Funny how the body/mind adjusts. Am sure all the noise is the same but somehow you sleep through it now at least the traffic noise. The piercing yells at 3 am from Pershing Square still carry to room. Anyhoo, a good nights sleep and return of bodily functions – if you get my drift – has me ready to go at 630 am again 😏 Plan is have a hot breakfast on site then bus it to Dodger Stadium and then back to Walk of Fame before checking out Griffith Observatory this morning. That plan is fluid of course with the one caveat being the shuttle up to observatory does not start running until 10 am .
Having trouble working out the dining options here for breakfast . Online appears to be a menu for Cafe Rendezvous that includes hot breakfast which sounded good. This morning though all the chairs from yesterday are gone and breakfast is next door which only offers a full buffet breakfast . Will save that indulgence for Vegas which really only left me with two options? Waffle or Pancake ?
Now even though a morning person one has to balance the safety issue of using public transport before the coppers may be awake so by unanimous decision of 1-0 we went with 730 am .
Again a pleasant cool morning developing into another beautiful day. Bus was quiet and arrived at first stop on Sunset to start the trek up Vin Scully Drive to Dodger Stadium. While it would be great to do a stadium tour it is also great to have place to yourself. Exhibit A-H
Back down to Sunset for next of two buses to Hollywood and Vine and then a short Walk to the Walk (patent pending). As you walk up Vine you notice some famous stars which are repeated on the main drag for some reason. Lack of crowds was very good here with the only congestion in front of Grauman’s Theatre on the boulevard . I gave out a few autographs and that dispelled the crowd. As luck would have it as I was heading to Metro to leave there was a star all by itself on a wall. Well not for long , trust me. Lucky find.
Easy metro then to Vermont where a free shuttle bus takes you up to Observatory . In general have to say the public transport works very well . Use the TAP card and all rides basically $1.75 including the 60 min train to Long Beach. There are some dodgy folk around sure but have not bothered me. The more affected ones of course talk incessantly to themselves. Mind you , in 2024 the Yuppies always appear to be talking to themselves anyway with ear buds in all the time while on phone. In my experience I have found the homeless conversations more interesting than the yuppies 😏 Arrived at Observatory by 1030 am . Not too crowded and while sunset would be brilliant the weather – and smog – can be bad and by time I left clouds had rolled in. I took these beauties before that
Back down to Metro on shuttle and then an easy train back to Pershing Square . Picked up a very tasty Focaccia for lunch and settled in for a quiet hour with feet up. Ankle is doing well actually but toes do hurt after 5 hours in shoes. Will do a little research for rest of day but with big day tomorrow will be a quiet one methinks. Maybe a mini pub crawl in neighbourhood couldn’t hurt eh ?
Headed out for a couple of frothy ones. It’s a beautiful day out certainly but have to say the area within easy walking distance of Biltmore does not inspire . It is very run down but must say Karl Strauss Brewing nearby was impressive – and it had the golf on !
It was tempting to settle in for a few but then I remembered I’m going to the golf tomorrow 🤦🏻♂️ Decided to head up to Central Market and mainly a place for food but did find Golden Road Brewing and was suitably impressed even with plastic cups. Hey, I bought a T Shirt even – cheaper than doing laundry at Biltmore 😏
That will do for another great day where got a lot of tourist stuff done . Back home to watch end of golf and then plan tomorrow . As usual will start early so may not last the day but with The Striped One starting at midday expect to be there for that . After all he is only about 8 shots off the pace after one round….
flashman181 