Charlin vs. Huntington

My job tends to be seasonal. Summer tends to demand a lot of time, so travel happens at a minimum. After summer, though, I get to enjoy going on trips. So a fraternal unit offered to take me, the maternal unit, and the grand-praternal units to the Huntington Library.

 Hello, big rig

Before we got to the library, we decided to stop for some lunch. The maternal unit heard of a fairly famous restaurant in Pasadena, so we decided to give it a try.

 Chicken and waffles?

Apparently, Roscoe's ranks high on the list of restaurants to try before you die. The reason is understandable.

 Chicken and waffles!

The combination struck me as odd, but I was willing to give it a try. I am really glad I did. Crispy fried chicken complemented the nutmeg-spiced waffles wonderfully. A coke completed the meal, which is probably one of the tastiest (and least healthy) in California. I dug in.

Blorrggg...too much good stuff...

I am still not sure how I managed to eat all of that without exploding. Anyway, after the meal, we waddled back to the car and got to the library/museum. Apparently, they have one free day monthly, but guests need to order tickets before arriving. On other days, the entrance fee is $23. Oy.

 May I help you?

After addressing a few issues at the front desk, we entered one of the many buildings. A gentleman at the beginning posed with Jerome after reminding us to turn off the camera's flash.

 Thank you, sir

The extra care shows in the quality of the building, which still houses most of the original furniture.

 Someone used to live here. Seriously.

The entire place is a testimony to decadence and old money. That said, there were a few things the six-year-old in me wishes I had at my house. A magnificent crystal chandelier caught my attention right away.

Dazzling 

Careful readers may have noticed artificial lighting behind the crystal. We later witnessed why the library utilizes electric lighting instead of the original candle work.

Flee!

Just kidding.

Did I fool you?

One of the nicer aspects of art museums hides in the details. Like every museum, the Huntington Library features famous art, but looking at less popular works offers rewards, too. While I took pictures of the family unit with some of the more famous works, such as Pinkie and Blue Boy, for private enjoyment, I also got some shots of less famous, but more detailed, works.

 A Greek/Roman-styled dolphin

My avatar is a toy mosasaur. Of course I'm going to pay attention to reptilian art.

A more complete view of the art. I forgot what it's actually called.

 Hello, Lion

Even though some works do not gain the fame of others, they can still inspire awe.

 Wow...

I really liked this statue. It apparently displays a captive queen. Chains bind her wrists, but she still maintains a regal pose. Jerome almost lost it, though. One of the security guys wanted to walk off with him because he thought Jerome belonged to a nearby family. I may have almost cried when he offered to take away my mosasaur. He was probably traumatized. Oops.

The library started to close, so we left. Still, it was a fun trip, and it looks like I have more traveling in the near future. Enjoy another photograph of the queen until then.

Peace out, mah ninjas!