Will Dana- managing editor - rolling stone - written by him Rolling stone issue 1104.

This wasn't written by me however having lived in the greater Los Angeles area for well over 20 years(since 1989) couldn't have said it better:



For the past couple of years, Kirn has been making regular trips to Hollywood through the making of up in the air. What he found there was something he hardly expected. . "Hollywood's a lot more like Detroit in the Fifties than you'd think, "he says." it likes to portray itself as the world capital of glamour and decadence, but it's a company town- a highly ordered and highly structured world where people got to bed early, watch their weight obsessively and schedule every second of their day, They probably have better parties in Iowa City."


Will Dana, Managing Editor.Rolling Stone Magazine issue 1104

Day three.

After waking up early .got myself showered and shaved, being well rested Felt so much better.Headed on over to my Dad's apartment and proceded to the Va's hospital in Livermore. Spent the whole day there and was a very long day(considering i dread hospitals). Anyway things didn't go so well with my Dad, and they had to transfer him to a larger facility. The Doctor's gave me the address to where he was being transferred so i was able to go there the next day. Left the hospital after being there for most of the day. Drove back to my Dad's apartment ( he gave me the keys). And was able to save a bit of money by staying there overnight.Woke up the next day and went to the local Starbucks. had myself some coffee and a muffin and mapped out where the hospital was( don't know the San Francisco area very well). Ended up driving towards the Silicon Valley to a town called Palo Alto( by the silicon valley).On the freeway saw Microsoft , pay pal and ebay among others. This is why it is called the (now i forgot what the nickname for the silicon valley was)hmmm .Oh well interesting area. Was able to see where my dad was staying and talk to some of the doctors. He is in good hands for now.Made my way back towards Los Angeles via the coastal route which couldn't ask for a better day in July. Took some pics and made the best out of a sad situation . Anyway stopped at a few places on the way home had a great dinner at the Apple Farm Restaurant in San Luis Obispo. Had a turkey dinner and a great glass of Cabernet. Here's a pic of the first hospital I brought my dad too. Anyway that's my getaway . unfortunately not on good circumstances.

Day Two.

Well I had found got myself sidetracked along the way and ended up on the 99. It's Ok got back via the 46 on back to the 5 North. saw a large correctional institute on the 46 in a town called Wasco.Jumped back on the 5 North and made my way up to the bay area .remember stopping for gas in a town called Santa Nella and had myself some lunch.What did i have lunch that day ? let me think about it . Oh when I woke up just got some coffee in Bakersfield and stopped at a Jack in the box for a breakfast sandwich.Anyway finally after gassing up in Santa Nella continued up to the Pleasanton area. Made some calls and got a hold of my Dad picked up some groceries at the store for him and visited him. Knew we had a long day the next day so thought it would be best to get a good nights rest . Decided to get a motel 6 room in Livermore CA. (have stayed there before). Checked in put on my bathing suit it was around 6 pm PST . however had a few hours left of the sun so just chilled by the pool( left my phone in my room and all gadgets).fell asleep by the pool for a bit and then jumped in . After my swim jumped in the shower and headed to the local Chili's for dinner had a few stiff Margarita's ( remember y'all family matters hard tequila ). Anyway got back to my room took a walk around my motel. It's so pretty in Northern CA. in July . At night it cools down and there is just a slight brisk in the air . Needed my sweat jacket on. Remember in Wine Country. Here's a pic of a the motel I always stay in when I visit there.

The long drive up North.

after just getting back from my road trip thought i would keep you all up to date on my adventures. Unfortunately my Dad is having some issues so needed to get up to Northern California for family matters. won't go to much into the details and bore y'all ( know we all have are problems ,it's part of life ). however just letting y'all know what i have been up to the last few days. after a long shift on Tues . night that delayed my trip for a few hours. Finally got on the open road at around 1:30 am Tues - Wednesday am.Had to get out of town and beat the traffic in Los Angeles . Loaded up the minivan and headed North via the 405 N which becomes the 5 North all the way up the grapevine ( a big hill you have to climb to get into Bakersfield). After you get over the grapevine it's always such a nice change of scenery . mainly because of the change in population (less populated than the Los Angeles area). And start to see vast landscapes and Farmland. Bakersfield is a large Agricultural area as is a big part of my destination.Decided this trip to make some cutbacks on expenses so thought i would rough it and sleep in my van . Well as I was driving up the 5 north saw a sign for camping . Started my journey and exited the freeway towards the 99 (not intentionally this is where it took me). Found the camping spot however the office was closed (it was late maybe 3:30 am PST time) and the park was mostly for RVs anyway. Continued on and had some trouble looking for a safe spot.Found one finally and got a few hours rest. The drawback of staying in the van was as soon as the sun rose it kind of woke me up being out in the open . saved my self maybe 30-40 dollars on lodging however had lack of sleep the next day.The picture above was maybe another 100 miles up north taken the next day however close enough wanted to add a pic here it is . Have been there in the past and is a great place for beef. They are a big distributor around the area for fine beef. They have a hotel and restaurant about halfway up from my destination.