The Importance of Vistas

I must admit to a love/hate relationship with So. California. I lived in the San Bernardino area from the 4th grade through high school... the storied 50's. Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear were up in the mountains accessed via a two lane road that featured several view points where one could stop and let the radiator cool down while enjoying the view of the Inland Empire (Redlands, Riverside, San Bernardino) spread out across the valley below. At night one could actually see the lights of Catalina Island in the offing. Early Mormon journals wax eloquently about the many artesian wells and lush soil they found when they arrived in the mid-1800's. The point is ... it's all gone. One cannot even see ones feet when looking out over what one presumes is the Inland Empire shrouded in the gritty breath of civilization. Catalina? Forget about it. The vast citrus orchards that once lined every road leading out of Berdoo have long since been cut down and paved over; their spring fragrance a faint scent-memory that will, with the passing of those of us who experienced our first kiss in it's sweet embrace, disappear forever.

It takes two hours to drive from Palm Desert to Johnee and Lisa house in Los Felize near Hollywood. During that 140 mile drive there is not one pleasant vista ... no orchards or vineyards... just a few dusty looking gum trees imported long ago from Australia. Makes one wonder where first loves now take place? Somehow sharing that memorable moment with only the glare of the Auto Mall sign as a sentimental trigger seems profoundly sad.

There are however some beautiful landscapes hidden behind the imposing barriers of gated communities. Sitting on the Storton's patio this morning looking across a perfectly manicured fairway I watched the sun rays slowly climb Mt. San Gorgonio in the west.  In a pond, a mere 40 feet away, a pelican preened  in the morning light. Of course it's all contrived out of a barren harsh desert landscape. A purists may rail that golf courses and lush imported vegitation are just other forms of pollution and they may be right ... but ... if forced to choose between the bitumn shores of I-10 and the blazing greeness of a Colorado River watered golf course I think you know where to find me.

This will be the last post until we return from Mexico on the 6th. Be at peace.