Local hike

One thing I love about living in Los Angeles is how easy it is to go on a hike at the spur of the moment. We are a large metropolis with a very impressive mountain range right in the middle of the city. The Santa Monica mountains should be the border between Los Angeles and communities in the San Fernando Valley on the other side.  Due to the massive  Los Angeles Aqueduct project in the early 20th century – The Valley as it’s known became part of the city of Los Angeles. Something to do with Federal dollars and who could use the water. But that is a story for another day.  So although I live in the valley, I am very much a resident and tax payer in the city of Los Angeles.2 miles from my house is Fryman Canyon, most days this 2.5 mile hike is teaming with people and dogs. For some reason on Sunday afternoon there were very few people here.  Although we did manage to bump into people we know. The initial climb is pretty steep, which makes the hike feel more like exercise than just a neighborhood stroll.Wilderness, with a radio tower in the distance and few houses on the hillside. Except very busy Laurel Canyon Blvd is right down there bellow us.That Russian looking building is on busy Ventura Blvd, our house not far behind it.  Distance makes everything look more peaceful. Not to mention how many trees there are!  Is the Valley really that green?We’ve climbed higher, now I am looking east towards Burbank and the San Gabriel mountains in the background. It is very hazy and smoggy, summer brings out the worst of the smog, although to be fare – the air quality in LA is so much better than it was 30 years ago.  It always helps to look back where you have come from.  Another fellow walker is back down on the part of the road we were just on five minutes ago.This time looking west towards Sherman Oaks and Encino. The office buildings indicate Ventura Blvd heading west. Still very hazy, to get a clear view I need to come back on a crisp winter day.After we crested the mountain and started back down the other side we come across the back entrance to Tree People, a non profit group that has been supplying trees all over the city – making LA a greener friendlier place.Down the other side, we are walking along quiet residential streets with large homes on very large lots. I had to stop for this yellow double hibiscus. It’s a little late in the season for these blooms, maybe because it is a shady protected canyon the bush is still flowering. The rainbow in the sprinkler was more impressive in reality, but I snapped a picture anyway.A cow in the city.  I have a friend who would love one of these. And that’s it, one hour, good exercise and happy it is so close to home.