A Hometown Spring

Since I don't have much in the way of inspiring words, I thought some pictures could do the trick and free me from accusations of Shannoning or Larsoning or whatever the term may currently be. I grew up in Thousand Oaks, California beautifully nestled in the Conejo Valley about 9 miles from the coast. Springtime was always my favorite. After the winter rain, the hills are covered in a magnificent plush green carpet. Something about the clear skies, sunshine and vibrant colors always made me feel alive. Anyway, here is a glimpse into that scene:





Here is an exerpt out of a CNN travel article on my hometown:
When my parents moved there in the '60s, there wasn't much else out there except for the oak trees. Since then, the area has grown rapidly into a suburban paradise with shopping malls and housing tracts, but the area still maintains an interesting history and surroundings.

Thousand Oaks lies within the Conejo Valley (Valley of the Rabbits) halfway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. It was named Thousand Oaks in honor of the 50,000 majestic oak trees in the area. And don't even think about cutting one down. Thousand Oaks takes pride in its trees. If you're feeling like Paul Bunyan, there are stiff civil and criminal penalties waiting for you, even if you chop a tree on your own property.

One of the first attractions in the valley was Jungleland, where Hollywood movie studios kept their large animal performers. The farm housed elephants, zebras and water buffalo. Leo the MGM Lion and Mr. Ed were guests there.

If you grew up in Thousand Oaks, you no doubt went on a field trip to the Stagecoach Inn. Originally a pleasure resort, the Grand Union Hotel, as it was first known, was built in 1876. Passengers stayed at the Inn as their stagecoaches made their way into Southern California.

Over the years, it has served as the area's post office, a boys' military school and a movie set. In the 1960s it was saved from the expansion of Ventura Freeway and now serves as a museum and education center.


Old Boney Mountain overlooks the Newbury Park Area of the Conejo Valley.
Southern California isn't known for rodeos. But each year the area celebrates its cowboy heritage with "Conejo Valley Days." Festivities include a two-day rodeo from the professional rodeo circuit.

As a kid, I remember seeing people walking around in their bathrobes at nearby old Spanish-style building -- the Camarillo State Hospital. Urban legend has it that this mental institution was the inspiration behind the Eagles' song, "Hotel California."