A couple weekends ago, the kids and I headed over to Caine's Arcade to check it out. If you weren't one of the kazillion people who saw the little movie that went viral, you must see it. So adorable. I think it appealed to us all for so many reasons -- with it's beauty, love, creativity and old-school simplicity. I think it was just what the doctor ordered in this time of tech craziness and, quite frankly, an overall time of global uneasiness.

I am part of a Meet-Up group of Hiking Photographers who put together outings (often hiking) but also of other interesting events around LA to check out and photograph. We were also able to photograph in the Auto Parts yard of Caine's Dad's business. Such a treat too!

I spoke with his Dad and they had just returned the night before from The Exploratorium in San Francisco. If you are ever in San Francisco, it's a must see. So this freak little viral movie got the attention of the interactive museum there who flew the entire family up to San Francisco and sent a truck to bring all Caine's Arcade there for a special showing! How cool is that?? He told me that Caine got a lifetime membership to the Exploratorium and they commissioned the original "claw machine" for permanent installation there (he made a new one for the Arcade in East LA -- we played it!).

So three cheers for Caine for bringing us this simple joy. Cheers for cardboard boxes and all their possibilities. Cheers for kids and free orange and grape sodas and bags of treats, labeled with a Sharpie instead of corporate logos. Thank you, Caine Monroy.




Open for business! We were the first ones to play that day and, duh, yes we bought a fun pass. :)

It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves. -Edmund Hillary

So I'm back in the blog and determined to keep a schedule! I had the idea of doing a kind of theme for different days and last night as I was lying in bed and pondering the week ahead, I got the idea to do a Monday post that would be things I found positive or inspiring to kick my week in the butt and get her goin'. So welcome to the first "Motivation Monday!"

I'm posting some pix from a trip I recently took to Sedona with my LA Bestie, Erica. We did a stealth trip, driving Thelma and Louise-style in my little Kia Soul from LA to Sedona for a 3-day whirlwind. We drove Thursday all day, climbed mountains and hiked all day Friday and drove home all day Saturday.

It was my first trip to Sedona and Erica's first trip there where she shared it with anyone else. She usually just picks up and heads out alone for climbing and spirit quest. I was lucky enough to have my own seasoned guide. And, after this past year, was ready for some spirit work, a good climb and to see some amazing beauty.

I only discovered hiking after moving out West from Chicago about 2 1/2 years ago. And it so very quickly has become pretty much my only workout and a great love in my life. I honestly couldn't have predicted how much I would love it. Whenever I feel unbalanced or blue, it is like a miracle drug for me.

So here's a little taste of our day. Breathtaking. When I was there, I thought "Man, God picks out good furniture!"

When I got to the top of Cathedral Rock and saw this view, I will admit that my exact quote was "Holy shit!"

Incredible! So "some say" that when you are near one of the energy vortex, that the trees are all twisted around. Apparently we were very near at this point (heading up Cathedral Rock)...

Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you have a fantastic week. Keep climbing. <3