Adventures in aging with intention
Journey along with our resident humorist Nancy as she embarks on unusual adventures from A to Z. With the alphabet as her guide to new experiences, Nancy rates her excursions as a “Fourn-Yay” or “Fourn-Nay.”
Letter “O” – Exploring outer space from our own backyard
“Are you related to the telescope?” I’ve been asked repeatedly since the Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990. “Why yes, I am. Even though they spell it wrong.”
Edwin Hubble, for whom the telescope was named, is a descendent of Richard Hubbell who had a gaggle of kids with his first wife. Following her death, he got remarried, changed his name mid-stream to Hubble, and then had a fresh gaggle of kids.
With my name so prominently in space for decades, and the world-renowned Griffith Observatory outside my window (I could literally see it from my 4th-floor office in Torrance on clear days), why did it take me so long to visit?
I’m not sure, but I’m glad I went, and even happier when my friend and former roommate Lisa Carey, of Intentfullyfit.com, asked to come along on my “O” adventure.
The Griffith Observatory dates to 1896 when Griffith J. Griffith donated the land for Griffith Park to Los Angeles. When he died in 1919, he left money in his will to build the Observatory and the Greek Theater. His donation came with a caveat – the Observatory would always be free to the public.
In fact, the only costs for the day were for parking (we thanked our lucky stars to find spots in the very small public lot) and for a presentation of “Water is Life” in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium.
Tickets for the shows in the Planetarium are $8 for us seniors and we purchased them as soon as we walked past the iconic Foucault Pendulum which demonstrates the Earth’s rotation. As we relaxed into the Barcalounger-style seats and looked up at the domed screen, I had flashbacks of seeing a Laserium show that played in the Planetarium from 1973 to 2002. It was a trippy shape-shifting light show timed to hit songs of the day. It’s also where my sister’s friend learned that Gary Wright was singing “Dream Weaver,” not “Jane Weaver.” I was relieved to know that I wasn’t the only one making up lame song lyrics.
Lisa and I both enjoyed the “Water is Life” show which had impressive visuals depicting the flow of water in all its forms around the earth. It also tied in a lesson on the stars and constellations. Apparently, in the early part of the year when the rains come to the Northern Hemisphere, some of the water-oriented zodiac constellations, Aquarius and Pisces, are more prominent. Maybe that also explains why my sign, Scorpio, (clearly a desert-dwelling creature) is considered a water sign for its late October/November timeframe.
The most impressive part of the presentation was that it was narrated live by a gentleman who did a fantastic job. Why not hire Morgan Freeman, or some other voice of God, to tape the narration? Perhaps being located right below the Hollywood sign gives the Observatory the opportunity to bring in wanna-be stars who do a great job.
Following the show, we wandered around the exhibits and were entertained by interactive displays demonstrating the Tesla Coil, telescopes showing solar flares, and a real-life periodic table with many of the elements on display. Is that really hydrogen gas in that box? And is that what Ytterbium looks like? What the heck is Ytterbium anyway? There was plenty to learn every step of the way.
One of my favorite areas of the Observatory was the lower level, known as the Gunther Depths of Space. Visitors can sit with a statue of Albert Einstein on a bench and ponder The Big Picture, which is actually the name of the largest astronomical image ever produced. There are also stations with models and facts about each of the planets. Personally, I would consider moving to Mercury as the gravitational pull means I would only weigh about 60 pounds. Who needs diet and exercise? Well…I’d be incinerated anyway so I guess it wouldn’t matter.
Outside of Griffith Observatory are some of the best views in Los Angeles. Downtown, the Hollywood sign and the woods of Griffith Park make you feel as though you’re above all the action. One of the most iconic scenes in movie history was also shot nearby with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling tap dancing away on a bench in “La La Land.” Sadly, that bench doesn’t really exist. It was a prop placed on a road in Griffith Park with a gorgeous sunset view of the San Fernando Valley. However, another scene, the Planetarium Dance, was filmed in the same theater as our “Water is Life” presentation.
Whether you want to be connected to the stars on the big screen or the stars in the sky, Griffith Observatory is a great place to visit. I know I’m guilty of spending far too much time looking down at my phone, so it was refreshing to be reminded to look up and around. Besides, my distant relative Edwin Hubble would remind me that star exploration is in my blood.
Fourn-yay: Griffith Observatory is a fun, free (more or less) way to explore an icon of Los Angeles and learn about the stars and space.
Fourn-nay: The parking is a challenge, and the Observatory doesn’t open until noon, so “go early” doesn’t really apply. Bring patience and your walking shoes and it will likely work out.
Other O activities: Orienteering, Outrigger Canoe Paddling, Ouija boards, Ostrich farms
Got something fun on your bucket list I should try? Share your suggestions to intentfullyfit@gmail.com
