We had TWO treats on Sunday the 23rd.
First, my daughter came into town to celebrate her 30th year Webb class reunion, which coincided with Webb's 100 year anniversary.
Second, she met us for Sunday brunch, and arranged a little bday freebie for me! My partner and I are getting ready to dive into some chocolate goodness.
We headed to Wrightwood to catch the peak night of the Orionid meteor shower on my birthday weekend.
We saw many small "flashes" meteors zip by overhead. No rip roaring, sky- cleaving ones. But a wonderful time stargazing, all bundled up in cozy layers and a big blanket.
Love and thank you's to my partner for a truly amazing packing job and all the thoughtful touches to the weekend!
This is an Orion constellation screenshot from Star Walk 2.
CPM featured many exhibit spaces, a tri-level experience!
One exhibit spanned several rooms, with works from four female LatinX artists.
One artist explored image "replacements." The two images here show multiple views of the same face.
Another series employed canvas overlays in various environments. In each photo, she taken a live background, and hung a canvas image in it.
For example, one background was a run-down alleyway. She strung a colorful canvas image of a child's party scene across the back of the alleyway, bringing it to life.
I found this artist's result equally impressive.
Another level of the museum chronicled the evolution of land cameras, from the first days of the camera boom.
The incredible collection of cameras and manuals came from a SINGLE donor. What an amazing gift to us all.
Here you're looking at a stereo camera from 1890!
A "wet-plate" camera, from the earliest days. The glass plate had to be wetted to activate the chemicals, before inserting it into the camera. Then the image could be captured.
This made for a soggy experience- the wet chemicals would drip onto the bottom of the camera frame. It had to be made of very durable wood!
Eventually the "wet plate" method of image was replaced with a "dry plate." Less to lug along on photo expeditions!
This is one of the best (and cheapest) cameras. Note the glass plate and the sturdy frame the assembly is attached to!
The next challenges ahead: To capture images that wouldn't be limited to the size of the glass plate.
And to make cameras smaller and more portable!
And finally, continue to improve image quality.
A friendly ranger met us at the Punchbowl. It's just a short drive from Wrightwood- a perfect outing! He was the lone keeper that weekend.
The Visitor Center perished in the fire, but he gave us directions, a map, and lots of information about the fire recovery progress.
This trail loop is about an hour. There was a devastating fire here, but there are species re-sprouting. Looks like my partner spotted one!
This is really our first slide, where we enter the park... Note the fascinating rock formations, these are signature features at the Punchbowl!
Silhouetted against the rocks are two of many blackened trees from the Bottom Fire.
This tree didn't make it. But it will become a home for insects that will feed lizards and birds. And it will still be used as a perch!
Some species will take longer to recover than others.
The fire really blackened everything, but some species are equipped to sprout back from their base. Others were only partially burned.
This manzanita is making a comeback!
The landscape looks stark from here.
But once you reach the canyon bottom, you discover fresh young Sycamore trees, re-growing in the streambed.
Then Peterson's Auto Museum, where I spent my time in looking at the James Bond cars! This was an exhibit titled "Bond in Motion," A review of the vehicle used over the history of Bond movies.
The interior of Pann's. We ordered from their "50's" menu: Hot chocolate, French toast, strawberries, bacon, a loaded "dream burger" with cheese and all the trimmings- lettuce, tomato, sauce, and a side of potato salad!
Photos of movie star clientele covered the walls. But the stars of the show were the wonderful, attentive staff!
Then it was off to Peterson's Auto Museum, where I spent most of my time looking at the
James Bond cars! Their exhibit titled "Bond in Motion" was a review
of the vehicles used over the history of Bond movies.
But there was plenty more to see, too, like this 1939 Bugatti! Such a lovely car!
Looking through the right door, we could see everything!
Great historical write ups on the placards!
One of the earliest motorcycles made. We studied it, and couldn't find the brakes. Guess what: There AREN'T any! A docent told us no one had ever asked him that question before.
Turns out, many of the first cars and motorcycles used the THROTTLE to slow down and shut off the motor. He added that despite the slower speeds, there were many, many accidents. Also note the many levers that had to be manipulated while the vehicle was in motion.
Steering one-handed with no brakes-- Yikes!
Our first stop was Sherman Gardens and Library! A beautiful and venerable private garden, open to the public! It contains many mini-gardens inside.
One thing we wanted to determine was how the self-guided tour worked. You first call the number, which is 949-610-8300.
And then you can enter the numbered stops to learn more!
Here are the various garden areas.
You can start anywhere, but we started with the start. "Sherman Gardens Introduction."
Exploring is hungry work, so there's also a Cafe and restaurant! The smells were delicious, but the prices were really a bit much- so we picnicked instead!
Here's all of it. They've managed to pack an amazing variety of displays into a pretty small space! There are outdoor displays and greenhouse ones, too.
You can go from succulents to perennials to orchids in very few steps! They also do seasonal displays, and invite guest artists to decorate the gardens with all sorts of creations.
Pomona College Orchestra
ERIC LINDHOLM, conductor
Abertura concertante, CAMARGO GUARNIERI, 1902-1993
Film score to Redes (1936), SILVESTRE RIVUELTAS, 1899=1940
Elegia Andina (2000). GABRIELA LENA FRANK, b. 1972
Dances from Estancia, (1941), ALBERTO GINASTERA, 1916-1983
The land workers
Wheat dance
The cattlemen
Malambo
Libertango (1974), arr. G.L. Zampieri, by ASTOR PIAZZOLLA, 1921-1992
(Unhappily, there was no Zampieri arrangement, so I did the Moscow Philharmonic which had tango dancers in it!)
Sonata (1957), George Walker (1922-2018)
Allegro passionato
Sostenuto
Allegro
with Maggie Parkins, cello
Song of the Seasons (1955). Margaret Bonds (1913-1972)
Poême of Autommne
Winter Moon
Young Love in Spring
Summer Storm
with Melissa Givens, soprano
