2020: A Year in Review, Pt. 1

2020 is a year that will go down in history as…well, yet to be determined how it will be classified, but for many it was not a year for good memories. I have been very fortunate in that the pandemic allowed me more time with Willis, continued employment, and the ability to travel via automobile. My number one goal was to improve my health, which meant better eating and a regular exercise regimen. I also made it a goal to get back to the canvas and start painting, which I did, too. This post is a quick summary of the highlights, which started with the virgin trip to Joshua Tree State Park. I was in the Palm Springs area for the wedding of my very good friends Kamy and Amanda. It was definitely one of the most beautiful and touching ceremonies I have been invited to. The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs was the perfect backdrop.

The ready-made family of Amanda, Famous the dog, and Kamy:

The one (and only) plane trip of the year was to Austin, Texas to visit my brother and his family.

I allowed myself one night at the South Congress Hotel, so that I could get some shots of an area I hadn’t really explored before.

The hotel was an excellent choice; hip, clean, and the perfect location.

Neon was in abundance on Congress Avenue:

Back in California, I had the honor of doing the “farewell” shoot of the Dearly Departed Museum in Hollywood before everything was packed up and put in storage.

I was able to get up close and personal with the Jayne Mansfield death car:

The Shirley Temple that Shirley Temple refused!

My one and only “live” concert for 2020 was to hear The Doo Wop Project when they performed in Palm Springs:

It’s always a treat to hear these guys in concert.

2020 marked my first trip to the Anzo Borrego desert:

The pandemic allowed me to capture these shots of an empty Balboa Park at sunset:

There were still reasons to celebrate in 2020; I was hired to do a graduation shoot at San Diego State University:

SO many firsts for me in 2020, including lunch at the Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook:

…and my first trip on the Angels Flight Railway:

While in Laguna Beach for a photo shoot, I captured this. Yes, the anger that was building in this nation was palpable.

A photo shot took me back to Long Beach, which is so close to where I live but a place I rarely spend time in.

I dined twice at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island:

I decided to wear a vintage Hawaiian shirt that belonged to my dad. I had worn it frequently during my college years, and it still fit!

I joined Eric Lynxwiler (neon aficionado and LA history/Knott’s Berry Farm expert) and Darin for the first dining experience at Bali Hai:

…and with the group of guys I have been doing my outdoor workouts with. We definitely had earned our dinner (and drinks)!

Stay tuned for Part 2 on Monday! See more Daveland photos at my main website.

South Congress Hotel

For my most recent trip to Austin I stayed at the South Congress Hotel on…South Congress Avenue! This hip little boutique hotel hit all the marks on my hotel meter.



When I checked in I was told that I had received an upgrade. That’s always good news to my ears, and makes a great first impression.



Spacious and well-appointed room: check!



Great view of South Congress Avenue: check!



A bathroom that doesn’t make you feel claustrophobic: check!



A comfy chair and light where you can relax and read: check!



The hotel also has a cool bar/lounge area that is vibrant on the weekends.



The pool area was empty when I stayed, most likely due to the cooler temperatures and rain.



High marks for SCH: a definite Daveland recommendation for your next trip to Austin, Texas!

See more South Congress Hotel photos at my main website.

Austin Neon on Congress Avenue

As a vintage neon fan, I was in hog heaven on South Congress Avenue in Austin. I hadn’t realized that Austin was a mecca for neon, but today’s post sure does attest to that fact! Neon has been called a dying art form, so it sure was nice to see it alive and well and in abundance! Here are a few of the examples of what I saw as I strolled up and down Congress Avenue...before the rain began! BTW: since I am admittedly not a neon expert, if some of these signs are not made of neon, please forgive me!







This cup of java is in a hurry!



A nice play on words...let’s all just get along, shall we?





It’s a pizza joint...but the pizza looks more like a button to me.





I wonder what the designer of this had in mind when they were creating it?



Finally, how about this neon rainbow ceiling?



See more Austin, Texas photos at my main website.

Voodoo Doughnut

I arrived in Austin on the red-eye, getting to the hotel at 1am. I was a bit wired, so decided to get the camera out and start shooting on Sixth Street. One of the first things that caught my eye was this neon sign for Voodoo Doughnut. Neon. Doughnuts. I was curious.

During the day, the store front still looked cool.



Where the heck do I begin? More importantly, how do I control myself from ordering one of everything?!?



I settled on the bacon maple doughnut. Bacon. Nothing else needs to be said. The beverage selection was skimpy and the hospitality at the front counter was even skimpier, so I got a chocolate milk to wash it all down with.



Inside, I had plenty to take a gander at, including this doughnut tree.



Black velvet art:



Overall, it was a good doughnut and a fun shop to experience. Not sure that I would run back immediately on my next trip, but I would probably give it a second shot.

More Austin, Texas photos at my main website.