Welcome to a rather unusual podcast this week. The illustrious WTHJH crew (Gregamundo and Simon) drive down to LA (Pasadena and Huntington Beach) for a fun weekend, and recorded the podcast over several days.
We set off Friday morning, after numerous delays, for the spectaularrrrr drive down Highway 5.
We listened to the 1978 double album, progressive rock musical, by Jeff Wayne, the "War of the Worlds". It is a truly stupendous production. (Wikipedia entry for the album.)
Amazingly enough, the Central Valley of California was only in the mid 70s for the drive down, when it's usually 100 degrees F at this time of year (June). We stopped at the most stinky place along HW5, Coalinga, at a Denny's for what was supposed to be a quick lunch....5 minutes of eating took 1 hour and 10 minutes in total. We waited for 53 minutes before getting a salad!
Over the grape vine, we dropped down into the San Fernando Valley....which is famous, quietly for the industry that thrives there. (Bow Chick Wow Wow.)
Car pool so not to much of the infamous LA traffic. Got to Pasadena at 5pm and settled in quickly, setting up the podcasting gear in the hotel room.
In the evening, met up with Wendy and Heather for a spot of dinner at the Pasadena Cheese Cake Factory. Busy, busy, busy. (2 West Colorado Blvd, Pasadena).
Saturday was the main event. We drifted over to the Wokano Restaurant for the marathon 8 hour get together.
Lots of food and drink was imbibed and fun was had by all. Lots of people were there, some for the duration. Some came when they could (having driven a long way too)....here's to you Timothy Ruzic!
At about 9 or 10pm, those left still standing adjourned back to Cheesecake factory....Simon was craving a cheesecake since yesterday's meal had too much food to actually have one then. It was soooooo good. Our waitress was Christie, who was an absolute delight and probably one of the most pleasant waitresses we've ever met. Thanks Christie!
On Sunday morning we bade farewell to Pasadena and drove to Huntington Beach to chat with Chris Epting to talk with him about his books, his writing and life in general......and we were fed delicious burgers on a pleasant sunny afternoon,
...while getting fuss from his cute dog, Marylin....
(and the family pet snake).
Then we had the drive back up to The Bay area....oh yuckie. LA traffic was just terrible and exactly what you hear about it.....even on a Sunday. There was limited car pool lanes and it was very slow moving. Because of the delay we decided to stop off at Harris Ranch, in Coalinga (once again) and had a delicious steak for dinner, since it was 6pm already and we were only half way back.
The Harris Ranch restaurant is right off HW 5 also has it's own landing strip....we feel an aerial podcast looming for this. Watch this space....that or keep listening!
All in all, a wonderful and fun weekend. Quite the experience!
KMSMA.
G&S
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