Small Town Life In Big L.A.

Garden Of The Gods Sunset Walk

Only steps from our front door the GARDEN OF THE GODS, rich in Hollywood film history, beckons.

Many of the classic western movies were filmed right here featuring the likes of John Wayne, Roy Rogers, and many more.

Here is the view as you head up the path.

To the left is the famous NYOKA CLIFF found in many movies.

Surprise! We ran into one of our neighbors who walked up to watch the sunset. Imagine sitting up there with bats and owls flying around as the lights of L.A. twinkle below! There's a great shot of STONEY POINT right behind him.

LOOK OUT!!!!!!

Neighbor Tim is a pro hiker and knows all the secret spots. Here he's showing Dale a hidden rock with Manson gang carvings!!! I never knew this was up here!!!

Getting to this rock is not for the faint of heart.

Here's a view of "ye olde homestead" from up yonder. LOVE the wild, wild west!

Morning Walk In Our "Backyard"

I love the Santa Monica Mountains! What a joy it is to be able to step into this each day.


Out the door, down the street, and up the path...here is what you will see.



This mansion is part of the view from our bedroom window.


Believe it or not, it's easy to climb to this mountaintop. Below is track that was used for movie cameras. Across the way is Chatsworth's famous Stoney Point.


Many of the rock formations are gigantic. You can see our neighborhood as you peek through the rocks.


From this vantage point we are above our neighbors roof tops.


Back down the hill, up the street, and to the walking path...


where Lavender grows chest high in abundance.


We are surrounded by gorgeous mountains!


Time to cool off with a quick dip and jacuzzi...It's early March, the skies are vivid blue, it's in the 70's...


and there are flowers blooming all around!

A Relaxing Summer Evening By The Pool

Summer breezes, candlelight, grilling, swimming under the stars, and a hot jacuzzi were all on the agenda as our Christian Women's Fellowship got together recently. It was a night to just kick back, share, and enjoy each other's company.

Shells, red, white, & blue, candlelight, and fish all say "Summer".

Getting ready with goodies to accompany Carole's grilled Hot Dogs. They were so good most of us had two.

I saw this in a magazine: fresh Watermelon Salad served over Watermelon wedges. The combo of watermelon, red onion, bleu cheese, arugula, greens, olive oil, and aged balsamic vinegar really works well.

Vitamin Water with grapefruit, lime, strawberries, and mint.

Sylvia's spectacular 7 Layer Jello. The best!!!

The pool was perfectly heated and we had fun doing laps and water ballet.

This steaming hot swirling water takes all the aches away.

Thank you Lord for such an enjoyable night and for reminding us to take the time out of our busy schedules to put everything aside and spend time in your Word and LISTENING to you.

Welcoming A New Family To The Neighborhood

This is the home of a new family in our neighborhood. They sleep during the day but come out at night.

At dusk last night we decided to take a walk down the street and see if we could meet them.

Our neighbors were happy to let us look through their binoculars...

 

Behind me is a scene found in several movies such as "Grapes of Wrath". Right now they are filming the TV series "True Blood".

Here is a closer look at the new family's home.

And there they are the new Owl babies.

( Thanks D.B. for this great pic!)

Here is another close up. It's fun to watch them come out and fly!

Like A Present!

We have been enjoying "Crepe Myrtle" season here in sunny Southern California. All over the southland crepe myrtle trees have been bursting forth in shades of fushia, pink, lilac, coral, and winter white, one more beautiful than the next. Here is what we see when we look out our bedroom windows: fushia crepe myrtle, with a backdrop of lilac, and the mountains. It is like a present.

The crepe myrtles are surrounded by a hillside of red and white roses.

Another crepe in full bloom. Heavenly!

A Walk Around The Neighborhood

My friend Ana loves to walk and we picked a perfect day for it. These were taken just last week, after our rains. The sun was out, the air was crisp, and colors were vivid. This is the view from behind our house.

Wildflowers in bloom.

Look! You can still see the snow on the mountains.

Love all the little yellow flowers!

One of our walking paths...

There is an abundance of lavender this year.

They used to shoot movies up here. We are looking down on Stoney Point.

I like to think about who lived among these rocks many years ago.

Ana and I stopped for a pose using the camera's self timer.

Here's a spot where you are surrounded by the leaves of a single Oak tree...like a canopy.

The Wild, Wild West. Watching for cowboys, The Lone Ranger  (filmed right here), and Indians.

More stunning flowers!

A Fall Swim

Believe it or not, these pics were taken just a week ago. Our weather has been bouncing around from hot to cold. As I write this we are enjoying true Fall weather with chilly air, fog, rain, and storms. When these were taken I was feeling we would have to "pretend" it was Fall.

I'm following Dale to Pool #1 for a morning swim.

 

 

I brought a Fall magazine and coffee...thinking at least I can read about it.

Pool #1 was not heated so off to pool #2.

An easy walk past lots of big rocks...

Past the Iverson Movie Ranch...

Love the rocks and landscaping here...

Hey! It must be Fall afterall! This leaf floated over to me.

Now after the excercise it's time for Banana Bars.

I think I'll just enjoy the view and read my magazine.

 

Yellow Flower Season

Home On The Range

Who says Southern California doesn't have seasons? True, they are not as dramatic as back East, but yes, things change. These pics were taken right here at home in Chatsworth, most just driving up our street. This is what I call our "Yellow Flower Season". All the mountains are covered with these tiny yellow flowers during April and May.

Love The Blue Skies!

The Famous "Lone Ranger" Rock..from the t.v. show

Up Close

Black Crows Like It Here

The Yellow Flowers Grow All Along The Pass Too

Church Women's Fellowship Pool Party At The Dawson's

A Cozy Candlelight Dinner

What a perfect evening we had last night! We decided to get a jump on Summer with an evening barbecue and pool party. Tonight was all about fellowship, food, and relaxing. There's just something about an outdoor candlelight dinner in the So Cal mountain night air.

Table Decor

Now for the food. This menu was all about the hot dogs. They were charred on the grill, placed on a soft, fresh roll, and had the sweet relish, mustards, and Vidalia onions to go with. Heaven! Ana kept us on the healthy side with a fresh carrot salad and chicken lettuce wraps. I wish I would have gotten a picture of our dessert. Red Jello with fruit in clear cups piled high with whipped cream.

Ana's Gourmet Salads

It's All About The Dogs

Tropical Fruit Punch

Our Dinner View

See The Lit Cross In The Mountains

Water Ballet

Now That's Fun Fellowship!

One Of Our Favorite Excercise Walks

Chatsworth View

Today was a perfect day to put on our walking shoes, open the front door, and head up the hill. Here is the view once you walk through the guarded gate.

The Rocks Above Us

Today we had a wonderful ocean breeze. The air smelled great from all the flowers and wild southernwood in the area. Here's what we get to enjoy along the way.

Baseball Fans

Vibrant Landscaping

The War Of The Worlds House

This is where they filmed War Of The Worlds with Tom Cruise. It's his ex wife's house in the movie where he takes his kids while they are on the run from the aliens. We just happened top be going for a walk and ran into the filming. They actually film quite a bit in this neighborhood.

The Gate Behind The Gate

Rose Entrance

Nice Ironwork

Now That's A Fountain

Nice Home

Gate Guarded Castles

A Great Way To Excercise