Rendezvous in LA

Today we rendezvoused in LA after travelling from our respective origins. Nathaniel and the author enjoyed most of a leisurely drive from Palo Alto to Los Angeles, which brought us through the rolling hills of California past cattle and oil wells to the smoggy and traffic ridden metropolis.
Here we stopped by the sprawling airport terminal to pick up Maryrose, who flew down from Oregon over mountainous terrain, before checking into our hotel.
Still having several hours of daylight left, we decided to visit the notable Griffith Observatory which offers a panoramic view of the city to the South as well as the famous Hollywood sign in the hills to the North. Our drive back brought us through the heart of the city and to dinner, which we enjoyed from the quintessential California chain In-N-Out. On this return trip we made the exciting discovery that a donut shop appearing in the second Iron Man movie is just a few blocks from our hotel, which we plan to see close up tomorrow morning on the way to LAX.

 
Mountainous terrain captured by Maryrose during her flight. The snow capped peak in the left image may be Mt. Rainier (perhaps a foreshadowing of Mt. Fuji?) and the right image shows Lake Tahoe in the distance.

An orthodox church in Little Armenia, which we drove through on the way to the observatory. We also passed through Little Korea.

The author in front of the Hollywood sign which is barely visible due to the lighting conditions.

Nathaniel and Maryrose in front of the LA skyline.

The author and Nathaniel in front of the observatory. Immediately before us (out of the picture) is an obelisk supported by several notable astronomers including Kepler and Galileo.