Among lots of fence building and yard prep for garden and chickens, Ryan and I went to Los Angeles for a week, for the IHS optometry conference in Fullerton. So, like last time, I had several days to explore the vast concrete jungle of LA, and had a lot of fun! Perhaps the best, most indulgent highlight of the trip was my field trip downtown to BabycakesNYC, a gluten-free bakery. I went to a different one last year, which was good, but somehow this was more fun. It was right downtown, more hip, people going in and out - and it was all sweets! Cupcakes, donuts, sweet breads, muffins, etc., so it smelled divine! I ate a cupcake. Then a donut with coffee. Then I bought more to go. See? Indulgent. (But how often do I get to walk into a bakery where I can eat [almost] everything inside?!)
I also drove all the way across town to the Getty Center, which is a pretty neat complex full of art, architecture, gardens and views.
Another day, I biked around Fullerton, getting my hair cut, going to a farmer's market. I found a table selling lemongrass, some divine looking ginger root, okra leaves, various other odd bits of produce. Simultaneously, an organizer of the farmers market came by to discipline the [Asian] stand-owner for not giving the same prices to Asian women and white women, while at the same time two small Asian (Thai?) women almost got in a cat-fight with each other when they were trying to give me directions to a little Asian supermarket where I could find lime leaves.
We also had an adventure across town nearly all the way to Pasadena for an optometry friend to buy a race car he found on craigslist (yes, a race car)- and found a delightful little Thai restaurant in the meantime. We made it to an Angel's game, and I fit in a drive around Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and up to Mulholland Drive just to see the extravagance and views.
Another highlight of the week was when Ryan and I headed down one afternoon to Laguna Beach and Crystal Cove State Park for a 3+ hour mountain bike ride over the rolling hillsides above the coast,
before catching dinner at a small Mexican joint that Jim, former Laguna Beach resident of 30 yrs recommended.
Lastly, we made a stop for a hike, one night of camping, and a quick road bike ride in Joshua Tree National Park with Melanie and Ronda. 
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