On the road to Pearblossom

I really enjoyed Elaine Dutka’s short article on Pearblossom (“A Gem, Just Off Hockney’s Highway,” April 24). But how does an L.A. Times reporter know anything about such places which are not merely in another world, but definitely on the wrong side of the cultural map? Is it possible that Dutka -- as it seems -- has actually been there, visited Pearblossom, stopped at Valyermo, done the Hungarian sausage thing? If so, she is seriously damaging my stereotypes about what an L.A. Times reporter is supposed to be like. And that’s terrific.

Leif Torjesen

Sherman Oaks