What the Mountains Above Los Angeles have Meant for Me and My Wife
The Angeles National Forest has been a place to refresh and strengthen our relationship
During Super Bowl weekend in the mid-80s, I wasn’t watching the Big Game. I was skiing up Highway 2 above Los Angeles. It was one of the final years that Kratka Ridge and Mount Waterman ski slopes were still operating. Enjoying the snow while gazing north to the High Desert was exhilarating.
I also enjoyed the beaches but the mountains held a different meaning and symbolism. They were natural barriers that acted as the last defense against complete urban sprawl. Step onto the trails above Pasadena and you’re in a place that’s rugged where coyotes, mule deer and bear roam, although you’re only 20 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
The mountains hold a special place in my heart for a completely personal reason. My wife, Cindy, and I have driven up the winding road dozens of times in our marriage. We’d explore one area and then another with a hike into the woods. Despite brushes with other hikers, along the tops of the ridges there were plenty of places to spend quiet moments.
It was also the place where we held hands for the first time. That moment led to our engagement and to our shared goals as a couple.
