Moving to Riverside, CA

No kiddin! You aren't all that far away from me! Maybe a different county, but i do go out to the Riverside area from time to time. Pretty decent PX and Commissary there, in my opinion. And they also have a really good post museum there with plenty of older jets and aircraft, if you are interested in wings at all!

Cost of living tends to be pretty high in California, but the Riverside area is about as good as it gets. I think the property rates are pretty low in comparisson to the rest of Southern California. And while i don't have any idea where the nearest chapter of IPMS is (or the availability of LHSes) I think you might enjoy your new assignment!

You're AGR, i'm guessing?

Rob. I do not know about any of the clubs. And speaking from memory, of long ago, I remember hobby shops were fairly abundant.

You will be about an hours drive from downtown Los Angeles and all of the shops in that region.

You might try contacting Duke Maddog here on FSM. He is or was in Rowland Heights, which is a suburb of L.A. and is approximately 45 minutes from March. 

Good luck on your move and I hope they have a couple of moving vans hired! I've seen pictures of your 'stash'.

gulfstreamV wrote:

Traffic makes a 20 mi. drive into an hour out here?

True Story.......

DesertRat wrote:

gulfstreamV wrote: Traffic makes a 20 mi. drive into an hour out here?   True Story.......

And even stranger?!?!? You'll be in the fast lane doing 80, being passed by someone in the slow lane and it STILL takes you an hour!!! 

Sherman1111 wrote:

Brookhurst Hobbies in Garden Grove is about the best in the area. about a hour from Riverside without traffic.

Brookhurst Hobbies? I live right next to Garden Grove, and i see their ad in the phone book. I even set out to find em with the address listed, but i could never find the place. I wonder if the address that i have is correct. How are they with aircraft selection?

chopperfan wrote:

DesertRat wrote:  gulfstreamV wrote: Traffic makes a 20 mi. drive into an hour out here?   True Story....... And even stranger?!?!? You'll be in the fast lane doing 80, being passed by someone in the slow lane and it STILL takes you an hour!!!

Yeah, i've noticed that it's totally irrelevant how fast your car goes in Southern California. You rarely go above 35 mph anyways

Sherman1111 wrote:

Brookhurst hobbies is close to Brookhurst and Chapman. It is well worth the trip. One of the last real hobbyshops left.

Ok, i'd been through that intersection at least a hundred times, and i swear i haven't seen it. It's a small hole in the wall place, isn't it?

I've been using Prestige Hobbies, since it's right around the courner from my apartment building. It's a great place. It's just that they focus more on cars and stuff. Great place and convenient for supplies though! I guess that aircraft just aren't so much in demand with their current clientel.

I'll take another look for Brookhurst though, and maybe even Ultimate when i get time. At least they are on Katella too, so they are right down the street

Sherman1111 wrote:

Brookhurst hobbies is close to Brookhurst and Chapman. It is well worth the trip. One of the last real hobbyshops left.

I went to Brookhurst way back in the mid to late '70s. At that time they had a lot, and I mean a  LOT, of kits, supplies, decals and aftermarket that I didn't even know existed!! But, the best I recall, back then they weren't in a very big building. Stuff was stacked everywhere. Very little rhyme or reason. It made it hard to look as I was with my wife and some of her family and all, with the exception of her Uncle, didn't really want to be there. They wanted to go to 'Northwoods Inn'. By the way, is it still there? Pretty good groceries!

I never got the chance to go back. 

chopperfan wrote:

They wanted to go to 'Northwoods Inn'. By the way, is it still there? Pretty good groceries! I never got the chance to go back.

Not sure, but i think so. It sounds familiar!

"Oooooooooklahoma, where the winds come sweeping down the plains......!"

I went to Basic Training out there back in '95. Also got family out there too, with my parents talking about moving to Norman or Mustang. What parts of the sooner state ya from?

gulfstreamV wrote:

Or how about Hobby City on Beach Bvd. near knotts berry farm?

Yep! That's the one i'm talking about. It's called Prestege Hobbies. At least that's the name of the shop. It's got a coin shop, that little carnival park, a collector card shop, and a few other places. I think that whole complex is Hobby City. Great place to go if you are all about cars

Sherman1111 wrote:

Better go to Hobby City Quick, was in there last month and the whole complex is to be tore down in the spring and replaced with condos. Califorina progress

DesertRat wrote:

chopperfan wrote: They wanted to go to 'Northwoods Inn'. By the way, is it still there? Pretty good groceries! I never got the chance to go back.  Not sure, but i think so. It sounds familiar! "Oooooooooklahoma, where the winds come sweeping down the plains......!" I went to Basic Training out there back in '95. Also got family out there too, with my parents talking about moving to Norman or Mustang. What parts of the sooner state ya from?

If you have ever been to the Northwoods Inn you wouldn't forget it. Looks like a rustic backwoods hunting lodge with snow on the roof and all! When I was there they even had water dripping from the artificial ice sickles hanging from the eves. While you are waiting for a table you sit in a kind of holding area with buckets of peanuts. When you take one out of the shell you just chunk the empties on the floor.

Actually, I now live in Fort Smith, AR. But, I attend church over in Spiro, OK. Lived in Spiro from 1982 until last year, when we moved because of the gas prices. I am still a Sooner at heart!! Go OU!!!!! Sooner born and Sooner bred. When I die, I'll be Sooner dead!!!

Where did you attend basic at? Sill? 

chopperfan wrote:

DesertRat wrote:  chopperfan wrote: They wanted to go to 'Northwoods Inn'. By the way, is it still there? Pretty good groceries! I never got the chance to go back.  Not sure, but i think so. It sounds familiar! "Oooooooooklahoma, where the winds come sweeping down the plains......!" I went to Basic Training out there back in '95. Also got family out there too, with my parents talking about moving to Norman or Mustang. What parts of the sooner state ya from? If you have ever been to the Northwoods Inn you wouldn't forget it. Looks like a rustic backwoods hunting lodge with snow on the roof and all! When I was there they even had water dripping from the artificial ice sickles hanging from the eves. While you are waiting for a table you sit in a kind of holding area with buckets of peanuts. When you take one out of the shell you just chunk the empties on the floor. Actually, I now live in Fort Smith, AR. But, I attend church over in Spiro, OK. Lived in Spiro from 1982 until last year, when we moved because of the gas prices. I am still a Sooner at heart!! Go OU!!!!! Sooner born and Sooner bred. When I die, I'll be Sooner dead!!! Where did you attend basic at? Sill?

The "sooner" the better. Huh? Yep! Went to basic training at Sill at the beginning of august. I think aside from the humidity, the thing that struck me most odd is the apparant lack of shade! But aside from all that, i thought it was a really nice area, in my opinion.

Your description of Northwoods Inn does sound kinda familiar. I dont know if it's the same thing, but i know of a steakhouse out in Covina that is like that. Fake snow on the roof with dripping icicles and such. Pretty rustic and VERY out of place for southern california....

DesertRat wrote:

chopperfan wrote:  DesertRat wrote:  chopperfan wrote: They wanted to go to 'Northwoods Inn'. By the way, is it still there? Pretty good groceries! I never got the chance to go back.  Not sure, but i think so. It sounds familiar! "Oooooooooklahoma, where the winds come sweeping down the plains......!" I went to Basic Training out there back in '95. Also got family out there too, with my parents talking about moving to Norman or Mustang. What parts of the sooner state ya from? If you have ever been to the Northwoods Inn you wouldn't forget it. Looks like a rustic backwoods hunting lodge with snow on the roof and all! When I was there they even had water dripping from the artificial ice sickles hanging from the eves. While you are waiting for a table you sit in a kind of holding area with buckets of peanuts. When you take one out of the shell you just chunk the empties on the floor. Actually, I now live in Fort Smith, AR. But, I attend church over in Spiro, OK. Lived in Spiro from 1982 until last year, when we moved because of the gas prices. I am still a Sooner at heart!! Go OU!!!!! Sooner born and Sooner bred. When I die, I'll be Sooner dead!!! Where did you attend basic at? Sill?  The "sooner" the better. Huh? Yep! Went to basic training at Sill at the beginning of august. I think aside from the humidity, the thing that struck me most odd is the apparant lack of shade! But aside from all that, i thought it was a really nice area, in my opinion. Your description of Northwoods Inn does sound kinda familiar. I dont know if it's the same thing, but i know of a steakhouse out in Covina that is like that. Fake snow on the roof with dripping icicles and such. Pretty rustic and VERY out of place for southern california....

It was a long time ago. I've fried a brain cell or two since then. But, now that you mention it, it may have been in Covina.

Oh yeah!!! Humidity and a lack of trees!!! That's Sill!!! Heck, for that matter, that's most of Western Oklahoma!!! But, did you know that Oklahoma has an elk herd in that area? In fact, they have a special draw hunt on Sill every year!!! Of all places to find elk!!! 

And another thing! Has anybody noticed that Rob hasn't posted anymore? Reading all the responses about Riverside and the traffic....he may have went A.W.O.L.!!!!  

Randy? I do believe that this is a textbook example of a hijacked thread!

I'm sorry about that, Rob. Thing about Southern California, it's just like everything else. Ya take the good with the bad. But who knows? The Full time Guard community is pretty friggin small. I just might very well see you around here. Especially at places like Roberts or CSLO. Can't miss me- i've got a joshua tree stenciled into every thing i drive! Within CAARNG, i am rather notorious...

Yeah Randy, that place is definately still there. I ate there once, in fact. I grew up in Glendora, so that is more my neck of the woods than Orange County is these days. Next time you are in these parts, lemme know. I'll feed ya some cow there- on me!

DesertRat wrote:

chopperfan wrote: They wanted to go to 'Northwoods Inn'. By the way, is it still there? Pretty good groceries! I never got the chance to go back.  Not sure, but i think so. It sounds familiar! "Oooooooooklahoma, where the winds come sweeping down the plains......!" I went to Basic Training out there back in '95. Also got family out there too, with my parents talking about moving to Norman or Mustang. What parts of the sooner state ya from?

I did AIT at Sill many, many moons ago. It was so long ago that the main street in Lawton OK had a Grehound buss stop and a drug store plus a state owned liquor store. Everything else on main street was a tavern. Was thru there about seven years ago and all the taverns are gone, and the place actually looked pretty nice for a change. Went on post for a look around, and was stunned at how things had changed. All new barricks except for one place, and it happened to be the ones I stayed in! My youngest kid couldn't believe that there was no indoor plumbing in the barricks!!! Mitch did get to watch the guys shooting 105's for about a half hour, and he still talks about that to this day. I might also add that I found the two howitzer parks that we stole one M101 and put it in the other after a long visit at the service club. Those weere the days!

gary

chopperfan wrote:

DesertRat wrote:  chopperfan wrote:  DesertRat wrote:  chopperfan wrote: They wanted to go to 'Northwoods Inn'. By the way, is it still there? Pretty good groceries! I never got the chance to go back.  Not sure, but i think so. It sounds familiar! "Oooooooooklahoma, where the winds come sweeping down the plains......!" I went to Basic Training out there back in '95. Also got family out there too, with my parents talking about moving to Norman or Mustang. What parts of the sooner state ya from? If you have ever been to the Northwoods Inn you wouldn't forget it. Looks like a rustic backwoods hunting lodge with snow on the roof and all! When I was there they even had water dripping from the artificial ice sickles hanging from the eves. While you are waiting for a table you sit in a kind of holding area with buckets of peanuts. When you take one out of the shell you just chunk the empties on the floor. Actually, I now live in Fort Smith, AR. But, I attend church over in Spiro, OK. Lived in Spiro from 1982 until last year, when we moved because of the gas prices. I am still a Sooner at heart!! Go OU!!!!! Sooner born and Sooner bred. When I die, I'll be Sooner dead!!! Where did you attend basic at? Sill?  The "sooner" the better. Huh? Yep! Went to basic training at Sill at the beginning of august. I think aside from the humidity, the thing that struck me most odd is the apparant lack of shade! But aside from all that, i thought it was a really nice area, in my opinion. Your description of Northwoods Inn does sound kinda familiar. I dont know if it's the same thing, but i know of a steakhouse out in Covina that is like that. Fake snow on the roof with dripping icicles and such. Pretty rustic and VERY out of place for southern california.... It was a long time ago. I've fried a brain cell or two since then. But, now that you mention it, it may have been in Covina. Oh yeah!!! Humidity and a lack of trees!!! That's Sill!!! Heck, for that matter, that's most of Western Oklahoma!!! But, did you know that Oklahoma has an elk herd in that area? In fact, they have a special draw hunt on Sill every year!!! Of all places to find elk!!!  And another thing! Has anybody noticed that Rob hasn't posted anymore? Reading all the responses about Riverside and the traffic....he may have went A.W.O.L.!!!!

you know the one thing that I remember most about southwest OKlahoma was the radio stations warning folks to watch where they were walking after a big rain because the rattlesnakes go to high ground!! Remember real well rolling down Ft. Sill Blvd. ontop an M110 running wide open without the governer just to be upfront in the mess hall line (Sill has to have the very worst Army food on this planet).

gary

Hey Gary! It sounds like alot had changed since you were there by the time i got in. I thought it was a really nice post! All relatively new barracks (called starships because of the design and layout of these things). Never had the rattlesnake issue, but the flash flooding did ruin our FTX toward the end. We had to evacuate the campsite  because it was so bad. And it wouldn't have broken my heart at all, had it not been for the fact that i had left my Protective Mask there in the mudhole i had been sleeping in

As far as Lawton, well i got to see it for maybe a couple of hours, but that was about it. And honestly, i can't even remember what it looked like. Still remember Arkbuckle Hill though, and everything in the training area pretty vividly. But i have to say that the most unusual thing i came face to face with was the tornado warnings during the late summer. Being from California, that was something i just never thought much about....

I imagine it would have been a GREAT place to be if you were permanant party though....

DesertRat wrote:

Hey Gary! It sounds like alot had changed since you were there by the time i got in. I thought it was a really nice post! All relatively new barracks (called starships because of the design and layout of these things). Never had the rattlesnake issue, but the flash flooding did ruin our FTX toward the end. We had to evacuate the campsite  because it was so bad. And it wouldn't have broken my heart at all, had it not been for the fact that i had left my Protective Mask there in the mudhole i had been sleeping in As far as Lawton, well i got to see it for maybe a couple of hours, but that was about it. And honestly, i can't even remember what it looked like. Still remember Arkbuckle Hill though, and everything in the training area pretty vividly. But i have to say that the most unusual thing i came face to face with was the tornado warnings during the late summer. Being from California, that was something i just never thought much about.... I imagine it would have been a GREAT place to be if you were permanant party though....

You know Ft. Sill wasn't a bad place even when I was there, but there was exactly nothing going on off post but taverns! I well remember the Japanese woman from Okinawa that played pool, and took many guys pay every month end on end. Like I said the last of the old barricks happened tobe the ones I stayed in, and even that wasn't all that bad. I remember the guys doing bed checks (bet you forgot that one!), and as the door was shutting downstairs we were heading down the fire escape up to main post. When I went to track school we had brand new barricks that even had cubicals (talk about living the high life). It was a lot nicer than Ft. Campbell KY; the land of ten million pushups!!!

gary

Duke Maddog wrote:

Hey Roger, still looking for Brookhurst? PM me and I'll be happy to meet you and take you there. Also, you should try Military Hobbies on Taft and Glassell one day. Not as big, but very clean and well stocked hobby shop. Hey, if you ever want to come to our IPMS meeting, just let me know.

Think i'll take ya up on that offer here soon, Duke! It's great to have buddies on the forums here, but i really don't know anyone else in person that does modelling. Well, my grandfather is the other one in the family, but he is in Santa Maria. I'll have to check my schedule here.

I think earlier on, someone mentioned the IPMS locally here, but that thread has long since been buried. Kinda thinking it might not be a bad idea to go as a guest at least and see how it is. Again, with the schedule.

   I'm wondering with the fires brewing here, i wonder what this week is gonna be like for me. My supervisor hasn't called me yet to fly in support, but one never really knows....

squeakie wrote:

DesertRat wrote: Hey Gary! It sounds like alot had changed since you were there by the time i got in. I thought it was a really nice post! All relatively new barracks (called starships because of the design and layout of these things). Never had the rattlesnake issue, but the flash flooding did ruin our FTX toward the end. We had to evacuate the campsite  because it was so bad. And it wouldn't have broken my heart at all, had it not been for the fact that i had left my Protective Mask there in the mudhole i had been sleeping in As far as Lawton, well i got to see it for maybe a couple of hours, but that was about it. And honestly, i can't even remember what it looked like. Still remember Arkbuckle Hill though, and everything in the training area pretty vividly. But i have to say that the most unusual thing i came face to face with was the tornado warnings during the late summer. Being from California, that was something i just never thought much about.... I imagine it would have been a GREAT place to be if you were permanant party though.... You know Ft. Sill wasn't a bad place even when I was there, but there was exactly nothing going on off post but taverns! I well remember the Japanese woman from Okinawa that played pool, and took many guys pay every month end on end. Like I said the last of the old barricks happened tobe the ones I stayed in, and even that wasn't all that bad. I remember the guys doing bed checks (bet you forgot that one!), and as the door was shutting downstairs we were heading down the fire escape up to main post. When I went to track school we had brand new barricks that even had cubicals (talk about living the high life). It was a lot nicer than Ft. Campbell KY; the land of ten million pushups!!! gary

Gosh, i sure miss those carefree days of being a 21 year old Specialist living in the barracks....