Mission Inn

It took me quite a while to become familiar with Riverside - it's outside the Sun's area and generally believed to belong to the "competition!"  So I always keep a sharp look out in case of some sort of kidnap attempt by the Press Enterprise.  We columnists are valuable assets!

But Riverside has a long history - it was once considered to be the richest city in the US.  It was also founded by those against strong drink - a temperance town.  Both extremes are however now long gone.

The center is dominated by The Mission Inn, which has been there for over 125 years.  It's a fine place and it's restaurants and bars attract a diverse and interesting crowd.  It was the subject of Sunday's column.

When you enter the cool dark interior, there is a feeling of "europeaness" about the place.  The driving force behind the business was one, Frank Miller.  He died in the 1930's, and the hotel did go into a period of decline when the family sold it in 1956.  Today however it is back, and a great place to relax and people watch.  To read the entire story go to www.sbsun.com/trevorstravels

Visit

It's time I took the turnoff to Green Valley Lake.  It's just up the road from Running Springs and a lovely location for some quiet reflection and perhaps a bit of fishing if that's your interest.


Green Valley Lake, CA

 

Recently a fire came through and scorched several of the buildings, but by now the damage will have diminished.

The lake is "owned" by all the residents and visitors have to pay a small fee to fish, or put in a boat.  No engines are allowed on the lake, and you can rent canoes and other small craft from the office.  It is always worth the short 3 miles detour up to this pleasant spot, which overlooks Lake Arrowhead a few miles to the west.

Zzyzx

For motorists traveling back from Las Vegas along Route 15, you pass the town of Baker (Home of the world's tallest Thermometer!) and then a sign to Zzyzx Road - a curious name and one many people must wonder about.  It's my job to find out about these types of places and so I made the turn awhile back.

Currently it is the home of the Desert Studies Center and run by the State Education Department, but its history is quite interesting. 



The man made lake at Zzyzx

It was originally called Soda Springs, and was bought by a Dr. Curtis H. Springer in the mid 40's.  He was one of those larger than life evangelist/entrepreneur types.  He didn't like the given name, and as he was know to have the last word in any argument he invented the last word in the dictionary - Zzyzx!

For thirty years, Springer manufactured ointments and other odd health products, and also produced religious broadcasts.  However he had bought the place from the Federal government as a mining operation, but because he never mined there, the Feds confiscated it from him.  He was in some trouble with his taxes anyway.

Today, the center is used to study wildlife and the over 200 species of birds that come here to the underground source of the Mojave River.  It is also home to the Mojave Green Rattlesnake - not a nice chap to run into.  The pronunciation of the name is Zy as in Sigh; Zix as in Six - the accent on the first syllable.

Octoberfest

One of the more distressing stories I have had to do for The Sun was about five years ago.  I was aware of this phenomenon, Oktoberfest, going on in some undesirable part of the Valley, but I had never been to it.  I had an almost prophetic feeling that it was not for me.

But the call came: Would I go and "do" it?  Naturally being a "team player!!!!!" I went along and interviewed the originator, who professed to have been brought over from Austria by his parents, and began this about 30+ years earlier.  I have noticed that we have enormous numbers of Austrians out here and virtually no Germans, which is extraordinary!  I did the interview in the morning, and agreed to return later in the day to take some pictures.

It was simply dreadful.  There were hundreds of Americans dressed in lederhosen, with their women trussed into in the sort of frocks where the bosom is pushed up and out.  In the somewhat overweight this can be disturbing to say the least.  But perhaps the worst part was the appalling oom-pah-pah music being played by so-called musicians.  I could take the swilling beer, the bosom laden dresses, even the lederhosen - well maybe not the lederhosen.  But the bloody oom-pah-pah was enough to make the blood curdle.  And I though we had stamped out that sort of behavior in 1945.

WOLVES

Sunday's column was about the Wolf Sanctuary in Lucerne Valley.  We've touched upon this visit earlier and been amused at my grandson's reaction to Istas when the huge animal was let loose.  Quite an intimidating experience. You can read the column at www.sbsun.com/trevorstravels

This picture is of Segoni, who is quite old.  He's seeing out his retirement at the expert hands of Tonya Littlewolf, who runs the sanctuary with its 14 resident animals.  Tonya is half Apache and half Sicilian and has run the sanctuary since 1976.  It's always an interesting place to visit.

McDonalds

Having just enjoyed the annual Rte 66 parade and celebrations in San Bernardino, many will have been in the vicinity of the very first McDonald's.  It's located on E Street and it was here that two brothers, Dick and Mac, had their small eatery hauled from Arcadia on a flatbed trailer in 1940.

Eight years later they tired of their diner type business, and switched to burgers and fries at 15 cents and 10 cents respectively.  The place really took off.

In 1954 a salesman, Ray Kroc, from Illinois, came by to sell them some equipment.  He was amazed at their business, and suggested to the brothers the idea of a franchise back in Des Moines.  Seven years later, he offered them $2.7 million for the entire operation, and the rest as they say is history.  Today the company says it sells 52 million burgers everyday in 100 countries; 70% of the businesses are independantly owned.  The current site however, is no longer a McDonald's restaurant.  It was bought and restored by a Mr. Albert Okura, who owns a fast food chain himself called Juan Pollo.  He wanted to keep the site open as a museum and a monument to the original company that stood here and was the catalyst for so many similar places.

NIXON LIBRARY

This week's column was about the Nixon Library in Loma Linda, CA.  I have been there many times and this time I was able to look over the actual helicopter that flew President Nixon around - he made over 500 trips in "Army One."  I was also priviledged to meet the actual pilot of this restored plane - Col. Gene Bower.  Among the world leaders he flew were two British Prime Ministers, Edward Heath and Harold Wilson.

Col Bower at 81, was a most interesting and gracious host during my visit.  I asked him to pose outside the doorway where the famous photo of Nixon's exit from the White House took place.  He readily agreed, but he said he was not going to give the famous double "V" for victory sign that Nixon made his own.

It was a sad moment for the country when Nixon had to stand down as it created an atmosphere of distrust that we still endure today.

The Nixon Library is always an interesting place to visit as it is an entirely maneageable place to look around.  http://www.nixonlibrary.gov/

"I was born in a house that my father built," was Nixon's often said statement.  The actual house is erected on the grounds of the Library - it was built from a kit.  Nixon is also buried there alongside his wife, Pat. They are both in the Rose Garden.

You can read the entire column at www.sbsun.com/trevorstravels

Route 66 Rendezvous

We've reached that time of year when the Route 66 Rendezvous goes on in San Bernardino.  I have some thoughts about the event.  Firstly, I only went on one occasion to see this parade of classic cars through the main thoroughfares.  It made me realize how bereft we Brits are in the business of classic cars -  unless you  talk about really expensive ones like Rolls Royce Phantoms and Bentley Continentals, of course.  Have you ever looked at a 1955 Ford Popular?  Or a 1957 Austin A30?  Probably two of the ugliest machines ever to be devised.  We're also responsible for the Reliant Robin!  Sadly a few of these horrors did struggle their way pasts the spectators when I was there - I cringed at a 1960's Hillman Minx.  It was surrounded by gleaming examples of Detroit muscle and put the little box in the shade.  I confess to once actually owning one of these Hillman's; it was in green and cream, and I liked it very much.  I guess it was a case of ignorance is bliss.

Having swallowed my pride over my old country's deficiency in automotive engineering, I nonetheless thoroughly enjoy the hype in following the Route 66 celebrations, as it is a part of America's birthright.  One of the famous stops along the way is Amboy, and the world renowned Roy's Motel.  Plans continue to make this the stopping place it used to be before the Interstate came through a half mile away and effectively killed their business.  It's in interesting part of recent history though.

OAK GLEN

This is the time of year when a visit to Oak Glen is worthwhile.  It's at the bottom of the S/Bernardino Mountains and is famous for its apples.  You can pick them yourself or buy any of the apple related products from the many shops along the road.

The entire scene at Oak Glen is reminiscent of Europe and especially rural England.  Horses also populate the many farms, and there is even a private zoo in the middle of the small town.  Nice place to visit. http://oakglen.net/

L A County Fair

I'm not "doing" the LA County Fair this year as I did it last year.  It's quite a lot of fun and particularly so if you like to eat food that your doctor dissapproves of.  The Fair is a big deal out in Pomona and you can smell the calories as soon as you get out of the car.  Usually the temperatures at this time are on the warm side, so if you go be prepared.  Also wear comfortable shoes as you'll walk a long way http://www.lacountyfair.com/

Now the food you will experience if you have the appetite is mostly fried.  Huge turkey legs, chicken, and frankly stuff that shouldn't be fried at all is piled on your paper or plastic plates - this is not a fine dining experience!  S.W.M.B.O. (She Who Must Be Obeyed) managed to find a salad there, but when she arrived back at the table, I was well into a large plate of highly flavored fried lard!

But it is an interesting place if you like that type of thing.  I always visit the animal areas at the fair.  They have a large building devoted to farm animals and I'm sure a lot of Los Angelinos have never seen pigs, cows, sheep and other domestic animals in real life.

Provided you haven't eaten too much you can also ride on the various gravity defying machines as well.  Also the Fairplex Race Track is open and you can watch mules in competition.  One day they even race dachshounds.  The Budweiser Clydesdales are usually there too, but they definitely don't race!