One Sunday morning, I get a call from my wonderful friend, Phil. Phil and I have known each other for years, however only recently gotten closer as we realized how much alike we think…or maybe it’s not just the similarity but the compatibility of our thoughts. Anyways, he’s a good friend. So he asks me if I wanted to go hiking, and as someone always looking for an adventure, I replied with an upbeat yes.
We start at his house which is next to the Vista (Sunset and Hillhurst in LA) and go north on Hillhurst. Our destination: Griffith Park. We pass all the cool cafes and shops of Los Feliz always keeping our eye on the hills over yonder. We stop for a moment to check out a cute, little organic mart. Phil buys some fruit since we knew we would need to replenish ourselves once we get deep into our hike. As we enter the park, trails appear at the foot of the hills. I express my need to sit because of the long walk we had ensued. So we find a bench nearby and just chat. Naturally, we engage in a philosophical conversation mainly about how everything is connected in this universe. I stress how not only is there a force out there but its also within. Indeed an insightful topic for the both of us. Then Phil looks at me and says it’s time to move on.
Now, let me describe to you the conditions of our walk. Even though it was early spring, the temperature was 90 some degrees. It was hot and dry with the sun beating down on us. So I mention to my walking companion how there lies hidden in the tall grass a landing spot enclosed by walls of rock. I had found this area when I explored the park with Jonathan months ago. There isn’t even a trail that leads up to it; thus it’s like a secret (even though others know about it too). At least my secret. Once we meddle our way through the tall brush and into the secret spot, we see a family relaxing. They set up camp with lounge chairs and tents. Well I sigh since it was what I thought to be the most exciting part of our hike and someone already claimed it.
However, Phil and I gaze directly in front of us at what seems to be a trail. In retrospect, it clearly was not a trail and was just vertical rocks that happened to have a logical way of going up. Thus, the real adventure begins as we climb the obviously less beaten path.
End of pt.1
