The picture at left is a view of the Station Fire, taken from Marina del Rey yesterday.  According to news reports, the fire is still threatening the communications facilities and the observatory atop Mount Wilson.  It has already burned its way through and past the fabulously scenic Angeles Crest Highway.  Just three months after a major stretch of the Highway was opened after having been closed for over four years, the Highway is closed once again.

I am reminded, however, of the great day I spent on top of Mount Wilson and driving the Angeles Crest Highway last Thanksgiving weekend.  It was the last weekend before a portion of the Highway was to be closed for the winter.  We took a gorgeous drive up the Highway, and took the side trip to the Mount Wilson Observatory for a picnic lunch with dizzying views.

We stopped at Newcomb’s Ranch, admired the number of sports cars and motorbikes in the parking lot, and then proceeded past snow on the side of the road until we got to the “Road Closed” sign at Islip Saddle. Along the way, one one side, we had views of Los Angeles and the Valley. On the other side, at Islip Saddle, we could see the Mojave Desert stretching out before us.

I’m already looking forward to more wondrous times in the Angeles National Forest, on the Angeles Crest Highway, and atop Mount Wilson, places that Angelenos are lucky to have so close to them.  I’m looking forward to these places bouncing back.  Stay safe.