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Me Myself & Riggins

Tag Archives: Griffith Park

Reporting Live from the Surface of the Sun

29 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

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Tags

Bear, dogs, fire, Fredo, Griffith Park, hiking, hot, Huxley, Jax, KNBC, Los Angeles, Pekka, pool, Santa Anas, The Big C, weather, wind

"... do not wear a sweater." - Thanks for that tip KNBC  -- source

“Don’t wear a sweater.” – Thanks for that tip KNBC

You know in The Big C where Laura Linney’s character goes a little wack-a-doodle and starts digging a pool in her backyard?  I predict that will be me before the end of summer 2014 ends.  I don’t do well in super heat.  Riggins does not do well in super heat.  Based on all the evidence our summer in Los Angeles is going to be SUPER  HOT.  At some point I’m going to lose my mind to dehydration, grab a shovel, head to the back yard, and start digging.  Then I’m going to grab the hose and just let it fill up into a muddy wonderful mess so the dogs and I can splash around like cool little piggies.  To you it sounds like a mess.  It’s 91 degrees right now here.  To me it sounds like heaven.

Bear, Huxley & Jax seek shade on Runyon

Bear, Huxley & Jax seek shade on Runyon

91 DEGREES …. END OF APRIL …. 91 DEGREES.  For the next few days Los Angeles will be threatening record-breaking temperatures.  I’m not okay with that.  I live at the base of the LA Mountains.  A nice little piece of desert I like to call my own (well it’s someone else’s and I give them money to live on it).  The sun is drawn to this area and beats down on it with the power of … well … the sun.  Anything left out too long like awnings and lawn chairs are sun washed and faded.  80% of the neighborhood relies on succulents and cactus as their main garden features.  Even the “breeze” is bullshit as it is really just a hot gust of wind we call the “Santa Anas.”  All in all it is a hot mess.  Literally.

Pekka hits the pool.

Pekka hits the pool.

Riggins is a black dog and almost 9 years old.  Those two things make him extra sensitive to heat, although most dogs can get heat exhaustion/stroke very fast.  It is something I have to be very careful of especially when hiking with the dogs.  Frankly I’d rather go out with the pups in the rain vs. high temperatures.  On hot days I eat enough flying bugs to hit my protein quota for the day.  When it gets as hot as it is now and will be for most of this week, our options of where we can go are very limited.  There aren’t a lot of hikes that offer shade or enough shade.  I also have to worry about the trail getting too hot for their sensitive paws and being able to hike with enough water.  Finally, although just as important, if it is a “red flag warning” day I need to be aware of not getting myself into a position where a brush fire could cause us issues.  It’s a real concern as any moment now the hills around me could go up in flames with a snap of my fingers (or some assholes cigarette thrown out the window — I saw a guy driving around Griffith Park recently throw a lit cigarette out the window.

Fredo is the king of chilax hiking!

Fredo is the king of chilax hiking!

STUPID STUPID STUPID.  Don’t do that.  That is a really bad move and could cause mass destruction and death given the right circumstances.  The hills are crazy dry right now.  One little spark and … poof!).  All in all it’s a pain in my butt.

Better for all of us to just stay inside and chillax (as my sister would say).   If you need us we will all be lying on the bed on top of the contents of the ice trays I will dump there.

Stay chill … or at least try.

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Lights Camera … Wait Who Owns that Dog?

08 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

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Tags

filming, Griffith Park, movies, Observatory, Riggins, TV

photo 3 (24)Have I told you about my disdain for film crews?  It is absolutely irrational how irate I get at having to be put off by on-site  filming.  An event that happens quite often living in Los Angeles.  A normal person would take it with a grain a salt and just go about their business and/or be excited at a possible glimpse at a celebrity.  Not me.  I see those big white movie trailers parked in an area I’m headed to and I start to get all red with steam coming out of my ears.  I don’t know why.  Maybe it is jealousy.  I’m jealous that they get to be doing their fun job while I am not.  More than not though I think it is the fact that I’ve come up against many an actor/crew member who feels entitled by their position.  I don’t do well with those type of folks.

At one point in my college life I did extra work during my school breaks.  Because of my age I mostly was background where “over 18 to look younger” was needed.  If you want to come face to face with entitled actors TV series that feature teenagers is a pretty good place to start.  More than once I had to sit around in short shorts and a crop top freezing my ass off while someone had to convince the lead actress to shrug off her big warm jacket to do her scene.  You know it’s bad when the crew starts asking if you are okay and mention that you are starting to turn blue.  I soon learned that my “acting” skill wasn’t really needed in this specific setting and learned to do the minimal amount of work possible.  Most of what you do “on set” as an extra is sit around and wait.  Due to boredom I sometimes missed out on the getting up and moving part.  I was once asked if I could at least read my book inside the shot.  A quick shrug and I mosied on over to some steps where the lead actors where going to be, plopped down, and got back to reading.

I was on a set of a TV show where the lead male actor was such a cocky ass that I managed to get caught making fun of him.  I was taken off camera that day.  But not off set!  I got to sit next to the bagels and eat, read and get paid for it.  Since no one really knew who I was it didn’t hurt my working on more sets either.  There was always a need for the “over 18 to look younger.”

What is worse than the studio productions are the independent ones.  The ones that are shooting on the fly, without permits, and with minimal crew.  I once almost killed myself and some dude holding a mic by the LA River.  They were filming some period piece on the bike path and as I turned a blind corner (on my bike) the crew guy came running down a bank right in front of me.  There is film somewhere that shows a biker from the future (aka me) screaming and cursing bloody murder at everyone on and off camera.

photo 1 (31)Just a couple of years ago I was in NY and late for a meeting.  I was power walking down the street only to get stopped by a “studio cop” who was holding  up foot traffic to film some scene from some TV series.  “Hellz no!” I thought.  Granted I was in a bad place right that moment in my life but the last thing I needed was to be even later for a meeting.  In my mind I was working like a dog and I wasn’t going to let some TV series tell me what to do.  I walked through.  I heard someone yell cut and like you would expect from good NYers had a number of people follow my rebellious ways.

Today Riggins and I headed to Griffith Park for a fun hike.  My plan was to park near the start of Fern Dell to take the fun little path up to the cafe then continue up to the observatory.  Of course my plan went to hell in a handbag as soon as I saw a zillion white trailers and orange cones.  They were filming.  Damn it!  Despite the fact that they felt like they could take up 90% of parking at Griffith Park I was able to find a spot for my car.  My anger subsided as I had a gay ol’ time with my buddy Riggins and didn’t even remember I hated these people until it was time to get back in the car to leave.  At that point I went up to the GIANT parking lot to turn around.  There is no way they could take up the ENTIRE PARKING LOT.   I was wrong.  There was no one to be seen but one lonely traffic directing woman who thought she was all that AND a slice of bread.  She stood in front of my car frantically giving me the STOP sign.  I pulled up and rolled down my window telling her I was just turning around.  She was not okay with this and started to go crazy.  Luckily I was in a car and all I had to do was roll up my window and drive around her.  Then I turned around, drove by her again as she glared angrily at me, and headed on my way.  Now explain to me why I couldn’t turn around right there when they were filming a good 1/2 mile further down the street?  This is just where the crew was supposed to park and even then the lot was nowhere near full?  THAT is why I dislike these  people.  You aren’t that important.  Seriously.  You just aren’t.  There is absolutely no reason you need to act like you are guarding the President of the United States.  Riggins cares way more about your craft service table than anything else and I care about nothin’.

Here is my theory on how on site filming could make things better.

photo 2 (32)1. Stop being entitled asshats.

2. Give something back to the people you are putting off.  If it is a movie you are filming give out free tickets to a screening.  You can even make it a test screening for you if you want to get something out of it.  Frankly most won’t even show up but it is the thought that counts.  TV folks?  Give away anything.  At a hiking spot?  Give away bottled water with your logo.  Anything to show you appreciate the fact that you are in someone else’s space.  Even if you are paying the city to be in that space … acknowledge the individual.

3.  Don’t take up all the parking.  It’s already a pain in the ass to park in LA.  You are already busing some folks to and from their cars would it hurt  you to drive a little further?

4.  Don’t be angry when I screw up your shot because you have pissed me off.  I can’t control myself.  I just get so enraged.

I know all folks in the “business” aren’t bad.  After all I have many friends who work in it and I love them dearly.  Don’t get me wrong though.  If their filming gets in my way Riggins and I are walking right through their shot.  Look for us the next time you watch your favorite TV show.

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Dog First

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

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Tags

atheist, Dog, God, Griffith Park, instagram, runyon

download (3)I recently changed my Instagram (@wnewell) account from private to public.  Since 90% of my pictures are of the dogs I decided I should be kind and share the cuties with the world.  Since doing this I’ve slowly been gaining followers and “likes” from folks I don’t know.  I love to look at everyone’s profile (probably because it is just a few sentences long) and their pictures to learn more about these dog lovers.  In general those download (4)folks that pay attention to my pictures fall into one of two categories:

  1. Dog Lover
  2. Person Who Works Out a Lot

download (1)The dog lover is a no brainer but why the health nuts?  I’m sure it is because all my pictures are tagged with the location we are at so there are a lot of #griffithpark, #runyon, etc. fans.  After tagging a picture I often click on it to see who else was around that day and the pictures they took.  I assume others do the same and that is how people are stumbling upon my dog pictures.

download (2)Anyway, those work out fans often state “God first” in their mini profiles.  Not being someone who looks to God let alone place him as my number one, I tried to translate this into language I could understand (much like when someone says they are praying for me and I translate it to thinking of me/wishing the best for me).  My first thought was that you are putting yourself first.  That downloadworks, “me first.”  Then I decided that sounded too Ayn Rand-ish and I hate Ayn Rand so I changed it to “humanity first.”  That still didn’t really do it justice so I gave up swapped out the d and g and got Dog first!  Bingo!  We have a winner!

Everyone that knows me knows I put Riggins first.  Even when I have all the other dogs with me Riggins gets priority.  He gets to go download (5)in the car first so that he gets “his” spot (behind the passenger seat).  If he wants to come up on to my bed and another dog is in his place everyone has to shuffle around so there is room for Riggins.  He knows what’s up.  He will stand next to the bed patiently waiting until his spot is ready for him.  If he wants to cuddle with me on the sofa I have to move all the other dogs so he download (7)can sit next to and then lie down on me.  He is my baby!  There are a few dogs he will share his space with and honestly sometimes due to lack of space he has no choice.  He is a good sport.

Riggins can be both a cuddle monster and an independent dude depending on what he is feeling in that moment.  I love when he is in cuddle mode.  Who doesn’t love a cuddly dog?  Recently a friend needed download (6)some dogs for her web series and asked if I could be available.  If you need dogs (or dog poop) I’m your gal!  The lead actor announced he didn’t care for one of my dogs (he is a good guy and really loved them all … but not all the same).  One of his reasons why is that she didn’t seem that cuddly.  He was right.  She isn’t much of a cuddlier.  Some dogs aren’t.  Other dogs NEED to be in your lap.  They have to be touching you or snuggling at all times.  Let’s face it as much as I love cuddle mode sometimes I need a break which makes Riggins the perfect pup for me!

Therefore I say … DOG FIRST!

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Hiking Thoughts

20 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Asscher, Dog, dog poop, dog walking, dogs, gangs, great dane, Griffith Park, hiking, poop, Riggins, tagging, trail

photo 3 (3)This morning Riggins, Asscher and I headed up to Griffith Park to check out a new trail.  Not a new trail to this earth.  A new trail to us.   As I’ve mentioned before when I’m hiking I don’t listen to music or podcasts so that I can be alert for critter/snake/bad people sounds.  This means it is a good time for my mind to wander.  Here are my random thoughts from today’s adventure.

* Why all the nature tagging?  Recently I’ve noticed an increase of tagging on my hikes.  Why?  (I suppose the real answer is an increase in gang activity and a decrease in police activity but I don’t want to think about that.) I’m not an expert but these do seem to be gang/territory related.  It’s bad enough when buildings and property are covered in spray paint but it just plain ol’ sucks when it starts showing up on trees and rocks.  Today I saw a side of a hill tagged.  Side of a hill?!?!?!?  First of all, what good does that do?  Someone has to walk uphill a good 1/2 hour before they even see it.  Have gangs now become more health conscious?  Have they added cardio to their daily routine?  Why there?  The scenic overview of the golf course is a great place for a drug buy?  I’d also like to point out that you have tagged dirt.  Although I find this almost humorous it is less than permanent, which I think is your ultimate goal.  When LA eventually gets a good rain your “art” will get washed away.  You are also making it very difficult for me to take nature photos of the dogs.  Lots of the good views are now scarred by your markings.  Please stop.  It’s really disgraceful.

photo 2 (4)*  Hey fellow dog folks … pick up your dog’s poop.  First of all it’s the law.  I know you are laughing at me as I’m the “no leash on hikes” gal law or not but this law I actually follow.  First of all poop all over the trails is gross.  It smells like … well like poop and that is not pleasant.  It’s the number one reason non-dog owners give for not liking dogs on trails and paths and who can blame them?  Don’t give them that ammo.  Just pick it up like a good dog owner.  Those who don’t pick it up will tell you it’s natural fertilizer.  They are full of crap (ha ha ha … crap … get it).  Dog poop is not always healthy.  It can contain viruses, microbes, and bacteria that will eventually make its way into the water table.  Dog poop can also contain nasty stuff like adenovirus, parvovirus, giardia, coccidian, roundworm, and tapeworm (bad gross bugs).  It just so happens that dogs like to eat other dogs poop so not picking up your dogs number twos makes it harder for another dog to walk past such delicious temptation.  Your dog may have a clean bill of health but the next poop dog may not.  Best to keep all temptation away.  Just like shoes, socks and cell phones (all of which have been munched on by Riggins at one time or another).  I realize it’s a pain in the butt sometimes (butt … poop … get it) but just do it.  Hard core dog poop advocates will tell you that you should flush your poop.  I don’t go that far.  Just pick it up in one of those biodegradable bags and toss it in a trash can.  Sure then it is doing bad stuff to landfills but baby steps.

photo 1 (5)*  I really didn’t like the guy walking his great dane on the trail today.  He was trying to be a good dog owner and “correct” his dog as he walked but he was just being a big ol’ mean man.  When I saw he was being super strict I pulled Asscher and Riggins toward me to keep them from distracting the poor dog.  I give the dogs a lot of freedom on trail walks.  Sidewalk walks they have to “walk pretty.”  That means walk next to me like you would see Cesar Millan doing in one of his many TV episodes.  The trail, though, is their time to sniff around and have fun.  Honestly this guy is lucky I had the two of them on leash at all.  Apparently he did not agree with this philosophy as he was going to make his dog stay next to him, head straight come hell or high water.  The dog had a choke chain on, which I hate.  I realize many people use them and they have proven to work for many.  They just scare me.  I feel like they could harm a dog’s throat.  I much prefer walking harnesses that correct in other ways.  He would yank on that choke chain with such vicious anger it was scary.  His face would get all twisted up.  He was the alpha.  He was in charge.  He was the human … GOD DAMN IT!  It made me sad.  Great danes don’t have a long life span.  Only 6-8 years normally.  They are gentle giants and the poor guy just wanted to say hi to the other dogs on the path or watch a squirrel go up a tree.  His dad didn’t need to be so rough with him.  I wanted to punch the guy in the kidneys, tell him his dog’s deserves to be cuddled not tugged during his short life, grab his dogs leash and take off.  I suppose that would have been a little over dramatic.  I’d like to think he is actually a very well taken care of dog with an owner that is just strict on walks.  Perhaps he went home to a nice comfy bed for a peaceful post hike nap!

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Caged Animals

06 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Asscher, Bee Rock, dogs, Griffith Park, hiking, LA Zoo, news, Old Zoo, Riggins

photo 3 (1)I’ve known the old LA Zoo existed for a long time and knew you could wander around in it but never tried to find it.  That is until this past Monday when I packed up Asscher and Riggins and decided to figure out where this mysterious place was!  Turns out it was pretty easy to find since it is also the location of LA’s Haunted Hay Ride (as well as Shakespeare in the Park) and it was the Monday after Halloween.  Crews were all over the place breaking down the spookiness.

For those that know the park the old zoo is on the East side just above the carousal and Shane’s Inspiration (universally accessible playground).  That is once you walk around the small hill that is in your way.  It’s a quick 5 minute walk from the carousal 2 parking lot or a shorter 2 minute walk from the old zoo parking lot, if you are smart enough to find it.

The entire old zoo is now a super cool picnic area.  There is a big open grassy area and lots of picnic tables and trees.  It has to be the best family picnic location of all time.  There are big animal caves (used in the Anchorman movie) and smaller metal cages a little further up the path.  Behind the caves is an old shed with more cages.  It’s all a little spooky.  The area is supposed to be haunted but I couldn’t figure out by whom or what.  Riggins did try to put on his brakes heading toward the caves and tried to wiggle out of his harness and retreat back.  If I believed in ghosts I would say he was afraid of other worldly beings waiting for him to stumble into their world.  I don’t … so I’m pretty sure he just wanted to stay and snack on all the crap that the Halloween picnickers had left all over the ground.

You can walk around in the caves and many of the cages.  The dogs had fun going in and out so I assume it would be a blast for kids.  Of course the entire place kinda smells like urine.  Not animal urine mind you the human kind.  I’d suggest a hot bath for all when you get home.

photo 1 (2)Now for some history (according to my Google search, so I’m assuming others already verified all this information).  The old zoo was opened in 1912 and shut down in 1965.  Although there were many visitors the zoo had a number of problems.  Built on the wacky Griffith J. Griffith’s ostrich farm it had 15 animals for its grand opening.  There was continuous hubbub about how the cages were too cramped for the animals and made for poor living conditions.  During the war they weren’t allowed to feed the animals beef and were forced to substitute horse meat which caused all sorts of health problems (I suppose that means the zoo is haunted by pissed of animals).  In the 1930’s the park was expanded by work crews from the Work Progress Administrations.  Finally the city passed an $8 million bond measure to create a brand new zoo and the old zoo was closed in 1965.  Animals were moved to the new zoo a few miles up the road.

photo 2 (2)My goal on Monday was to go to the old zoo and then make my way up to Bee Rock.  It is supposed to be a short 2.5 mile hike (round trip) that has a decent amount of elevation but isn’t horrific.  From this area you are supposed to have a great view.  Sadly we went the wrong way and ended up on a little loop back to the parking lot.  I’m not one to give up so we went there again this morning.  Unfortunately we, yet again, went the wrong way.  I’m not great with trail maps and directions.  That makes Griffith Park a great hiking location for me.  I’ve read about people getting lost but I don’t see how.  Just get to a peak, any peak and look around.  You will see some part of LA and just need to head in that direction.  We walked up and up for quite a while (further than the 2.5 miles we were originally going to go) and finally turned around and headed back.  It looks like the trail would have eventually gone around to the front of the park (by the Los Feliz entrance) but we didn’t have that kind of time!

Here is the kicker.  This afternoon a dead body was found at Griffith Park.  The place is enormous (4,310 acres) so there is no way it was found where we were.  WRONG.  IT WAS FOUND RIGHT WHERE WE WERE.  Supposedly hikers stumbled upon the body just above the Old Zoo by Bee Rock.  AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!  I’m telling you it is only a matter of time before Riggins brings me a human hand as a present on one of our hikes.  Imagine if I had figured out the right trail?!?!?!

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Humpty Dumpty

10 Thursday Oct 2013

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

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Tags

Asscher, bar method, bruises, clumsy, Creature, Griffith Park, Griffith Park Observatory, Hydrogen Peroxide, Pinterest, Riggins

Earlier this week one of my good friends, Martha, came over for dinner.  Post food while we were chatting over whatever TV we were watching I excused myself and came back with a giant bottle of hydrogen peroxide that I have turned into a spray bottle, pulled up my pants and sprayed down one of my newest scrapes.  Martha’s responses:

photo (17)* “You hurt yourself so much you have a hydrogen peroxide SPRAY BOTTLE?” – Yes.  Well technically the spray bottle’s actual purpose is to make using hydrogen peroxide for house cleaning easier (search on Pinterest will offer suggestions on what exactly to use it on) the fact that it makes disinfecting my tortured body easier too is just a happy accident.  No pun intended.

* “Aren’t you suppose to be all graceful and junk in that class you take?  Aren’t ballerina’s good at balance?” (Perhaps not an exact quote but this is how I remember it.)  Sigh … yes.   First of all let’s get one thing straight.  I’m not a ballerina.  Sure my exercise of choice utilizes a barre but, tragically enough, it is used mostly to help balance yourself while you do near to impossible exercises.  I’m extra clumsy in Bar Method class.  I ALMOST fall over at least 1/2 dozen times a session.  Every class starts with leg raises (just march really … that’s all it is … marching).  Which I constantly fumble at.  After basic bicep and shoulder work you move to a position that was created by the devil.  You stand with your feet parallel then move one foot (let’s say right) back and turn it out a bit.  Then you lean over at the waist, roll your shoulders down and pull them together, align you neck, hold in your stomach, open up your chest, lift your right arm (in this case) above your hip as high as you can while keeping your shoulders and hips level, then straighten your arm as much as possible.  Once you get all that together you spend the next 3 minutes or so going through little arm motions continuing to keep it above your hip and as straight as possible.  You can use the mirrors around you in the room to make sure your back is flat (which is what really kills me) and that your shoulders are level (which they probably aren’t).  Each time I check a mirror I don’t gracefully return my gaze down to a few inches ahead of my toes, as suggested.  I bobble my way back to position barely making it there without tripping over my own feet.  There are a number of times during heel raises (is what it sounds like … raise up on your toes and down a bunch of times) and stretching where you are encouraged to “take a balance.”  Every now and then a nice supportive teacher will call me out and tell me to give a balance a try.  In my head I scoff at her/him and think, “Yah right.  I almost fell over and died when I put my leg on the bar for stretch earlier.  I know you saw that.”

photo (16)So there you go.  I am destined to be covered in bumps, bruises and scrapes.  I have a number of dog related paw sized bruises and nail scrapes but right now my big issue comes from falling down on my hike with the dogs on Tue.  We were coming down the trail from the Griffith Park Observatory.  Wide path.  Very little incline.  No reason at all to fall.  I stepped wrong, twisted my ankle, and fell down on hands and knees.  To add insult to injury NO ONE came to help me and/or check on me.  5 people actually walked by me without saying a thing.  Can you imagine?  Oh well at least I had the dogs.  Nope!  Riggins, who is normally very loyal in these situations, just kept walking down the hill with Asscher following (after she tried to steal my hat when I was down on the ground).  Only little Creature stayed to keep me company as I picked myself back up.  From this incident I have an ankle that hurts and a giant scrape on my right knee.  The burn  and chunk of missing skin on my finger from crafts a couple of weeks ago is still healing and, if hit wrong, hurting.  Then Tuesday as I was dropping off Asscher at home I parked on a steep incline.  I got out of the car and moved to open the back door for her as my door swung itself closed into the back of my head.  That’s right folks.  For the second time in less than a year I hit myself in the head with my own car door.  I screamed, “YOU HAVE TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME.” when it happened.  Then, while cooking dinner for my friend, I casually cut my finger while chopping something.  I estimate this happens about 33.33% of the time I have a knife in my hand.

I suppose the lesson here is stay far away from me and if you do get close make sure you have a first aid kit packed somewhere on your person!

(My clumsy self.  One of my favorite topics was also written about here.  In case you want/need to read more.)

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Los Angeles Dog Hikes

26 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by wendynewell in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

dogs, Eaton Canyon, Echo Mountain, Elysian Park, Griffith Park, Hahamonga Watershed Park, hiking, Riggins, Rose Bowl, Runyon Canyon

Riggins look over the spine at Runyon

Riggins look over the spine at Runyon

Happy National Dog Day!  On such a wonderful holiday I thought I’d give you the lowdown on the different hikes the dogs and I enjoy in Los Angeles.

General Hiking Rules of the Road –

  • There is only one hike in the area that allows dogs off leash and that is Runyon.  In all others it is illegal to keep your dog off leash.  Do as I say not as I do.  You know my theory on off leash hiking.  To simplify my thoughts, “I like it.”  Generally dogs are better behaved off leash and can take their time sniffing and having fun.  I especially like it for Riggins since he can run from shady spot to shady spot and hang out there until I catch up.  Of course, if your dog isn’t use to hiking or doesn’t have a rattlesnake vaccination (during season). or is prone to foxtails (during season), or is aggressive to dogs/human on/or off leash then keep your puppers tethered to you.  If you want your dog to learn to be a better hiker than I suggest going with friends with dogs.  Dogs in packs tend to look out for each other and will help keep the novices in-line.
  • Hike with a friend.  This is especially true for any path that may not be that populated.
  • It may be the Girl Scout in me but I like hikes where the folks on it say “hi” or “good morning.”  Almost everyone I say “hi” to and smile at returns the gesture.  This is true for all hikes except Runyon.  Runyon is a Hollywood gathering and you can expect minimal hiking niceties.  A smile and kind words also tends to disarm folks that may be judging me for allowing Riggins off leash.
  • Just like in a car those going up hill have the right of way.
  • Always bring water.  Even if you are expecting a short hike that has water available.
Lousy and Lordy take a time out in the shade at Runyon

Lousy and Lordy take a time out in the shade at Runyon

#1 – Runyon Canyon.  This is every dogs favorite.  It has been described as Disneyland for dogs.  There are three main paths (although one is technically private property).  The paved road (in the middle), the stairs (to the east) and the spine (to the west).  Riggins and I tend to go down the paved road and up the spine.

Good things:

  • Legally your dog can be off leash in the marked areas.  That ends up being most of the paved road and the stairs.
  • Lots of people so you don’t need to bring a friend to remain safe.
  • Lots of dogs which is always fun.

    Snowbell runs down a hill at Runyon

    Snowbell runs down a hill at Runyon

  • Multiple path options allows you to make the hike hard, really hard, are crazy hard, depending on what kind of work out you are looking for.

Bad things:

  • Not the nicest fellow hikers.
  • Parking can suck.  Go early.
  • No bathrooms.  Admittedly I’ve ducked behind a bush more than once.

Dog friendly:  Super dog friendly since it is a dog park.  You will see a few dogs off leash on the private road and most dogs off leash on the spine even though both of these areas are technically on leash.

Lousy leaps for joy at Runyon

Lousy leaps for joy at Runyon

Keep alert if you buck the system as rangers do ticket here.

#2 – Elysian Park.  Despite what I wrote in my post about this area it has become one of my personal favorites.  Just stay on the “nice loop.”  It’s not difficult and is almost more of a “walk” than a “hike.” My suggestion is to park at the Grace E. Simmons Lodge parking area (there will be signs directing you there).  Once parked you will see a street that is blocked off above where you parked.  Take that to the trail head (or at least one of the trail heads).  Once on the trail just go left at any fork in the road.  You will end up down at the street you took to get to the Lodge.  From there it is a short walk on the road to your car.

Good Things:

  • Near the 1/2 point there is an oasis that includes water for the dogs.
  • Bathrooms can be found in the park at the beginning and end of your hike.
  • Lots of trash cans along the path so you don’t have to carry that dog poop long.
  • Great views of the Echo Park, Glendale, Burbank, etc.
  • There are a number of smaller paths that connect to the main path making it easy to cut your walk short if need be.

Bad Things:

  • Traffic.  During Dodger games or morning commute it will be a pain to get to the hike.

Dog friendly:  Very.  There are lots of dogs and most will be off leash.

#3 – Griffith Park.  There are lots of hikes in Griffith Park but my favorite is the one tha

Riggins, Bear, and Jax look out toward the Hollywood sign at the observatory

Riggins, Bear, and Jax look out toward the Hollywood sign at the observatory

t goes from Fern Dell to the observatory.  Park near the Trails cafe and walk past the kid’s playground.  There you will find two paths.  Take either.  They go the same place.  The one to the right is a tiny bit shorter and a tiny bit easier.

The Good:  

  • It’s just fun to end up at the Observatory!
  • There are bathrooms at the top and bottom.  You can also refill water for you/dogs at the top.
  • If you want to extend your hike just walk to the back of the parking lot and you have access to miles and miles of more trails.

    Shug makes her way up the path to the observatory in Griffith Park.

    Shug makes her way up the path to the observatory in Griffith Park.

  • If you want to take pretty pictures then pass up your car on the way back and take the little Fern Dell walk by the stream.

The Bad:

  • Be cautious if you allow your dog off leash.  I can admit those that it makes unhappy are technically in the right.  I put Riggins walking leash on that has a short “leash” attached to it so I can easily grab him if I come across a pack of kids or others that are fearful of dogs.
  • The observatory can get crowded during certain parts of the day.  I suggest going early before it opens to the public so you can wander around at the top with less trouble navigating around folks.

    Riggins and Kona pose in front of the Observatory.

    Riggins and Kona pose in front of the Observatory.

  • If you throw caution to the wind and let your dog off leash remember to put him/her back on before you get to the top and/or the bottom.  Both are very public areas and full of children and cars.
  • Depending on the time of day you will either have a good amount of shade from the surrounding mountains or none.  Be prepared for it to be sunny and hot.

#4 – Hahamonga Watershed Park – Sweet little park that, per it’s website, is the home

Asscher takes a breather near the soccer fields at Hahamongna Watershed Park.

Asscher takes a breather near the soccer fields at Hahamongna Watershed Park.

to 22 miles of hiking trials.  I’ve done *maybe* 6.  Pick a path and go.  I assume you can get to the Rose Bowl from here I just haven’t figured it out.

The Good:  

  • It’s kinda cool to walk past JPL.
  • Lots of open space and a number of trails.
  • Super easy and lots of parking.

The Bad:

  • There are horses here.  If your dog, like Riggins, think horses are the devils ride, then keep your eyes open.
  • This is a disc golf field.  There are lots of folks playing frisbee … very seriously.  I suggest
    Dexter and Riggins ham it up for the camera at Hahamongna Watershed Park.

    Dexter and Riggins ham it up for the camera at Hahamongna Watershed Park.

    keeping out of their way.

Dog friendly: Yes.  Although, like all the hikes, keep your eyes open for rattlesnakes.  Most dogs will be off leash.

#5 – (Beyond the) Rose Bowl Loop – I usually skip the Rose Bowl part of the Rose Bowl loop and instead take the dogs to the path that starts above the Bowl and goes around the golf course.  It’s not hard to find.  While most folks loop back around the Rose Bowl head the other way and you will come upon a more secluded path.

The Good:  

  • It’s an easy hike.

    Dragon and Riggins hang out on the trail beyond the Rose Bowl loop.

    Dragon and Riggins hang out on the trail beyond the Rose Bowl loop.

The Bad:

  • Heads up as it is possible that a stray golf ball will come flying towards you.

Dog friendly: Yes.  Some dogs will be off leash.  This is one that I actually keep Riggins on leash the entire time.

#6 – Echo Mountain – Park at the top of Lake (in Pasadena) and take the path up to the ruins of the Mount Lowe Railroad and Echo Mountain Resort.  If you want to go crazy you can continue on to Inspiration Point.

Riggins among the ruins on Echo Mountain.

Riggins among the ruins on Echo Mountain.

The Good:

  • The historical part of this hike is really fun.

The Bad:

  • Make no mistake you are hiking “up” a mountain.  It’s not a difficult path but it is up!

Dog friendly:  Yes.  Some dogs will be off leash.

#7 – Eaton Canyon.  A popular and fun hike that ends at a waterfall.  A bit of a surprise for the Southern Californian!  You can park at the

nature center area or skip some of the hike by driving up the street and parking near the second entrance.

Clover loves the waterfall at Eaton Canyon.

Clover loves the waterfall at Eaton Canyon.

The Good:

  • Water is always fun.  It also gives you a nice place to get your toes wet before heading back.  I also force the dogs to get wet so that the hike back isn’t so hot for them.

The Bad:

  • In summer expect lots of crowds.  This spot becomes a public wading pool.
  • The beginning/end is full of people and can be hot and sticky.
  • 1/2 the path zig zags back and forth over the stream.  It becomes a bit of a balancing act.  I am always more pooped than I think I should be
    Chloe dives in at Eaton Canyon.

    Chloe dives in at Eaton Canyon.

    after this walk.  I assume it is the extra core workout from trying to keep from falling into the water!

Dog friendly: Yes but keep in mind that there are a lot of people.  A few dogs will be off leash but not many.  I suggest going early to try to miss the crowds.  I tend to keep Riggins on leash until we get to the water and rocks and then let him free.  I have a much better chance of keeping up right if he isn’t pulling me along!

There you go!  The 411 on the paths near LA that we frequent.  If you see me say hi!

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Hiking LA’s Big Park

28 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by wendynewell in Riggins, Uncategorized

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Bud, Dante's View, dogs, Ferndell trail, Griffith Park, Griffith Park Observatory, hiking, Huell Howser, off-leash, Riggins, Trails Cafe

image (31)I’ve lived in LA my entire life. I grew up in Whittier (45 minutes-ish from the city) and went to Whittier College. After college I moved closer to the “city” into West Hollywood. I hopped around that area for a while with a short stint on the West Side (aka doucheville. Did I say that out loud? I’m sorry people who live out there. You are not a douche. I’m sorry I suggested you were. For non-LA-ians the “West Side” is the side of the city that hits the ocean.). 7 (or was it 8) years ago Riggins and I ditched what I consider the “fun” side of LA to act more grown up and come to the “valley.” Now we live about 5 minutes from Griffith Park. Although I’ve never lived further than an hour from the giant chunk of wilderness (or as wilderness-y as we get here) I have never, until this weekend, been on the park’s hiking trails.

It’s a little ridiculous of me but my excuse is, I hike to go out with Riggins and if I’m going to do that I want to go somewhere that he can be off leash without me being yelled at by other hikers. That means Runyon. This past weekend Bud was back with us. Bud has become a fickle fellow and has decided not to like any other canines. That really cuts down on where I can take him to poop him out and he NEEDS to get pooped out or he will spend his time beating up poor Riggins. So minutes after he was dropped off I leashed him up and set off for Griffith Park. I knew there was a trail head behind the Observatory so decided to give it a shot!

imageQuick lesson on Griffith Park history (as told by Wikipedia). Mining investor, Colonel Griffith J. Griffith (seriously) purchased Rancho Los Feliz in 1882 to start an ostrich farm. He donated 3,015 acres to the city of LA in 1896. In 1903 the Colonel was tried and convicted for shooting and severely wounding his wife … oops. After that his plans for the land went to hell in a handbag since his reputation was kinda shot (No pun intended. I’m paraphrasing Wikipedia at this point). Obviously it eventually all got built giving you the Griffith Park you know and love. Today’s park covers 4,310 acres of land and is the second largest city park in CA and one of the largest in the US. (Now quoting Wikipedia so none of my NY friends get angry with me …) “It [Griffith Park] has also been referred to as the Central Park of Los Angeles but is much larger and more untamed and rugged than its New York City counterpart.”

The park is very large so let me give you the Wendy tips on what is where. The entrance off of Forest Lawn using Zoo Drive is the north most way into the park. This road (when not under construction) will take you to Travel Town (train museum – a hit with young boys everywhere), the steam train (which is rarely open so look it up open day/hours first if you wanna go), the golf course, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the Gene Autry Museum. There is also a camp tucked away up there. It’s a good place to see horses as there is a horse ring thing and the equestrian center is just a tunnel away on the other side of the LA River and 134 freeway.

There are 3 main entrances on the south side of the park off of Los Feliz Blvd. Starting from the 5 and heading west, the first is Crystal Springs. This will take you immediately to the Wendy Train (named by my nephew Logan since it is a train and he gets to go there when he visits me) and pony rides. Keep driving and you will hit thecarousel and the best (in my opinion) playgrounds in the park. This is the “kids” entrance and Crystal Springs will eventually link up with Zoo Drive (honestly all the roads link up so when they are open you can keep driving in loops if you want). The next entrance is on Hillhurst. It will take you to the Greek Theatre and to the Observatory. The final entrance (well official entrance) is further down Los Feliz on Fern Dell. This road will take you to the Ferndell trail (known to Californians because of Huell Howser) and the Trails Cafe.

Bud and I parked near the observatory and headed off. It was hot and being a short snout breed I was a little worried about Bud overheating. He’s a ball of energy, so it was no problem (I was suited up and prepared for a long hike. Later this week I’ll post what I bring with me in my backpack while going out with the dogs.). The path is wide with an easy grade. We found a magical little spot called, Dante’s View. Named for the gentleman who started the garden, it is a sweet oasis on a mountain with wonderful views. It has a number of steps making it tri-level with benches to sit down and chill at. In addition there is water available for both dogs and humans. We went a little further until I figured Bud had chilled out and then we headed home.

image (1)Since Bud isn’t great off leash and isn’t great around other dogs the Griffith Park hike was PERFECT for him. Although a popular path (which I like … I won’t go on paths that aren’t well-traveled unless I’m hiking with another human) it thins out the higher you go and there aren’t a ton of other dogs around. When we drove home I took the other road looping around and coming down Fern Dell. I noticed that this was a very popular place to park so I assumed it was a good place to hike! I decided Bud and I should try it the next day.

After waking and suiting up with stocked backpack and leash, Bud and I said goodbye to Riggins and headed off. This trail was adorable. The first part is a man-made trail that includes a fun garden and stream (sadly the cute path was closed when we were heading back to the car … a tree had fallen down across the path and Fern Dell … it was a bit of a traffic mess). After you pass through the cute little fairy land you can keep hiking. The two roads available will circle around, merging together and eventually take you up to the Griffith Observatory. Bud and I took our time heading up and hanging out at the top forcing us to have to run down to get home in time for his folks to pick him up.

I had a feeling Riggins would love the Fern Dell trail so I decided to take him the next day. It won’t be something he can do when it gets hotter. None of the Griffith Park trails (and there are miles and miles of them … I’ve just scratched the surface) have much shade and the dirt can get hot on paws very quickly with the direct So. Cal. sun. Much to Riggin’s dismay photoI slapped on his cooling vest (it always takes him a few minutes to get use to the fact that it isn’t coming off) and took him up the mountain. He was in HEAVEN. I did unleash him so he could go at his own pace (which was usually faster than me). I was waiting to get yelled at by fellow hikers … which would be allowed as they would be in the right and I was in the wrong … but you know my theory on hiking on leash. Riggins thought he was the king of the mountain strutting up to humans to get love and attention, head held high as he passed dogs on leash, and policing the folks that thought they could go off the path. When we got close to the top I put his leash back on. The Observatory is always busy but being a holiday weekend it was packed. Unlike Bud, Riggins was willing to “sit and stay” so I could take more pictures of him. In fact people gathered around and stared to watch the dog sit and not move as I would say, “Look at me … stay …. ” walk away from him and snap some photos. He was a pure gentleman and oddly well-behaved doing exactly what I asked. Honestly I think he liked putting on a show and was happy people were watching him.

I’m so excited to have discovered the fun paths just minutes from my house and I’m kicking myself for not being open to checking them out earlier!

Please enjoy the video below of Riggins on the Ferndell trail ….

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