mmm-yoso!!!, this is a food blog. The first part of today's post will be about the events centered around food. Cathy is writing; Kirk is on a break.
For your convenience: here are links to Road Tests #1/2 Road Tests #4/5 and Road Test #6
Another road test of mechanics and maneuverability for floats participating in the 130th Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, which will roll down the streets of Pasadena (and on your television) on January 1, 2019 occurred last Saturday at Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale. (There are three other float builders as well as six 'self built' floats participating in the Parade).
There's a surreal quality to each float, and the Lions Clubs International entry for this parade is just so cute. "Rocking' The Vest" is a fun "rap" video title from 2011-the inspiration for this float (Lions wear a distinctive yellow vest when volunteering). A Boom Box is on the back seat of the Cadillac, part of having a 'musical instrument' on each float- in accordance with the theme- 
The Melody of Life.
"Home Tweet Home is the entry from the City of Alhambra. The large bird outside of the birdhouse moves her head.
Shriners Clubs International features their mascot, Fezzy, on their float, "Fezzy's Garden of Hope and Healing". The butterfly on top of Fezzy's hat (a Fez), flutters.
United Sikh Mission has a float in the Rose Parade for a fifth year. It features a Rabab, a stringed instrument played by the founder (in 1500) of the Sikhs, Guru Nanak. The float title is "A Divine Melody Resonates In All". The message of peace, compassion and one loving God, the foundation of Sikh belief, will be featured in a unique song, "Eternal Cosmic Symphony" by Ghat Ghat Vaaje Naad.
Other floats were tested, in the shell stage; I'll be showing progress next month.
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Here's the food portion of this post.
We leave at 5 a.m., get to Tustin by 6:15 and stop somewhere within the vicinity of Red Hill Avenue. The Kolache Factory is a good choice for a quick snack.
Three kolaches were more than filling for the two of us. The most 'traditional' is the cherry topped sweet dough ($1.75), our 'breakfast dessert'.
The smaller kolache is a bacon-cheese filled delight ($2.45) which is a wonderful, savory, slightly sweet white dough. 
The sausage, egg & cheese kolache in wheat dough (there's a choice) ($3.45) is larger, heavier and a filling meal for one; ideal if shared.
Kolache Factory #070 14091 Newport Avenue Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 730-2253 website
Those kolaches were filling! We weren't hungry after float viewing and drove over to the 15 freeway when hunger pangs started to set in. The Mister looked for 'breakfast' on his phone and the next exit (Central Avenue) in Lake Elsinore showed two places of interest. We stopped at the first one.
Douglas Burgers, #23. A few mentions (on Yelp) go back to 2009, saying it has been here 'forever', before the housing build up. 
The long kitchen (under the menu board) has six flat top grills and an employee at each one. The drive through seems to move fast. 
The Pancake Combo ($6.75) includes two (large) pancakes, three eggs (any style) and two sausage (or bacon). The pancakes are excellent; sweet and light with a thin crisp exterior. The sausage was good (skin on). Eggs perfectly cooked over easy. 
There was a lot of bacon inside this breakfast sandwich ($6.25), even a piece on the exterior. Egg, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise: each bite perfect.
Douglas Burgers #23 18461 Dexter Avenue Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 (951)245-5441 Open Mon-Sat 6 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Bacon makes everything better! I liked the many selections of kolaches at the Kolache Factory and that they have different sizes (I like the smaller ones).
Great float update. Looking forward to seeing the floats fully decorated on parade day, especially the Sikh float!
amazing floats as always!
Floats are coming along nicely. 🙂 The kolaches are interesting. Reminds me of bao.
Thanks for the float update. No stop at Cream Pan? 🙂 Douglas Burgers #23 makes me think of Tom’s number something! BTW, you mention driving on the 15 and the next exit of Central Avenue in Tustin, but you meant Lake Elsinore, right?
It depends on the fillings for the kolaches, cc, but I just know all are good and fresh and wonderful. The Sikhs (and Armenians) seem to make ‘educational’ floats, which is so interesting each year.
The parade will be wonderful again this year, Kat.
I know you like seeing the floats, Soo. Kolaches are a big thing in Texas; many different businesses. This franchise location is the only one in California.
It’s all the same exit, Sandy (Red Hill Avenue) and only about 40 minutes before Irwindale. We usually stop at the Starbucks then go up the street two lights-to the right is Cream Pan and to the left is Kolache Factory and THH (Vietnamese)..our discussion is usually ‘which country do we want for a breakfast snack?’ (Yes, I meant Elsinore…fixed it: thank you)
I have been known to stop at both Cream Pan AND Kolache Factory! Haven’t tried THH yet.
I feel like an amateur, Sandy! Usually we are kind of in a hurry to get a parking spot in Irwindale so the Red Hill Road exit is quick. Answering your other comment, Tom’s Burgers #1 is *right next door* to Douglas Burgers #23- I had posted about Tom’s Burgers #23 (in Escondido) earlier this year and had wanted to try breakfast…which will happen. (As an aside, I really appreciate that you read every word of our posts and comments; I don’t think many people do).