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Thursday, September 2, 2010

Fresh mountain air

Last Sunday, we headed up towards the San Bernardino Mountains into an area called Oak Glen. It isn't deep into the mountains, but is a super great, accessible day trip. This area is apply country, and has u-pick orchards and country shops that are so fun to go to! This was our second trip up there since being temporary-residents of the area, and we truly love it! I needed a day of mental purging after 8 full days of hospital, home health nurses, SSI interviews, financial stress and normal life... and Gabriella deserved a day to run wild in nature.

We love this little park set aside from a busier picnic spot, called Oak Knoll Park. It's just gorgeous. It is surrounded by drop-off ridges that are hidden by the huge wall of mature trees, that also serve as a ceiling... giving the perfect amount of shade. There are hiking trails and picnic benches, and for 2 littles ones, lots of little things to explore.

We took a picnic lunch up there and enjoyed the quiet. Paul & the kids found the perfect sticks and started poking around in the trees and leaves to see what they could find while I sat on a bench and just stared. Have you tried that lately? It is so hard to find the right place and time to just space out, but WOW was it nice. Gabriella found a sparkly rock, they both collected acorns to take to Chip and Dale at Disneyland, and Paul found a stick he loved so much, he kept it and brought it back to the house where it has been smoothed and will be sealed. That guy is a nut.



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This is one place I'll definitely miss!

4 comments:

Sara said...

Looks like a lot of fun! We have a nice place around here (NY) like that. I love the last picture of Gabriella with the tree. She's just too cute!

Sara said...

Looks like a lot of fun! We have a nice place around here (NY) like that. I love the last picture of Gabriella with the tree. She's just too cute!

Comfypjs said...

Looks like you all had fun and I'm glad to hear that you got to air you mind a bit!

Callie said...

I used to work in Oak Glen in high school at a little specialty food and candy store called The Village Candy Kitchen. They have great sweets and snacks and the best caramel apples in the area. Should you get up there again before you head home, it is definitely worth a try. Oh, and the apple pie served at the restaurant next door is to die for too =) So, happy to see your family out on little adventures and making the most of your extended stay in SoCal. Your strength is inspirational and I wish the best to your family through the rest of your journey.