enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

take a hike.

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Hike5

Since our trip through Big Sur at the beginning of March, Paul and I have been trying to work more hikes into our weekend routine. We have never had "weekends" together in the traditional sense (first I worked retail and then Paul's intern schedule often had him at the hospital for weekend shifts) and we're taking advantage of the time. Sometimes coming up with things to do that get us out of the house but keep us from spending money is challenging.

Ephike
Hike4

Enter hiking.

Ptmugu

We're living in a pretty cool hiking area right now – just a short drive south gets us to Malibu and a short drive north gets us to Ojai and Santa Barbara. We usually just check yelp! for hiking trails (we check yelp! to find everything) and in April made it to Point Mugu State Park & Circle X Ranch.

Hike3

This past weekend, we hiked the Sulphur Mountain fire trail in Ojai (pictured above) and loved it. We'll be going back to all three for sure and might try Rose Valley Falls next.

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24 responses to “take a hike.”

  1. Rachel Avatar
    Rachel

    Your hiking spots look beautiful! I’m so glad you guys are enjoying hiking. I grew up in a hiking and backpacking family. It’s the best. Make sure to take your little ones hiking in the future 🙂

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  2. Rose Avatar
    Rose

    Looks absolutely beautiful. Glad you two are able to finally share your weekends!

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  3. Her Sunday Avatar
    Her Sunday

    We love hiking! There are some great trails by our house. When we first started seeing each other, weekend hikes became a regular thing because they were an excuse to spend time together. It wasn’t until later in our relationship that we realized that aside from the time spent together, we actually loved the challenge of hiking. It’s fun when you discover a hobby that you both can enjoy together.

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  4. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    Check out Escondido Falls in the Malibu direction. Beautiful, fun hike! I so love that part of California for hiking.

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  5. Skye Avatar
    Skye

    Awesome! I’m jealous that you live near so many beautiful places to hike. My dad took me hiking every weekend when I was little and I loved it. I’ve started going with my boyfriend. I love that it’s active, a great way to spend time outdoors, and (aside from parking fees at some parks) free!

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  6. laura k Avatar
    laura k

    Hiking is such a great weekend activity, and California is SUCH a great place for it. My partner and I live up in the Bay Area and it’s amazing how varied the different hiking spots we’ve been to are. And it’s just so freaking beautiful.

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  7. cinback Avatar
    cinback

    Have you tried GEOCACHING? It gives a little more purpose to your hiking by using GPS coordinates to do a treasure hunt of sorts. Essentially, someone has hidden a ‘treasure’, uploaded the coordinates, you download them and go find it! You can choose the location and difficulty level of the hike you want. We have been doing this with our girls for the past 4 years and we are hooked. We have discovered so many new places that we would never have known about…and there are caches all over the world, so we even do it while on vacation!
    You can get an app for your iPhone (http://www.geocaching.com/iphone/) if you don’t have a hand held GPS.

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  8. Amy Avatar
    Amy

    We just did the Big Sur hike over the weekend (the “famous” 9-mile loop at Andrew Molera state park) and it was awesome. Living in Sacramento means we have access to Tahoe and the foothills and hiking is definitely on my agenda this summer. I am also running a trail race which should be a fun challenge 🙂

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  9. Carrieelias Avatar
    Carrieelias

    I went hiking at Meadowdale in Seattle last weekend and it was heavenly! Hiking is wonderful ❤

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  10. kristen Avatar
    kristen

    So fun! And your photos are gorgeous – especially that top one!

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  11. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    we will! thanks for the tip!

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  12. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    we have not! sounds cool!

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  13. Call Me Cal Avatar
    Call Me Cal

    If you’re looking for something else fun (and free) to do in Ojai you should check out the olive oil farm tour! I drove from LA for the afternoon to go on the tour and then walk around Ojai and I had a great time.

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  14. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    Went to College in SB love that area–just beware of rattlesnakes–they are all over the hills there. They won’t hurt you if you don’t startle them!

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  15. Megan Anderson Avatar
    Megan Anderson

    My family has had to become experts at getting out of the house for free 🙂
    We go to a lot of free art openings, find “dances in the park”, go on long city walks, have picnics, and look for fun, weird events. For example, last weekend we all went to go see the Dark Knight Tumbler (Batmobile) and got take pictures with Batman and the Joker. Sounds lame, but it was really fun!

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  16. Jessica Haines Avatar
    Jessica Haines

    I’ve done geocaching a few times as well, and it’s great fun!

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  17. Misti Avatar
    Misti

    We got into geocaching back in 2003 and it took us to come great place and parks we hadn’t even heard of. It is excellent for exploring new areas.
    I miss hiking (haven’t geocached in ages though) and my husband is doing field work right now so our weekends are few and far between.
    Happy hiking!

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  18. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    Stumbled upon your blog today and love it! I am a military spouse as well, currently living in S. Korea and blogging like a fiend. I spend an “awkward amount of time” on mine too, and appreciate the work you’ve put into yours! It is inspiring and I can’t wait to read more about what you are up to;)

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  19. John Avatar
    John

    The Sulpher mountain fire trail looks like a wonderful walk, especially through those groves of oak trees.

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  20. Armalite Avatar
    Armalite

    I was just about to suggest geocaching 🙂 My partner and I have been doing it for about a year and a half, it’s a super fun way to discover new places and get some fresh air while spending nothing.

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  21. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    Great photos. I enjoy hiking, which is weird because I’m so not the kind of girl that is interested in communing with nature in the form of camping or anything like that. But hiking, it can be over and done in a matter of hours.

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  22. Chrystina Avatar
    Chrystina

    This sounds incredible – what a great way to go out and do something and not have to spend any money. I agree about the Yelp thing – absolutely everything. I’m spending my weekdays in Manhattan these days and every night I Yelp where I’m going to end up for dinner. Also, great orange sneakers 🙂

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  23. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    I love those orange sneakers? Care to share the brand??

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  24. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    yes! they are new balance minimus from a collaboration with vibram. 🙂

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