Camping on the Rim of the World

The Waverly Four have returned from the wild!

Chad, Erika, Tyler and I spent the last three nights in the San Bernardino National Forest, at Dogwood Campground near Lake Arrowhead (about an hour from Big Bear.) It was a much needed getaway from the smog and noise of the big bad city, and despite a couple of minor catastrophes it was just what the doctor ordered!

Dogwood was a great campground - rustic yet comfortable (hot showers!) And of course Chad was happy because he got to chop and burn things.

Lake Arrowhead was just 5 minutes away - blue and beautiful, with lots of quaint shops and restaurants. Unforunately it's all private access, so no swimming for us. :(

GIANT FISH EVERYWHERE! And these ducks were so funny...

We asked around about where we COULD go swimming/wading, and a local recommended Deep Creek, right along the famed Pacific Crest Trail. So off we hiked in the hot sun, backpacks filled with sandwiches, and meandered our way down this refreshingly cool creek.

Eventually we found our way down to THIS impressive spot!

The water was deep enough for some 'cliff diving' of sorts (for Chad anyway - the rest of us were too chicken!) Check it out!

Unfortunately for me it was in this pristine and rugged setting that disaster struck - I slipped and severely banged up the arch of my foot on a rock, and spent the rest of the boulder scrambling return trip limping along barefoot. Argg!! Stay tuned for impressive bruise photos...

Of course one bum foot couldn't ruin an adventure to such an awe-inspiring place. They call it "The Rim of the World" and they ain't joking. I could not describe it better myself.

And below is the famed foot fiasco... I don't know if you can see all the bruising but it's there! Youch!

Sigh...I really do love camping - grew up loving it - but of all vacations it is definitely the kind I am most happy to return home from, to my own bed and food and clean clothes. I adored our time at Dogwood, and am so excited to go back someday and do more exploring (on two feet!).

But for now Chad and I have our 5 year anniversary trip to look forward to! Just two weeks away!

Valentine's Day

I am proud (?) to say I have now officially spent not one, but TWO nights in a cemetary. Chad too, and our roomies Erika and Tyler...

...Of course, what else could we be doing in a graveyard all night but filming something! This particular something is a new film starring a lot of big names called Valentine's Day, directed by the infamous Garry Marshall. It's a movie about ... um ... love? on Valentine's Day? I don't know... from what one of the stars was telling us it sounds a lot like Love Actually.

The scene was shot at Hollywood Forever Cemetary, which is a really interesting place, as strange as that may sound. It's very old, and a lot of famous people are buried there. Anyway, in real life (pardon the pun) they show movies here on Saturday nights in the summer and people come picnic on this grassy area (with NO gravestones) and watch the movie projected on a big white wall. We've been meaning to do this but just have never had the time or money really.

It wasn't that scary to be there overnight, except for any time you were by yourself - like walking to the bathroom. But for the most part I honestly forgot we were even in a cemetary, and I think everyone else did too.

Anyway, the scene involved three actors you might know, Topher Grace (who was standing literally right next to us), Hector Elizando (a very nice gentleman, who you may know from Pretty Woman & other romantic comedies) and last but not least, the one and only Shirley McClaine (who was very funny between takes, and very moving during them!) If they use these particular scenes in the movie (and I'm nearly positive they will) there is no way you WON'T see all four of us.

It was my first time back on a set in about 7 months, and I had a really great time (aside from having to stay up all night and being a little cold) Now that I'm settled into my job I'm hoping to do more BG again - so long as it doesn't interfere with my work hours. The extra pay would definitely be nice - especially since we are trying desperately to save up for our 5 year anniversary trip to San Diego in August, followed by Julia's wedding in September!

Ten on Ten :: July

tenontenphotojournal.blogspot.com

Oh, the things we do...

...to get work.

I spent about a half hour trying to get this photo right to submit for work on an upcoming post-apocalyptic vampire film seeking very pale skinned, emaciated, desperate-looking types with stringy hair and no makeup. What do you think? Do I fit the bill?

Chad sure had a laugh watching me take photo after photo of myself looking all freaky. :)

An Afternoon at Chavez Ravine

We spent a lovely, entirely FREE afternoon at the Dodgers vs. Mariners game last weekend. Shady seats on a ridiculously hot day, sandwiches and snacks from home, a Mariners' win and the wonderful company of our good friends Jeff and Gina...who could ask for more?

Hope you're enjoying your summer - hot times here in LA! Can you believe July is already here?