Accidental Hiking

On Saturday we were out and about, and impulsively decided to head back to The Biggest Loser Ranch for some hiking.  When we got there, we learned that it is part of the National Park Service and was closed due to the government shutdown.  Fail. 

 

As we were leaving the area, we accidentally stumbled upon Malibu Creek State Park, which just so happens to be included with the State Park Pass we bought at the beginning of the year.  On the fly, we stopped in the park to see what it was.

 

 

It turned out to be miles and miles of hiking trails!  We headed out on a short path to the Visitor's Center to try and get a map or some information.  The nature views just heading to the Visitor's Center were so beautiful!

Just outside the Visitor's Center we found a cool cactus bush type thing, which the girls insisted on touching to see how sharp it was...

Inside the Visitor's Center we found a ton of information and exhibits, and the girls had a blast checking out the interactive exhibits.  The docents were so knowledgeable and friendly, and we learned a ton about the park.

We learned that it is used by film and TV studios as a set for everything from the Midwest to the Wild West to Korea to Afghanistan.  We watched a short film clip that showed pieces of movies and shows that had been filmed there, such as Pleasantville, Planet of the Apes, Anchorman, and M.A.S.H.  It was so neat to see the trail we had just walked down, within the set of a movie!  One of the settings we saw over and over again in the short film clip was of a rock pool.  The docent informed us that the rock pool was only a short 8 minute hike away, so naturally we had to go check it out.

There were a lot of people jumping in off the rocks and swimming, so of course Austyn had to get her feet wet.

After that we headed back toward the car, because we hadn't prepared for any long hikes.

We can't wait to head back and explore further.  We still have yet to find the M.A.S.H. site, and the Reagan Ranch, where Reagan lived for about 15 years.  We will be back in the very near future!