September 2011

Stories of More Mesa
Last month we shared one of our “Stories of More Mesa”; stories that tell the world what More Mesa means to the people who cherish it.  This month we present a second story, a different story, but the same theme. (If you, too, have a story you would like to share, please contact us here.)

In my “other life” when I held a job, raised three kids and lived in the hustle and bustle of L.A., I hurried off to the mountains, the desert, or an peaceful seaside community every chance I could.  I drove one way for 5-20 hours, threw out a sleeping bag, slept, hiked, climbed, ran rivers and reveled in the wilderness … trees, free flowing rivers, wild flowers, wild animals and magnificent birds.  There were few structures, no traffic, few people and the whole outdoors to admire, appreciate and soak in. Now that I am twice as old as I was then, I still need the wilderness I sought in that other life.  But, my body is not as willing to jump into cars and drive 20 hours, sleep on the ground, climb, hike or run rivers.  But it’s more than happy to walk on More Mesa.  And although there are places where houses can be seen, there are also many places where you see only the mountains and the ocean.  And there are trees and wild flowers and wild animals.  There are magnificent oaks, incredible raptors, snakes, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks and bobcats. I can feel the rhythm of the seasons, the wind, the sun, and experience the quiet.  In short, it feels just like a wilderness … a wilderness in my backyard.