The Wild Parrots of Orange County

A couple of days ago, a parrot was spotted in a tree on Vanguard's campus mall. As crowds gathered to observe this unusual occurrence, there was much speculation as to its origins. The general consensus was that it had most likely escaped from an owner's cage somewhere and was simply lost. My curiosity piqued, however, I decided to look into the parrot quandary myself. As it turns out, parrots are actually fairly common residents of Orange County, though no one is quite sure why. One theory suggests that as a local pet store burned down, the panicked owner set the tropical birds free. They managed to thrive in the local climate and their population has grown exponentially since. Another theory posits that there was a more sinister cause involving an underground parrot smuggling ring. Why anyone would want to smuggle parrots is beyond me, but who knows? Whatever the case, the end result is that there are a variety of tropical parrots inhabiting areas like Fullerton, Santa Ana, and Orange. Keep your eyes open for 'em.

For more info:
http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1177755.php

El Adobe de Capistrano - San Juan Capistrano

It's quaint, it's romantic, and it's haunted... or at least rumor has it that that's the case. El Adobe de Capistrano is located in Southern Orange County and boasts multiple stories of hauntings. The wine cellar area (pictured here) is a converted jail. It is said that guests are often seen turning around suddenly as if tapped by an unseen hand, and the waitstaff experiences unsettling chills and sensations while in that area.

To make things even more interesting, the restaurant even boasts its own headless haunt. Inexplicably, a decapitated monk is seen wandering the streets around the restaurant. While history doesn't point to one incident that could be responsible for the apparition, some posit that military and political troubles in the area, as well as a history of forced religious conversions could be responsible for the wandering souls. 

Legends aside, if you're looking for a sweet date outside of the Vanguard bubble, El Adobe de Capistrano might be a good option. You'd probably want to save it for an anniversary, or a first date if you're really ambitious. After all, charming atmosphere in Orange County rarely comes cheap. Expect to pay a minimum of about $15 for an entree. Headless ghosts come for free.

Links:

http://www.eladobedecapistrano.com/menus.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Adobe_de_Capistrano

Getting There from VU:

Blackstar Canyon Road - Irvine

Perhaps it is the local lore that surrounds this spot that is to blame for the eerie vibes one gets upon visiting it, but I would be lying if I said that Black Star Canyon Rd. didn't give me the heebie-jeebies from the get-go.

Some legends about the road include a bearded man with no teeth called "Black Star Bill" who chases any visitors he finds away, creatures shrouded in black with a penguin-like gait, witchcraft and KKK rituals, ghost cars, and your regular run-of-the-mill squatters. To be quite honest, it's that last one that worried me the most.

Upon my voyage I saw no penguins, toothless men, or pagan rituals, but the consistent chill running up my spine was enough to inspire me to make my visit brief. Black Star is the kind of place where you constantly feel like you're being watched, and if it is true that there are various people residing here, it is quite possible.

For more info:
http://www.blackstaradventures.com/ghosts.php
http://www.ghosts.org/stories/tales/blackstar-canyon.html
http://www.warriorssociety.org/Blackstar_info.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Star_Canyon

Getting there from VU:

	1:	Start out going EAST on FAIR DR toward NEWPORT BLVD.	0.2 miles	Map
	2:	Turn LEFT onto NEWPORT BLVD.	<0.1>	Map
	3:	Merge onto CA-55 N via the ramp on the LEFT.	1.7 miles	Map
	4:	Merge onto I-405 S via EXIT 6A toward SAN DIEGO.	1.8 miles	Map
	5:	Take the JAMBOREE ROAD exit- EXIT 7.	0.3 miles	Map
	6:	Turn LEFT onto JAMBOREE RD.	3.6 miles	Map
	7:	Stay STRAIGHT to go onto CA-261 N (Portions toll).	5.7 miles	Map
	8:	Take the SANTIAGO CANYON RD / CA-241 S exit- EXIT 6A- toward CHAPMAN AVE.	0.2 miles	Map
	9:	Take the SANTIAGO CYN RD exit on the LEFT toward CHAPMAN AVE.	<0.1>	Map
	10:	Turn RIGHT onto SANTIAGO CANYON RD.	5.3 miles	Map
	11:	Turn LEFT onto SILVERADO CANYON RD.	0.1 miles	Map
	12:	End at Black Star Canyon Rd & Silverado Canyon Rd Silverado, CA 92676, US		Map
Total Est. Time: 25 minutes Total Est. Distance: 19.47 miles