Back to the rat race for weekends

I loved your article on the two couples renting in L.A. during the week and driving out to their houses on the weekend. My story is the reverse. I go back “down stairs,” as they call it up here in Running Springs (five minutes from Lake Arrowhead), to regroup with old friends in L.A. and Orange County, and see my writing group, on weekends or when a big storm is due here.

I couldn’t stand the rat race and freeways anymore and was desperate for tranquillity, which I certainly found. I bought a fantastic retreat here for $325,000. In Newport it would go for at least $2 million.

I work beautifully with the blue jays and other critters walking past my office deck during the week, then I join my friends on Saturdays and Sundays.

ROBERT WOODCOX

Running Springs