Pearle’s Perspective #04: Go Take a Hike
Red Tailed Hawk
“Nature is really important because it’s a manifestation of love that hasn’t been run through human minds.”
— Ram Dass
Dear Friends,
A daily morning hike isn’t just part of my routine - it’s my religion. Runyon Canyon is my church and my fellow dawn patrol hikers are my congregation. This morning ritual is the single most important thing I do for myself and for my marriage.
Out and about in Runyon Canyon; Be Here Now Beanie from Ram Dass
Spirituality
Nature is the gatekeeper of life. Walking through nature every morning is vital to my mental health and the health of my marriage. It’s where my husband Adam and I connect with nature and with one another. I’ve never finished my hike without profound gratitude for the earth, for the luxury of hiking with my husband by my side and our dog off leash. Runyon is a place where I am surrounded by people who share this daily practice and it connects us.
There’s the guy who walks backwards in head to toe sports gear. An East Indian sister team carts bottles of water from home to water the plants and trees along the trail. A father/son duo plants sunflowers and tends to them all summer long. A man in a yellow jacket takes a selfie at the same time every morning and listens to Korean Soap Operas on a little transistor radio.
This is Los Angeles: we learn a dog’s name before we learn their human’s name. Frankie the dog carries a large rock in her mouth instead of a ball. A white German shepherd lugs the same stick up and down the hill for years until it eventually disintegrates. There’s Vlad (the human), with his “daily lecture” series — I sometimes pause to learn something new, like the depth of the world’s largest freshwater lake, or I just wave as I pass. I always greet Dutch, his big, goofy Italian Spinone. We watch babies grow up. We say goodbye to dogs crossing the rainbow bridge. We witness life — and, sometimes, death.
One morning, a fellow hiker collapsed. His dog was by his side. In an instant, our community formed a circle of love around him — talking, praying, holding his hand. It was tragic, but it was also a beautiful reminder of all that is good in this world.Chris did not die alone; he was held in love until he was taken away.
We respect these trails and the nature surrounding them. We are animal lovers and familiar strangers, connected by ritual. We know the quirks of the people and the dogs. We listen to the birds’ morning jam sessions and follow the hoots of owls hidden in pine trees. We see coyotes retreating to their dens, hawks resting on familiar branches, and wildflowers bursting into bloom: pink, orange, yellow, purple, white. Nature offers miracles if you pay attention.
Sometimes Adam and I hike in silence; other times the talking never stops. Sometimes I need the floor and sometimes Adam does. This is the place where we feel heard. In this space we work out disagreements, discuss family issues with our daughter, siblings and parents. We discuss our relationships with friends, career goals, vacations, house projects, politics and our love. We also talk nonstop about our dog and how cute, smart and athletic he is.
It is the connection to nature, the community, to one another that makes this activity so special and spiritually fulfilling.
Left to right: Winter-blooming Acacia and foxtail
Design
When I hike, I find constant inspiration in the colors of nature — the dried wheat hue of foxtail, the sky’s vibrant blues, the many shades of greens and golds. I live for Spring when all the wildflowers are in bloom. They have been bountiful the last couple of years due to the rains.
These moments influence my design work. Several fabrics I’ve used for clients were inspired directly by hikes on this very trail. I love a textile….playful patterns, colors and mixing and matching is my jam. When I hike I also dream up designs for my clients. Here are a few fabrics inspired by my hikes:
Love From Amelia Rose ceramics
I love these sweet ceramics made by Love by Amelia Rose. She is a painter too and has lovely originals and Giclee Fine Art Prints, as well as tea towels and handmade cards. I hope she makes a candle line with the flowers she paints as a scent. I’m planning to have her make another ceramic piece featuring the Runyon Wild Flowers that I have captured in photos. My friend Ariana owner of Lily Lodge recently hosted an open house for Amelia. The art and ceramics were flying out the door, so go grab some while you can.
Fashion
There’s even fashion on the mountain. One Runyon regular always looks runway-ready. When I compliment her outfit, she smiles and says, “My dog walk is my catwalk.” Her dog, fittingly, is named Gucci.
I take a more low-key approach, saving my splurges for designer shoes. Still, I have a few reliable staples I wear no matter the weather.
Clockwise from top left:
Commando Hat by Lola Hats This hat can be crushed and still pops back into shape. It’s perfect because I shove everything into the back of Adam’s backpack room or not.
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 By You I have had 6 or so versions of these shoes. It’s fun to design your own and they are so comfortable, have amazing support and enough traction for a steep hike.
Loewe Small Raffia Font Tote
I certainly don’t sport this darling Loewe tote while hiking, but the flowers are cute and remind me of those I see each morning. Why not carry a little springtime where ever I go?
Rachel Comey The Billi Sweatshirt
I love this new blue color. I have one in about every color they make. This is a great piece when you are out on a spring morning when it is a tad chilly, but the short sleeves help when that May Gray or June Gloom lifts.
Entertaining
Clockwise from left: Joan’s On Third Vinigrette, Melissa Clark’s Sugar Snap Pea Salad, Bagel Board Spread
After a good long weekend hike I enjoy nothing more than hosting a leisurely brunch for friends, especially when I have had a mellow weekend. Brunch makes me feel like I have some sort of a social life. Brunch is easy to whip together the night before or pick a little or no-prep option if you are short on time. Friends can still have their weekend and are home by midafternoon for a nap, family time, errands or best yet a hike.
I have a couple springtime recipes that always hit and are easy to make the night before. One of those is Melissa Clark’s NYT recipe for a Sugar Snap Pea Salad. The salad has a 5-star rating and prep time is about ten minutes. I also have added some substitutions and time savers to the recipe. If time is short I cheat and use Joan’s on Third bottled vinaigrette. I will substitute feta cheese if I do not have ricotta salata available and I throw a handful of pistachios on top for some texture and crunch.
Another quick and easy brunch staple is a bagel board. Load up platters with all the fixings. Run out early for a bag of bagels, cream cheese, lox and fresh squeezed orange juice. Assemble when you’re done hiking and enjoy.
So I hope some of you faithful readers will try hiking with your partner. It can be anytime of day, even a weekend if that’s all you can spare. If you don’t have the access to hiking try a walk together. Try a block, then two and work your way up to at least a half hour. Look at the trees, plants, sky, all that surrounds you. But most of all look and listen to the person beside you. The walk or hike will become familiar and routine, but I guarantee you will learn something new with each and every step.
xoxo
P & P