Beautiful Stratocumulous Clouds in the Skies of the Conejo Valley Today

Today's cloud display in the skies of the Conejo Valley was a treasure to behold. We see these types of pillowy formations maybe a handful of times a year. I believe these are called stratocumulus clouds. According to the Wikipedia article, "A stratocumulus cloud belongs to a genus-type of clouds characterized by large dark, rounded masses, usually in groups, lines, or waves, the individual elements being larger than those in altocumulus, and the whole being at a lower height, usually below 2,000 metres (6,600 ft)."

Photo Credit: L. David Irete

Mystery Blimp in the Skies Above Newbury Park

Dennis Bronk of Newbury Park captured these shots of the “mystery blimp” floating around the skies of Newbury Park on January 27th. We posted the photos on the CVG Facebook Page at THIS LINK for feedback.

Many folks saw this mysterious, white, unmarked blimp and wondered where it was from and what it was doing. Several thought it might have something to do with the previous day’s tragic Kobe Bryant helicopter crash covering the memorial at Mamba Sports Academy. Others saw it in other places - Camarillo, Ventura, Hueneme. Someone suggested it was covering the Justin Turner Golf Tourney at Sherwood Country Club.

Then, Milt Zweig, who I know and trust, gave what I believe to be the most likely answer. He indicated it was a CNATT (Center for Naval Aviation and Technical Training) drone blimp flown out of Point Mugu. I further explored that suggestion and discovered this blimp looks quite a bit like the American Blimp MZ-3. That said, the MZ-3A was sold by the Navy in October 2017.

The mystery blimp looks a lot like this American Blimp MZ-3A picture in November 2013.

Compilation of Personalized License Plates in the Conejo Valley and Nearby Areas

With all the local driving I do, I started to zero in on just how many folks out there have personalized license plates. There’s a lot of them!

I carry a little camera with me in the car and started taking photos of some of plates that I could use to form sentences and perhaps write a story. Yes, a story written solely with personalized plates.

Whether I actually do that or not, I thought it would be fun to patch together some of these photos for all of you to enjoy. It took a bit of time to do.

I’m sitting here thinking, these plates cost $98 front and $78 per year thereafter. If you invested that money for 40 years, putting $78 a year into something earns a 6% return, you would have over $13,000 saved up, JUST on saving money on personalized license plates alone! Something to ponder.

Ventura County Residents Treated to Full Double Rainbow on December 23, 2019

The double rainbow local residents were treated to on Monday afternoon was epic. Folks were in awe of this Christmas Eve Eve colorful sensation.

Beautiful, Beautiful Snow Seen From the Conejo Valley on White Friday 2019

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What a treat it has been to wake up to a blanket of fresh snow in the Los Padres National Forest, clearly visible from the Conejo Valley today. While folks are out seeking Black Friday bargains, all they need to do is look up to experience a rare White Friday!

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From Reino Road in Newbuury Park, near Newbury Park High School.

Santa Paula Hardware Company / Union Oil Company Building on the National Register of Historic Places

The California Oil Museum at 1001 E. Main Street, Santa Paula (corner of Main and 10th) is the birthplace of Union Oil Company (now part of Chevron). The building was completed on October 17, 1890 and originally was the Santa Paula Hardware Company Building, housing the headquarters of the Union Oil Company on the 2nd floor. Union Oil moved its headquarters to Los Angeles in 1900, but continued to operate a field office out of this building.

The Union Oil Museum was established in 1950. The building was restored to its original appearance for its centennial celebration in 1990. The building is also a California Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Here’s the California Oil Museum building in April 2019.

A view of the building I believe prior to 1900.

Spencer Furniture store at the historic building in I believe the 1940s.

Views From the "Scenic Trail" in Sycamore Canyon, Point Mugu State Park

A moderate hike on the Scenic Trail in Sycamore Canyon gets you to views like this.

Sycamore Canyon in Point Mugu State Park has trails galore to explore, going all the way up, eight miles, to Newbury Park, if you so choose. Located just steps from the Sycamore Canyon Campground is the "Scenic Trail," a moderate trail with some steps that gets you to stunning views of Thornhill Broome Beach, Mugu Rock, the giant sand dune and the majestic Santa Monica Mountains.

The Scenic Trail connects with the Overlook Fire Road, which continues on and eventually connects with the top of the Ray Miller Trail, then on towards the La Jolla Valley. It is lush and stunning when green in late winter/early spring. It gets pretty brown and dry up here towards last spring, summer and fall months. But the great views towards the Pacific never change.

The wonderful scent of wildflowers off of the Scenic Trail, seen here near the junction of Overlook Fire Road, is well worth going out of your way for in the spring.