Sigh... And that's a wrap for a wondrous, mind-clearing Cali excursion with former work wife and forever friend K'tina. We packed a shitload of activity into five days, I tell you what, including numerous walks around her beautiful Studio City neighborhood. Great meals, too, at The Six, Jerry's Deli and Laurel Tavern. *
And finally, a collection of drive-by & walk-by random images from my Westward Ho excursion. *
Above, Beverly Hills, ooh la la!
Look, it's a MALL! Also Kristina's favorite destination in L.A., the Beverly Center. How about that view from the terrace on the top floor?
An old movie theater craftily turned into Barnes & Noble in Studio City. Well done. *
Awesome brunch with Kristina, Fredly and Minerva on Sunday at the Kings Road Cafe in Los Angeles. Perfect people watching spot. K'tina and I kinda sorta laughed at the perspective of the pic above. We look like sweet midgets compared to the giants on our side, har har. *
How perfect is it that the main digs for Scientology are located right in the heart of Hollywood, home of the crazies, land of the loonies? Their "compound" is a sight to see, with a massive powder blue building that looks like a combination hospital/prison. Along the sides are bunches of cottages—all locked tight with multiple iron gates. You can visit... but can you ever leave?
Driving is a novelty for me anymore, since New York City is a public transpo kind of town. Kristina 
allowed me to escort her around Los Angeles in her trusty Toyota as we scoured most every conceivable neighborhood. We walked miles each day as well, but for major triptychs, it was wheels all the way.
to drive up and down, and around and around, mustering speeds as fast as possible...
Kristina took me for a grand walk through the campy Sportmen's Lodge in L.A.'s Studio City, which is packed to the gills with history. The massive hotel complex opened 50 years ago, with a restaurant and trout-fishing lake where families and celebrities such as Clark Gable, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Spencer Tracy & Katharine Hepburn, and Marlon Brando came to catch and eat their own dinners, cooked courtesy of the lodge. As the San Fernando Valley evolved, Studio City sprung up around the hotel and historic Trout Lakes. The joint remains as popular today.* 
I totally dig the multitude of iconic vintage imagery throughout Los Angeles, from 1950's signage to old-school vehicles to the architecture of decades-old bungalos. Driving past a 76 gas station with the revolving ball that I haven't seen since the 1970s or seeing (what to me is) a vintage Arby's sign is just good clean fun. Following are some of the best throughout my L.A. travels from the past several days. *
