More California

I love you, California, you're the greatest state of all. I love you in the winter, summer, spring and in the fall.
I love your fertile valleys; your dear mountains I adore. I love your grand old ocean and I love her rugged shore.

“California’s been good to me. Hope it don’t fall into the sea.” …..Tom Petty

Elliot Koeppel 11/5/24 Elliot Koeppel 11/5/24

Cabazon - Dinosaurs! - California

If you’ve ever taken the 10 out to Palm Springs, or Arizona or anywhere past the Morongo Casino over the last 50 years, you’ve probably seen the giant Brontosaurus watching you as you sped past at 90 mph. And then, he was joined by another favorite dino - the Tyranosaurus Rex.

Elliot Koeppel 10/30/24 Elliot Koeppel 10/30/24

The Bench People - Knott’s Berry Farm - California

You’ve seen them, sitting there on those benches all day long, watching, ever watching the people go by. Always patient, never complaining about all the guests taking selfies with them, or getting “handsy” with them.

Elliot Koeppel 10/24/24 Elliot Koeppel 10/24/24

Olancha - Sleeping Beauty - Hwy 395 - California

Where does the name “Olancha” come from, or what does it mean? Seems that there’s no positive answer, but two likely options….

Elliot Koeppel 10/21/24 Elliot Koeppel 10/21/24

Red Hill Cinder Cone - It’s a Volcano! - California

If you’ve driven along the 395, you’ve most likely passed this volcano and didn’t realize the immense danger you were in.

Elliot Koeppel 8/24/24 Elliot Koeppel 8/24/24

Tip Top Gold Mine - Eastern Sierra - California

It was a beautiful day for a hike, to a place none of us had ever been. I’d read of the Cardinal Mine a few years back, and as chance would have it, our group was spending the week in the area. “Let’s hike to a gold mine,” I said. So we did.

Elliot Koeppel 7/4/22 Elliot Koeppel 7/4/22

Them thar Hills II - Fullerton - California

Elliot Koeppel 6/28/22 Elliot Koeppel 6/28/22

Them thar Hills - Fullerton - California

One of the last large, open-space areas in north Orange County is less than five minutes from where I live. Hundreds of acres, touching four different cities, trails criss-cross the expansive foothills….

Elliot Koeppel 5/20/22 Elliot Koeppel 5/20/22

Desert Christ Park - Yucca Valley - California

Elliot Koeppel 4/2/21 Elliot Koeppel 4/2/21

Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine - California

The best laid plans are often subject to the weather. I had planned on hiking the one-mile loop trail to Heart Lake in Mammoth, and also to wander around the remaining buildings of the Mammoth Consolidated Gold Mine which are right near by.