TREES, CROWDS & CONCERT

This Saturday I spent time in Griffith Park, as I do nearly every weekend and several times during the week.  I am fortunate to have the Park in my back yard.

Our backyard hill side.  We're planting natives. 

Less than a quarter-mile from our hill side I find myself at the historic One Mile Tree, which is located on Western Canyon Road in Griffith Park, exactly one mile from busy Los Feliz Blvd.

The historic marker at the base of the tree

This beautiful Oak Tree is 100 years old! 

 Gerry and I were part of a group of volunteers who spent two hours a few weeks ago, and gave the tree some good tender loving care.  We spread a huge pile of much around the area, and got Rec and Parks Dept to provide the irricade (it's the white object next to the tree.)  Hopefully, the tree will be around for another 100 years.

Unfortunately, many of the trees in our Park have suffered because of this terrible drought.  This pine tree is a poor victim, as are hundreds of other trees in the Park.  

A dead pine

Despite the dying trees, people (lots and lots of tourists) continue to flock to the Park.  Western Canyon Road turns into "Western Canyon Parking Lot" by late afternoon.

It's a free for all

Even more dangerous at dusk

When the sun goes down, I'm out of the Park, unless I'm attending a concert at the Greek Theatre, like we did last week. 

Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown is also a magnificent concert hall.  We were fortunate to be in the audience Saturday night for an unusual concert.  It was the L.A. Lawyers Philharmonic 6th Annual Concert Extraordinaire, which featured their Big Band of Barristers.  The program featured Rhapsody in Blue and a slew of Broadway Musicals.

Orchestra takes their seats and tunes their instruments

Mary and Gerry take their seats and enjoy the show!

Gotta have a Selfie these days, don't we?  

I'm grateful for our Griffith Park and for live music.  I appreciate both nature and the fine arts.  I certainly don't take them for granted.