Los Angeles

This was a city that I was quietly dreading simply because of the traffic. In the end it wasn't actually a problem, even with a trailer in tow. Sure there was plenty of traffic and everything moves at a speeds approaching lightspeed, but nobody rammed or shot at us, which was good for LA I thought.

A typical 12 lane freeway in LA - at a non busy time.

We spent the first afternoon of our true LA stay unpacking, sorting and repacking the trailer for shipping to Oz. It was a giant jigsaw puzzle, moving one group of stuff so that another could be moved to allow for yet another group... well you get the idea.

Sorting our gear in the hotel carpark in preparation for shipping.

Santa Monica beach and pier were the first LA sights that we visited on Sunday morning. We had just parked and walked across the walkway on the edge of the beach when runners began coming past us so we stepped over to another path. Within 3 minutes a crowd of several thousand runners came pouring along the walkway we had just crossed. We were lucky to have crossed when we did.

Santa Monica beach.

Rides and attractions on the pier.

Solar powered ferris wheel.

A quiet? sunday morning on the pier.

The kids loved the beach gyms.

Megan climbed to the top to the applause of onlookers.

Paige wasn't quite so successful.

One day as we were driving to Hollywood, we passed through an operating oil field where oil is still being pumped. The unusual aspect of this was that the field is in a suburb of LA and has housing all around it!

Oil field within LA city limits.

No visit to LA would be complete without a visit to this famous sign. It is actually quite difficult to get to as you wind your way up through very narrow and steep streets. Luckily the weather was good for our picture moment.

Later we cruised along Hollywood Boulevard and got out to look at the stars. Because I parked early, the stars where we first looked were older, but Jill walked along with the kids to the area with the most recent stars to search for her faves.

I couldn't resist the Odd Couple.

Jill found one of her idols.

Later we visited Universal Studios and had a wow of a time. The studio tours were the best, although Ash of course enjoyed the rides more.

Future fame?

Paige met her idol.

At the coke splash park.

Grooving with the chicks.

We went to watch an animal actors show which was very entertaining. Jill had a parrot land on her hand and take a dollar bill from her. It then returned it to her while she stood in the audience.