I suppose it's possible to infer from the photos on this blog that Malibu consists of two things - a beach at sunrise, or yet another set of evil story poles destroying the natural landscape. Crackerjack reporter that I am, it's time to share a stunning fact - we have mountains here. Beautiful, wild mountains that split the city of LA in half and make getting to the coast a bit of an effort.

Yesterday, in the spirit of full disclosure, I took the dogs to Solstice Canyon Park, a lovely wilderness area tucked into the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. It's cool and leafy green, with tall trees, a small creek, caves, waterfalls and miles and miles of trails. (And very few parking places, so unless you get there early or enjoy a good fight, don't expect to be able to get out of your car.) Luck was with me. I got the very last parking place and the dogs and I had a long, relaxing walk along the creek. We saw quail and hawks and monarchs, lizards and a snake and a fish. And if my luck holds, that thatch of vines Jake raced through right before rubbing against my bare legs wasn't actually poison oak.