11 years of all this!

I've lived in Simi Valley, CA for 11 years now; I've done the Surf City Half-Marathon 11 times as well. It has become a tradition on Super Bowl Sunday!

Surf City Half-Marathon, 2017

During my 13.1 miles of ocean views and cool breezes, I was thinking about what other traditions have been created since moving down to CA. Lasagna for Christmas dinner. Arby's in Baker on the way to Vegas. Black Friday all-nighters. Mix tape party favors... I have loved making all kinds of memories here.

Surf City Half-Marathon, 2017

I've also loved the places I've been able to see here. Beaches up and down the coast (Huntington Beach Pier, pictured above), vacations, wine tasting, and of course, a visit to every Old Spaghetti Factory along the way.

To quote Sammy Sosa (sort of), "[California] been very good to me." 

I'm thankful for all the friends I've made and journeys we've been able to go on. I can't wait to see what the next adventure holds...I hope there's a medal at the end of it!

Surf City Half-Marathon, 2017

My Big Adventure

I thought that you were my big adventure

But it turns out the adventure was mine

Though my heart was shattered

Pieces were scattered

I rebuilt it all in time

Sunrise, Wood Ranch Parkway

And I didn't know how strong I could be

You broke my heart

But you didn't break me

And I didn't know I could love you even more

For saying goodbye

For closing this door

Sunset, Challenger Park

I opened my eyes after the tears did subside

Oh, how the colors vibrantly shine

I hold my head up high

Face to the sky

For now the time is mine

Sunrise, Wood Ranch Golf Club

And I didn't know how strong I could be

You broke my heart

But you didn't break me

And I didn't know I could love you even more

For saying goodbye

For closing this door

Sunset, Long Canyon Trail

You said goodbye

I opened this door

A little limerick to go with my Jameson

Long Ranch (SW), Simi Valley

There once was a girl who went for a hike

She hit the trail on foot, not on a bike 

She admired the flowers

And big rock towers

And after the day, it was good for her psych(e)

She wandered up and around the trail

Lizards following close on her tail

She ran toward the setting sun

The wind in her hair -- so much fun! --

Like an ocean breeze catching a sail

 

She looked to her left, and excitement arose

When she spotted a trail as narrow as her nose

Up, up, up she climbed

Anxious to see what she'd find

Anticipation swelling from the tips of her toes

At the top, the view caught her by surprise

The first hues of pink across the sky 

She admired it for a sec

Then panic grasped her chest

As she thought, "where the fuck am I?"

She told herself it would be okay

And promised never again to stray

A half hour back to the street

(And a pretty manhole at her feet)

She made it home, poured a drink, and called it a day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Remember, not all who wander are lost...but sometimes they are. 

Hello, 7:03 Sunset!

Long Canyon (NE), Simi Valley

Thanks to daylight savings, I now have the time to get up in the hills while the sun is still out.  

It wasn't until I'd wandered up to the grassy top that I realized I was hiking solo for the first time in a couple months...and I'm okay with that!

I did what any normal person hiking alone would do: took some selfies (as documented above), sang to myself, and rehearsed what I'd do and say if an attacker sprang out of the long grass. (Super glad no one appeared...my makeshift plan was impuissant.)

I made it up to my little bench just in time to watch the sky turn orange. 

And back down in time for the purple skies. 

Pi Day, Hike Day!

Challenger Park, Simi Valley

It was way too beautiful out to stay indoors today! We dragged ourselves off the patio furniture and over to Challenger Park.

The grass was green and the flowers were in bloom!

At the tippy top, we soaked in a little sunshine where one of us got burned (it wasn't me) and took in the great views. 

On the way down, we passed the strangest fruit!

And met our new St. Patty's Day friend: Guinness the Green Gaterpillar. He told us to go home and drink more, so we did. 

Do you remember that song from The Hobbit?

Sage Ranch Loop, Simi Valley

As we drive up Woolsey Canyon, the fog was just starting to roll into the valley through the rocks. It was so thick that you could actually see the molecules traveling through the air. It created a sense of wonder and mystery. 

Oh, misty eye of the mountain below

Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls

And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke

Keep watching over Durin's sons

Running up hill? No, thanks.

Long Canyon (SW), Simi Valley

After a heartbreaking loss in the Super Bowl, a walk in the hills of as needed for a little pick me up. Some people might have been so inspired as to RUN up the trail...but not me. When I eventually made it, this was the view I was rewarded with. 

I also tried to get a shot of the green hills, but they just got washed out. Oops!

My shoes got dirty...

...so I'm calling it a hike. Well, technically two. 

Santa Susana Park, Simi Valley

There's no better way to finish breakfast at Old Santa Susana Cafe (banana pancakes = deliciousness), than to stroll around this park. If you haven't been, they have the coolest rocks there. I was too busy walking THROUGH them to take a picture, but it's worth seeing.

After going under the railroad tracks, in a very reverberant tunnel, I might add, we hit a trailhead...or a worn down path up some rocks. So neat to watch the clouds moving across the hills!

Sage Ranch, Simi Valley

Fast forward a few hours, and up into Woolsey Canyon we go. The first time I was up here, the sun was setting on Conejo Valley and you could see for miles. There are big rocks, green grass, and 360 views. On a summer day, this is where I'd like to pack a picnic and spend some time with a good book. 

Marco? Marco? Um, Marco?

Hike #10 Big Sky Trail, Simi Valley

And the trailhead never responded... We eventually hopped a fence and got on board.

Nothing much to tell here. We saw some backyards and future hills to climb.

A beautiful sunset (filtered for a little excitement!)

And a teeny sliver of a moon watching over us. 

Goodnight, Moon. 

Probably the most well-known Simi hike.

Hike #9 Mount McCoy, Simi Valley

One word: Switchbacks. It wasn't tough, just a little dizzying with all the turnarounds! 

I loved the cactus patch at the beginning. I scooched in for a closer pic, so glad my clumsiness didn't join me!

There were shortcuts throughout, but I was taking the switchbacks to get extra steps in. Kept crossing paths with a 74 year old man who has 6 children and 20 grandchildren. His youngest son is 42, and he wishes he had more power left in his legs. (I learned a little about him each time we saw each other...) 

Anyway, reached the top and realized a morning hike here would be much prettier - no shadow to cloud my view!

Still, a couple nice shots. 

And the (obligatory) cross. 

From the base, it seems majestic. Thank you, missionaries. 

Better than the cold one!

Hike #8 Challenger Park, Simi Valley

First quarter of school over, grades input, I headed home to celebrate with a cold drink and TV. But as I drove with my sunroof open, I was entranced by the wispy clouds against the bluest sky. How could I not go out for a hike?!

The trail split immediately, so I walked forward because it seemed more mysterious (as if I need a little more mystery in my life!)...and I was greatly rewarded. 

This is where I shall build my fort. 

I ran out of trail and turned around just in time to catch this beauty. 

And a little bit of Simi. 

I hit a fork in the road: back to my car or up, up, up! 

It quickly became one of the toughest hikes I've done thus far. Higher and higher I climbed. 

Like, seriously. Hard. <insert heavy breathing> But so worth it! 

And a second picture because. Yes, just because.

The sun set and I ran back to my car (for exercise, not because I am scared of the dark or anything...) Hike #8 is officially my favorite hike to date.

Rocks, sunshine, and graffiti! (Oh my!)

Hike #7 Corriganville, Simi Valley

So many treasures tucked in here beside the 118 freeway!

Heading out, I had no idea where to go or what to expect...

And then I spotted these rocks! And the sun was shining! And the science nerd in me started thinking about how incredible our earth is to have created these formations and that we (humans) take up such a minuscule amount of time here. Woah. 

At one point, I was sure I had lost myself in the hills...but is that really such a bad thing?

There I was: top of the hill, 50 feet from the freeway, and I see a tunnel with graffiti! Naturally, I go for a closer look, and was pleasantly surprised with the positivity. 

View from the top. So much to see!

 

And, done.