In the 1920s a network of concrete staircases was built into the myriad hillsides of the Los Angeles district of Silver Lake and Echo Park during their development as residential neighborhoods. All but a couple of the staircases are still accessible to the public around the clock as they were originally intended. I’ve lived amidst these staircases for over 40 years, and yet have only had a marginal awareness of the extent of their existence for most of that time. When the pandemic descended upon all of us in 2020, like many, my daily routines shifted dramatically. When it was clear I’d go stir-crazy without getting more exercise I resolved to walk more. A lot more. There are some 70 or so staircases within a two mile radius of my house ranging from a few steps to hundreds in some cases. The one with which I’m the most familiar is seven houses from my front door and is 111 steps punctuated by four landings.