2000 Stairs and A Nazi Compound

On Monday, feeling uneasy about hiking alone, I went to the Sullivan Trail in Santa Monica and I came across Murphy’s Ranch. Back in the 40’s during World War II, this place was a Nazi compound built by Winona and Norman Stephens, a wealthy American couple with a marked affinity for National Socialism and Hitler's New Order in Germany. During the 70’s it burnt down and the ruins are now graffiti’ed.

Being alone and NOT having seen a single person on the trail, I climbed down 500 narrow cement stairs and eventually I came across the place. There was an immediate sense of curiosity, fear, and awe! As I entered the ruins, I felt scared as hell. What had happened here? There was a creepy energy lingering around. Just in case something BAD happened, I had left a note on my desk about my whereabouts.

After taking a few photos and walking up further along the trail, I came across a family of 4. I felt a sense at ease. If something happened, at least someone had seen me. But after they left, I explored some more, took some more photos, had lunch and was about to explore some more when I noticed something lurking in the distance. I paused; it paused. We both froze. It looked like a coyote, a wolf, maybe. Fear took over. Quickly I looked for large sticks and picked 2 up. I started flinging them around in hopes that the coyote, or whatever it was would keep its distance. I walked quickly, but did not run.

After reaching the top, now a 1000 stairs later, I walked some more until I came across the iron gates, the entrance to the ranch. I thought about going further, but the thought of being attacked, kept me from going. As I walked back to the car, I came across another set of stairs. With curiosity, fear, and a bit of courage, I climbed down another 500 stairs, only to reach the bottom and immediately feel the need to go back up. I just couldn’t risk it. But as I walked up, I felt a sense of pride for taking a chance, for being an adventurer- 2000 stairs! Ah my legs!

The piece here is titled, “Freak.” The first time I ever dressed up as a creepy clown, I knew it had taken courage to walk out of my apartment. And though it was a different courage than going on this hike, alone; it was still courage, nonetheless. Courage comes in all forms. It can be something as simple as saying high to a stranger. Every time we leave our apartment, we take a little courage with us. How much we use is totatlly up to us.

Before leaving the compound, I picked up a piece of tile to remind me of this courage, to remind me to live life from a different place.

Have a courageous and exciting weekend. Woohoo!