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Jack London State Historic Park

House of Happy Walls Museum at the Jack London State Historic Park.
Jack and Charmian London Gravesite at the Jack London State Historic Park
Wolf House Ruins at the Jack London State Historic Park
House of Happy Walls Museum at the Jack London State Historic Park

When I was in my early teens, I read Jack London’s books The Call of the Wild and White Fang, and I’ve admired him ever since for his fierce love of adventure and his early passion for nature conservation. Visiting Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, California, brought that admiration full circle, as I explored the places most connected to his life and legacy.

The House of Happy Walls Museum, built by his wife Charmian after his death, offers a vivid glimpse into Jack’s world through books, photographs, and artifacts from his travels. Nearby, the haunting stone ruins of Wolf House stand as a powerful reminder of London’s grand vision—a 26-room mansion that tragically burned before he could move in. Finally, a quiet walk through the woods leads to his simple gravesite, a peaceful resting place beneath the trees of the land he loved.

Jack London State Historic Park was not originally part of our plans, but after visiting, I’m happy we did.

Posted on by James Kampas

Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum - McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet
Palm Springs Air Museum - General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Palm Springs Air Museum - Cessna O-2 Skymaster
Palm Springs Air Museum Entrance

Our morning bike rides often take us past the Palm Springs Air Museum, where vintage warbirds stand proudly under the desert sun. It’s a striking sight—sleek fighter jets and classic WWII aircraft framed by palm trees against the backdrop of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains. Located near the Palm Springs Airport, the 91,000-square-foot museum showcases military aircraft from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Many of the planes remain flight-ready and are displayed alongside exhibits and tributes to veterans, making it a distinctive stop for aviation and history enthusiasts.

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Seeing “Pink” at the McCallum

May 7, 2025 - "The Problem With Pink" at the McCallum Theatre.
May 7, 2025 – La Parenthèse dancers take a bow.

“The Problem with Pink” is a charming and thought-provoking play that blends dance, theatre, and striking visuals to explore themes of friendship, identity, and the impact of gender stereotypes. This imaginative production is a collaboration between Le Petit Théâtre de Sherbrooke, based in Québec, Canada, and La Parenthèse, a French contemporary dance company founded by choreographer Christophe Garcia. Aimed especially at younger audiences, it invites reflection on societal norms while celebrating individuality. I thoroughly enjoyed all 55 minutes of this compact, compelling show tonight at the McCallum Theatre.

Posted on by James Kampas

Tango Obsession

March 19, 2025 - Camaraderie performs Piazzolla.
March 19, 2025 – Camarada performs Piazzolla.

Last night at the Rancho Mirage Library, the distinguished chamber music ensemble Camarada delivered an invigorating performance of Argentine musical masterworks in a program titled Camaraderie: Tango Obsession. Andrés Martín, the group’s bassist and composer-in-residence, introduced each piece with brief comments about its cultural and historical context. I enjoyed hearing the scintillating rhythms and seductive melodies of Tango Nuevo music and learning how it evolved.

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Mahler’s Influence

Mahler's Influence on Opera
Jan. 22, 2025 – Soprano Natalie Mann accompanied by pianist Jeffrey Panko.

I attended an interesting lecture/concert at the Rancho Mirage Library today that focused on Gustave Mahler’s influence on opera, despite his never composing one. Soprano Natalie Mann provided facts about the topic, and accompanied by pianist Jeffrey Panko, performed beautiful renditions of Mahler’s “Rückert-Lieder” and songs by R. Strauss, Britten, and others.

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Backhausdance

June 18, 2019 – Backhausdance Company, Sabrina Xiao He & Paul Cracchiolo

Earlier today at the McCallum Theatre, Orange County dance company Backhausdance presented an impressive performance set to Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” accompanied by distinguished pianists Sabrina Xiao He and Paul Cracchiolo. The 50-minute program was offered as part of the McCallum Theatre Education initiative.

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The La Brea Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits
March 4, 2011 – Columbian Mammoths in the La Brea Tar Pits.

LACMA was closed when we went there on Wednesday, but there are interesting things to look at on the museum grounds, including the La Brea Tar Pits.

The La Brea Tar Pits are one of the world’s most famous Ice Age fossil sites, where natural asphalt has bubbled up from the ground for tens of thousands of years. Over time, the sticky tar trapped animals like mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and even ancient camels—preserving their bones in incredible detail. Visitors can explore active excavation sites, see fossils up close at the Page Museum, and stroll past life-sized replicas of prehistoric creatures caught in the tar. It’s a fascinating mashup of science, history, and a little bit of Hollywood drama right in the middle of L.A.

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Museum of Science & Industry

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Jan. 27, 2011 – Chicago Museum of Science & Industry.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is one of the largest science museums in the world, housed in a historic building from the 1893 World’s Fair. It features hands-on exhibits, a WWII German submarine, a working coal mine, and dazzling displays on space, genetics, transportation, and more, making science fun and accessible for all ages.

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Passed My Flash CS4 Class

Fall is here.

Last night I finished a 7-week class in Adobe Flash CS4 at Truman Community College. A difficult program to learn, but the creative options it gives are amazing. Next week I’ll finish the (X)HTML class. It finally looks like Fall outside; this is my favorite season.