Billions and Billions of Tourists

August 5, 2014

Destination: Griffith Park Observatory

Cost: Gas only

There’s nothing like spontaneity to mess up your evening. I got an unexpected e-mail from a friend who’s visiting the metropolis. She was going to the “Sunset Walk and Talk” at the Griffith Park Observatory with her daughter and asked if I wanted to join them. It sounded fun – a casual hike from the observatory grounds up the Charlie Turner Trail to the Berlin Forest and back, with stops along the way to learn about the history of Griffith Park and look at objects in the night sky. The price was right: free.

I last visited the Observatory in November 2012 and I was really impressed with the improvements made to this historical landmark – which had been closed from 2002-2006 for an ambitious expansion and renovation.  I have fond memories of planetarium visits in college – when we’d journey up the hill to attend the  Laserium shows there. These laser-light shows set to prog-rock music were all the rage in the 70’s.

So, I thought it would be great to rendezvous with friends at this iconic local spot. I fought traffic all the way to Vermont Ave – and called my friend at 7:25, to say it didn't look like I’d make the 7:35 p.m. start time for the hike. She said she’d sent me an e-mail -  her daughter was sick and they couldn't make it.

Since I was already there, I continued up the hill past the Greek Theater until traffic came to a standstill. There were hundreds of cars lining the winding canyon roads and the closest parking spot I could find was about a mile and a half from the Observatory. It was a beautiful night for a stroll, so I headed up the road with plenty of company, eavesdropping on conversations in a variety of languages.

The exhibits inside were interesting, but crowded - with lots of little kids pushing to the front and misbehaving. It was just not the right time to be there, so after about 45 minutes I started the long dark stroll back to the car. Fortunately, I love walking – so the views of the chaparral covered canyons and expansive L.A. Basin as the city lights came on prevented the evening from being a total failure. But I will not return to the Observatory during the height of the tourist season.