Wednesday Bus Tour LA Area

We woke early, spent some time together, and then rallied around 7 for our 8:30 pick-up for a tour of LA. Breakfast was cereal wtih some fruit added. Deborah and Jeanne get $10 to spend at the hotel for each room. That supplied the fruit. Dressed and all of that, we headed down early to meet our guide for the day, Gabriel, and we got the three forward seats. We picked up another couple, and we were off.

Our guide was a bit loose with facts and his understanding of many things. He was friendly and seemed to know the area. It was sort of like your uncle, who might have done too many drugs, is clean now, and is now giving you a tour while you are in the area. The driver from the cold TV show Taxi, Jim, played by Christopher Lloyd, comes to mind, kind of mixed with Keanu Reeves as Ted.

We first stopped at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and took pictures. He reminded us that we have two years to save up for the next Olympics in LA. Part of the World Cup will be played next door in the newer BMO Stadium.

Next, Gab had a plan and took us to the observatory, which, sadly, was closed, but it was still on the list of things to see on this trip (“check”). It was a lovely view–the grounds were open, and I was thinking of La La Land (here). You can see the Hollywood sign from the Griffith Observatory, and we took all the required shots.

I have some money for some books from the Hari Krishnas, a gentleman dressed in robes and shaven hair and other women with a slight accent in a bucket hat, and a comfortable shirt and dress, and they were thrilled to get a customer. We exchanged cards, and they invited me to see them at their restaurant in Culvert. Gab and Deboriah made fun of me, and I suggested reading the chants. I did get a book on chanting, a book of food recipes, and more chants and other philosophies. Cab would point out all the strange churches to me for the rest of the trip. Deborah, somewhere, could not roll her eyes anymore.

Hollywood was next, and Gab’s unique take on what we need to know, including hot dog location and fast food. He did point out where various movies were filmed and the ramp where La La Land starts. It seems that the local area has appeared in many movies, redressed as needed.

We found a few stars and then enjoyed the Chinese Theater footprints. It was getting hot, and the cement was radiating heat. We started overheating ourselves. We rushed to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop and cooled down with a mini-sundie for Jeanne and me; Deborah got iced coffee (and had some of my ice cream). We used this place last time we were here. We rushed them and even walked and ate as we got to the bus a few minutes early.

With more interesting dialogue (and disorganized) from Gab and him, pointing out some places without providing any time to photograph them from the bus, we reached Mel’s Drive-in, which was used in the movie American Graffiti. Pictures from the movie’s filming and of other famous actors (the Kardashians’ shop is next door) now cover the walls in places. I had a wonderful meatloaf sandwich. I ate it open-faced as it was too huge to bite. Jeanne had the grilled cheese and short rib sandwich. Deborah, finding it on a special menu, had the protein breakfast, and 10% of its price was given to charity. It was on the special Arnold Schnitzer menu (the former governor). Deborah said it was fresh tasting and the best food on the trip so far. Might have to come back to Mel’s Dine-in.

We drove through Beverly Hills with its insane homes and platnum colored fore plugs, really. We saw all the stores for the rich and famous. We did not stop, and that was fine with us. Gab joked that we would have to extend our credit limits to stop. Nobody was insulted.

The beaches were our finish. Gab drove us through the nice area of Santa Monica State Beach and then explained that Venice has always been run-down, and that it was cheap for artists to live and be inspired by the beach or the folks there. Bars on windows, smell of pot, and a ‘last of the hippy places’ vibe. I liked it. We walked to the water over lots of hot sand. Jeanne enjoyed the water while I just got some on my shoes, and Deborah got a bit more. Not drenched. We then found the Small Bookshop, and there I found some postcards, cards, and a book.

We did stop at a marina and saw a seal. But after that, Gab took on traffic and got us back intact. We gave him a reasonable tip; he needs it, we think (to get more cheap hot dogs), as he rambles a lot. Still, it was a pleasant day.

At the hotel, we take a short break, and then head across the street to the Irish Pub (at LA prices) and have drinks and too much food (we learned that the fridges have been replaced and food stays cold in them now. We can bring back food!