Huntington Library and Gardens, January 28, 2012

The Huntington is one of the world´s great cultural, research, and educational centers. A private, nonprofit institution, The Huntington was founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, an exceptional businessman who built a financial empire that included railroad companies, utilities, and real estate holdings in Southern California. The Library´s collection of rare books and manuscripts in the fields of British and American history and literature is nothing short of extraordinary. Altogether, there are about 6 million items. Among the treasures for research and exhibition are the Ellesmere manuscript of Chaucer´s Canterbury Tales, a Gutenberg Bible on vellum, the double-elephant folio edition of Audubon´s Birds of America, and a world-class collection of the early editions of Shakespeare´s works. The Art Collections are distinguished by their specialized character and elegant settings in three separate galleries on the Huntington grounds. The Huntington Art Gallery, originally the Huntington residence, contains one of the most comprehensive collections in this country of 18th- and 19th-century British and French art. It serves as home to Gainsborough´s Blue Boy and Lawrence´s Pinkie. The Botanical Gardens are an ever-changing exhibition of color and a constant delight. Covering 120 acres, more than a dozen specialized gardens are arranged within a park-like landscape of rolling lawns. Among the most remarkable are the Desert Garden, the Japanese Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Chinese garden.
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Getty Center Museum, February 25, 2012

The Getty Center, in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, is a campus for cultural institutions founded by oilman J. Paul Getty. The $1.3 billion center, which opened on December 16, 1997, is also well known for its architecture, gardens, and the views overlooking Los Angeles. The center sits atop a hill connected to a visitor's parking garage at the bottom of the hill by a three-car, cable-pulled tram. The center draws 1.3 million visitors annually. This branch of the J. Paul Getty Museum specializes in "pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and 19th- and 20th-century American and European photographs". Among the works on display is the painting Irises by Vincent van Gogh. The center also has outdoor sculptures displayed on terraces and in gardens. Designed by architect Richard Meier, the campus includes a central garden designed by artist Robert Irwin. The center's design included special provisions to address concerns regarding earthquakes and fires.

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Outdoors Experience I, March 10-11, 2012

Part of the purpose of California Great Outdoors - according to our Bylaws - is to provide "low-cost outdoor activities, programs, education, and leadership training to its members."  Our Outdoors Experience training program accomplishes that purpose for our organization.

Here's what our Outdoors Experience Leader Chris has to say about our 2012 program:

“I´m excited to announce the Outdoors Experience 2012 - our own GO - sponsored outdoors skills and leadership program. We´ll; cover useful topics such as equipment/gear, trip planning, navigation, cooking, wilderness survival techniques, and medical considerations."

Phase I (Day Hike Certification) is March 10 & 11, 2012 at LaJolla Canyon Group Camp.  It's right near the PCH, just north of Malibu. Our campsite sits majestically above a clearly visible ocean and has a covered structure with picnic benches. The LaJolla Canyon hiking loop offers a bird's eye view up and down the coast, of the Channel Islands, and Mugu Rock. This is one sweet camp.

DON'T WAIT - THERE ARE ONLY SIXTEEN (16) TRAINING SLOTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS COURSE!

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