California, here we come, episode 7. In which we gaze.

Among the first items on my LA list was The Griffith Observatory.  It is not so much that I am a star gazer, although I do appreciate a clear night sky in which I can observe the heavens and imagine that I may be the object of another's gaze from a similarly serene cross-galactic perch, but like many a traveler (on this planet at least) I am on constant lookout for a breathtaking view.  There's nothing like returning from a trip, exhausted (completed list of crossed-off activities in hand), and admiring that perfect photo panorama (except experiencing the panorama itself, of course).

Consulting my favorite travel guide series, DK Eyewitness Travel's
Top 10, for Los Angeles, I was assured that a visit to the Griffith Observatory would help me cross at least two items off my list.  First, it is a practically perfect spot to capture a panoramic photo of the Hollywood sign and, second, following in the (literal) steps of a favorite actor and a favorite film. The climactic location of 1955's Rebel Without a Cause was filmed here and is now marked with a nice memorial to James Dean.

I resisted the urge to run down the steps formerly trod by Dean as he tried to save Plato (Sal Mineo) at the end of the film, but it was difficult not to feel the actors' presence (along with that of Natalie Wood) while walking the carefully manicured (and crowded) grounds in front of the observatory.

Not sure if everyone visiting on that Tuesday afternoon, our last full day in LA, was channeling that talented trio of young actors (whose talents triangulated in perfect star alignment for a favorite film), but the LA landmark (and its majestic views) lends itself to quiet contemplation, however busy and boisterous (and un-sentimental) the crowds may be.

Mari and I actually ran into a young couple with whom we had waited in line the previous day at The Price is Right taping, proving that it is definitely a small world.

Visit the detailed site for up-to-date information about exhibits and family-friendly activities.

griffithobservatory.org

Unfortunately, Mari and I had only given ourselves two hours for the visit, which may seem like a lot of time, but the scenic and upwardly winding drive, coupled with a similarly spiraling search for parking and a bit of a hike up the hill to the observatory, didn't leave enough time to observe the interior of the actual building.

My fault for

baring my beach bod

a little longer than expected

that morning. 

At right is another reason to visit Griffith, a spectacular view of the massively majestic complexity that is Los Angeles.

Also could not resist snapping this street sign photo on the way up to Griffith.  Thanks, as always, to Mari for hanging out the passenger window at a moment's notice to capture a future memory.

One of my earliest forays into classic films, 1950's Sunset Boulevard remains a rewatched favorite in our home, not just for the obviously iconic performance by Gloria Swanson, but for an equally magnetic William Holden. Maybe it's because he's a writer and we all know how sexy and mysterious writers are, right?

Did I mention there is a cafe at the observatory?  Perhaps I should have reminded myself of that little travel tidbit when Mari and I later discovered we wouldn't be able to have lunch or dinner until about
10:00 PM (more than 12 hours after our healthy fruit and granola laden B&B breakfast).  

Not only was The Café at the End of the Universe (fantastically fitting name for an observatory cafe that fans of Douglas Adams and hungry tourists alike can appreciate) ideally situated, it could have prevented a few surly stomach growls from a 50-year-old Texan slash native New Yorker during a taping of 2 Broke Girls later that evening.

More on my date with Sophie Kachinsky (and a couple of AWESOME hot dogs) next time.