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Haunted Over-La-La-Look Multi-Cache

Hidden : 4/20/2021
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


The cache is not at the posted coordinates. You'll need to hike or bike to the object of your search.

Emma

I often ride by this beautiful Griffith Park viewpoint and in the past, stopped and searched unsuccessfully for the previous cache, NamaSteve's Lichen-the-Vue. The viewpoint overlooks an historic filming location known as Sennett Canyon, named after silent comedy king Mack Sennett who shot many of his slapstick shorts here, and near the site of the climactic battle in  D. W. Griffith’s 1915 The Birth of a Nation. But it wasn't until I started researching Cathy's Corner, as it's described on the map, that I discovered that this was also the location of the iconic scene from the "real" Best Picture Oscar-winner, Damien Chazelle's La La Land where Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling perform their signature tap/soft shoe routine.

After the '80s party, Mia & Sebastian go looking for her car, and wind up stumbling across a wonderful sunset view of Los Angeles, from a hilltop vantage point. Because they are shown leaving the Hollywood party and walking down the street to this area, we are supposed to believe that this "lovely" view point is somewhere in the Hollywood Hills, just a short walk from the '80s party house, but it's not, it's actually here, ten miles away, near the top of a 1,640-foot mountain in L.A.'s Griffith Park. As the song "A Lovely Night" begins, Sebastian laments that such a romantic spot is wasted on the two of them, since (he claims) they clearly have no chance of romance. The song evolves into a competitive dance number, shots of which (such as the one at the top of this page) became the iconic poster image of the movie. The "Lovely Night" scene was shot in a single unbroken shot, which made it more of a challenge for the lead actors, who aren't professional dancers (but who did their own dancing for this scene). And because the producers wanted to film the scene during the actual sunset/twilight moment, they had very little time in which to shoot each day before the sunset faded and they lost the light. They finally got it right on the very last take of the third day of trying, as you can watch here: 

    A Lovely Night        (Thanks to Seeing-Stars.com for the background info and references.)

Additionally, the area is reportedly no stranger to supernatural visitors, among them the haunted lovers of nearby picnic table No. 29. Though their ashes have long since blown away, what hasn't been so quick to dissipate is the legend that has grown up around strange events and eerie occurences — especially around the anniversary of their demise — that witnesses claim began happening shortly after their deaths and purportedly continue to occur to this day, bolstering a belief that the anguished spirits of Rand and Nancy are wandering never too far away from the picnic table that simultaneously brought them together and tore them apart. (LA Times) Allegedly, bad things happen to those who dare to disturb the amorous couple's resting place. You've been warned.

Whether that attracts or repels you, it's all in good fun. In order to help this replacement last longer than the previous iteration, the cache is not at the posted coordinates, but you should find a clue that propels you onward. In fact, if you stand at the edge of the grass at the posted coordinates, you have, a few feet to either side, not one, but two chances to find out where you need to go.

Enjoy your little multi-cache foray in the less-travelled side of the park. Hopefully, you had a chance to find To the Ghosts on the way and now know a little more about one of the largest urban parks in the country and the irascible Welshman whose name it bears.

Cache at the final location is a medium size poly jar, painted to blend somewhat in its hiding spot. Please carefully rehide and replace your discoveries along the way. Depending on your choices, you may find standard tools of the trade useful, if not necessary. 

Caution: Although not far from civilisation, you are in a wilderness area. It is entirely possible to encounter ticks, snakes, poison-oak, and yes, even mountain lions. Please take adequate precautions.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

JC1: barbsgurfrguvatfvfabgyvxrgurbguref JC2: sreebhfylnggenpgrq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)