California Dreamin' Continued: Hike to the Hollywood Sign

This dream trip had just turned into a turbo-powered dream. Meeting all the contestants from American Idol as an added plus but we didn't forget our original goal insight, to hike the Hollywood hill.   I did some research before we came on our trip to see exactly how to get there and what the distance of the hike was.  From the blogs I read, the hike was only about a mile each way. We knew the hikes at The Biggest Loser Resort, Fitness Ridge were going to much more extensive than that so we needed to do a little more.

When arriving close to the Hollywood Sign we parked in a neighborhood a half a mile away from the entrance so we could add another mile round trip to the hike, making it 3 mile hike.  We felt good about that amount of distance and knew it was going to be challenging since it was already 2pm and in high temperatures.  We grabbed our water bottles, our phones so we could take pictures and use the Cardio App and headed up this neighborhood (which was up hill).

As we hiked, the views were breathe taking!  I had really missed beautiful scenic views like this (having moved from scenic Utah to desert Arizona 2 yrs prior) I kept just looking at how gorgeous it was! 

Joni, who is ALWAYS willing to push her body to the next level (and also has a death wish) decided about a mile into the hike that she was going to try some running up the straight mountain...I went ahead and let her!!

Yes, I did say a mile into it.  That's right.  From where we started the hike, we would end up having a 6 mile round trip Hollywood Sign experience.  We were hot, and exhausted.  (Maybe we shouldn't have splurged in that Tommy Burger before hitting the hills)

My calves were burning on fire when we arrived to our destination, the Hollywood sign, but my soul was singing!  I was so proud to have done it!  To have crossed something off my bucket list.  To be  on a hike with my Battle Buddy and start this continued journey in California together!  It was an AWESOME feeling, a high like I rarely feel!

I don't know how many of my readers are hikers, but for me the worst part of the hike on my body is the DOWNHILL.  Seriously I feel it uses every ounce of your body to go down...ouchy mama!

We had such an awesome day together!  It was a blast to enjoy the hype of American Idol and the Hollywood sign together.  So thankful for this prize and blessing I had been given. 

On our way back to a friends to sleep that night, we found our most FAVORITE BARGAIN STORE from AZ in California, and it was a SUPER CENTER!!  Let's just say as sweaty and nasty as were were, we had fun shopping :)

In life it always makes it brighter when you have someone that "understands" the pains you have felt, the challenges you have undergone, the things you have missed out on in life to such a degree that they can finish your sentences.  I have people in my life that have been this for me, Joni is one of them.  Having her on this journey with me, even when normally she is a WHOLE state away, just makes it all that more comforting!  We may have our ups and downs through this journey with the scale, but knowing that someone has been there, that they have your back and won't let you fall to off that saddle, make the journey even more rewarding!

Tomorrow will be an UP day for sure!  We get to go to lunch with the VP's at Wholly Guacamole, go to the finale and after party, and Jen and Ghetto are flying in to join us at the after party as well as do some more fun things in California with us for the rest of the week!  Can it get any better than that?! Not for tomorrow at least! I will enjoy every last second!

California Dreamin'...Let the FUN begin... AMERICAN IDOL STYLE

This morning started out REALLY early!  I had to leave Arizona at 3 am to meet Joni in Long Beach, CA as her flight arrived. Of course I didn't even go to sleep, due to excitement and preparation, and the fact that I was so HYPED I didn't really need any.  It was a neat drive watching the sun rise and just having a lot of thinking and praying time in my car.

Was this day really happening?!  Was I really getting to go to the finale and the resort?! After once again talking myself through these questions and the answer being a RESOUNDED YES, I was so thankful for that alone time in the car to spend it in thanksgiving to my Heavenly Father (God) for blessing me with such an amazing gift! I will never forget to thank Him, I realize that all goodness in my life is through Him.

Made it to Long Beach in time to pick up my Battle Buddy, Joni and our journey TOGETHER (at last) began!

Joni and I decided that we were going to travel in our workout clothes so that we could start our "battle buddy trip" off right by crossing something off the bucket list and hiking to the Hollywood sign.  Before our hike we needed to power up our bodies, we decided to have a healthy breakfast at Subway.   It was Delish!

While sitting at Subway, I decided to check Twitter (I had just signed up for it specifically for this trip.  Someone told me it helps be in the "IN" and might get some "sitings" by watching where people are.) This is going to be so stocker-esk sounding but I will not be ashamed because of what happened next...

Ryan Seacrest, the host of American Idol, posted that the current season as well as past contestants would be at the Chinese Theatre today for the star placement of the founder, Simon Fuller's star.  I told Joni I was pretty sure that the Theatre is right by the Hollywood sign!  We looked at each other and were off!

When we made it to the street we saw a crowd gathering and I paniced!  I basically threw Joni out of the car while it was running to save us a place.  I went to the closest parking lot, paid a fortune, tossed the car in a slot and ran.  We had PRIME viewing!  I have been watching season 10 of American Idol consistantly so this was yet another bonus for me.  I had NO idea what we were in for.  We got to meet them ALL.  Take pictures with them...WE WERE IN HEAVEN!!

Yes, this is the REAL people here!!  Yes, they took pictures with us!  Yes, I met Carrie Underwood and Jacob Lusk!  YES, WE WERE BOTH IN HEAVEN!  

Some side notes from this "siting":

• Ryan Seacrest wears WAY TOO much makeup!  He looked like he was ready for burial, seriously looks plastic. I do ADORE him however for tweeting about this event :)
• Pia Toscano is just as beautiful in person and so gracious!
• Joni did indeed get kissed by Casey Abrams (and she didn't even know his name..so jealous!)
• There is some REALLY CREEPERS in this world.  (See picture) You would think this guy was right off a movie set...but NO, he was the REAL DEAL CREEPER! 

• Lauren Alainer was not friendly (but reports said she was sick)
• Haley Reinhart, still not a fan (too much tude), but she was eating up the crowd.
• Yes, I have had a HUGE crush on Jacob Lusk's voice! "God Bless The Child" moved me to tears and goosebumps from head to toe! (I will be in a Black Gospel Choir in Heaven!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Op79hYvqkEw
• I might have screamed and drew ALOT of attention to us so we could get all these pictures
• There was really rude people around us that pushed us and stole our shots
• I have NEVER in my life wished I would have gotten ready that day more than today. Looked frumpy! I made Joni get in the most pictures, even if I wanted too..cause atleast she had makeup and hair done.
• Carrie Underwood is still one of my fav people ever
• David Cook and Kris Allen were so geniune & spent A LOT of time with the onlooker/stockers like us
• I met Mary Murphy and she was a SWEETHEART
• Randy was the only judge that cared enough to stop by with the fans. 
• This really was our life for a day and we are going to OWN IT!

Ok...I will have to write about the Hollywood sign later, this was too cool to not get a WHOLE blog!