Hey everybody!
Spring break is upon us! I’m not going to Daytona or Miami to party my face off, but I can’t complain going to California from icy Vermont. As my plane descended into Los Angeles National airport, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of despair as my skyline switched from the beautiful Green Mountains to the US Bank building and Wilshire Grand Center. After spending a few days poolside and soaking up the sun, I decided to take advantage of the weather and drive just minutes away to the sweeping foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. As I stepped out of the car at the Victory Trailhead I was greeted with an unfamiliar emerald green, as the drought ridden valley I call my home had finally been graced with some rain. As I walked down the trail I remembered these loping valleys were once a part of Ahmanson Ranch, a ~3000 acre ranch that was almost purchased by banking giant Washington Mutual to be covered with housing developments, tarnishing one of the few truly open spaces in Los Angeles County. Thanks to the fierceness of activists and environmentalists, the space was preserved and is now owned by the state. The agricultural activity didn’t seem to have a huge impact on the land, as the hills look identical to the foothills on the opposite side of the mountains. Coast live oaks dot the landscape, breaking the monotonous waving of tall green grasses and the invasive bright yellow mustard plant. The coast live oaks are still bare, but the buds seem to be maturing and will probably open soon. I searched the landscape for identifiable birds throughout my hike, but turned around empty-handed and defeated. Finally, as I fumbled in my pockets for my keys, the screech of a red-tailed hawk pierced my ears as it cast its shadow over me. Counting it as a win, I turned the ignition and high tailed it back home. Thanks again for reading!
