The Tunnel Beneath Gainsborough Road in Thousand Oaks, Connecting Tarantula Hill to Conejo Community Park

It is just a tunnel, but this passageway underneath Gainsborough Road between Tarantula Hill on the north and Conejo Community Park on the south provides the connection for a fun-filled day.

Tarantula Hill is the tallest peak located within Thousand Oaks, at 1,057 feet. There's a bench at the top as you enjoy the view. There's also a small, fenced-in reservoir up there. No need for trail shoes getting to the peak, as it is almost entirely paved (with the exception of the vary top of the hill, leading to the bench). You can also take a trail to near the top, directly leading to the tunnel shown above.

Conejo Community Park has a nice play area, the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, plenty of grass and a creek that runs through the park as well as the Kids' Adventure Garden (open on Sundays only, from 11am to 3pm).

So if you’re looking for something FREE, close by and fun to do with the kids here in Thousand Oaks, this is a viable option for you.

The Newbury Park Branch Library Broke Ground in March 1990 and Opened Its Doors on January 19, 1991

For those of you who moved to the Conejo Valley over the last 10, 20, 25 years, you probably weren’t aware that the Newbury Park Branch Library, part of the Thousand Oaks Library system, was previously a Ralphs supermarket.

The ground breaking ceremony took place on March 31, 1990 at 2331 Borchard Road. The 31,000 sq ft facility cost $4 million.

Ground breaking of the Newbury Park Branch Library on March 31, 1990, including City of Thousand Oaks City Council members Alex Fiore and Larry Horner. (Photo Credit: Thousand Oaks Library Conejo Through the Lens collection.)

M*A*S*H Set in Malibu Creek State Park Before and After the Woolsey Fire

Here are some scenes of the M*A*S*H set in Malibu Creek State Park in prior years (mostly March 2017, some prior older) compared to how it currently looks, six weeks after the Woolsey Fire tore through the area.  Amazed at how little damage there was to the set, given the ferocity of the flames.

Additional scenes of the MASH site post-Woolsey Fire.

MASH Set at Malibu Creek State Park Survives the Woolsey Fire

We know the Woolsey Fire tore through Malibu Creek State Park last month and we also read news reports that the MASH set was “destroyed” by the fire.

NOT SO!

The park reopened to the public on December 18th and today, December 22nd, I was able to make my way down Crags Road from the MCSP parking lot to check things out.

Greening up nicely in Malibu Creek State Park after some recent rains, roughly six weeks after the Woolsey Fire devastated the area on is way to Malibu.

There were hundreds of charred trees on the way to the MASH site, along with plenty of downed trees and rocks on the path. The hike is not for everyone, especially at this early stage. And there are few points where the path is not particularly clear - unless you already know the way there from prior visits.

But when I got there, to my pleasant surprise, pretty much all of the MASH set items that were previously there were still there, looking pretty much the same. The exception to that is that the iconic M*A*S*H signpost was a bit hard to read. The sign was still there though, apparently unharmed. It may be in need of some refurbishment, however.

As you can see, getting to the MASH site has some challenges resulting from the Woolsey Fire and subsequent rainstorms. Best to wear very solid hiking shoes and stay on the path as best you can.

Alan Alda discusses the final episode of MASH and talks about the fire that raged through Malibu Creek State Park at the time. The final episode was actually filmed before the fire came through.

Stunning Orange Sunset the Night of Friday, December 14, 2018 from the Conejo Valley

‘Twas another beautiful evening in the Conejo Valley tonight, Friday, the 14th of December. Here are some shots of what the orange glowing sunset looked like from the Potrero Ridge Trail in Newbury Park.

Happy Face Hill in Simi Valley Shown in Green and Not So Green Times

"Happy Face Hill" was created by Northridge gardener Sonny Klamerus in 1998, making it 19 years old.  This video documents the changes in its looks over the last several years. The hill is seen by westbound drivers on the 118 freeway just west of Kuehner Drive.

Happy Face Hill in mid-December 2018 looking happier than ever with some nice, bright, apparently new set of LEDs.

Final Descent of Alaskan Airlines Flight from Portland to the Hollywood Burbank Airport

Why am I posting this? Why not! I rarely have such a clear view on such a beautiful day through a window over the wing of the aircraft that is actually pretty clean. So I filmed it. Blue skies on a clear, crisp, Sunday morning in the San Fernando Valley.

Living in the Conejo Valley, all else equal, it is much easier to fly into and out of the Hollywood Burbank Airport (technically Bob Hope Airport - but I call it Burbank Airport) over the Los Angeles Airport anytime. But if usually is more expensive than LAX, with some exceptions.

In this instance, I needed a last minute flight to Portland to watch the Newbury Park High School Cross Country team compete in the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland. I preferred a direct flight. A direct flight on Delta from LAX was $750 round trip. I was determined not to pay such a ridiculous fare for a 2 1/2 hour flight.

Thankfully, Priceline has some great deals, including a non-stop flight on Alaska out of Burbank as well as two nights at the Embassy Suites and 2 days of car rental, for $200 less than Delta was offering out of LAX.

In any case, it was well worth the trip the NPHS XC team, winners for the first time of both the CIF Southern Section Division II title as well as the California State Division II title in 2018, It finished 6th overall in this prestigious event, teeing off for some even greater performances in the coming years.

To support Newbury Park High School Cross County in its annual travel, supplies and equipment needs, please consider giving a donation at bit.ly/DonateNPHSXC.