Above

Yesterday, we decided to take advantage of the fact that it wasn't stinking hot first thing in the morning, and went for a hike. The spot we chose is called Wildwood Canyon. How pretty does that sound? There are different routes that vary in difficulty and length, but we chose a short leg - we wanted to avoid having to carry the Faery if possible. We saw some deer before we'd even parked the car, but the only other wildlife we saw during the hike were lizards and birds. Plenty of crows (I've never seen so many crows in my life as I have since coming to LA), but the hawks and eagles were shy. Most of the landscape was just scrub - we passed only one tree for shade.

We had no idea how much smog was around until we reached our looking point. Ugh. It was lovely to be above all of that. Below - in amongst that smog - is part of Burbank, in 'The Valley'. To the south (if this photo was extended to the left), we could make out the tops of the skyscrapers from downtown LA, but they were very hazy. Without the smog, they're easy to see - even in my neighbourhood.

It was a bit of a hard slog for the Faery. By the time we stopped for photos, her face was red and dirt-smudged, whispy golden strands of hair flying around her face. Dishevelled and cute. Next time, though, we might get the babysitter for a couple of hours one late Saturday afternoon. It'd be good to catch a sunset, minus hot complaining children. Oh, and minus the smog.

Air

I went for a walk this morning, and kind of wished I had a face mask. Maybe Michael Jackson was onto something. The LA smog has been here all week, with a vengeance.

I've suffered from hay fever for as long as I can remember, but last year - my first summer in LA - was by far the most severe and prolonged I'd had it in many years. To make things worse, being in the throes of breastfeeding meant there wasn't any medication I could find to help. None of the pharmacists I spoke to here were willing to recommend a brand of anti-histamines that were classified as 'safe' for breastfeeding. Frustrating, because I was able to get a particular brand in Australia (Polaramine) that is considered A-okay when pregnant or breastfeeding. Maybe they're too scared of lawsuits here? But after showing pharmacists my empty Polaramine packet, I was told there is nothing on the market here with the same ingredients. Cuh-razy.

Anyhow, Miss Pie is down to only one feed a day, and we'll be doing away with that in the next few weeks, when she hits eighteen months of age. We've had a good run. Then... bring on the drugs, baby. I will be doping myself up to my eyeballs to be rid of the itchy eyes and constant sneezing. Yay.

The mountains in these pictures are normally clear and immediate. They never appear as mere background - instead, it often feels like you could reach out and touch them. They're rather special... but the haze which envelopes them now gives them the illusion of being somewhat distant. I miss them already.