Mt. Wilson Observatory Hideout I

If you don't know how much I love the Mt. Wilson Observatory then you're new here. Welcome!

Mt. Wilson is a muse for me. I've visited many times. I find endless subjects for photos. I love the history. The views are breathtaking. And the Cosmic Cafe serves a fine hot dog. Unfortunately for me, there will be no hot dogs this weekend. So if you're making the hike up the mountain, I suggest you bring lunch. The Cafe will have something for you to drink.

We see these blinking towers and other Observatory lights from our back porch at night. The towers are not actually part of the Observatory, though I associate them in my mind and they loom over the Observatory parking lot. These towers service radio and television stations all over the Los Angeles basin.

But that's not what I'm bursting to tell you.

This. This is what I'm so excited about.

This private cabin is mine for a long weekend. I've got special permission to stay on the mountain in an area that's off-limits to tourists. I haven't seen anyone else for hours. I do see pine trees out of my windows. I feel cool air coming through the screen. A clock on the wall is ticking; I'll probably unplug it. A little road winds along in front of the cabin downhill to the adjacent, fabled monastery (pictures in my next post).

This weekend I'm here to write, write, write, and also to tell you more about this place. Mt. Wilson Observatory is a Pasadena and San Gabriel Valley classic. Its value is immeasurable. There is no other place in the world quite like it.

I won't be on the internet a lot for the next few days except to tell you about my experience. I'll post more photos, including places the regular Mt. Wilson visitor doesn't normally see. I hope you'll check in. I welcome your comments. Ask questions, too! I'll try to get the answers while I'm here.

Mt. Wilson Week: Cosmic Cafe

You probably won't go to the Cosmic Cafe* first. You'll probably walk around the grounds and check out the views--wear yourself out a little. That is, if you drove up. Some people hike, so they come pre-worn out. I wouldn't recommend hiking on a hot day; the trail is long and (necessarily) uphill, and it doesn't have much shade.

The first thing you'll see upon your approach to the Mt. Wilson Observatory, no matter which way you arrive, is this impressive set of towers. They mostly serve Los Angeles-area radio and television stations. This view of them is from the Cafe.

Two of us had their excellent hot dogs. A third had the hummus and didn't finish it, so I finished it for her. Piggy.

The Cosmic Cafe is popular and super-casual. Folks wear their hiking clothes. Dogs are welcome (there's a dish for them, too). Nothing fancy but the views.

*The Cafe is only open on weekends.