View from My Window
As I am living in the mountains these days, I get to watch the weather change and the seasons change right out my windows. A while ago, I was invited to be a part of FaceBook group called, “View from My Window” where people from literally around the world post pictures of what they see from their windows. This morning as I was practicing yoga in my living room, I noticed the fog was flowing in and covering the view of the mountains. I decided that would be a perfect picture to post on that group page.
As it turns out, the group had grown too big and the administrators decided to not accept any more new picture. So I figured I would share it anyway. And yes, this is the view from my living room window this morning.
Now that I’ve been writing about my mountain life every week (because that’s basically all I have to talk about!), people have been asking me about this “mountains.” Most people know Big Bear or Arrowhead, and of course, Mammoth. This is a community called, “Pine Mountain Club,” which is located about 80 miles north of Los Angeles, in Los Padres National Forest also called Frazier Mountains. From where we lived on the Westside, it is just about an 1.5 hour drive in “smooth traffic” going north on Interstate 5 past Santa Clarita Valley. The community has about 2,500 homes, and population is actually uncertain as it consists of full timers that are either retirees or young families, and of course a bunch of weekenders. Our house is situated at about 5,500 feet elevation, which is about middle of the range as there are homes as high as 6.500 ft.
It is really the best kept hidden gem although it’s certainly being discovered in the last few years as AirBnB became popular and more homeowners are operating short-term rentals. It’s definitely not Mammoth or Big Bear with some nice restaurants and amenities, yet we do have several eateries, the Club House with a 9-hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, equestrian center. Besides the fact that we’re surrounded by this national forest that the Chumash consider the “Center of the World,” I really like the community. People are wiling to help each other and eagerly contribute to the wellbeing of the community. Over the last 15 years that we’ve owned this house, we’ve seen some changes only for the better.
I just received an email from the owner of the local art gallery that they think they can go ahead with the photo exhibit we had planned for July provided that we’ll be allowed. I have been working on some images of the trees and forest for some time and wanted to have a little show. It would be such a celebration if it happens, especially because it would be around my SIXTIETH birthday! Stay tuned for the news to see if that’s really going to happen. I’m holding it with my palms open.