Photography

...was an excellent way to exorcize some personal demons in my youth, and massive exercise was a part of the process.

I do look back fondly on the physical shape I was in. I lived in Hermosa and worked in Harbor City, commuting by bicycle making a point to go over the route through Palos Verdes. Some weekends I'd bike up to Santa Monica on the Strand, past the El Segundo refinery and Dockweiler through Playa Del Rey, run for an hour or two with friends, bike back to Hermosa.

It was all to clear the demons of my youth. It more or less worked, got me on the road to clearing my head; and gave me the emotional strength to fall in love, which I did, ultimately back East.

I don't know that was a happy time then, but it led me on the path to happiness. Things like the old Either/Or bookstore, the breakfasts on the Strand, the massive exercise, they all helped me heal.

I'm not sure I miss it, but I certainly appreciate what that time did for me.

Of course, back then, Hermosa was affordable.

Thank you for the lovely pictures. They were evocative and helped me to reflect.