Yet more Northridge Quake Pics

Some show my old school, C.S.U.N. having been severely hit. For about 5-7 years after that, they did classes in a series of tents. The old parking structure completely gone and now there's less parking than there was. The library was retrofitted but stayed in place...as ironically the building where yours truly did his studies. Still there...but it was evacuated (insurance) for several years after 1994. A lot of commercial buildings in the area closed off for the next several years.

More Northridge Quake Pics

1971 Sylmar quake and some 1994 Northridge quake pics

The latter started about 630A 2/9/1971; the former about 430A on 1/17/1994. Both seemed to have upward thrust motions...severely disturbing brick buildings and buildings on liquified soils. Both were about the same size. Included is a historical showing of past earthquakes...these can be seen on lower belts below the fault surface...maybe datings can go back a couple of thousand years.

More Magic Mountain

Magic Mountain

They've added a ton of stuff since it started in 1962. Many excellent rides best to get here early in the morning. In the old days you could take the "Colossus" backwards. Pretty interesting going over 60MPH.

Knotts Berry Farm

Knott's more recent coasters. I remember when they first had the "corkscrew coaster" in 1978. Best chicken dinners over there. They've added a couple since then.

More recent coaster

Some of these would definitely be a thrill.

Roller Coasters of yesterday

Santa Monica Pier. The "Pike" Long Beach.

Sage sayings

From a 90 year old in Ohio, "Life isn't fair but it's still good." "Life is too short to waste time hating anyone." "Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch." "You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree." "Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck." "Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about."

"Everything can change in a blink of the eye. Don't worry God never blinks." "It's never to too late to have a second childhood. This time, it's up to you and no one else." "Over prepare. Then, go with the flow." "Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to turn you purple."

"Frame every so called disaster with these words, in five years will this really matter?" "Always choose life." "Forgive everyone everything." "What people think of you is none of your business." "Time heals almost everything." "Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else ever does." "Believe in miracles." "God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do." "Growing old beats the alternative--dying young." "All that truly matters in the end is that you truly loved."

"Envy is a waste of time; you already have what you need." "The best is yet to come." "No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up." "Yield." "Life isn't tied with a bow, but it is still a gift."

Griffith Park again 7/04

Some pics...the vegetation coming back pretty quick. However, it's far more barren than in many years. Some side ridge trails also in the park. Some one can only scramble to the top and make sure their footing is solid with something to grab onto. Steep and large stone outcroppings can add surprise for the hiker. "When in doubt, don't." The monkey still in bloom in places. Some fushia. Many swallows flying around the park today. At one time, the government put in quite a water system. Galvanized lines run up and down most of the hilly terrain. Snakes common this time of year so it's wise to watch out for them, especially if grabbing an outcropping above.

Topanga Canyon State Park

Pics of the Park...this is a mountainous area south of Woodland Hills and extends west way over toward Oxnard. The mountains go right down to the beach and offer quite a contrast. Got to Malibu...here's a quick pic of the ocean. Temperatures excellent only 70 degrees (when it's 90 up in the valley). The beach welcomes you in its primordial and ancient way. Zuma another excellent beach and hiking trails near Decker Canyon Road.

The mountains have a lot of the flora that the San Gabriels do but probably with more fog and humidity. Less dry and sparse as is northward. Tallest point at about 3500 feet above sea level.

However, the population growth is at least doubled here (as many places since 1990).