Phil and I climb the narrow path of rocks upward. We make sure to grab on to the sturdy rocks as we see little ones fall and tumble down our side. We keep climbing and realize how high this path is. But there’s no turning back now. Phil helps me at one point and grabs my hand to lift me up. He does this a few times. I thank him each time. Finally, we get to a clearing. We’re at the top. We first look at the journey we just made. We then realize how high up we actually were. As we take a seat on a large rock, we breathe deeply as we glance at one of the most majestic views we have ever seen– all of Los Angeles. We see Downtown, USC area, Los Feliz, Silverlake, etc. Being on top of the “mountain” and seeing all of this, made us feel like demigods. We sit and talk for a while, expressing the beauty that lay before us. Then Phil takes out his orange and shares it with me. But then I drop my half. “Oh well,” I thought. After a nice, long rest, it was time to start back up again. Phil takes the lead and heads West. I follow even though I was exhausted. Well I had to follow because eventually I would want to find my way back down.
We keep cutting across the dry patches of land to find a way back down. In amidst of all this, I notice all the life forms that were slowly popping up. Not too long ago, Griffith Park experienced a devastating fire. But now, new life was sprouting all around as if nothing ever died up here…just hibernating long enough for nature to say, “go ahead.” Finally Phil found a paved trail for us to go back down. But before we began our descent, he motions over to me. I hurry to catch up to him. I immediately see what lay in front of us. The Hollywood sign. Yes, right before my very eyes. We weren’t exactly next to it but it’s the closest I’ve ever been to it, and it was gigantic. Instantly, a sense of appreciation overwhelms me. Being able to see this sign after our laborious journey up the rocks was a gift. Everything led up to this moment. It was a sign for what Phil and I were doing with our lives made manifest./hollywood-sign-address.jpg)
End of pt. 2
Journey to a New Beginning pt. 3
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
Journey to a New Beginning pt. 2
