Travel, Food, Technology and More!

 One of the first things you realize about Joshua Tree National Park is it’s size.   Spend some time before your trip to plan what areas/trails you would like to see.   At over 789,745 acres, you will have plenty to choose from.  Temperatures can vary greatly depending what time of year you visit the park.  Make sure to bring lots of sunscreen, and water.    

We chose a relatively short hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain (2-3 hours, 3 miles round trip).   The summit is at 5,461 ft., affording you views of Lost Horse, Queen, and Pleasant Valleys.  You really get a great 360 view of the park from the top.   If you are afraid of heights, this is not the hike for you (I won’t mention any names). 

I am looking forward to coming back soon to explore other areas of the park.   There is so much to cover, you could easily spend a week here and not see everything. 

Official Website:
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

Contact Info:
Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA 92277-3597
(760) 367-5500

Ryan Mountain Trailhead:
 34° 0′9.11″N
116° 8′9.16″W

 

So I had a day off of work and was trying to think of something to do.  I get so few off I didn’t want to waste it.  I was going over several hiking trails, and found Escondido Canyon.  Of course you need to eat before you hike, and luckily I found this amazing place next to the trail called Geoffrey’s.  

While you may feel a bit underdressed in your hiking cloths, jeans and t-shirts are just fine for lunch.   When you pull in, you will need to valet your car (unless you can find parking on PCH).  It’s only $5 and included on your bill.  

When you walk through the entrance to the patio to be seated, breathtaking panoramic views of the Malibu coastline hit you on all sides.  It was a perfectly clear day and you could see all the way to Palos Verdes, Catalina, and the Channel Islands.

Enough on the view – the real reason you go to a restaurant is to eat, right?   You won’t be disappointed.  I ordered the lunch filet with vegetables.  Extremely tender and perfectly seasoned, the filet was accompanied by a exquisite sauce. 

If lunch is any indication of dinner, I would imagine it would be absolutely amazing.  I’d love to come back for a sunset dinner on a full moon to enjoy the view and great food.

Official Website:
http://www.geoffreysmalibu.com/

Contact Info:
27400 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA  90265
(310) 457-1519

Restaurant:
 34° 1′31.06″N
118°46′10.70″W

 

Since the end of COMDEX, I’ve always wanted to attend the Consumer Electronics Show.   I knew it was big, but didn’t expect it to be as expansive as it was.   I only gave myself two days, which was not enough.   Next year I’ll plan on spending at least 2 1/2 days.  

Registration was quick and easy online.  It is free as long as you do it early enough.   You will receive a badge in the mail, so you only have to go to the badge holder pickup area once arriving. 

Take time before the conference to plan out what areas you want to see.  This will help you bypass all of those iPhone skin displays that seem to take up an entire hall. 

By far the best and most amazing display was Samsung’s.   Showcasing its new LED TVs – both 2D and 3D, the exhibit featured several flowers all focused to a central area.  When standing in the middle of the display, it felt like you were in electronics heaven.   

http://www.samsung.com/us/

 

Also notable was the Microsoft exhibit.   I was particularly impressed with the new Windows 7 multi-touch capabilities.  It basically converts your monitor into a big iPhone/iPod Touch.   There will undoubtedly be many new innovations in software utilizing this new functionality. 

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=320-1172

 

Another item that had an incredible “cool” factor was the HoloAD.  It basically lets you display your ad in 3-D without using glasses.   The applications for this in the advertising world are endless. 

http://www.innovision.com.tw/hoload.html

 

CES Official Website:
http://www.cesweb.org/

Contact Info:
(866) 233-7968

Main Exhibit Halls:
 36° 7′55.57″N
115° 9′10.21″W

A group of friends went to Hawaii over Thanksgiving this year.   While going for a casual drive, we came upon the Diamond Head Crater.   Feeling adventurous, we decided to give it a shot. 

If we had it to do over, we would have definitely wore tennis shoes (not flip flops) and brought along some water.    It is a relatively short hike (about 40 minutes up, and 20-30 minutes down).  As you ascend the side of the crater, beautiful panoramas of the entire island come into view.  We had an absolutely perfect day, and snapped some amazing photos.   If you are afraid of stairs, you will want to avoid this.  We actually saw one person look at the larges series of stairs and head back.  At the top you actually get to see some of the WWII gun turrets at the top of the mountain.  One of the best views is that of Waikiki beach, where you can see a modern city with every amenity imaginable meet the crystal blue waters of the Pacific.

After you are finished and back at the parking lot in the base of the crater, don’t forget to try some shaved ice.  I don’t know if it was the fact we forgot water, but the shaved iced was the best I ever had!  I’d definitely like to repeat this hike the next time we go.  

Official Website:
http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/hiking/oahu/Index.cfm?hike_id=2

Contact Information:
Off Diamond Head Road
Between Makapu’u Avenue and 18th Avenue, Honolulu, HI
 (808) 984-8109

Trail Head:
 21°15′48.19″N
157°48′18.97″W

 

We got a late start to Kennedy Space Center, but were glad to find that they reduced their rate in the afternoon.  We just missed the last bus to the launch pad the day before an Atlantis launch!  There were still plenty of things to see. 

New in 2007, the Space Shuttle Launch Experience was an A+ attraction.  Even though it was quite busy the day before the launch, the wait wasn’t very long at all.   The simulator actually raises you to a 90 degree angle and shakes you like the real thing.  On its own it was worth the price of admission.

Next to the simulator is a full size replica of the space shuttle you can go inside to explore.    

Also notable was the 3D IMAX movie of the International Space Station.  It felt like you were really there!   It uses the same 3-D technology the new movie Avatar uses, which is a bit more realistic than the old fashion red and blue cardboard glasses.     

After the movie, of course we had to stop at the gift shop and stock up on souvenirs. 

The next day we saw the shuttle launch from the airport.  Hopefully we’ll be able to come back before the end of the program to whitness it closer. 

Official Website:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/home/index.html

Contact Info:
State Road 405 East
Cape Canaveral, FL 32899
(321) 449-4400