• kelly said on Apr 29, 2007....

  I live here, and in part I'm inclined to agree with you.  But LA isn't really a city, it's a collection of neighborhoods.  It's not even remotely comparable to a place like New York.  Then again, I don't really like cities at all.  Your highland bamboo forest sounds infinitely more appealing.  :-)
  
  
  What you missed while you were in LA was the big attraction known as the High Sierra.  Admittedly it's a four hour drive from LA, but I spent a good part of my 30s getting out of this city and literally heading for the hills.  

• moonriver said on Apr 29, 2007....

  heh, part of what i was planning with this early blog was to troll for reactions. i assumed i'd get a barrage of angry comments and "hmmp!" snubs. turns out you are the first commentor, almost exactly six months later...LOL.
  
  actually, i enjoyed most of the sites i visited -- county museum, local libraries, science center, the  griffith observatory, ucla campus, the strand, the la brea tar pits. and i did finally hitch a ride going thru cajon pass down to hesperia. but yes, i would have loved to stay for a few days at least in the high sierra.
  
  i like all kinds of forests, but a forest almost purely of bamboo feels so... zen.
  
  hey kelly, thanks for checking out my early sc indiscretions.
  
  

• wakingharmony said on Jan 25, 2008....

  I grew up In cal most of my life and yes the history was nicer at one time I used to love to visit  Griffth PArk & the out skirts  San Fernando mission I remember when i was young they said not to drive down that road and look in your mirror or yo would see someone (??) looking for her dead children... I haven't been there in years. I also lived in the Sierra nevada mts in Calif for about 7 years Beautiful  Donner Pass and Monitor pass I lived in  a few of the little towns off the walker river  Walker ca Coleville,ca & Topaz which sat on the border and had a lake.

• kelly said on Jan 25, 2008....

  I think is what might be described as a slow motion blog.  :-)
  
  
  "i like all kinds of forests, but a forest almost purely of bamboo feels so... zen."
  
  
  I can understand that.  I have caught a glimmer of what that might feel like by visiting our local Huntington Gardens.  In one area there is a path going through a large stand of bamboo.  It blots out most of the light and it feels so wonderful to walk through it.
  
  
  By the way, the High Sierra (above 11,000 ft.) has almost no trees.  It is a kind of mountainous desert that is most fabulous.

• wakingharmony said on Jan 25, 2008....

  The sierra. Nevada mts have tons of trees or had when I was there up Hwy 395 like miles and miles of huge trees are we talking about the same place? hehe
  
   Some of the biggest California Mountains are in the Sierra. The Sierra Nevada Mountains is a 400-mile long mountain range that runs north to south along the eastern part of California. On the west, the High Sierras are bordered by the lush central valley. If you're looking for the top ski resort California has to offer, you're in the right place.
  

  There are a number of natural landmarks and geological attractions in the Sierra Nevada. Lake Tahoe is bustling all year round with outdoor activities. In the winter, skiing and snowboarding is the thing to do, and most of the most popular California ski resorts are on the north and south shores of Tahoe. Summertime sees the shores of Lake Tahoe filled with swimmers and sunbathers, and hikers on the pleasant hiking trails. From Southern California celebrities to Northern California outdoor enthusiasts, the lodges of Lake Tahoe are filled with a cross section of California's population. Most of the California ski resorts are in Lake Tahoe, so this area is teeming with activity all winter long.

  
  

  Almost every American has either heard of or been to Yosemite National Park. Deep canyons scoured by glaciers, granite domes, waterfalls, and miles of wilderness await your exploration. Kings Canyon and Hetch Hetchy Valley also have impressive canyons forged by giant ice floes thousands of years ago. There are Giant Sequoias along the western edge of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. These are the biggest trees in the world, and people from all over want to come and experience. The ride to this park is visually stunning, with thrilling roads and steep grades. The sequoias are found in elevations that range 10,000 feet. Mt Whitney is another major landmark in the High Sierra. As you go south along the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the peaks get higher, and Mount Whitney is no exception. This unusual, jagged peak is the highest peak in the lower 48 at nearly 15,000 feet. The Sierra has a wide range of elevation, from about 8,000 feet at Tahoe to 13,000 feet in Yosemite.

  
  

  There are a number of rivers in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that eventually go past the Central Coast and flow into the Pacific. This is where the term High Sierra originated; when someone speaks of the High Sierra they are referring to the elevations that are 7,000 or more. On the east side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains is highway 395. This is a long highway that stretches hundreds of miles, so you can clearly see how different this side of the Sierra is. There are small towns through here that don't get a lot of visitors that make it over the mountains. A great scenic drive is taking Highway 1 to San Luis Obispo, then heading east through the central valley, bypassing Fresno to save some time. The southern part of the range does not have the most popular ski resorts California has to offer, but the deep snow, abundant sunshine and lack of clouds makes the High Sierra worth a visit.

  
  

  East of Yosemite, Mammoth Mountain gets 600 inches of snow every year, making this one of the most popular ski resort California has to offer. Far from the crowds at Lake Tahoe ski resorts, Mammoth has an enormous ski area. While not as accessible any other California ski resort around Tahoe, braving the High Sierra to get here is worth the drive.

  
  
  

• kelly said on Jan 26, 2008....

  Nice write-up, walkingharmony!  When I wrote that about the trees I specifically mentioned the altitude.  You are quite right about the lower elevations, however.  Jam packed with trees.  :-)

• wakingharmony said on Jan 26, 2008....

  he he  kelly (I copied)  yes I saw that about the higher elevations and then went to look it up cause I lived there (Now im getting old and forgetful) but saw the elevations 7,000 and up..... any whos I must be getting confused because the Sierras are so big! I just mostly remember The huge trees, and the beauty, I loved it.  I lived near the border Ca/Nev  too.  If you ever get the chance to visit Virginia City Nev. You will have  a blast with old time saloons and  the Ponderosa! not as many trees there but still wonderful.... Now Im home sick hehe...... ever seen farmers move a herd of sheep down a major hwy like 395 ..funny. Where about were you talking about (Just currious)

• moonriver said on Jan 30, 2008....

  kelly -- LOL re slow motion blog. think of such blogs as the shady lanes that branch off the main roads of blogspace.
  
  waking -- now you've got me very interested with your sierras travelogue. please continue... :-)
  
  

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