Fifth Annual Hollywood Health Hike: After action report

It all began after I dropped dead briefly from Congestive Heart Failure and while lying in a coma in ICU when some obese medical doctor came into the room and announced to my family that IF I survived they would have to put me in a home because I would never walk again. That is all the motivation I needed.

So after 26 days in the hospital on that issue and after 42 radiation treatments to cure my prostate cancer I decided the very best way for me to celebrate both my 70^thbirthday and my loss of 140 pounds was to gather up some friends and walk to Hollywood. And began my annual health hike.

This year was the 5^thsuch event and the second year we kept entirely in Burbank which is as it happens to be the real Hollywood. This year’s hike was also one of the most fun and filled with exciting surprises.

Once again we all gathered at a local business Kangen Water World in Burbank. I arrived a wee bit before 9 a.m. and not long after the amazing Christina Andersen came in. Christina recently wrote a book entitled Love Devotion Hellwhich is getting rave reviews. She is always fun to chat with and there would be plenty of that on this walk. By the way should you want to know more about her book you can visit here.

Next to arrive all the way from San Diego County was Lauri Smetona the owner of an amazing line of awesome skin care products under the brand of RevealU. You can find out more about Lauri and RevealU here. At that web address you may also listen to a radio show where I interview Lauri and her colleague Marilena Dalbey who also made the hike.

Once everyone was present we stepped off at 9:35 a.m. and headed straight down San Fernando Boulevard to First Street then on to Olive Avenue. As we crossed the bridge over the I-5 freeway we had our first studio sighting, Nickelodeon. Soon we reached Keystone Street and headed straight to the magnificent Disney Studios.

Immediately after Disney we went right passed St. Joseph’s Hospital, a place very much a part of these annual Health Hikes for it was at St. Joseph’s where my family was told by a very obese medical doctor that if I survived they would need to put me in a home because I would never walk again. So to honor that pronouncement we paused while I gave an appropriate salute to the good doctor by extending just one finger on each hand and then continuing my 5^thannual Hollywood Health Hike.

Next we passed Burbank Studios, formerly NBC, before arriving at the massive Warner Brothers. Yeap, there was no doubt about it we were deep within the trenches of real Hollywood and we were hungry so we crossed over to Whole Foods Market for a midday meal and that is when we encountered a totally unexpected and very much appreciated surprise.

I grabbed some food and a beverage quickly and then went immediately to the outside dining area with an unobstructed view of studios including several recording studios. That was magnificent, but then something totally unexpected happened. As all of my fellow hikers gathered at our long large table a singer by the name of Danny Mills showed up, set up and began singing several Frank Sinatra songs.

He was truly awesome and even more charming was the fact that his daughters and granddaughters were there to support him. Could it get any better? A fantastic view, great company, awesome food and the musical talents of Danny Mills. Then just one more very happy surprise.

As we began working our way back to our starting point we happened upon the home of a very dear old friend of ours and the lady of the house greeted us in complete surprise. This was a moment of true joy for my lovely wife who joined me and many others on this hike. After a brief pause and many hugs, we continued on eventually working our way to our starting point

The whole purpose of these hikes is to promote good health and to have a great time doing it. By those standards this 5^thhike was undeniably the best yet. So if the idea of good health and lots of fun appeals to you come join us again next year on Sunday April 26^th, 2020.

We will always enjoy many of the major delights of Hollywood, of course, and the joy of being surrounded by like minded people who enjoy good health and having fun and who knows, maybe Danny Mills will show up again. But then again in this town even Beyoncé is not out of the question. Just to stay informed just send an email to [email protected] I will keep in touch.

Know that there is never any cost or obligation for the hike whatsoever. No entry fees,, no gimmicks just pure reality and joy in a place best known for its fantasies.

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For a great read visit here.

All photos by Ron Irwin
Top photo: Statue in front of Warner Brothers Studio