1924, two ladies ride the steam shovel while Beachwood Canyon undergoes development:
Now, when I used to hike with friends from back east I had a set route, across the canyon to Wolf’s Lair, then down the path behind it to Lake Hollywood and then out onto Mulholland’s dam where we would lean over the side to see the rank of sculpted bears heads peering out over Deep Dell.
Often my guests would inquire as to the heady scent on the sun kissed hills and I had a pat answer — sage. Of course it was so much more. So, this post is for the ever elegant Lanier Smith of http://sentsmemory.wordpress.com/ — drop by his place for a visit and see the world in an evocative drop of perfume.
That house in bottom is is today home of Moby or someone like that, a rocker….. You can see it from Lake Hollywood and can also drive by that gate house…
I used to always wonder who lived there — glad to hear it’s Mr. Moby — I think he’s an architecture buff, so it’s in good hands!
The heads on the face of the dam are bears not lions. Specifically the state animal of California, ursus californicus, also known as the California Grizzly Bear. Sadly extinct since 1922
Thank you! Memory is a funny old thing — of course, the California Grizzly Bear!
These images are amazing! Great post!
I like these ladies joie de vivre – the thought of hovering over the Hollywood sign in a metal bucket makes me seasick! The photo of the house is from the twenties, now there are residences all around it.
Oh, I love those images, and I adore your stories of hiking, Vickie. So evocative. Those names: Beachwood Canyon, Wolf’s Lair, Deep Dell.
Ah, the “heady scent”. Ah, you’re writing is perfect bliss…
Another great repost.
Compared to where you live it’s such a new city – maybe they were just having a blast naming things in the teens and twenties?
Very impressive photos, just love them, nowadays most people take “lousy” photos (IMHO)!
Oh, these were taken by professional photographers, and I have to say Black & White lends to their artistry. 🙂
“*you’re* writing’s perfect bliss”! I thought I’d made that illiterate mistake 🙁 A-ha!, a warning for me not to rush-write posts while I’m busy doing something else. Bwahahaha! Whatta maroon… 🙂
Dearest V
My, don;t they look like they’re having fun?
Perhaps it is the thrill of the ride, or maybe they have espied that fairy tale abode!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
They do look amused! Intrepid ladies!
I love that first photo, I wonder what it was that caught the eye of those precariously perched ladies?
The ladies would have had one of the most beautiful views hovering above Mt. Lee looking down the canyon to the city of Los Angeles…