next to West Hollywood - rainbow town, if you know what I mean. The whole crowd was gay and over 40. And if there were any women, they were over 40, faghags having a fun 80s night out with their gay BFFs.
Thus, Martin checked me out which led me to the rest of the night throwing my arms in the air and shout, "Me - - Martin - - Look at mEEEEEE!" I can't believe it, but it's true and P still teases me about it to this day. Well, I tell him that had I not been there with my husband I am quite positive a bouncer would have singled me out post show and taken me backstage like some underage groupie. Uh huh. "Like, Totally."
*Editor's Note - at one point we got even closer to the stage and I realized the youngest Jonah Brother, Nick - was there alone, trying to be inconspicuous at the tender age of 21 going alone to a concert where most were old enough to be his parents. I commented in P's ear who he was and just when that youngun thought he could enjoy his Budlight and watch the band in silence a drunk younger couple in their late 20s recognized him and became IDIOTS, hugging him, taking tons of pics of him, constantly talking to him. P and I honestly wanted to tell them to leave the kid alone. He clearly didn't want to be bothered and was trying to be nice. Finally it got so bad that he had a word with them and they kind of backed off, to which he left my side and sidled up to the stage and speaker to get away from them.
It must stink to be a celeb. Really.
Enjoy my beloved ABC!!!
The cousins did a runway show in the Spring, with my extensions, dresses, makeup, and direction. Unfortunately Patrick could not record upright from his tight position - - one gets the idea :) hehehe they all did amazingly well, like they surely practice... !
Late February I had treated P and C to the amazing horse/Cirque du Soleil show, "Cavalia". I had seen this show 4 years previously with my sister Sara and it was so beautiful and well-done that she and I sat and sobbed through all of it.
This time it was pretty much the exact same show save for 1 or 2 changed skits. I only sobbed the first few minutes when the horses come running out across the stage sans bridles, saddles or anything. Just free, playful and happy. Then I just sat on the edge of my seat and clapped hard and appreciatively throughout the show. It is a beautiful, highly recommended spectacle but if you especially know a thing about horses, your breath will be taken away at the massive training in front of your eyes. It is so beautiful and encompasses everything most dear to my heart: the Stage, live, ethnic musicians, an amazing, ethereal soprano, glorious lighting, detailed, colorful costumes, dancers and, of course, the horses.
After the show and before leaving Los Angeles we drove to the famous Olvera Street - one of my old haunts when I lived up there pursuing acting. Located in East LA, it's a tourist spot, not unlike Old Town in San Diego - with Mexican restaurants and shops galore. It is quaint and we had an amazing meal with margaritas for P and I.
Click on slideshow below:
My gazillionith time on morning news KUSI over the past 10 years. This time promoting the Fashion Plates show I just blogged about. Leonard Simpson (our runway producer who has hired me now some 11 years) always does a Style Guy segment each weekend and he featured knit designer Sharon Plache. See me model with 17 year old talent Alex Womack who just left San Diego to NYC where she signed with a boutique agency. The lighting is iffy at best at KUSI but if you want to see 2 girls really work hard in front of the camera and play off each other watch our portion of it towards the last couple minutes. I love modeling with girls 20 years younger than me - - a fun challenge! At least mine was the only name Leonard remembered and introduced :)
This is hilarious. The song for design knitter, Sharon Plache, increases so quickly that by the time my friends Feben and Saam do their walk after Nadia and I they are practically running. See quick-thinking Saam zigzag behind Feben who opted to do a one and a half on the runway, unbeknownst to Saam. (Young models, take note at how quick-thinking, chemistry and personality can overcome a snafu) hehehe. I love these girls!
In late winter I walked the Fashion Plates runway show benefiting students who take home a backpack of food every weekend from The Food Bank in order to feed them until they get to school where they are fed breakfast and lunch by the State. Oh, yes - - there are starving kids in San Diego. Most of my teens qualify for the free lunches at my district but it was different to see the Caucasian-only contingent participate in the show and program that day. That said, good for the Food Bank!
I unfortunately deleted accidentally the professional photos from the show (drat! drat drat!) but luckily dear mom Teresa to young model Blayke had snapped away and we can see most of the show and enjoy the amazing backdrop set like a 50s diner.
I loved our opening Bettie Page looks - - you know Elsa loves period looks with her curvy hips!
I found this of an upscale bridal show I did last year for M Bride. It's called the Festival of Brides and there are about 4 or 5 in Southern California each spring. I do usually 2 of them. This videographer is stupendous at catching all the vendors and the glorious hot day out in wine country Temecula, CA. These shows are so detailed and beautiful and our couture gowns are amazing! I am so lucky to model in them!
**For those not wanting to watch the whole video (it is really well-done) you can see me at 1:40ish and 2:30ish and the very end with the girls. But it's worth it to watch the cinematography of the whole video. Courtesy of Impressive Creations.
Ahhh - one has to have Facebook to see this link - I think. The socialite who so aptly filmed and edited it on her Flip camera has not posted it on the more accessible YouTube - but only on Facebook. It's fairly well done - so I hope you can watch it. And you can see me dragging that pedigreed French Poodle across the stage ;)
Another Leonard Simpson show this Spring was the wonderful Carrousel de Louvre runway show. Styled by celebrity artists (hair by William Williams and makeup by James Overstreet) - we had a wonderful show including designs by Pilar Macchione, Sisa Designs and opening with Prada suits. Coming from a theater background, I appreciate creative and artistic concepts and I loved our circular stage that at times looked like a merry-go-round when we circled it all together. Also, our painted Parisian backdrop was superb! Jolie!
Another treat was our finale with my beloved "Phantom of the Opera" music - - can't go wrong with that. It suited our finale "Masquerade" walk and, remember, PTO takes place in the Parisian Opera house... (insert one of my famous singing high notes here!)
Oh, yes, I am way behind again in blogging. It is hard to be a natural story-teller and also have so many pictures to log through - - I want to get it all up but it's hard to. Pardon the tardiness.
This was a lovely Saturday afternoon in San Diego for the Beauty Expo on the roof of the Westgate Hotel. I modeled for Q Designs (Qadir Hamidi) whom I have modeled a lot for in 2011, especially.
We did 2 shows that day (you may note the 2 different hairstyles I had as the wind blew out my first pinned curls after the first show). Outside of us changing on the rooftop behind a partition that blocked us from the stage but NOT the above windows of the hotel and yes, there were many men looking down on us like perverts - it was an immensely lovely show and day. I even had my stepdaughter to help out as a 'dresser' backstage. She was really good, too, after I instructed her to stay calm no matter how hectic it can be. I was proud of her.
Back in 1990 at the tender age of 18, about 30 of us from different walks of life entered the UC Irvine freshman dorm of "Lago" with all the excitement and anxiety that one can only feel at that age leaving home to go live at college. I met Di and she is my best friend to this day. God broke the mold after that one - - I could go on for hours about how highly I esteem my friendship with her. Another wonderful and unique gal was crazy Kathy from the Bay Area. Kathy still is one of the wittiest and quirkiest people I've ever met. Man, the 3 of us and Adam were inseparable those days - even with different majors and classes. We had, quite simply, a GREAT time - - in the most simplest of ways - not involving alcohol or partying - - but just unadulterated, clean and hilarious fun. Practical jokes, crushes on a couple athletes in our dorm, laughing till our sides hurt - -that kind of fun.
Kat has had a very interesting and colorful life in the years following UCI - - hitchhiking across New Zealand, being a nanny in Italy, etc and I've seen her here and there but not often so one can imagine the treat I had this weekend to see her and her young son as they came to visit Di and company down here in San Diego.
Life is amazing, life is great - - these moments are so wonderful - such a pleasure. I am beyond describing how happy I am for these 2 gals to have such healthy, beautiful babies - and only 3 weeks apart. It's all a miracle to me...
Every spring I get to do a few high end bridal shows for MBride boutique. I LOVE these shows because the owner, Michele Martin, is a cool chick with a great sense of humour, a Masters in Creative Writing and rivals me for love of the 80s. But I especially love that we wear couture, high-end gowns the likes of Monique Lhuillier, Elizabeth Fillmore and Ines Di Santo (whom I twice last year personally modeled for while she came to San Diego - see previous blogs here.)
Well, this February started the bridal season once again and we were at the U.S. Grant for the aptly-named, "A Royal Affair" after the Royal Wedding this Spring in England.
I was with some of my favorite models as usual and had the pleasure of bringing in 2 new faces - - always nice to get other gals a job!
Click on link for a video of the show - it's highend decor and a teeny bit of my friend, Michelina, and me modeling on the runway.
Click on picture below for a photo slideshow - - it was really hard to track down professional photos - - which is a pity - these dresses are so amazing to wear!
One kindred spirit in the designer world that I am most happy to have met just over a year ago is Abdul Qadir Hamidi. Originally from Afghanistan, Qadir now lives in Golden Hills. I feel like his designs are like wearing art - - the ethnic textures he uses and materials are amazing - - one of my favorites is his dress made from a burlap sack - - yes, I have modeled a burlap sack. I am so pleased to be involved in his projects this year and decided I am going to post some pictures of his work - some even from last year that never got up at the W Hotel taken by my husband. I am doing a lot with Qadir this year and just adore his energy - a beautiful and generous soul!
