Nature! (minus many animals)

One of my favorite things about Los Angeles thus far is the ability to get out of the city. Beach, mountains, San Diego, Vegas, Joshua Tree... the list goes on.

This morning Steve and I took an early morning hike in the Angeles National Forest (http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/).

These are not the most challenging trails, but they do offer views, clean air, and a retreat from traffic. It's a short drive from home to be standing here:
(For those that are picky, that photo was actually taken in Switzer Falls which is a different trail in the Angeles Forest than we were on this morning.)

After getting lost, rather temporarily disoriented, on our hike out we stumbled across "The Pines." While we finally found what was supposed to be the end of the trail, it was not very pine-y since it was all burnt and empty. We finally hiked back up into the cloud where the car was parked and headed into La Canada for some brunch.

Some words about brunch. We were walking craving egg whites with avocado on wheat toast and eggs and bacon while walking. We then changed our minds to the "San Fran Omelet" and "Chili Omelet over Fried Potatoes" when looking at the menu. We both had the same reaction... interesting, now where's what I really wanted?

As an aside, I hope to live in La Canada some day.

AMAZING Coffee

I had the most amazing coffee experience this morning! The anticipation of trying out this place is two-fold.. actually multi-fold.

First, the name. Earth Cafe? No, who needs another one of those (no offense to Electric Earth in Madison which still holds a comfy-chaired spot in my heart)? URTH Caffe. Cheesy? Maybe, but I still took notice of it when first blazing the trail to Beverly Hills.


Second, patio! Enjoying a nice cup of tea or coffee under the sun? What did you say, I can bring a newspaper with me? And there's no winter here? Every one of my unemployed mornings have suddenly been planned.

Third, healthy? If you've got to savor that freshly brewed coffee every morning to feed your caffeine addiction, it might as well be organic. This is as healthy as coffee is going to get folks.

Fourth, timing. I've been driving past this place for three months now wishing it were closer to the office for lunch. Wishing it were closer to my apt to justify. But today, because of a misfortune yesterday, I had to be in Beverly Hills bright and early. Being that it's the day after St Patrick's Day made a coffee stop before seeing any work related anything all the more important.

I cradled my little unmarked to-go cup with great anticipation. After taking in the creamy caffeinated drink through scent, I slowly sipped my honey vanilla strong soy latte to my lips to experience my first burnt tongue thanks to Urth. But only a small part of my tongue got screwed by impatience, the rest got to enjoy one of the most amazing morning drinks I've ever had.

My only complaint is that it was too soon gone. Nothing else.

Anyone who comes to visit will undoubtedly be dragged here.

Anyone who did something stupid and needs to apologize now knows what to bring me.

www.urthcaffe.com