Explore LA like We Don't Live Here

Poppy Bloom in Antelope Valley. AND Hockney, Llano and Devil's Punchbowl

Sat, Mar 21 · 8:00 AM PDT

201 S Front St, Burbank, CA, US

The bloom for 2025 is not going to materialize. Not enough rain early in the year.

The event is being moved to 2025 with hopes there will be a big bloom next year.

Read about the 2024 issue here
https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/nation/california/2025/02/25/california-wildflowers-this-spring-2025-antelope-valley-poppies/80258169007/

If you have never been here before . . . it worth seeing.

If you have been before . . . it's time to revisit.

Let's get to the event date first . . . The poppies bloom anywhere from Feb to May.

At the moment we are aiming for April 14th
https://ktla.com/news/california/southern-california-poised-for-another-wildflower-superbloom/amp/

Or https://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html

We'll walk some or most of the 8 miles of trails--not all of it.

Each spring, the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve comes alive with the seasonal surprises of the Mojave Desert Grassland habitat. The duration and intensity of colors and scents vary from year to year. The wildflower season generally lasts from as early as mid-February through late May,

Parking Fees
$10 per vehicle
$9 per vehicle with a senior on board (62 and over)
$5 per vehicle with DPR Disabled Discount Card (see below)

Be prepared for wicked strong winds and bring sunblock! The desert temperatures can vary widely and change suddenly, so bring layers for unpredicted changes in weather.

Dogs are NOT allowed on trails or in the visitor center (just like any California Sate Park)

Whether you most enjoy expansive fields or the close-up study of a single flower, this is the place to visit.

Location - Directions The Reserve is located 15 miles west of Lancaster at 15101 Lancaster Road.

From Highway 14: Take the Avenue I exit and head west 15 miles. Avenue I becomes Lancaster Road.

From I-5: Take Hwy 138 east and turn right on 170th Street West. Make a left at the end, onto Lancaster Road. Follow the road two miles.

Carpool? YES!!!!

We will meet at the meet time and address. That location is a designated Park & Ride. It is a free lot that has roving security in the area. So it's safe to leave your car for the day.

We meet and then re-shuffle to then pool and caravan to the Poppies.

Why this location as meet-point? It's rather central. And just off the 5 . . . the main freeway we need to take to get there.

Carpool to our meetpoint? Sure. Post in the comments on the main group posting.

This is a free hiking event that take a little more work to make happen than a quickie local thing. This is not local in-town. As such you will drive to and meet there. OR you will use the carpool info sent a week before to work on setting up a carpool.

To attend this event:

• RSVP on this event (then)
• Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form

The form is a safety thing. If you do not fill it out. You will not be hiking with us.

Got questions?
Click Here to send a Direct Message to Marc (screen name Oddie)

Other notable hiking we have planned:

AFTER the poppies . . . the plan is to go to the location where Hockney shot his photo. It is 45 min away at 126th and Pearblossom . . . Standing on 126th looking south.

https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/object/103QT4

Then go the 200 feet to Llano Del Rio and poke in the ruins (again) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Llano_del_Rio
https://la.curbed.com/2017/5/1/15465616/utopia-socialist-los-angeles-llano-del-rio
https://www.lancastermoah.org/single-post/the-llano-del-rio-cooperative-colony

Then drive up to Devils Punchbowl
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/southern-california/devils-punchbowl-nature-area-so-cal/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Punchbowl_(Angeles_National_Forest)

Hike or just view it. It's up to you.

NOTICE: For our events we do not discriminate by Age, Gender, Gender Preference, Ethnicity, National Origin, Race, Color, Religion, or even Belly Button Lint.

Yosemite! MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND w/ Valley Floor Activities - 4 days/3 nights !

Fri, May 22 · 2:00 PM PDT

Location not specified yet

We have done Yosemite before on the group.

And each and every time it fills up early with lotos of people with big sadness they can not go.

Plain and simple . . . our events have limited size. So when it fill . . . it fills.

Yosemite is that amazing and iconic place that everyone loves to go.

There are Saturday/Sunday planned Easy, Medium and Hard Options.

We will divide by interest for different hikes.

The "Easy" route:

• Yosemite Falls (the easy walk)
• Tunnel View
• Glacier Point
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Mirror Lake
• The Meadows
• The River
• Ahwahnee Hotel

Planned Medium Hike:

• Vernal/Nevada Mist Trail

Planned Difficult Hikes

• Yosemite Falls
• 4 Mile Trail
• Pohono Trail

To attend this event:

• RSVP on this event
• CLICK HERE for the payment link.
• Click Here and fill out our Attendees google form (this is also what the carpool info gets built from)

Notes:

• You MUST take care of payment to be confirmed to go.
• After payment you will get a confirmation email from Paypal
• You do NOT need a paypal account. Click the process as guest, or use any credit or debit card.
• If you have a X2 or a Plus One . . . just do the link a 2nd or 3rd time.
• You may see LOTS of people RSVP on the event. Many do RSVP and not take care of payment.
• Event is limited in size. When filled the payment link will be disabled.
• If you not ready to commit yet . . .
• Click Here and fill out our google "interest" form (there is a box for "interested and keep me in the loop")

Includes:

• Site (on private land) for a three day weekend
• All Firewood & propane heaters provided.
• Flush restrooms (that are clean)
• (free)(hot) Showers available
• Restaurants and Grocery adjacent
• Pool and Jacuzzi available.
• Super Civilized Camping.
• Perfect for the beginner and first timers.
• Many come solo.
• Come alone and leave with friends. Come with friends & leave with more friends.

Tell me about food and everything else . . .

The logistics of providing food for every possible diet, as well as food prep issues is just not feasible or safe.

AND

Due to varied dietary needs and food contact issues, it's better if bring what you like and prep it.

What gear do I need?

The only specialized gear you need is Tent, Sleeping bag, Sleeping Pad (yoga mat). Everything else is household items you already have.

Special note: this is Tent camping. No RV. No Trailers. No giant campervans.

Can I park my car next to my tent?

Sniffing tires, oil, exhaust and fuel? Yuck!!! You cars will be close. But not on top of us. Cars on one side. Humans on the other. If we overflow our parking area . . . there is an overflow parking area.

Carpools?

• Carpool info goes out ONLY to paid attendees. (it really sucks to set up a carpool with a person who is not actually going)
• Carpool info ONLY goes out to those who fill out the ATTENDEES/CARPOOL FORM (this way it is reliable info)
• Carpool info goes out all at once (not as you sign on)
• Carpool info goes out 1 week before the event. Too early and most carpools fall apart. It really sucks when your ride canceled at asked for a refund a month ago but did not tell you. Carpools info sent when it is stable of who is attending.
• Carpool in week before makes sense because that's when people can really determine schedule and departure time and availability.

Refunds?

If requested 2 weeks before event start: 100% refund.

If requested less than 2 weeks: 100% Full Credit be applied to ANY future event we run.

Questions? CLICK HERE to send a Direct Message

OTHER INFO:

• Carpool info
• Newbie Camping Advice All things GEAR
• Newbie Camping Advice All things FOOD
• General Policies

This event is cross-posted to several groups. The number RSVP'd is not accurate. ONLY Paid attendees are actually going to be attending.

To See MORE of those RSVP'd

CLICK HERE to join in on the other fun events planned.

Notice: We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, gender preference, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, national identity, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, political beliefs or even for belly button lint.

We welcome all, and that includes you!

Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits! Join us on this bucket list adventure

Thu, Jun 18 · 7:00 PM PDT

LAX AIRPORT, 1 World Way, LOS ANGELES, CA, US

Our Meetup is off to another hiking adventure! Mt Kilimanjaro, as the tallest mountain in Africa, is included in the 7 Summits of the world.
It is a bucket-list item for all hard-core hikers and mountain lovers.
We did this trek with Meetup in the summer of 2024 and it was a true experience of a lifetime (see photos below)

Let's get to some numbers. It is 5,895m/19,340ft

BUT . . . our starting elevation for the trek is 3795m/12541ft

As such elevation gain is 2100m/6799ft

To compare Everest Base Camp trek, is about 2754m/9035ft elevation change. And Mt Whitney is about 1828m/6000ft elevation change.

The key to being able to succeed in this endeavor lays in the route and the support system.

We are taking the Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit. The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It's one of the best routes because it has the best acclimatization profile. This results in one of the highest summit success rates. Add to that stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It is also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes.

As far as our support system: We will be accompanied by experienced guides, porters and cooks. They are certified, ensuring our safety and comfort. Porters will carry our gear.

We will have a high ratio of guides to hikers. Our guides will go our pace and support each and everyone of us, regardless of fitness level and pace. In other words...you go your own speed and we all get there safe.

More about our trek/trip.
As with all our international trips, we picked the best season/time of year to go for weather and wildlife. Lemosho and Northern Circuit is a scenically spectacular and varied route. At the lower elevations it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season.

Each of our trips is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.

But I don't have the needed gear?!
You don't need much more than the standard trekker's equipment. We will provide you with a list of what is already included and what can be rented there.

Does this include food?
All meals on the trek potion are included and a cook travels with us!

What is lodging like?
We are sleeping in new and comfortable tents (carried during the day by porters)

I am new at this.
That's OK. We do plenty of prep Zooms before we depart. And in California we have a number of local outdoor day or weekend outings you can test out with us.

How dangerous is this? What if I get sick or hurt?
We will be walking on an established, well used trail the entire time. Our trip INCLUDES emergency insurance. We are also Certified Wilderness First Responders and our guides are members of (AMREF) Flying Doctor.
Plain and simple, safety is our primary goal.

How much does this cost?
Kilimanjaro Mountain Trek $3950 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600

Trip Cost includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 3 meals everyday on the trek
- All Fees & Entrances and Taxes
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs.
- Lead Guide, Assistant Guides, Porters and Cook

RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.
The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $300 deposit:
CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).

IF you need an airfare quote, Click here to message Anna
For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST

To see pictures from our Kilimanjaro adventure in 2024 CLICK HERE

We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom

The MAIN location where this event is posted:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/
(RSVP there for any conversation and comments)

This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.

Click Here for our other events:

Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!

SOT 200318-10

Great Migration Photo Safari & Zanzibar Extension ~ Journey of a Lifetime...

Sun, Jul 5 · 7:00 PM PDT

Ontario Airport, 2180 E Avion St,, Ontario, CA, US

We all have seen Lion King in one form or another . . . It's now time to go to the source.

Our meetup is off to Africa for The Great Migration Photo Safari! We did this amazing trip in the summer of 2024 and everybody had a blast! (see photos in the link below)

Encounter the exotic wildlife of the Serengeti! Marvel at the lions, zebras, elephants and so many majestic animals we have only seen in the zoo or in movies.

On Serengeti's vast, treeless plains tens of thousands of hoofed animals are constantly on the move in search of fresh grassland. This is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to experience the best game viewing in Africa!

Like every trip we do with Meetup, this one is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.

The itinerary is:
July 5 Arrival Kilimanjaro Intl Airport and transfer to Arusha
July 6 Arusha to Tarangire National Park
July 7 Ngorongoro Crater full day game drive
July 8 Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park (Central Seronera area)
July 9 Serengeti (Central)
July 10 Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
July 11 Northern Serengeti (Kogatende)
July 12 Northern Serengeti (Kogatende) to Lake Natron
July 13 Lake Natron to Arusha
July 14 Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport

All of these locations don't mean much to you at the moment, but after the trip you will remember them forever as some of the best places you have ever visited!

How much does this cost?
African Migration Safari $4998 per person, double occupancy.
Single supplement $750. I.e. price for a solo accommodation $5748
We offer roommate matching for those, wishing to share and save.

***Airfare is not included.***

RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.
The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $350 deposit:
CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK

IF you need an airfare quote, Click here to message Anna

Land Cost includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 3 meals every day
- All park fees to Tarangire, Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
- All concession fees to Tarangire and Serengeti.
- Crater service fees.
- Professional driver guide
- Open roof land cruiser vehicles
- Drinking water during the safari

We offer an Optional Extension 5-day to Zanzibar:
Price per person, Double occupancy $870.
Solo room - $1285
**Airfare from Arusha (Kilimanjaro Airport) to Zanzibar is not included**
To sign up for Zanzibar, pay the $200 deposit through this secure link

For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST

Have more questions?
Click here to message Anna
Click here to message Marc

AND/OR

We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom

Come to the zoom and ask any questions. Great way to get the info you want without all the other fluff. As well as meet other attendees.

To see pictures from our Photo Safari adventure in 2024 CLICK HERE

We believe in good decent social. We have a set of sister group we post our local free, local/reginal camping, and our overseas events too.

Click Here for our other events:

Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOT 200318-10