On January 22, Cindy and I took a bus to Boston and hopped a plane to Los Angeles. We barely noticed a news story about some flu-like virus that had originated in China . . . 

We decided on LA as a good first stop on our trip Down Under, both to break up the lengthy trip to New Zealand, and also to get some needed sunshine as a respite from Maine's winter. Venice Beach seemed like the perfect place to kick back for a few days, soaking up the sun and experiencing its unique environment.

Originally part of a Mexican land grant called "La Ballona", the area called "Venice of America" was founded on the 4th of July, 1905, by a wealthy merchant named Abbot Kinney.

Kinney wanted to emulate the Italian city that's the area's namesake.

So he created a series of canals to drain the surrounding swamps, and built luxury homes on the site.

Today, there are four canals, each about a quarter mile long. There used to be more, but LA city filled them in to make more room for roads (yay).

Venice Beach is known for its street art, in particular its murals. The Jim Morrison mural, by Rip Cronk, is well known . . .

As is this mural of the Venice (Italy) patron Saint Mark, by Jonas Never.

Venice Beach has had a checkered past. In the 50's, beatniks (gasp!) made a home here, and in the 70's, there was a lot of gang activity.

But today, it's back to being an eccentric, laid back community, equal parts art colony and surfer hangout.

And it's a great place to watch the sun set.