LA DPC Meet # 3 - DPChallenge Forums

07/08/2004 07:22:32 PM · #26

Well, I hate being wishy washy and discouraged so I've changed my mind. I'll go anywhere you guys want to go. Vasquez rocks, downtown, someone's backyard...whereever. I was also watching this show on travel channel about the top spots in the West and now there are places I want to visit like the Channel Islands and Catalina (not mentioned in the show). The Channel Islands are a bit far for a day trip but Catalina is doable in a day. I also like the idea Chuck gave about buying a Metro pass. We could go stop by stop or whatever suits us.

Arie, I also just read your post in the same one I wrote to about being in this discouraged state and you're in the same boat as I am. I had no idea as I must have really skipped through a lot of posts. We can go out and be discouraged together! :)

07/08/2004 07:29:51 PM · #27

Okay, so are we on for Vasquez Rocks again? Greg, as long as you & I encourage each other... we can find beauty in the world and photograph it. We don't have to sell it, we have to love it!

:) Arie

07/09/2004 12:47:54 AM · #28

You know what we should do? A friend of mine started this but he hasn't kep up with his end of the bargain so I gave up pushing him. We agreed to take at least ONE really good photo a month. I would send him my photos but he never took any to share. So, what do you think? This would get us off our lazy butts and encourage us to take some pictures. Well, we're already meeting quite often so I don't think it would be a problem. And we could also critique them as if they were in a challenge. As such, we'd need to keep the photo sizes etc in line with DPC rules (640 pixel max and 150kb file size). We could start with our Suinday meet...

07/09/2004 10:56:53 AM · #29

I am totally up for it! I need to get better. Not everyone has to do it if they are busy, but it would be great if those of us who wanted to do this project could help each other!!!

I'm in!

So, the rocks.... ?

07/09/2004 12:34:58 PM · #30

I'm still down for Vasquez Rocks. Maybe we can spend a couple of hours there and move on to somewhere else close by. Should we all pack a lunch? Where are we going to meet? We may have to rely on our cell phones. We should all be in the vicinity of the 5 and 405 by 7:30am and maybe we could take the first exit off of the 5 from that interstate intersection and meet there. What do your think?

07/09/2004 12:50:13 PM · #31

Sounds good. Okay, the Irvine Spectrum is RIGHT THERE! Let's meet there at 7:30am outside of Robinson's May. I'll have my cell phone on.

If you want to mapquest it:
Irvine Spectrum Center
71 Fortune Drive Irvine CA, 92618

Does anyone want to meet me in Chinatown and drive down there with me?
A packed lunch is a great idea! :)

As for going somewhere after that, not sure... perhaps. I say let's see how hot it is and how tired we are and play it by ear. We should have some ideas in mind though. What else is in the area?

Arie

07/09/2004 01:47:38 PM · #32

Woah... I'm confused... The Irvine Spectrum is nowhere near Vasquez Rockes. Did I miss something???

07/09/2004 02:58:05 PM · #33

Maybe I confused things when I said:

"We should all be in the vicinity of the 5 and 405 by 7:30am and maybe we could take the first exit off of the 5 from that interstate intersection and meet there"

Arie, the Irvine spectrum is in the wrong direction!

These are the directions posted by Greg earlier:

DIRECTIONS:
From Los Angeles, take the I-5 northbound to the Antelope Valley Freeway, the 14 east.Â You will drive about 25 minutes and will see the Vasquez Rocks off to the left-hand side of the freeway.Â Exit right at Agua Dulce Canyon Road and turn left, and you will drive under the freeway and across the Sierra Pacific Railroad and wind uphill until you reach Escondido Canyon Road.Â Make a right turn and you will see the park off to your right and will be right in front of it, as you enter from Escondido Canyon Road.Â There is no park fee!

Use this address for your MapQuest search:

10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd.
Agua Dulce, CA 91350

07/09/2004 03:00:47 PM · #34

Chuck,

I am in Winnetka. I can pick you up if you'd like.

07/09/2004 03:03:53 PM · #35

Yeah, i am new to CA, so I have no idea where these rocks are or what's in what direction. So, the 405 and 5 meet again up North? Okay, so, what's around there that we could meet at?

arie

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

07/09/2004 03:06:01 PM · #36

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

Yeah, i am new to CA, so I have no idea where these rocks are or what's in what direction. So, the 405 and 5 meet again up North? Okay, so, what's around there that we could meet at?

arie

Ari, still go check out the Spectrum sometime. It is a cool place. And have fun on this next meet! Wish I were still down there!

07/09/2004 03:16:39 PM · #37

You'll have to drive down and join us someday!

Kylie

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35

07/09/2004 03:19:42 PM · #38

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

You'll have to drive down and join us someday!

How I would love to!! Now just convince the husband and daughter! lol We go down there regularly (just back from there last week), but they just don't see it as one big photo shoot like I do ;o)

07/09/2004 03:29:14 PM · #39

Originally posted by qmdi:

Chuck,

I am in Winnetka. I can pick you up if you'd like.

Eric:

Thanks for the offer. I need to be back by about 1:30 p.m. due to a meeting I have to attend. However, if we will be back by then, carpooling would be fine. I don't mind driving either, so if we do carpool, either of us can drive... your choice... as long as we pick up coffee for the drive up :)

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

07/09/2004 03:33:25 PM · #40

Coffee sounds good, but it will be hot out so it could be dehydrating. Bring lots of water! I'll bring a bag lunch with me. Greg, where do you live? Perhaps we could drive up together...

arie

Gringo

Nikon D2X

07/09/2004 04:01:37 PM · #41

Wow, I didn't know of this place until reading about it here today.

Here's a link I found with some interesting history:

Vasquez Rocks

Looks like fun! It looks HOT! Bring water!

07/09/2004 06:10:18 PM · #42

Great link, Gringo! Thank you!! :)

07/10/2004 12:37:54 AM · #43

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

Coffee sounds good, but it will be hot out so it could be dehydrating. Bring lots of water! I'll bring a bag lunch with me. Greg, where do you live? Perhaps we could drive up together...

arie

I live in the South Bay area near Torrance. I'm willing to pick you up or be a passenger. Doesn't matter to me. Or...we can meet up in the valley near Eric and caravan (not to make this even more difficult to coordinate). :D

07/10/2004 01:41:38 AM · #44

Another of my famous replies to a reply. Just a reminder to Arie and everyone else: WEAR SUNBLOCK! I will for sure since I burn when under a 1 watt bulb. I also bought a couple of goofy fishing hats and one of them was just washed (no idea who wore them in the store) and the other is hand wash only and is super goofy. My thinking is, better goofy looking than burned, right? I'll bring both so someone can wear the other one if they wish.

07/10/2004 02:15:59 AM · #45

OK, so lets see if we can get this pinned down...

1. We are going to Vasquez Rocks. has anyone been there? Is there enough there to keep us occupied? From the links, all I could see was the rocks. Hopefully the heat and drive are worth it.

2. Based on where it seems everyone is coming from (Chinatown, Torrance), it might be easier to meet somewhere here in the valley and carpool/caravan. The earlier suggestion of the first exit off the 5 past the intersection with the 405 makes sense, but I don't know what is there... is there a place we can meet there?

3. I have no problem driving or being a passenger. I think the carpool idea is good and if we need multiple cars, a caravan is good too. How long do you all think you will be up there? My guess is I will have to leave for home no later than 1:00p.m. If that is too early for everyone, I will be happy to drive separately so as not to cramp anyone's style.

4. As for extra hats, I have some spare (brand new, never worn) baseball style caps. If anyone needs one, let me know so I can bring it.

Have I covered it all????

07/10/2004 04:59:16 AM · #46

Originally posted by SoCal69:

Hi Chuck,

I have been there several times. Check out my photos of Vasquez Rocks this will give you an idea of what to expect. It really is just very large area with different rock formations.

I think it might just be a good idea to meet somewhere and caravan. I plan on spending a good chunk of the day down there. I think we can cover Vasquez Rocks probably in a couple of hours but I may take off from there and see what else I can find.

Saturday, I will take a drive to where the 405 and 5 meet and find an exit that we all can meet at. I will let everyone know what I come up with.

Eric

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

07/10/2004 10:53:27 AM · #47

O.K. so I woke up early and took a drive. I think the best exit off of interstate 5 to meet at is "Roxford" take that exit and make a right and your will see a McDonalds. We can meet in the parking lot.

What do you think?

Eric

Spork99

OM System OM-1

07/10/2004 11:36:07 AM · #48

Damn, you guys are makin' me homesick.

I don't live out there anymore, or I'd volunteer to be the tour guide. I grew up in Santa Clarita and have been to Vasquez Rocks many, many times. You should enjoy it.

If you want to take a bit of a longer drive, there are LOTS of interesting sights (dry lakebeds, abandoned mines, joshua trees etc.) if you drive further out the 14 and get off and wander about in the desert. Just make sure you bring enough water and a decent vehicle.

07/10/2004 11:49:56 AM · #49

Originally posted by qmdi:

Sounds good to me. did we decide on 7:30 a.m.?

Sorry I have to cut out by 1:00, but I have to go to this meeting. If anyone else is planning on returning around the same time, I have room in my car for carpooling. If nothing else, I can also take passengers in the a.m.

Spazmo... sorry you can't make it, but I can see how Michigan is a little bit of a drive for you! I think it will be a fun outing!

Message edited by author 2004-07-10 11:51:37.