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.  

Gerry's Birthday Weekend

CHEERS To GERRY, my husband and the love of my life.

Gerry turned 64 on Sunday.  We celebrated, pretty much all weekend. 

We did our cherished Saturday morning bike ride, and pedaled for over two hours on our killer-hiller loop, roughly 24 miles, mostly on the interior paved gravel roads of  Griffith Park. 

We took our usual breaks, at the Observatory, and then at the Ranger Station.

Gerry takes a breather, his last day as a 63 year old

After our ride, we went to BIRDS, a neighborhood restaurant to carbo-load.  Their focus is fowl, (big surprise)

Gerry ponders the menu,  in our booth beneath this classic poster

We went to the Greek Theatre Saturday night, our favorite concert venue.  The acoustics are phenomenal in this smallish outdoor arena!  We listened to the opening act - Don Felder, former guitarist of the Eagles.

Main attraction, Doobie Brothers took stage at 9:00 pm.  Their voices were weaker than when they were in their prime, but they were up to snuff with their instruments!

Outside the Greek

Doobies perform!  We sing along and clap our hands. 

We awakened Sunday morning, and I serenaded Gerry with the Beatles song, "When I'm Sixty-Four." 
I did my own version of lyrics, and substituted pronouns, and made it clear that "Yes, I still need him and I will feed him now he's sixty four."

My original idea was to sing the song repeatedly throughout the day, but I didn't.  We both agreed Once was Enough, to hear my out of tune rendition of the song. 

Late morning, we hiked a western ridge line in Griffith Park, on the lookout for reptiles.  It was a steep hike, good practice for me, who lacks good balance.  Gerry (64 years young) is still the mountain goat hiker he was 30 years ago.

Gerry leads the way

Standing tall and proud.

We didn't see any snakes, but did spot several whiptail lizards.  The calochortus lily and the wirelettuce were truly treats for the eye.

Calochortus up close

A motherlode of Calochortus

Wirelettuce

We enjoyed the spectacular view at the start / finish of this loop hike of the Hollywood reservoir, and the many sights along the way on the 64th Birthday Celebration!

At the Wonderview Trail head

A relaxing Sunday afternoon followed.  We read the paper, listened to music.

I prepared a birthday dinner of chili-glazed garlic shrimp, with sauteed green beans.  We toasted Gerry with a glass of Malbec.  Cheers!