Valley Ventures: The Endeavor

I have been back to my Valley hood all week and love being poolside, hanging out with my family, being in traffic and seeing downtown.
While being back home, I thought it fitting to bring back the Valley Ventures.

 This past week we ventured out to the California Science Center to see the retired space shuttle, The Endeavour.

Every since it got retired at brought back to LA in October I have been wanting to go.
Before seeing the ship we went through a short Museum all about space travel and specifically the Endeavor.
I was intrigued with the section on using the restroom while in space.
Never thought about the gravity issue...I thought it was interesting, however my 9 year old niece was pretty grossed out.
These are the tires last worn by the Endeavour. The wear seen here is from just one landing of the ship, and must be changed after each mission. Tires are $5,000...a piece.

One of the coolest parts of the space shuttle coming to LA was the fact that it arrived via an airplane and then was taken throughout the streets of LA to get to the Science Center.

We watched a short film of the time lapse of the shuttles drive through LA.
To see the video, you can go here.
Roads had to be reinforced to support the weight, streets poles had to be moved, electricity needed to be cut and the shuttle had to be carefully maneuvered around trees.

Now on to the Space Shuttle...

The Endeavour is only one of five shuttles built.
It was named after Captain James Cook's ship and his first voyage.
It was built to replace the Challenger, which was lost in 1986.
It's first launch was in 1992 and had a total of 25 missions.
It orbited 4, 671 times.

{photo bombed by Laura & Lyla}
It was really cool to see it up close.
I mean, this thing went into OUTER SPACE!
How mind blowing is that!?

a day in LA.

A couple of week ago Rudy and I had tickets to the Dodger game.

Shocking right?

We were suppose to go downtown early for a tour of Dodger Stadium, however I mixed up the tour times and so we missed it.

I was beyond sad.

Instead we decided to just go downtown early for some exploring before the game. Although I wasnt up for the idea at first, we still definitely had a good time.

I dont think I will ever get sick of going downtown and seeing some sites.

We mostly just walked around and stumbled upon things to see and what to do.

We walked past the Museum of ContemporaryArt.

Which I kinda refused earlier to go into.

{not really sure what this is. but it looked cool}

We also went down Angel's Flight.

I had seen it before but had never been down the little cable car.

It was fun to go down, however after we got down the hill we just hiked back up all the stairs to get to this spot.

Look familiar?

The scene out of the movie {500} Days of Summer.

You wouldnt believe the line of people waiting to get on "the bench"

Its definitely not as good of a view as the movie makes it out to be, but still kinda fun.

Then off to get lunch at the Grand Central Market to get some legit Mexican food and candy.

Both of my favorite things.

Then off to Pershing Square and then the game!!!

I was lucky enough to randomly run into this girl!

I knew Alyssa was in town but had no idea she was also at the game and not expecting that their seats were just one section over from us!

Loved having Alyssa sit on my lap for a good whole inning while we chatted.

Also loved that I didnt cave into leaving the game early {first time ever that I have wanted to do that. I was so tired, the game was going so long!} as we ended up coming back with a walk off home run!

It was a good Saturday filled with lots of my favorite things!

Valley Ventures: Santee Alley

Last Saturday I ventured to Santee Alley with Rudy and Tom.

I have heard of this place before from Tom but didnt exactly know much about it.

We took the metro into Downtown

(which has become one of my favorite activities. love public transit into the big city)

and walked to the semi fashion district of LA. 

The streets were jammed packed with shoppers with tons of stores to go into.

But the real place to go is the actual Alley which definitely reminds me of NYC shopping for all things knock-off.

However, Santee Alley is A LOT more ghetto. I mean, this is LA...

aka I was like the only white person 

A highlight of the day was my continuation of being a hot dog connoisseur. And although I have only been to two LA hot dog places, I think I already found the best in town. Anyone that has been in downtown before can always smell the bacon wrapped hot dogs that are literally sold on every corner. 

wrapped in bacon, smothered in grilled onions and peppers and topped with ketchup and mustard.

the best are sold out of ghetto shopping carts with the grills placed on top from little ladies that dont speak any english. 

they are so legit. 

the are a must have with a stop in Downtown.

After hot dogs and Santee Alley, the three of us hopped back on the metro and headed to Union Station and Olvera Street. 

Other Downtown faves.

with a must have filled churro. sooooo gooood. 

i love lazy Saturdays wandering the streets of LA with two of my favorite people. 

my photo taking twin.

I like to take pictures and I take a lot, but I think I have met my match in M'Kynzi.
And when we are together, we like to take even more. We love snapping away as many as we can!
We felt like we were back in London taking so many photos together. 

As previously mentioned we had such a great time taking in the LA sites and just catching up with life. 

I absolutely love friendships in which it doesnt matter how long its been, or how often you keep in touch, but when reunited again its as if no time has passed. 

As soon as I saw Kynz it was like our study abroad, London travels and bunk bed days had never stopped. 

And it was the best. 

Kynz is an absolutely amazing friend. She is ok with my photo bombs, loves hearing about my dreams, a little snobby and a Ute. But I love her. And im just so glad she has finally started sharing her secrets with me. 

Other than the Pantry, our adventures included:

Dodger stadium.

Kynz had never been to an MLB game! And what better time to go then with the Dodgers biggest fan. 

Downtown LA and Olvera Street.

We were lucky enough to do during the Fiesta de Flores. 

I could go to this tourist street all the time. Love the great photog shots, the food and all the things to buy.
If only I hadnt been too full to have some stuffed churros. 

Santa Monica Beach. 

This Utah girl had never been to the beach! She loved soaking up the sun and riding bikes along the sand. 

Hollywood. 

Cant come to LA and not see the craziness of H&H. 

we saw BIG BEN! it was like we were in London all over again.

The LA Temple. 

Great way to end our Sabbath day. 

"why would you ever need a two second timer?"
Well said Kynz.

We are self timing pros. 

And of course a much need reunion with Lillie! We were one short of a Terrible Quad Reunion.

But I think my favorite moment was Kynz and Lillie sitting on my bed, reminiscing on our London days while looking through pictures and my journal. And its always great to have amazing girlfriends to talk about all of our boy problems and frustrations in dating.
It was such a much needed weekend.
I LOVED having you here M'Kynzi!! I wish we could hang out all the time. Glad you finally made the much anticipated trip here, and please come back soon!!

Valley Ventures: The Pantry.

After months and months of persuasion, my London roomie and member of the Terrible Quad M'kynzi,  finally made the trek out to California for a visit. We were way over on our lunch dates to Cafe Rio and Kynz had never been to California! 

A visit was much needed.

I always take it upon myself to show off the great sites of LA when visitors come.

Hopefully I did not disappoint. 

Of course between the two of us, Kynz and I took a ridiculous amount of photos together over the weekend (we were snapping photos like crazy, just like London all over again) Ill be showing off some of our photos and our adventures in a couple of posts. 

As part of our LA experience I took Kynz to The Pantry on Saturday morning.

I have never been before but it has always seemed like a landmark place to be.

I love that it is nestled in downtown LA and established in 1924, and eight decades later still has the ability to make you feel like you are walking into that era, your family diner. It is now owned by the former Mayor of LA Richard Riordan.

The line to get a table was out the door. I was intimidated and made Kynz wait in line while I parked. 

But dont let that scare you off, the line moved fast. 

We had a hard time deciding on what to order because it all sounded so good.

So we just kinda ordered it all and you cant ever go wrong with breakfast foods.

French Toast. Potatoes. Bacon Omelet. Toast.

Good and Good.

Update: I just got around to catching up on reading my blogs and found a fabulous post from M'Kynzi about her visit and a little post about myself. While Kynz and I were in London she liked to take lots and lots of photos. And because of that I really enjoyed sneaking into her photos as much as I could. She always complained about it and I just LOVED it. Look at her blog for proof of all of my "photo bombs" must of those pictures I have never even seen.
You love me Kynz!