May 15-16, 2014 Pasadena, CA

May 15.  After a nice sleep-in and quick breakfast, we set off for Pasadena on route 210...beautiful scenery....mostly mountains and passes...very little habitation until we neared Pasadena.  Blue skies and very very hot...around 100!! We decided not to go to the Peacock Cafe in the Arboretum because of the heat.  So we went straight to the Gamble House (as in Proctor and Gamble),  the sine qua non of the Arts and Crafts Movement "ultimate bungalows". (Anyone interested in the origin of the word bungalow and what it has come to mean over the years and in different countries, go to Wikipedia.....fascinating.) One of several built by Greene and Greene on this street, but the only one open to the public.  The Greene brothers were a perfect team of artist and engineer.  They also employed the Hall brothers, furniture designers and woodworking craftsmen.  The Greene style shows influence from traditional Japanese aesthetic and a certain California spaciousness born of available land and a permissive climate. The Arts and Crafts Movement in architecture was focused on the use of natural materials, attention to detail, aesthetics and craftsmanship.  Working with the Hall brothers and other local contractors ensured that every detail, both inside and out, reflected the architects' vision.  They left their imprimatur on everything, from doorknobs, to lighting fixtures, to fireplace tools.  It is a beautiful house.  I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the tour. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamble_House_(Pasadena,_California)

After the tour (no photos allowed inside), we headed for the Langham!  Stunning resort hotel in stunning gardens.  Built in Spanish Mission Revival style in 1907, subsequently purchased by Henry Huntington and later demolished and rebuilt from 1988 to 1991 in order to meet new earthquake codes.  The new version almost exactly replicates the original.  At its reopening, it was a Ritz Carlton Hotel and is now a Langham.  Everything is understated elegance and luxury.  So good for the soul every now and then. :)

Our rooms were just ready.  We dropped our bags and went down to the Tap Room for a drink and a light meal of cheeses and charcuterie.  I aske for my dark Myers rum daiquiri...and got the best one I have ever had.  I went to thank and compliment the bartender.  She told me that it was the first of its kind that she had made!  

Next up...a nap!  Then dinner in the Royce Wood Fired Steakhouse (in the hotel).  Window table with beautiful view of the gardens.  The meal was first class.  Paul and I shared a Caesar Salad...perfect lettuce, Shaved Parmesan, light dressing....and best of all, not the usual anchovies, but boquerones!  We asked for more!  Then I had a veal chop with the best brown gravy after Mother's, sautéed mushrooms and cipollini onions and potatoes au gratin.  For dessert, we shared a sampler plate, the best one (for me) being the maple brioche bread pudding.  And all of this was washed down with a Floral Springs Trilogy Meritage Cabernet!

And so to bed, replete and happy.

View from my room.

May 16.  Yummy full breakfast with bangers, tomatoes,  mushrooms et al in the Terrace Restaurant.  We did not rush!  Checked out at noon and headed for the Norton Simon Museum.  Lovely building, restored partially by Frank Gehry.  The galleries,  which include both the original collection of the city of Pasadena and Simon's personal collection are wonderful.  Like wandering through an ART 11 course! The gardens contain several Moores and Maillols and are beautifully planted.  I ventured through them despite the heat, which was not that bad because it is a dry heat.

After two hours of wandering separately, we met up and watched a movie on Norton Simon, industrialist and philanthropist.   Quite a story.  Dropped out of college because he "wasn't learning anything." (Sound familiar?). Ended up, via various successful enterprises, head of Hunt's, as in sauces, after which he acquired many well-known companies.    At the age of 40, he decided to investigate areas he knew nothing about....and focused on art.  An autodidact with a fortune, he haunted galleries and began to amass his collection.  He was told that he was unlikely ever to own the greatest works since they were not  for sale and never would be.  That did not deter him.  He bought an entire NYC gallery at one point!  When he married actress Jennifer Jones, he adopted her interest in Indian art.

Some works you will recognize!

Then it was time to go home.  We snacked again on our Whole Food goodies and watched the DVD Paul bought on the Gamble House and other Arts and Crafts homes.  He burned me a copy!

Another well-earned early night.