Enjoying the Great Outdoors - Paradise Falls

Sometimes I feel sorry for myself that I live in Southern California. There aren't really changing colors to mark the transition of autumn, there is no snow or really any cold. The grass is always green - or greenish brown - the sun is almost always shining...ok, no I can't feel too sorry for myself.

One of the things I love is that I can  go hiking year round, and in many ways winter and early spring are the beautiful seasons for hiking (if a little muddy). Just recently we went on a beautiful hike to Paradise Falls in Wildwood Park, Thousand Oaks. We may have gotten a little lost...but overall it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours. I would suggest finding a good trail map, since signage was not always readily available...

Some of my favorite parts of the hike:

Gorgeous Day!

So don't forget to get outside this holiday season. Whether there is sun or snow - take a minute to enjoy, maybe even get lost :)

An awesome husband...

...knows just how to celebrate your birthday!

He gets you a card signed by your 1 yr. old son (yep, really!) and a balloon picked out by your adorable son. He buys you a coldstone creamery peanut butter chocolate ice cream cake (with a candle even). He gives you gorgeous earrings (made of 2,000 year old Roman glass).

He takes you on a beautiful hike, makes a yummy picnic lunch and goes wine-tasting with you.

Just in case you were wondering - I have an awesome husband :)

Enjoying my hike!