Born and raised in Los Angeles I have seen the Hollywood sign from a zillion different angles but always from afar. Today's challenge was our longest and hardest hike yet. A 3 hour round trip hike all uphill to the back of the Hollywood sign, overlooking Hollywood Lake, the observatory, L.A, the ocean, etc.. About an hour into the hike I quietly was saying to myself "why does Dave let me come up with these ideas?" But then it leveled off, my endorphin's kicked in, the wind was blowing and I felt great...for a moment. Then, around a turn the hill raged on for what seemed another 25 minutes. A gentleman seeing my hair disheveled and out of breath passed by saying, "you are almost there." We reached it and it was breathtaking! The letters were larger than life, I'd say about 2 stories tall. The hike is quite an accomplishment and going down works a whole new set of muscles that are aching as I type. I'm glad we did this but I'm pretty sure I'll never do it again which is why it is officially checked off the bucket list!
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| First stop the Bat Cave where the Bat mobile exited. Several movies filmed here. |
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| An hour into the hike, Grant laying his head on the pillow contemplating a nap |
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| The camera doesn't do justice to the view. It really is much clearer and you can see the ocean |
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| Almost there! I can see the sign in the distance |
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| Lots of trails and its a constant incline |
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| Every corner I was thinking are we there yet |
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| WE MADE IT! THE CLOSEST YOU CAN GET TO THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN |
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| My camera is too slow to catch his quickness |
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| Someone in trouble |
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| Again, camera too slow to catch him smiling at me |
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| Part German Shepherd, part Wolf. This dog was HUGE! Much scarier than a pitbull in my opinion |
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| I call this my little rickshaw |
