Christmas Eve began with a slight lingering headache… The previous evening involved copious amounts of beer, a couple botched games of pool and a few surprisingly incredible performances at the local music venue. The rain that night was far beyond the ordinary and put us all in the mood for “one more drink,” but I speak for myself. That next morning called for an immediate walk to the kitchen for breakfast and coffee. Reclaiming mental normalcy was of utmost importance, and we had a long beautiful day ahead of us to seize as we pleased.
On the agenda: a holiday hike. Just north of Highland Park, the rain that we felt was received as plentiful snow at higher elevation. So with that information and a want for nature, we began our drive north on the Angeles Crest Parkway. It’s peculiar to experience that dramatic of a temperature change, especially in the winter months. We left 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the hills and arrived at 38 degrees Fahrenheit just about five miles past Mt. Wilson. Because the snow was so ample and recent, there was a mandatory call for snow chains after a certain point on the drive. So we stopped at our last possible checkpoint and walked from there. The 2-3 mile hike we started was almost all virgin snow. Untouched paths for us to enjoy (and make yellow).
On the agenda: a holiday hike. Just north of Highland Park, the rain that we felt was received as plentiful snow at higher elevation. So with that information and a want for nature, we began our drive north on the Angeles Crest Parkway. It’s peculiar to experience that dramatic of a temperature change, especially in the winter months. We left 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the hills and arrived at 38 degrees Fahrenheit just about five miles past Mt. Wilson. Because the snow was so ample and recent, there was a mandatory call for snow chains after a certain point on the drive. So we stopped at our last possible checkpoint and walked from there. The 2-3 mile hike we started was almost all virgin snow. Untouched paths for us to enjoy (and make yellow).
Chloe. San Gabriel Mountains. Christmas Eve.
The blankets of powder transformed the brown and green mountain range into a white-peaked winter paradise, more than worthy of dozens of pictures. But it is a shame when none of them capture the essence of the hike. Only our memories and future return trips will truly emulate what we saw up there. Coming from just-under-room-temperature, we were both glad (Chloe and I) that we’d brought boots and plenty of layers. But she had the upper hand as she’d brought her gloves (no pun intended). The cold was starting to sink in (and no one wants to be sick on Christmas), so we turned back to the SUV, excited to cook a hot meal, drink wine and exchange presents that night. Then, as we approached our car, we ran into our roommate Steven and two other of our friends, Travis and Venisha. They’d just arrived, and by coincidence to the exact same spot, so we walked a bit with them as well. Glad to see friends and still amazed by our surroundings, we pushed for a little longer but ultimately decided to head home shortly after.
Driving down the mountain was nice, approaching Los Angeles from above in quite a magical way. Chloe wasn’t feeling well, for whatever reason, and stayed at the house while I went to visit our sweet Sawyer, the canine we were dog sitting for the long weekend. A big, big dog with a huge heart and affinity for making you dirty, Sawyer is a fun one. But a lot to handle… Enjoyed some time there before returning home for the main attraction of Christmas! Following showers, Chloe took control of a delicious stuffed mushroom dish for that night’s dinner while I made moves on a fire in our living room’s fireplace. A great way to ring in the holiday, we both drank red wine, the house was toasty, festive and generally lovely. For our first time using the fireplace as it was designed to be used, the fire was glorious. And directly after our delectable dinner, we gifted each other our Christmas presents. Much love was felt, and our toes were warmed by the hearth as we finished our wine and well asleep to a long movie.
The next day was, in fact, Christmas Day. And it came with plenty of sunshine. We were planning to head south for Aliso Viejo, to spend time with my Aunt Christine, Uncle Paul and my visiting cousin Spencer. Rather quickly, we made breakfast and coffee, took care of dog duties and began packing the desserts and alcohol in the car to bring with us to our day in Orange County. One hour later, we pulled up to my uncle’s place, ready for a fun day. First action for the day - walk on the beach.
Driving down the mountain was nice, approaching Los Angeles from above in quite a magical way. Chloe wasn’t feeling well, for whatever reason, and stayed at the house while I went to visit our sweet Sawyer, the canine we were dog sitting for the long weekend. A big, big dog with a huge heart and affinity for making you dirty, Sawyer is a fun one. But a lot to handle… Enjoyed some time there before returning home for the main attraction of Christmas! Following showers, Chloe took control of a delicious stuffed mushroom dish for that night’s dinner while I made moves on a fire in our living room’s fireplace. A great way to ring in the holiday, we both drank red wine, the house was toasty, festive and generally lovely. For our first time using the fireplace as it was designed to be used, the fire was glorious. And directly after our delectable dinner, we gifted each other our Christmas presents. Much love was felt, and our toes were warmed by the hearth as we finished our wine and well asleep to a long movie.
The next day was, in fact, Christmas Day. And it came with plenty of sunshine. We were planning to head south for Aliso Viejo, to spend time with my Aunt Christine, Uncle Paul and my visiting cousin Spencer. Rather quickly, we made breakfast and coffee, took care of dog duties and began packing the desserts and alcohol in the car to bring with us to our day in Orange County. One hour later, we pulled up to my uncle’s place, ready for a fun day. First action for the day - walk on the beach.
Laguna Beach. Christmas Day.
I feel spoiled and humbled to be living in a place where, on Christmas, I can hike through snow in a mountain range one day and walk with my toes in the sand the next. The contrast of these experiences was incredible, but the ability to make each happen was a blessing. After retuning from Laguna Beach to Aliso Viejo, there was a new tradition I’d yet to become familiar with. The Christmas Pickle. Many of you may know what I’m talking about, but for those that don’t: a pickle (or an ornament or symbol of a pickle) is hidden either inside of a Christmas tree or elsewhere, left for someone to find. He or she who successfully discovers the Christmas pickle wins a special gift or prize, and this year my Aunt Christine hid the Christmas pickle (ornament) very deliberately in a bush outside in the apartment complex. The entire group of us (five, not including Christine) was wandering around the courtyard, which probably looked crazy to other residents, searching dearly for a shiny pickle. I felt both ridiculous and just like a kid again. But when my uncle found the pickle, I can honestly say I was bummed. He won the movie tickets along with all the glory and bragging rights of being 2016’s pickle holder. How I hope we can have a rematch in 2017….
Pickle finding done, we all had a drink while dinner was being prepared. The final touches on lasagna, Italian bread and salad were being made, and I'll say that I ate one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever had. The warm lasagna noodles, meat and cheeses mixed as they should and the flavors came through like one can only hope. Exquisite. I’m not religious, but I know when and how to practice gratitude. And for that day, for that family and for my support in life I’m grateful.
We had to leave a little earlier than desired, to go see our lovable monster, Sawyer. Home to Highland Park we went and proceeded to have several drinks with a crazy holiday puppy back in our own neighborhood. I can only hope that the New Year continues these great vibes and amazing experiences that I’ve had with Chloe and all of my friends and family in 2016.
¡Salud!
- 7Ply Epic
Pickle finding done, we all had a drink while dinner was being prepared. The final touches on lasagna, Italian bread and salad were being made, and I'll say that I ate one of the best lasagnas I’ve ever had. The warm lasagna noodles, meat and cheeses mixed as they should and the flavors came through like one can only hope. Exquisite. I’m not religious, but I know when and how to practice gratitude. And for that day, for that family and for my support in life I’m grateful.
We had to leave a little earlier than desired, to go see our lovable monster, Sawyer. Home to Highland Park we went and proceeded to have several drinks with a crazy holiday puppy back in our own neighborhood. I can only hope that the New Year continues these great vibes and amazing experiences that I’ve had with Chloe and all of my friends and family in 2016.
¡Salud!
- 7Ply Epic
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