We stayed in the beautiful Los Feliz area. According to Scott, this is the Beverly Hill before there was one. The houses were amazing, all different and had such character. Every morning we got up and walked through the neighborhood hills.
We met up with Scott, Sema, and friend Shiho for breakfast at the Griddle cafe in Hollywood. I have been dreaming about my breakfast since we decided to go on this journey. Black Magic pancakes. This deadly recipe consists of (probably one sleeve of) crushed Oreo's in each flapjack topped with whip cream and more oreos. Sounds gross, but really its so yummy!!! I debated getting the muscle builder omelet which consists of healthy eggs and veggies. I was told that I should just order the pancakes as I would not be able to eat like this for 6months while training for my next figure show. They didn't have to twist my arm too much for me to give in. We split it with Tanner and Rylan, gave a bunch away for the others to taste, and we still brought home a quarter or more of it. The boys had it the next morning for breakfast. They were in heaven, I am currently still trying to walk it off.
Later that day we went to Marina Del Rey to check out the beach area. It was a bit windy and chilly for us hot desert folk. They boys had a lot of fun running from the waves that were crashing up onto the sand. They got all wet, dirty, and loved every minute of it.
We spent the 4th of July playing on the beach in Santa Monica. Tanner and Chad played alot in the ocean. Rylan went in once, swallowed a big gulp of the Pacific waters and never returned. He hung out with me and built lots of sand castles.
Later that night we went over to some friends house who lived in Marina Del Rey and watched the fireworks over the pier. It was a spectacular show. We could see LA in the background and the other displays going on.
Our last day there, Scott suggested we go to the Hollywood Farmers Market for breakfast. He told us of a vendor there that makes the most wonderful quesidilla breakfast burritos. They were fantastic! Good thing we split one. Again another food that would have been lethal to my body, but well worth it!
Afterwards we went to the Hollywood walk of fame and the mall where the kids got their pictures taken with the movie actor characters. Bumble Bee was their favorite.
This all fell on the weekend after Michael Jacksons death. I told Chad I didn't care if we did anything else, but I had to go see MJ's star on the walk of fame. I wanted to see the house he was renting as well, but we ran out of time. There was a huge memorial set up for him by and around his star. It was very sad..."Gone too Soon". His music, videos, dancing...it was a big part of my childhood. I remember waiting anxiously to watch his "Thriller" video when it was first being released on MTV.
Our last stop on the way out was a cool little Cafe where writers go to work on their projects. Chad and Scott have been there often working on their new book.
