A Look at the Conejo Valley Before and After the Recent Rainstorms

As Tom Jones said, "It's good to touch the green, green grass of home." We're seeing green hills throughout the Conejo Valley after several months of rain. We're enjoying it now, but we know it will only last so long, as evidenced in the "before and after" photos below.

OVER 50 LOCAL AREA TRAILS AND HIKES

Autumn Ridge Trail in the Lang Ranch Open Space last May.

Autumn Ranch Trail in Lang Ranch in late February 2017.

Horsing around in the Rancho Potrero Open Space, Newbury Park, last December.

Horsing around again in Rancho Potrero; this time in late February 2017.

Hidden Valley Overlook in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa last July.

Hidden Valley Overlook two days ago.

Boney Mountain Range in the Santa Monica Mountains from Dos Vientos early last November

The same view of the Boney Mountain Range, with the Rancho Potrero area in the foreground, on Friday, March 3, 2017.

A view of Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park from the Mesa Trail in late September 2016.

The same view towards Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park on February 24, 2017.  

My, oh my, do we love the green, green grass of home or what!? Enjoy it while you can!

Green As We've Ever Seen After Recent Rainstorms in the Conejo Valley

The hills are alive with green throughout the Conejo Valley after all of the recent rainstorms. The photos below are just one small glimpse at one can be seen out there. For a compilation of local area trails, visit THIS LINK.

Mountclef Ridge at Wildwood Park

Rancho Potrero overlooking the old Olympia Farms property in Newbury Park

Trail off of Lindero Road in Westlake Village

Cheeseboro Canyon in Agoura Hills

Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa in Newbury Park

Hillcrest Open Space in Thousand Oaks

Views of Newbury Park from Angel Vista Peak

Los Robles Trail East in Thousand Oaks

Deer enjoying the green in Hidden Valley

Water Flows at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park After 6-8 Inches of Rain

The river is back again near the Wendy and Potrero trailhead to the Wendy Trail in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. It was here a month ago, dried up quickly, and of course now is back. This and other water flows near the Satwiwa Center, "Lake Satwiwa" near the parking lot and more captured here. Best to stay off the trails until they dry up a bit though I did tiptoe down the side of the Wendy Trail to capture the water flow. 

More on local hikes and trails around Ventura County at THIS LINK.

Seasonal pond next to main parking lot at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa. I like to call this "Lake Satwiwa" though there is no official name for it to my knowledge.

The Murals of Santa Paula Provide a Pictorial History of the City

The City of Santa Paula is the geographical center of Ventura County, located in the rich agricultural Santa Clara River Valley. The city is surrounded by rolling hills and rugged mountain peaks in addition to orange, lemon and avocado groves. Santa Paula is often referred to as the "Citrus Capital of the World."

Santa Paula covers an area of 4.7 square miles and at the date of the 2010 U.S. census had a population of 29,321. It is the 7th largest (and inversely 4th smallest) city in Ventura County in terms of population. The city was incorporated on April 22, 1902.

Something unique to see while in Santa Paula is a series of nine murals that depict various historical aspects of the city, including its first inhabitants, the Chumash, the discovery of oil, its Latino culture, founding of the Santa Paula Airport, local farming and more. Learn more at this link and by visiting www.santapaulamurals.org.

Click this link for other things to do in Santa Paula!

Happy Face Hill in Simi Valley Looks Happy Again After the Recent Rainstorms

Happy Face Hill, the icon seen off the 118 freeway in Simi Valley, is looking quite happy and green after several months of above average rainfall.

The Happy Face has been there since 1998. Sonny Klamerus created it and other residents and community groups have kept this 150 foot wide icon well-groomed over the years. 

Recently 60 to 70 townhomes were built adjacent to Happy Face Hill, but you can still see it. And on the other side of the hill is a heart - not quite as prominent as the Happy Face, but you can see it driving eastbound on the 118.

And here's a comparison shot from March 2015, prior to the addition of the townhomes.

And in drier times...this one taken in October 2015.

Statue in Recognition of CLU Football Founding Father Bob Shoup at William Rolland Stadium

Many if not most residents of Thousand Oaks will visit California Lutheran University from time to time, be it for events open to the public at the university, sporting event, a visit to the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art, the community pool at Samuelson Aquatics Center, or Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, or just a walk around the campus.

Next to the Rolland Gallery in University Plaza is a statue dedicated to Bob Shoup, the founding father of CLU football. The bronze statue, "Champions," was unveiled on October 18, 2014 in homage to Shoup's Kingsmen football team that won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship in 1971.

Bob Shoup was CLU football coach from 1962 to 1989 as well as Athletic Director from 1969 to 1977. He was inducted into the NAIA 2008-2009 Hall of Fame. Shoup now lives in San Marcos, California.

Pacific Coast Highway Was Originally Called the Roosevelt Highway

The 1400 mile stretch of road called the Roosevelt Highway (U.S. 101) in the 1920s was re-named Pacific Coast Highway in 1941.

This postcard, from back in the days when it cost only a penny to mail a postcard (the 1930s) indicates "the varying scenery, such as oil being drilled out of the ocean, makes motoring an interesting pastime in California." It shows an image of the Roosevelt Highway between Ventura and Santa Barbara.

Bob then indicates to his dear friend Jane, "Just dropping a line to say all is well in Calif. There's lots of strange things to see in this state. You should be taking your Sunday rides out here."

Now what does Bob mean by that? Well, never mind. Speaking of Ventura and Santa Barbara beaches, visit THIS LINK for public beaches spanning from the Ventura Harbor through Carpinteria and THIS LINK for Santa Barbara area beaches.