The Other Side of the Mountain

... a gorgeous morning for a hike! On the way down from Mt. Hollywood, I paused and took in the view overlooking Glendale, the Verdugo Mountains, and the magestic San Gabriel Mountains in the background.

Having spent my childhood in Hollywood, I'm pretty familiar with the trails in Griffith Park, as well as with the views from the top of Mt. Hollywood. On clear days there's nothing more spectacular than meditating on the expanse of L.A.'s grid in all directions, the downtown skyline, the Pacific Ocean, and the sure accompaniment of Red-Tailed Hawks [below]. It never gets old.

I've lived in Glendale for almost twenty-three years and I still refer to this town as the other side of the mountain ... but the view aint all that bad.

Ritual/Remembrance

by hugO Chavez

Hawk and Wind

dance

make invisible circles

that shape sky

“your wings are strong

and beautiful”, sings wind

“I soar in currents

of your breath” sings hawk

whirling, gliding with joy

and Tree

embraces both:

“from my branches Hawk you first faced shapeless sky greeted Wind spread your wings and took flight.”

October 7, 2002 Mt. Hollywood Trail, Griffith Park