Apparently, if you’re not from the flawless, beautiful, picturesque state of perfection known as California, you don’t have real beaches.
My California friends don’t seem to realize that there are other people around the country (and world) that live quite contently even though they don’t permanently reside in California. These people go about their day walking the dog, going to work, and hanging out with friends. They sometimes have to put on a light jacket, but they still find happiness in life! INCREDIBLE!
Some Californians refuse to accept this. Such arrogance was shown when I told one of my Golden State friends that I was going back to Michigan to celebrate the 4th of July on the beach.
“You know that’s not a real beach right?”
I’ll show you what a real beach is. Cue the video:
Remember when I said I was making a new series on YouTube called LA Neighborhoods? I forgot to post the first episode. It’s all about Hollywood. Check it out on YouTube here:
I had a lot of extra footage from my NorCal road trip. I didn’t want to let it go to waste, so I made another video. I wanted to take the traditional “how to” video and put my own spin on it. I hope you enjoy:
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIP: See As Much As Possible and Ignore the Trolls
I’m not the type of person who wastes time during vacations. If I’m visiting a new place I try to see everything I can in the small amount of time I have. Only once I feel like I’ve seen everything, then I can relax. It’s just how I’m wired.
Most people hate going on vacation with me, especially if I’m filming. These are the types of things I say:
“THERE ARE TWO HOURS OF SUNLIGHT LEFT. WE CAN GET TO THE NEXT 18 PLACES IF WE HURRY!”
“WHY WOULD YOU TAKE A NAP RIGHT NOW?!”
“I DON’T HAVE TIME TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS. WE HAVE TO GET THIS SHOT.”
Believe it or not, I managed to convince two friends to come on a week-long road trip with me through Northern California. I probably won them over when I pitched the beautiful bluffs of the Pacific Coast Highway, the scenic drive up to Glacier Point in Yosemite, and the peaceful Emerald Bay of Lake Tahoe. But I knew it wouldn’t be all pretty landscapes.
Meet Charles and Jinelle. Actually just Jinelle. You already met Charles in my Salton Sea video. I’m just going to assume all my readers have my videos memorized and know exactly who I’m talking about. Jinelle is our friend from Michigan who actually flew out just for the trip! I must have really pitched road trip idea well! We go way back to the middle school years. And we met Charles in college. The three of us get along great, especially when they do what I want them to do.
Anyway, we had one week to make this trip happen. I told them where we’d be going: Yosemite, Tahoe, Shasta, Avenue of the Giants, San Francisco, and Big Sur. It was an ambitious plan to see so many world-renowned places in seven days. And each place would probably be better explored in seven days on their own. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me from having an awesome adventure. I was going to see as much of NorCal as I could.
Jinelle flew into LAX at 10:30PM and we began our adventure at 3:50AM. Actually, that’s the perfect lead in to this video. You’ll see why:
I promise it’s somewhat entertaining. And it’s short.
I posted this video to Reddit and other social media sites. These were some of the responses I got:
“You go to see beautiful sites in nature and then B**@#($& about not finding a hotel? Try camping. LOSER!”
“I hate when people travel just to check things off their bucket list instead of actually spending time to enjoy a place.”
Personally, I think a more constructive criticism would have been about Charles’ wardrobe choices:
Look at that sock game!
As the video showed, the trip was fast, fun, and full of some amazing scenery. This is the type of trip I like to take and I hope I can do more in the future. Unfortunately this thing called real life gets in the way right now. If you’d like to sponsor me, I’d be willing to take monthly payments so I can buy a tent, take longer, more meaningful trips, and silence my critics. I’m very sensitive to their opinions.
Don’t wait for the perfect moment, situation, or right way to travel. As always, go trip yourself!
Vasquez Rocks and Charlie Brown Farms – Day Trip Near Los Angeles
Hey.
I wanted to write a quick post and share two new videos. A few weeks ago, my friend Charles and I took a day trip to Vasquez Rocks. I’m sure you’ve seen Vasquez Rocks, even if you don’t recognize the name, because it is in about 29384720639680 films and TV shows. Most notably: Star Trek, Power Rangers, The Flintstones, Austin Powers, and Planet of the Apes. It’s very easy to get to and right outside LA.
On our way back, we stopped at Charlie Brown Farms. I didn’t really do much research before we went, so I was very confused when I arrived and there was no farm. Basically it’s a shop that sells nostalgic candy, Texas BBQ, deliciously-unhealthy desserts, toys, gifts, and strange, life-size statues. Outside you’ll find Santa, locked in a fence with a Pterodactyl, lion, horses, and the Eiffel Tower. Why they are locked up, I have no idea. Why they are even there, I have no idea. I’m pretty sure you can buy some of them, though. I guess putting dinosaurs outside your home would be kind of awesome.
“Which house does Randy live in?”
“Oh you can’t miss it. It’s the one with the triceratops in the front yard!”
Anyway, if you’re planning a road trip near LA, make a pit stop at Charlie Brown Farms.
Salton Sea Road Trip: 4 Things you Absolutely, Undoubtedly, No-Question-About-It, Must See at Salton Sea Before You DIE!!
Wasn’t that such a Buzzfeed-esque/clickbait title? I feel like I could have perhaps pushed it a little further by adding “OMG!” or “…You won’t believe #4!”
Anyway, if you don’t want to read about my Salton Sea road trip, just watch my video of it here. It’s short, upbeat, and gives you the gist of things:
That’s all. Thanks for reading.
Just kidding. I guess since you’re still reading you want to know the four things you absolutely, undoubtedly, no-question-about-it, must see at Salton Sea before you die.
Salton Sea is about three hours southeast of Los Angeles and used to be a top vacation destination for Californians. Over time, the sea has slowly shrunk, and died, turning the once pristine beach community into a smelly ghost town.
1. The Big, Smelly, Great Sea
The shrinking sea that smells like rotten eggs is definitely a must. Different locations have different amenities. If you go to the Salton Sea Recreation Area ($5) you’ll see a nice-looking beach*, with beautiful picnic tables and a visitor center. You’ll also see piles of dead fish. Or a fish on a stick!
*only from afar
If you go to Bombay Beach (free), however, you’ll first enter a town where you’re unsure if there’s anyone left living there (there are). It’s tiny, but fascinating. A few houses and trailers are in okay condition, while others are completely abandoned and falling apart. The beach itself follows the latter. Rusted machinery, a pier, and random furniture litter the shoreline in each direction.
2. Niland
If you follow the coast of the sea down to the southern tip, you’ll find the city of Niland. Niland is a town that also looks like it is abandoned, yet isn’t. It takes about 30 seconds to pass through, and there’s a gas station, a motel, a restaurant, and a broken pay phone. We tried to stay at the motel, but there was no answer when we arrived. Luckily, the restaurant we tried for lunch not only answered, but they were serving lunch until 2pm, and provided edible food.
3. Slab City/East Jesus
If you love hippies in the desert making art out of junk, you’ll love this place! The hippies also provide free tours in East Jesus. Definitely go there. The art is literally made out of junk. I wasn’t being rude. The rest of Slab City is unique too, as I was never quite sure what I was looking at. Again, you’ll find trailers, “homes,” art installations, and communal gathering areas for those individuals who enjoy living off the grid.
4. Salvation Mountain
Salvation Mountain is probably the most popular stop for people visiting Salton Sea. It’s, in my opinion, the most impressive piece of work in this area as it was created by one man, Leonard Knight. Salvation Mountain is a hill that’s been painted in colorful Bible verses and Christian sayings. There are rooms, passageways, stairs, and painted cars and trucks to explore. Knight died a few years ago, but many people volunteer to keep the site from turning into the rest of the area.
Although my Salton Sea road trip was an enjoyable one and I find the abandoned/post-apocalyptic theme of the area fascinating, it was also kind of depressing to see. Everything is dead or dying, and you’re essentially driving through a barren wasteland. The remains of what used to be an exuberant and thriving community are found everywhere. You can find homes that still have food in the pantry as though, one day, everyone rushed out and left for good.
To end on a less depressing note, I might be getting a new camera lens soon. And last night, I ate six slices of pizza.
ROAD TRIP RANDY 