Go Outside

How are you guys liking this sudden "second summer" we're having? I don't know about you, but I'm thoroughly confused by it - an abnormally gloomy October followed by a first week of November that hits temps in the 90s and arguably surpassed 100 degrees (according to my sister)? It's a fickle and unpredictable Mother Nature we have, and - since we've been listening to a lot of Simon and Garfunkel in the office these past couple days - one might redirect the tune "Cecelia" (about a capricious lover) to be about Mother Nature. Think about it: "Nature, you're shaking my confidence daily...."
Ok, so it's a bit of a stretch, but hopefully you see what I mean. Nature is fickle.

HOWEVER, when the weather is as nice as it's been all of a sudden, and when it blesses us with sunshine as it has this past week so unexpectedly, you must take advantage!

That's the purpose of this post today: to give you a few great ways to take advantage of these golden days:

Fitness Hike - November 6th (tomorrow!) from 8:30 -10:30 am at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Fast-paced 3.5 mile hike over steep and uneven terrain. $2/person, parking $3/car. For info: (949) 923-2235.


First Saturday Public Tour - November 6th from 12:15 - 4:30 pm at George Key Ranch Historical Park in Placentia. Walk through historic orange grove, picnic under a heritage oak, or relax in the verse garden. Free with free parking. Call for info: (714) 973-3190.


Saturday Morning Hike - November 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th at 9 am at O'Neill Regional Park. One hour interpretive hike. Free, $5 to park. Call for info: (949) 923-2260.

Recreational Mountain Bike Ride - November 7th from 8-10 am at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. 10 mile ride over steep and uneven terrain with OC Parks ranger and volunteer mountain bike trail assistants. $2/person, $3 to park. Call for info: (949) 923-2235

Nature Hike - November 7th, 14th, 21st from 9-10am. Easy 1 mile hike on the Nature Trail at Caspers Wilderness Park in SJC. Free, $5 to park. Call for info: (949) 923-2210.


Wild at Wieder - Critter Crops - November 8th from 10:30-11:30 am; fun-filled exploration of the natural environment at Wieder Regional Park through hands-on activities, crafts, and nature walks. $5/person, Free to park. Call for info: (949) 923-2275.

Exploring Biodiversity Hike - November 9th from 9am-12pm at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Learn about the biodiversity of animal and plant species on an easy, 1.5 mile hike over rocky and uneven terrain. $2/person, $3 to park. Call for info: (949) 923-2235.

Wilderness Access Day at Limestone Canyon - November 9th from 9am-3pm. Enjoy self-guided access to Limestone Canyon. Free and free to park. Call for info: (714) 973-6865.

Yoga Hike - November 10th from 8:30-10:30am at Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Stretch your mind and body on this 2.4 mile hike with a yoga twist over steep and uneven terrain. $2/person and $3 to park. 


Tideland Tykes - November 10th and 24th at Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center in Upper Newport Bay. Fun-filled parent and child experience that may include arts and crafts, storytelling, hands-on activities, or outdoor nature walks. $5/child. Free to park. Call: (949) 923-2235.

Discovery Hike - November 12th from 9am-12pm at Wood Canyon.  MOderate but steep and rocky 5 mile hike. $2/person, $3 to park. Call (949) 923-2235.

Night Hike - November 12th from 5:30-7pm at Irvine Regional Park. Hot chocolate and cookies at the Nature Center from 5:30-6pm followed by a live animal demonstration. Then it's off on an easy, 30 minute starlit night hike. Free and free to park. Park in lot #19. Call for info: (714) 973-6833.

There's plenty more where that came from! Check out OC Parks' website for more great outdoor adventures!

-Blythe

on grooveshark: Simon and Garfunkel's "Cecelia"
Check out Local Natives' great cover of "Cecelia" below: