Taken from the old website. Original post date: March 20, 2005
The day I decided to drive down the Del Dios hiway was the day I truly understood the meaning of paradise. There was something so unique about the high rolling hills, and the small town of Del Dios (literally “From God” in Spanish) nestled between mountains and a gorgeous lake.
Each time I steal a glance at the panoramic view of the lake, I feel a progressive calm somewhere in my body. This may sound like the words out of a hypnosis session, but quite frankly when nature presents itself so ravishingly, I believe the mind begins to automatically enter an altered state of consciousness.
To me, Lake Hodges is like an endless vacation into the deeper corners of the mind. The endless variety of blooming flowers, the soft and gentle breezes, and the winding roads with tree branches hovering over them somewhat resemble the introduction to a fairy tale. When I decide to learn new repertoire, I like to feel somewhat ‘lost’ – with no knowledge of north and south, away from streets filled with loud commotion and busy people – unless, of course, I’m learning a rather modern work like the Copland sonata. Then I have to take a trip up to Los Angeles, in order to enter a more urban atmosphere. Lake Hodges inspires me to feel ‘lost’. This coupled with the fact that I’ve been blessed with wonderful neighbors makes it a truly rewarding experience.
Lake Hodges has become the quintessential paradise I have been searching for years now. It has a little bit of all the good I’ve experienced – a little bit of Canada, a little bit of California, a little bit of Southern Poland, and a lot of clean air!.
