Thousand Oaks Police Department Reminds Drivers to Slow Down

According to the Thousand Oaks Police Department, in the past 12 months there have been seven fatal traffic collisions in the City of Thousand Oaks. Four of these fatalities have occurred on Westlake Boulevard. Three of the fatalities were motorcycle riders and the one this week was a solo vehicle into a power pole. Speeding was a factor in all of the accidents. The victims were boys 21 years of age and younger.

As a result of the latest traffic collision, a 17-year-old passenger is still in critical, but stable condition. Both boys in the last accident were scheduled to start their senior year at Thousand Oaks High School this week.

The Thousand Oaks Traffic Division would like to put an end to these tragedies. Therefore, the traffic division will be increasing enforcement in this area and other areas prone to speeding in an effort to make the roadway safer.

Please take the time drive safely. Most importantly, reduce your speed and obey all traffic laws.

Source: Thousand Oaks Police Department

Speaking of speeding teens, less than two weeks ago my wife and kids were driving on Lynn Road near the 101 in the late afternoon when another local teen managed to lose control of the car he was driving and barrel across the median into oncoming traffic, totaling both cars. SLOW DOWN indeed and don't even think about texting while driving!

Experiencing the Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak Hike with My Kids

On the President's Day holiday I took my boys to the Sandstone Peak trailhead in the Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu for the six mile Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak.

I've discovered that many, perhaps even most, local residents have never heard of Sandstone Peak. They know about the prominent Boney Mountain overlooking the Conejo Valley, but the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountain range at 3,111 feet is something new!

Well Sandstone Peak is something that you must explore at some point. Not exactly for the faint of heart, this peak provides panoramic, 360 degree views stretching from the Channel Islands, Conejo Valley, San Fernando Valley and beyond.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is getting to the trailhead. While only 12 miles from the Westlake Boulevard/101 freeway juncture, it take close to 30 minutes to get there via the winding, Decker Canyon, Mulholland Road and Yerba Buena Road. The main dirt parking lot has room for perhaps 25 cars, while there are several smaller dirt lots and some street parking available.

Once we parked, I made sure we had water and snacks packed. We started our trek around 2pm on a cool afternoon, so I also made sure to pack a second layer for us. The first section of the hike from the parking lot to the Mishe Mokwa trailhead is probably the steepest stretch of the entire hike. So of course about 27 steps into the hike my youngest (age 7) wants to stop and take a break. Uggh. But after finding some distractions on the trail, we made it to the Mishe Mokwa trailhead sign. Yippee!

View of Balanced Rock from the south.

The first half of the hike is mainly north/northeast facing and was almost entirely shaded. The trail is fairly moderate all the way to Split Rock, though there are a couple slightly "dicey" sections where the kids made my blood pressure go up a bit.

Within a few miles, you'll see the famous Balanced Rock (pictured above), a display that has you staring in amazement. How the heck that large rock balances on the smaller one is beyond me. And the photo (as well as this closer view from the north on Pinterest) does not do it justice.

Navigating one of the more narrow sections of the trail overlooking Balanced Rock

Just west of Balanced Rock is a small stream and Split Rock, a large boulder with a crack in it large enough to walk through. There's also a picnic bench here, where you can relax and replenish. In the canyons between Balanced Rock and Split Rock are the Echo Cliffs...aptly named as the echo effect in that area is quite fun to explore. Many folks hike to Split Rock, enjoy a picnic, then head back. Or you can continue onward for the full 6 mile or so loop to Sandstone Peak and back.

Split Rock, about 2 miles into the hike

The section of the Mishe Mokwa Trail between Split Rock and the Backbone Trail intersection is about 1 1/2 miles or so.

The sign telling us we are (finally) almost at the Backbone Trail, which will take us to Sandstone Peak and back to our car on Yerba Buena Road

Views from Sandstone Peak looking north towards the Conejo Valley/Ventura County

We had been heading north/northwest on the Mishe Mokwa trail and now we were heading east on the Backbone Trail. A couple times I was slightly confused by offshoot trails, but we found the way by staying on the main trails.

It's a bit of a challenge and rock climb to get to the actual top of Sandstone Peak once you reach its base (CLICK HERE for more details). And once you reach the top, looking down at the canyons below, with the kids running around, can be quite unnerving. (In fact, if your kids are really "active" you may not want to bring them to the top...kind of scary...and dangerous.) But we made it up there and survived!

Views from Sandstone Peak looking towards the Pacific Ocean

Find out more about this and other hikes on the National Park Service Circle X Ranch website at www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/circlexranch.htm, where you will find a detailed pdf map of the various hikes in that area.

Circle X area map excerpt courtesy of National Park Service. Full map with detailed information at www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/circlexranch.htm.

Mid-August Monday Night Sunset Views From the Center of Thousand Oaks

Clouds always make for an interesting Conejo Valley sunset. Though the sun was unimpeded by the clouds tonight looking west, looking northwest from a peak in Thousand Oaks brought some neat views on this cool, calm, mid-August Monday night.

Views From Boney Peak on an Overcast August Morning in the Conejo Valley

The cloud cover has since burned off but this morning it formed a layer over the Conejo Valley that made for surreal views from above on Boney Mountain.

Click this image for a full size version on Pinterest

Boney Peak is a challenge but definitely can be done for those properly equipped and willing to invest half a day to get up and back. The hills are tough but the most technically challenging sections are the steep, rocky sections above the Danielson Monument.

The trail leading from Danielson Monument to Boney Peak is not an "official" trail maintained by the National Park Service and there are no signs. There sections that have deep crevices as shown above that are steep and rocky, one of which is shown below.

Perhaps the Most Prominent Feature of the Conejo Valley is Boney Mountain

As one of the highest peaks in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area at 2,825 feet, Boney Mountain can be seen from throughout the Conejo Valley, Oxnard Plain and beyond. Getting up to Boney Peak is not easy but is achievable for many. And the view from up there is spectacular. Here are some shots of Boney Mountain from the Potrero Ridge Trail in Newbury Park tonight.

An amazing cool, overcast, 2nd night of August, 2013.

And how about a little closer. Have a seat and take it all in.

And the sunset wasn't too shabby tonight either...looking towards the west...

I'm Getting Hungry. Is It Time for the 138th Annual Ventura County Fair Yet?

It's about that time. In fact, tomorrow, Wednesday, July 31st, is the first day of the 138th Annual Ventura County Fair. This year's theme is "Boots, Barns and Banjos."

This year's 12 days of fun includes all the usual great activities...rides, exhibitions, live entertainment, livestock, motor sports, rodeo, games, vendors, socializing and whatnot. But the big draw for many of us is the FOOD! Learn more about the fair at venturacountyfair.org.

Here's a sneak peak at just a few of the many great fair foods in store. CLICK HERE for scenes from the 137th Ventura County Fair in 2012. And check out the AMAZING entertainment lineup at the 2013 event, including such well known acts at Styx, Hall & Oates, Air Supply, Plain White T's and Kool and the Gang among other great artists!

Abraham Lincoln Exhibit at Reagan Library Includes Special Piece by Kazuhiro Tsuji

The Abraham Lincoln exhibit at the Reagan Library June 1 to September 30, 2013 had a jaw-dropping, larger than life Portrait of Abraham Lincoln on display. The piece is the work of Los Angeles based special effects makeup artist and sculptor, Kazuhiro Tsuji.

Photo of Abraham Lincoln piece, courtesy of artist Kazuhiro Tsuji

Originally, from Kyoto, Japan, Kazu has worked with famed makeup artist Dick Smith (Amadeus, The Exorcist, The Godfather) and began his craft in the U.S. in 1996 on "Men In Black." He won a BAFTA award for “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” and has received Oscar nominations for “Click” and “Norbit.”

In 2007 Kazuhiro Tsuji started KTS Effects in Burbank. His hyper realistic technique, learned while he was in the film industry, renders portraits that emit a profound sense of soul and emotion to viewers.

I was in awe when I saw Kazu's work up close at the Reagan Library, as I stopped and looked at the piece from various angles. It was almost eerie looking at Lincoln as it seemed he was looking back at me. I asked Kazu some questions about his work:

How did you create the Lincoln piece and what is it made out of?

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln was created over 10 weeks, beginning in November 2012 and was completed on January 17th. Lincoln was sculpted in clay and a mold was created. It is composed of silicone, resin, cotton fabric, wood and human hair. The silicone skin was painted, hair was punched one by one, eyes were created and assembled together.

Why did you create this particular Lincoln piece?

After creating my first piece modeled afer Dick Smith ten years ago, I decided my next piece would be Abraham Lincoln. I focused on my career as a special effects makeup artists for many years, then recently the timing worked out to start this piece as fine art piece.  I respect him as one amazing human being and I think he has an amazing face as artistic subject.  

How are you able to create such life-like work?

It takes a lot of work and study of the subject through every step of the process. I try to put life intomy work to make it real, from the inside out, not just a superficial duplication of an image.  I pour in my respect, love and admiration for my subject into my work.

To learn more about Kazu's work, visit his website at kazustudios.com.

Photo of Kazuhiro Tsuji while working on Abraham Lincoln. (Photo courtesy of the artist)