LA: Prehistoric age to Classic Hollywood
Following a trip to Pasadena and the Nebraska-UCLA football on Day 2 of our trip, we made up for lost touristy things on Day 3.
We visited the Hollywood Walk of Fame to start the day. Actually, the Walk of Fame was pretty much a daily ritual since we were just two blocks from it. We had breakfast and a coffee at the Starbucks on Hollywood and Vine daily. 
Lisa and I visited the Babylon shopping center. The outdoor mall is centrally located on Hollywood Boulevard. However, it does not have the “look” of an outdoor mall. Unless you know what you are looking for, it’s easy to walk past it.
An interesting point of attraction to the Babylon mall is the view of the famous “Hollywood” sign along the mountains. The sign is a clear view from the mall’s third level.
Another cool attraction was the “Road to Hollywood” red carpet near the main entrance. The carpet ran from the street entrance to the first level.
Following the visit there, we met up with our traveling mates at a farmer’s market off Hollywood Boulevard. I found it interesting that a drummer would not let me take his photo without first showing him some dough. At home, while it probably is expected, the performers at least act as though they appreciate the money.
We soon hit the streets of the city for our Sunday adventure.
The LaBrea Tar Pits awaited us. Animals were likely trapped in the tar pits 11,000-55,000 years ago. The first fossil was identified in 1875 – a saber tooth tiger. The Page Museum is home to several of the fossils. Visit http://www.tarpits.org/ for more information on the tar pits and their “inhabitants.”
Downtown LA awaited us following the tar pits. Nothing says Mexican for lunch than viewing Mastodon replicas stuck in asphalt.
The Mexican flea market was active at Olivera Street, near Union Station. We walked through the vendors’ areas, taking in the sights and sounds – mariachi bands strolled along the area entertaining guests, while we checked out the marionettes, wallets/purses, clothes and instruments – available to shoppers and onlookers. 
We decided to have Mexican for lunch. I was adventurous for me and tried a dish that included cactus pads. I halfway expected to see cactus with needles on my plate. Instead, the cactus pads were sliced, green and apparently sautéed or grilled. They looked and tasted like green bell peppers.
Following lunch, we took in the Aztec Indian dancing celebration on the plaza.
After visiting Union Station, we headed out to the downtown area, to see the City Hall building, Bradbury Building and the famous Angels Flight incline.
We came upon the City Hall Building. Our friend mark and I both thought the building was the Parker Center – home of the LAPD. We learned it was indeed City Hall. The building is shown on the badge of every police officer. I was a little bummed to learn it was not Parker Center. Oh well…
The officers we met outside the building were friendly to us, as we visited for a few minutes. They let us try out their Police-style segways. They told us they knew we were tourists, because locals do not usually smile and acknowledge them. 
We made our way to the famous Bradbury Building. It ahs been the location for scenes from several movies, among them “Blade Runner” and “Wolf.”
The interior was clean and aged. It had the feel of a 1950s movie set. Our group had to get their pictures taken with the Charlie Chaplin sculpture sitting on a bench.
Afterward, we walked through a market area and had a drink. Then, it was on to the Angels Flight incline.
Angels Flight is the world’s shortest incline, traveling about 300 feet. At one time, it served an actual transportation purpose. Now, it is a mainly a tourist attraction. It was an enjoyable ride up for 50 cents a person.
Atop the incline, you get a pretty view of a well-landscaped plaza, as well as several skyscrapers. The US Bank Building was used for a scene in “Independence Day,” when the aliens launch their attack on LA. 
We headed to Griffith Park to take in the Griffith Observatory. Unbeknownst to us, the observatory is not actually in the park. So, as we made our way out of the park, we figured we would not have enough time to actually tour the observatory that day.
Instead, we stopped at Autry Museum of the West. It is named after famous cowboy singer Gene Autry.
The museum recognized the achievements of both cowboys and Native Americans.
The museum had several interesting exhibits. There was a section on southwest Indian dolls.
The sections I found most interesting were the western toys and TV shows.
I had several of the toys they displayed – from a Winchester rifle, two-gun holster, and hats to the Johnny West collection of action figures. I had Johnny West, Geronimo, General Custer, Major Reno and their horses. Gosh, it brought back so many fond memories.
The TV and film sections may have overblown my circuits. The map they used at the beginning of “Bonanza” was on display. Clothes and other memorabilia from TV westerns – “The Big Valley,” “The Virginian,” “Lone Ranger” and “Gunsmoke.” 
They had a display for Nebraska native Hoot Gibson. Gibson was an early film star and cowboy crooner. He was from Tekamah, where my in-laws live. The town has an annual rodeo named after him.
Some of the movie items on display were Autry’s, as well as outfits from movies. My favorite movie item was a sombrero and gun and holster from “The Three Amigos.”
After our trip through Tim’s cowboy memory lane, we decided to head up the Hollywood hills to Mulholland Drive.
Atop the hills, you get a breathtaking view of the valley and Los Angeles. One thing that was cool to me was seeing the Capital Records building, which was about two blocks from our hotel. 
Of course, the Hollywood sign was large and clearly viewed from our stop. Below us lay the Hollywood Bowl. We got a glimpse of the top of the stage. We later drove by the entrance on our way back to the hotel.
Following a late dinner on Hollywood Boulevard, we decided to have a night cap at The Frolic Room bar. Our friends Mark and Ron have a tradition of visiting the bar when they are in LA. It was a small dive-looking bar (meant in a positive manner). It definitely had a feel of a Hollywood movie bar. And good thing, too, as it has a true Hollywood history.
The Frolic Room has been used in movies, such as “LA Confidential” and “The Black Dahlia.”
When the Academy Awards were hosted at the Pantages Theater next door 1949-59, celebrities used The Frolic Room as a cocktail reception area. Best picture winners during that time included “from Here to Eternity,” “Bridge over the River Kwai,” and “On the Waterfront.” Imagine the actors, actresses and directors who stood and sat where we were…Wow! 
We finished the day with a great stop. By the time we returned to the hotel, all four of us were ready to hit the hay. What a day!
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