The Mushroom House
It’s called the Mushroom House and it sits under a rocky sandstone cliff. The backdrop of this house is such that it could be a scene taken straight from the Mars Rover. The house was originally built in the 1960’s by the guy that invented Bells Potato Chips. Those potato chips were famous in the 1960’s and appeared in all the stores like Alpha Beta. They also made Granny Goose potato chips too.
A Guest House
The house was originally built as a guest house for this mega millionaire. He didn’t want any guest house but something that would really stand out. What makes this house unusual is that it is built like a fortress designed to stand the test of time. The guest house has its own elevator that provides its only means of quick access.
To build this house in modern times would never fly. The La Jolla Coastal Commission would never allow a house built directly on the beach and cliffs like this. This house has a front row view of the Pacific Ocean.
How to Get There
For the general public, there are two ways to get there. The first is to head down to Scripps Pier and take a 10 minute walk north along the rocky coastline. Watch overhead as those boulders might tumble down around you. The second is to head down from the Torrey Pines Glider Port and take a 20 minute walk south along a flat sandy coastline. Keep your head down as you walk through Blacks Beach because its a nudist beach although the only nudies that head there seem to be older men with saggy butts.
Michelle and Isabella Playing
I told Isabella to sit next to her mom so I could take a picture but she would have none of that and insisted that her mom hold her upside down for the picture.
46 Years Ago
It was exactly 46 years ago tonight. I remember it well. It was late at night and I was in bed. All of a sudden my dad opened the door and said come on out we’re going to see something. He pulled us out to the living room and turned on the TV. I had never got to see TV so late at night so I was really impressed by the whole thing. My mom got me a bowl of chocolate ice cream and then things got really exciting. We were about to watch the first men land on the moon. I could not believe it. This was a very special night. We got to watch Neal Armstrong make those first steps.
I had remembered being fascinated with the moon. It was my first memory in my life – looking out of my crib at the moon and crying because it was so big and bright. But I kept looking at it. My mom eventually came and then I was less afraid. But I never lost that fear of the moon.
A couple of years later, Dad bought me a telescope and I used it every night out of my bedroom window. I would look at the moon and it was so far away that it terrified me. I can’t really describe the feeling of awe and terror that I felt but it was one of those things that drew me back to it night after night. I would look at the spots on the moon through that telescope and sometimes I would look for martians roaming around. I remember it all so well.
I wanted to be an astronaut because I thought everyday would be exciting. I guess it all started that night 46 years ago tonight when the first man walked on the moon.
Mother Teresa’s Humility List
Patrick and I were talking about Mother Teresa last night and I started researching her. She always had great advice so I read up on what she believed. I found this list so I made a picture with her messages on humility. It is pretty remarkable, her view and how much impact she had on the world.
Shooting for A&F
I had a chance to shoot for the up coming A&F catalogue today. Just kidding. This is Antonio. You might remember him from the flour and parkour photos I took a few years ago. He wanted some acting shots so we went down the beach. It was raining and this picture was taken in the rain and I put the A&F logo on it for fun. Seems like he could get a job with them right?
