Wednesday, November 20, 2013

What to look for this week...

Disneyland! What?! it's full of people? Imagine that!
Apple pie Crock Pot Style here
Latest play date craft date: Thanksgiving turkeys (use baby's foot and hands) here

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

How to hike to the Hollywood sign! (we did it wrong BUT figured it out and made it!)

This was great fun! Mostly because I got to be with my little family outside on a joint mission. It really helps when my husband suggests things to do so that I don't worry the whole time if he likes the plan and is having fun!
This was great fun also bc listening to my husband complain and moan and joke was so real and refreshing! I was cracking up!

Here are the instructions we used and -GASP!- failed to follow! This can be found here where you can learn other routes as well.
easiest - route to the 1,680 foot summit is via the Hollyridge Trail. To get there, take Highway 101 south to Franklin (or Gower, if you’re coming from the south, in which case you will turn right on Gower and right on Franklin) and head east to Beachwood. Turn left and follow Beachwood almost two miles to its end in the Hollywood Hills. Park where you can and begin hiking on the Hollyridge Trail, which climbs for a half mile and meets the Mulholland Trail. Head left, and look for a paved (but closed to traffic) road heading off to the right: appropriately named Mt. Lee Drive. This brings you to the top of Mt. Lee, where you can see the sign below, and if the weather is clear, the views are great. You can see the ocean, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown Los Angeles, the Santa Ana Mountains of Orange County and more. The total distance on this hike is 3 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 750 feet.

I have highlighted key words for you!

When you park go up the road to your right. If you look behind you, you will see the sign up and away. You are going to follow the people. If you are smart you will find someone who knows where they are going. Guess what?!  all these trail names Mr. Anonymous speak of in the above text---they don't exist on any signs that I SAW!
And....Guess what! If you miss that left turn you are heading the wrong direction towards the observatory not the sign!! And Guess what else, the left is behind you while you are walking looking around at all the views on your right! I am telling you it is easy to miss-- for reals yall!!! 
If you have walked for more than 10 minutes and you are not on paved road yet you are going the wrong way! Turn around! If there are horses on your trail--turn around!

My point you ask? It took us 1.5hrs to get up to the sign and about 25 coming down--the right way!


Again, this was great fun! bc I got to enjoy a REAL experience with my husband and son :) And the views were great!