Views From Heaven at the Top of Mount Boney on an Overcast Summer Morning

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Yes, here in Newbury Park you can pretend you are in heaven on an overcast morning. All you need to do is find your way up Boney Mountain, up above the clouds that keep the air so cool below. The way to get there is a bit of a challenge but can be done if you're up for it. First make your way up to the Danielson Cabin Site. That alone is plenty challenging.

From there, the unofficial "Upper Canyon Trail" will get you up there. it is extremely steep and rocky in various sections, deep, challenging crevices that engulf the path, and tight, winding, spider web covered trails to the top. But trust me, once you make it to the top, it's all worthwhile. See for yourself in the video below.

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June Gloom, June Heat, June Cold, Back to June Gloom in the Conejo Valley

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Weather patterns here in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County are consistently inconsistent in recent memory. Hot summer, cool summers and daily/weekly changes from hot to cold and sunny to overcast. Personally I prefer the cold to the heat because I enjoy local running when it is cool outside. This morning was perfect running weather...cool and overcast.

Overcast skies make it optimal to run up Boney Mountain. Whether you make it all the way up or not, you're bound to reach a point where you can look down at the cloud cover below towards Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa.

On the way up Boney (no I didn't run to the very top this morning), I passed the Danielson Monument, dedicated to the man who donated much of his land to the National Park Service for all of us to enjoy.

And while dodging numerous massive spider webs on the trails going up the hill (I'm still imagining spiders crawling on me), I came upon this deer on the trail. Bambi? His body action told me he was a bit unnerved about my running toward him (or her).

Click here for more local trails and hiking throughout the area.

2012 Flag Display at Pierce Brothers Memorial Park Westlake Village

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Tomorrow, Memorial Day, Pierce Brothers Memorial Park in Westlake Village is hosting its 22nd Annual Memorial Day Service tomorrow morning starting with a musical prelude at 10:30 a.m. Over 2,500 are expected to attend this free service open to the public. American flags create a carpet of red, white and blue as they decorate the graves of more than 1,400 heroes buried in the Garden of Valor and throughout the memorial park. Flags will line the Avenue of Flags to honor the memory of all veterans. Local Boy Scouts placed these 1,400 flags yesterday.

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks-Griffin Memorial Park, Mortuary and Crematory is located at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. www.piercebrothersvalleyoaks.com

We were able to drive through the park tonight to see the impressive display of flags and pay our respects to our fallen heroes.

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, California hosts an annual Community Memorial Day Ceremony. We drove through the park the night before to see the 1,400 flags placed by the gravesite of each fallen hero. Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks is located at 5600 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village.

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Latest Work of Camarillo Artist Chuck Trunks Entitled "Lover's Beach"

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Like most of Chuck Trunks' work, this latest piece entitled "Lover's Beach" was inspired by the beauty and tranquility of the beaches in Ventura County. For more of his work, visit www.chucktrunks.com and purchase his work on shirts, mugs and other items at www.printfection.com/attractiveabstracts.

CLICK HERE for Ventura County area ocean activities and fun.

CLICK HERE for things to do in the outdoors around the county.

CLICK HERE for swimming and water sports around town.

Spring Has Sprung in the Conejo Valley

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Chris Rowell of Newbury Park captured the essence of spring nicely in this colorful photo in Thousand Oaks today. Blue skies and the budding of wildflowers marks this time of year!

A great time to be outdoor for upcoming festivals, fairs and expos, and local health and fitness events. Or try some local hikes and trails, visit a botanic garden, go horseback riding and much more.

Beautiful, Cool Day in the Conejo Valley After a Rainy Week

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After rain and thunderstorms the better part of the week, blue skies appeared again this beautiful Saturday, April 14, 2012 in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County. From my vantage point, this was a perfect day. Blue skies dotted with some clouds...and temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Just the way I like it. Cold for some, perfect for me!

For a variety of trail and hiking options in the area, CLICK HERE.

Camarillo Pop Artist's Latest Piece Inspired by Mid-1970s Visits to the Local Arcade

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This new piece entitled "Arcade Pop" by Camarillo artist Chuck Trunks was inspired by his visits to the local arcade to play Pac Man and Space Invaders circa 1975.  See Trunks' other work on Conejo Valley Guide here.

While arcades are not as prevalent in this day and age with the advent of Xbox, Playstation, DS, iPads, iPhones, Facebook and the like, there still are some around town:

LazerTag Extreme in Camarillo (CLOSED 3/18/12 - TO BE RELOCATED)

Big Z Family Fun Center in Simi Valley

Ventura Harbor Village Arcade

Buena Lanes in Ventura

Brunswick Zone in Simi Valley

Harley's Bowling Centers in Simi Valley and Camarillo

MB2 Raceway in Newbury Park

Golf N' Stuff Ventura