Before leaving the west coast, I was able to visit my beloved Hollywood Hills and Griffith Park where I grew up. I visited a small seasonal pond in Canyon Park where as a boy I had taken frogs because I wanted them for ‘pets’. That mistake was fatal for the little creatures, and led me to realize the importance of leaving wild animals alone.  I walked down stream from the pond and came upon a grove of tall Sycamore trees growing in the valley. Children were playing and climbing on the trees, as I had when I was their age.  And, I hiked trails high in the park where many people were enjoying views of Los Angeles below, including an elderly man, walking with a cane and carrying a garbage bag.  He was picking up trash left by others, helping to preserve the park’s beauty.  I was grateful for this man’s efforts, and hoped his example would affect others.