My Day on Monster Mountain

This week we'll be touching on some spookily-thematic material because, all things considered, Halloween is the wackiest, the tackiest holiday of them all!   Today, we offer you a monster story...

Once upon a time, high atop a hill in Kitakyushu, Japan, lived a monster.   The monster was so fierce that the townspeople lived in constant fear of the earthquakes and tsunamis caused by his fury. 

It was all a bit like "Night on Bald Mountain" from Fantasia.

Dominating Takatoyama (the mountain), the monster prevented direct access to the seaports that supported the local economy.

Honestly, if you were a monster, you'd probably want to keep this view for yourself too.

This four-eyed, two-headed, earthbound, chartreuse people eater terrorized the land for many years until one brave enough, namely the Buddha himself, was able to capture the monster inside a statue, sealing him in with a large nail in the back.

Today, a shrine stands at the top of the Takatoyama recognizing the great courage needed to battle the beast.

Visitors light incense and leave offerings in gratitude of the monster's internment.
We took a moment to inspect the nail just to make sure that it was still quite secure.

The giant mosaic makes the monster look slightly less than threatening,
but, ever the rabble-rouser, Mary tempted fate by acting like she was getting eaten. 

With the monster secured inside the statue, school children are once again free to roam the mountain and practice their best English "Hellos" with weird American tourists.   Is there a better way to live "Happily ever after?"
I think not.

THE END

Or is it???

Not quite.  Apparently Nami and Mary had developed some sort of crazy, monster appetite after visiting Takato "Monster Mountain" Yama so we headed to the local parfait shop.

At Classic Non 1982, the options were varied and enticing.
Mary decided on the chocolate-peanut butter parfait.

The desserts of Japan, usually inspired by the French tradition, were always beautiful and never especially expensive (desserts made with similar care and ingredients in Southern California would cost at least twice as much as their Japanese counterparts).

Nami (just one day before her wedding it should be noted), managed to put away Classic Non's signature parfait.
 Bigger than her head, it contained, cereal, cookie, meringue, brownie, cake, pudding, mousse,whipped cream, ice cream, sorbet, custard, and a small farm stand's worth of chopped fruit.
I was beginning to think that this dessert was the real "Monster Mountain."

Nami did such a good job that the resident pastry chef gave her the thumbs up!

I know many of the celebrations were happening this past weekend, but the big day is still a few days away and that's why we wish you a very wacky tacky and Happy Halloween!!!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

MONSTER PARK III: The Battle for Atlantis - This Time it's Personal

It seems that my initial declaration that surviving, innovative, mid-century parks were few and far between was perhaps a tad premature.  More ubiquitous than I had imagined, parks of a wacky tacky nature are just waiting to be sought out.  Nestled behind an unassuming, public park and high school in Garden Grove, CA stands yet another monument to the genius of the apparently-prolific artist Benjamin Dominguez.  In many ways, Atlantis Play Center might be the best of Dominguez' offerings to Southern California's cultural heritage.  First, the park is well-maintained.  Second, the park includes a literal ocean theme that is carried over hill and dale throughout the entire grounds.  Third, there is a water feature!  Nothing screams wacky tacky like 60's water features!

Unky and Baby wishing they could get in and splash!
(photo by Bea White)

Everywhere you look there are amazing playgrounds
the likes of which they just don't make anymore.

It's not what it looks like
(photo by Bea White)

Mary, Queen of the Starfish
(photo by Bea White)

Not quite as brave as Mary
(photo by Bea White)

Sea Serpent

Taming the Sea Serpent
(photo by Bea White)

Viking Ship

Bea tries out the dragon slide
(photo by Bea White)

Inside the jaws of a killer

Shark Rider
(photo by Bea White)

All of the water fountains in the park are giant clam shells.
(photo by Bea White)

(photo by Bea White)

Tilly Twin Heads
(photo by Bea White)

(photo by Bea White)

Tilly
(photo by Bea White)

The dismount: 6.3 - she didn't quite stick the landing
(photo by Bea White)

Whale Slide
(photo by Bea White)

 Do I spy Jonah?

Neptune's Kingdom

Neptune

There are areas for picnics and parties

The sweetest words I've ever read

Atlantis Play Center
13630 Atlantis Way
Garden Grove, CA
(714)892-6015

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Friday  10am - 2pm
Saturday  10am - 4pm
Sunday  12pm - 4pm

Admission: $1.00

*Keep in mind that adults are not admitted to the park unaccompanied by a child.  It is a good policy to protect kids from creeps!  They couldn't keep our motley crew out!

Our ticket in

All of the good photos in this post are courtesy of Bea White at In My Parent's Car; check out her blog for an interesting perspective and skillful photography.


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

MONSTER PARK II: The Revenge of the Sea Creatures

Not far from La Laguna de San Gabriel Playground in San Gabriel lurks yet another deep sea uprising!  We were ecstatic to learn that the sculptural playgrounds of artist Benjamin Dominguez existed in more than one location.  These creatures are a real fun-for-all and can be found in the charming city of El Monte at the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area.  The name of this enormous park falls a little flat and doesn't nearly do justice to the 1,492 acres of sunny park land.  Whittier Narrows is home to multiple, stocked, man-made lakes that are perfect for casting a line, peddle-boating or just watching the congregation of all kinds of water fowl.  There are trails for walking and peddling surreys.  There are several playgrounds and picnic sites.  There are even areas for racing model boats.  There are also hordes of people to stare at an overgrown man-child as he climbs the playground equipment.

Obviously, we were there for the monsters.

I quickly tamed the beast and the children
were free once more to frolic and play....and then

We spotted another creature off in the distance.

We had no idea what the heck this was supposed to be but it was fun.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Extended exposure to these creatures left me with a few
questions about nature's miracles but they were quickly answered.

So that's where giant baby starfish come from....huh.

Apparently, the water is good for splashing
 too...and the sacrifice of small children.

Unlike La laguna playground, we had to earn these monsters.  They are spread at a great distance all around the lakes and so began our forced march.  Did I get a blister?  Yes.  Did I also get some much-needed, low-impact exercise? You got it.  We left the park injured, thrilled and exhausted but the fun wasn't quite over yet.  On our tour of El Monte, we found another picturesque exhibition of nature's awesome beauty.

Roughly translated from Spanish, I'm pretty sure this means
"Mr. Hondo's Nature Walk."

Mr. Hondo's Nature Walk

Mr. Hondo's Nature Walk is a riparian habitat rife with the spoils of untamed nature.

First, we saw one bird.

Then we saw two birds!

We ended the day at Colonial Kitchen Restaurant in San Marino.

This little gem of a restaurant is one that I had spied many years ago and vowed to one day return.  Thanks to Lori, our dear friend and trusty GPS, we made it there just in time to miss the 4 o'clock, early-bird rush.  Yes, Colonial Kitchen might be known for its above-a-certain-age clientele but it is quaint and reminds me very much of my grandparents.  The lobby is decorated with "Royal Doulton" toby jugs and porcelain bric-a-brac of indeterminate vintage and value.  Green booths, wood paneling, turned- spindle pub chairs and red glass lanterns decorate the dining rooms.  Yelp reviews on this joint are all over the map but to me it actually exceeded expectations.  If you're slumming it San Marino check out Colonial Kitchen and get the waiter with the wicked pompadour!

Original counter seating

We might start a whole blog based solely on the clever way restrooms are labeled.

I must always include the light fixtures.

wacky tacky signs of the day.

Whittier Narrows Recreation Area

823 Lexington-Gallatin Road South El Monte, CA
(626) 575-5526 Colonial Kitchen Restaurant 1110 Huntington Dr  San Marino, CA (626)289-2449 Cheers! Mr. Tiny