Sandstone Peak Hike

Last weekend my buddy Steve and I decided we wanted to do a hike that we hadn't done before.  I had heard great things about Sandstone Peak and so we headed out past Malibu and just barely into Ventura county.  Once we got of PCH, we crawled 6 miles up a road that was as windy as roads come.  But we couldn't have asked for nicer weather. It was sunny and about 70.  It took us about an hour to get out there, but it was well worth it.  Sandstone peak is the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountain range, which still isn't all that high at about 3,000 feet.  But boy are there great views.

The rock formations were some of the coolest I've seen.  Huge jagged formation jet up from the rugged mountains.

Not even ten minutes into the hike I spotted a snake slithering across the trail.  Steve jumped into the bush with no hesitation and grabbed the snake by the tail.  Good thing that tail didn't have a rattle on it!  It was a harmless snake but it didn't like being held very much (there is some great video footage to prove it.  But this sucker was pretty big.  After some kodak moments, Steve set the snake free and it crawled away with a slightly bruised ego.

Here is video evidence. Please excuse my language.  I was frightened.

We marched on.  The wildflowers were all in bloom so it made for a beautiful hike.  Very romantic....wait, I mean, it was a very manly ascent to the top, look we even did some bouldering

It was surprisingly green for socal this time of year.  It doesn't look all that green to us norcal people, but trust me, this is pretty rare for socal when summer is approaching.

Buddies! And yes I realize that face isn't very attractive, but hey, it's hiking.
 It was a steep climb up the last push of the mountain, but we finally made it to the peak.  And apparently Sandstone Peak is also called Mt. Allen, which is really confusing. 

Don't do it Steve!!! The views were wicked awesome. We could see from Redondo beach to Santa Barbara.  We hiked around a bit more and came across these pretty sweet views.

Sandstone Peak was a fantastic hike and I highly recommend.  The views are magnificent and it really isn't that long of a hike or that hard.

Please stand by...

I've got to apologize to anyone who reads this on a consistent basis....if such a person exists. Well, I was slacking this week, but I really didn't have anything to post, as I was back up in Nor Cal over the weekend.  I could write about that, but I kind of want to keep this strictly SoCal, hence the name.  But I do need to come up with more material on a more consistent basis.  I have a few ideas, like writing about my job, but what do you all want to hear about?  Suggestions? Please comment....

Anyways, I am gearing up for some adventure this weekend, so look for a new post on Monday!

Thanks!

~Schu

Oh, ya, below is Nathan cracking my birthday champagne! 

Diddy Riese

Another great weekend in LA.  My sister Emily was in town for a soccer tournament and I got to show her around.  I of course took her to Bruno's because I had Italian on my mind (see my Bruno's post).  After a great meal we cruised over to Westwood (in style I might add ;^) We met up with our family friend Kelsey who is a student at UCLA.  When you are in or near Westwood it is pretty much mandatory that you visit this week's featured post.... Diddy Riese.

Diddy Riese is a legend in LA.  They are known for their ice cream cookie sandwiches.  It is two freshly baked cookies of your choice sandwiching a generous scoop of your favorite flavor.  For $1.50.  That's right, a buck and a half.  You can't even buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks for a buck and a half.  Needless to say this place is popular.  Come on a Friday night and the line will be all the way down the block.  Luckily the guys working are pros and the line moves fairly quickly.  This place will make you drive out of your way to satisfy a craving.  Case in point, a few weeks ago Jaime and I were heading to Orange County from Hollywood and anyone who knows the geography of LA knows that Westwood is not on the way.  But we had to have our Diddy!  It was 12:30 in the morning for god-sakes, but it was worth it!

Apparently they sell snow cones at Diddy too. Which I had never realized.  Kelsey got one and it was actually very good.  But if you don't live in Westwood and aren't within walking distance to Diddy, go with the cookie sandwich.  My go to sandwich is mint chip ice cream with two chocolate chip cookies.  What is your Diddy combo?
Schu Stamp of approval.

http://www.diddyriese.com 

I also watched Emily's soccer games and it was fun to see her play, although I think I got a little too much sun and was starting to get a little bit loopy.

Bay Cities Deli

Quick update, I went up to the bay area this weekend.  It was an amazing weekend and I loved it.  I had been craving some quality wine tasting and I got my fill.  But alas this means no LA adventures happened this weekend, unless you count battling the traffic from LAX to work this morning.  However, I have been waiting to post this adventure for quite some time now.  It is long overdue.

The legendary Bay Cities Deli

It just might be my favorite eatery in all of LA I have found thus far.  It is certainly the best sandwich I have had here, and maybe ever.  I know this is a huge claim, but Bay Cities can back it up.  Bay Cities is a full on Italian Deli and grocer and it is all the rage in Santa Monica.  In the hours surrounding lunch it is a mad house.  Cars turning into the parking lot can stop traffic for blocks.

So what's the big deal? What is the appeal? Well it certainly isn't the service.  Think Soup Nazi.  It is a process to get a sandwich here.  I will take you through it. Close your eyes.  Wait! Don't really close your eyes, you are reading. Unless someone is reading this to you, just close your eyes metaphorically.
You walk into the store and it is packed.  You fight your way to the deli counter, past the hordes of lucky souls that are already in the snaking line to pay for their 10 inches of heaven.  There is a frenzy of activity behind the counter as guys yell and make sandwiches.  You then grab a number. 86.  You look up to an old number counter on the wall.  42. Damn.  You have a while to go.  You start to browse the imported pastas and cookies in the next isle, but you get nervous that they might pass you by and you hurry back.

  You get a call on your cell phone, but you quickly silence it.  You painfully remember what happened last time you took a call while trying to order.  Now the guys are flying through numbers and passing them by because people are either gone or not stepping up.  You notice a guy in the corner trying to speak up but he just gets passed by.  Poor newbie.  But you are ready, you are focused. 86! You shout and hold up your number.  Now it's time to order.  And you've got it down.  Turkey sandwich on Italian with the works, spicy, cheddar cheese, hold the mustard and onions.  And then you wait, patiently, but they are pretty fast.  And finally, they pass you your sandwich and you cradle it like a newborn and fight your way to the register.  You make your way to the cash line, because you know it's much faster.  They ring you up, $8.45, yeah a little more than Subway, but then you slap yourself because Subway shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Bay Cities.  You walk through the automatic doors and take a seat outside next to a stranger.  But he is no strange, he is your brother, bonded by your mutual love for the sandwich.  And you unwrap the sandwich and bite in.

And it tastes so F*$&ing good.

Or you can order online and skip most of the process.  But the process is half the fun.  It is an experience.  All kidding aside, the sandwiches here are phenomenal.  It is all in the ingredients.  And they have a huge selection of sandwich ingredients.  Favorites include Boars Head meats, homemade pepper relish, and the bread.  Bread really sets sandwiches apart more than anything else.  And Bay Cities' bread is special.  They bake it in house constantly throughout the day, so it is always fresh.  There is also a whole hot bar there that I haven't even experimented with yet.  They have a large selection of cheeses and a decent wine inventory as well.  The best part is that Bay Cities is only 4 blocks from my work.  And it never gets old.  If you are ready to have the best sandwich you have had in a very long time, than go ahead and hit up Bay Cities Deli.  You will not be disappointed with your food.  That is a guarantee.   I think it is pretty obvious that Bay Cities Deli gets the Schu stamp of approval.  http://www.baycitiesitaliandeli.com/