New Year's Eve and Day

Larry and I had a very low key New Year's Eve and Day.  We went to an early movie in Century City.  We wanted to laugh and see a movie that wouldn't make us think too much.  "Night at the Museum:  Secret of the Tomb" was the perfect choice.  There were some great visuals in this flick, along with a couple of sweet final performances by actors Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney.

Since it was a super chilly night, we thought that a bowl of ramen noodles would be a good idea for dinner.  We zoomed up Sawtelle to the Westside branch of Daikokuya Ramen.  It's a small place and there was a line...outside....in the cold.  We decided to ditch Daikokuya and go to Ramen Hayatemaru on Olympic Boulevard.  Only a few people were inside. The ramen and gyoza were delicious.

Our neighbors, Rosina and Nic had asked us over for a bit of bubbly to toast 2015.  We went next door around 9:30-ish and had a lovely conversation.  Their Christmas tree is beautiful.

Nic, Larry and Rosina

We were home, watching the festivities from Times Square by 11-ish.

For the past few years on New Year's Day, after watching the Rose Parade and having breakfast, we've gone to a park for a little walk.  One year we headed out to Tongva Park in Santa Monica.  Last year we went to Grand Park, Downtown.  Today we drove over to Vista Hermosa Park in Echo Park, just west of Belmont High School, near Downtown L.A.  This is a very cool little park.  There are hiking trails, a playground for kids, a soccer field and some nice picnic areas.  It's a hilly park and beautifully landscaped, right in the middle of the gritty city.  

Vista Hermosa Park, Echo Park, Los Angeles

"Vista Hermosa" means "beautiful view."  Yes, the views of the DTLA skyline from the park are lovely

We still wanted to get in some more walking, so we headed back toward our house and went to Kenneth Hahn Park in Baldwin Hills.  I drive by this park ALL the time, but I've never been there.  It's quite impressive.  There are hiking trails, a lake with fish, a Japanese Garden and more.

Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles

Kenneth Hahn Park

The Japanese Garden at Hahn Park

Happy New Year to my family and friends.  I sincerely hope you have a healthy 2015!

The City of Los Angeles, viewed from Baldwin Hills