Huell pulls off Hwy 247 south of Barstow at Slash X Ranch Cafe and discovers a whole new world. This former cattle ranch is now a mecca for off-roaders who come from the desert OHV areas on their dirt bikes, quads and trucks for good food.
Huell enjoys a breakfast mojito at James' Beach bar in Venice when a couple tells him he has to visit The Treeman. On his way, he gets sidetracked by two paddle tennis players who tell him all about the game and the Venice Beach courts.
Huell visits Amir's Garden, a shaded grove in Griffith Park. Amir Dialameh planted a garden in 1971 in an area scorched by a wildfire. It became his life's passion for the next 3 decades and is now a 5-acre oasis enjoyed by park visitors.
Huell meets up with green chile aficionados at an annual event in the parking lot of La Puente High School where hundreds of people line up for fresh, roasted green chiles from Hatch, New Mexico.
Huell visits Oceanic Arts a unique company that specializes in Polynesian decor. Carved wood tikis, thatch umbrellas, and bamboo fencing are just a few of the items on hand which look as though they've come directly from the South Pacific.
Huell visits the Southern California Pen Collectors Club at their quarterly meeting in Covina where he learns the history of all manner of writing instruments and rediscovers the joy of fountain pens.
Huell visits Tampico Spice Company to see how the herbs and spices are cleaned, ground, sifted, blended and packaged. Jesus Martinez founded this local institution in 1947 and now the company includes 2nd and 3rd generations of his family.