Club Meetings and Trips to the Mountain

June 28th, 2008 ........  Log entry by Grampa.   Minutes from the first official Mountain Club Meeting

June 29th, 2008 ........  Log entry by Grampa. Andy, Graham and I went to the mountain. Got a few more pics of Falcon Rock along with pics of a possible new rock Andy thought resembled Iron Man's Helmet. Also a rock Graham spotted that looks a bit like Garfield. We saw a great sunset over Simi Valley from Sage Park. Lots of fun with the usual stop at Chatsworth Lake Market.

July 2nd, 2008 ............Log entry by Graham, typed by Alden. Grampa and I went up the mountain to have some fun. When we got to the mountain we decided to take some pictures together. I shot a really good pic of Grampa. After that we took pictures of some rocks. We then watched the sun go down. When the sun went down we decided to go stick hunting (my brother is a stick fanatic). We left the mountain and went to the candy store ( The Chatsworth Lake Market).

July 3, 2008........... Log entry by Alden. Today when we went up the mountain around dusk. A surprising visit from a few bats on the way up interested everyone. When we reached Sage Park at the top of the mountain we scouted out a new meeting spot by a giant rock. We also decided to camp on one of the many deserted camp sites. We got out of the area fast though when we heard a big stir suspiciously in one of the bushes as it was getting dark and we were in mountain lion territory. As we went back up to the spot that used to be are meeting spot we were careful not to step on the line of giant ( literally the ants were huge!) ants that were marching up and down. We received a few questioning glances from a couple that was using our ex-meeting spot. On the way down we took several pics by the Sage Park sign and because of the stop my brother found a giant stick. Seriously, it was longer than Gramp's  Jeep. On the way down the mountain we saw a coyote, which was an extremely rare sighting. Later, when we stopped at the candy store,or the Chatsworth Lake Market, as we were preparing to leave a man said," Hey, Look at this!" When we ran over we saw a baby skunk! It was the cutest thing! We also got candy for my mom and Grandma.

July 11, 2008 ......... Log entry by Grampa.  Andy, Hayden and I went up the mountain around 7pm. I started my bicycle GPS at the bottom of the mountain at the turn off up Woolsey Canyon RD. also known as the road to Rocketdyne, the elevation gain was 1125 to Sage Park in 2.9mi. We parked at Sage Park and I took a bunch of pics of Andy and Hayden with the sun in the background. We then decided to hike to Donut Rock and see it up close after seeing it from a distance all these years. It was exciting to check it out up close. I took pictures of the rock solo and with Andy and Hayden sitting over the donut hole. We stopped at the market on the way home of course. There was a cyclist in the market joking around about getting better gas mileage with his bike. The store worker said the Skunks we saw last week had moved on because someone placed a huge rock over the access hole they were using to get under the shed behind the store.

August 30th, 2008 .......Log entry by Grampa.  It was just Andy and I up to the mountain tonight, Andy had spent the night with us. We left just after sunset and there was still a red yellow glow with the mountain silhouetted in the foreground. On the way up Andy talked about how he would like to live in the new house along the right side of road. We past 2 people on bicycles with bright lights on the front and back of their bikes, you couldn't miss them. We pointed out all the rocks on the way up as usual, noting that Falcon Rock is the first you see up against the glow of the sunset. We got to the parking lot at the top there was one other SUV there. A bunch of people were using the outhouse then got in there SUV and speed off in a cloud of dusk. We sat and listened to the crickets and enjoyed the view of the Simi Valley lights for a few minutes. We past the bikes with the bright lights on the way down, they had made there way a bit farther up the nearly 1000' climb.. I had ridden it myself many times in the past 5 years, 1000' in 2.3 miles that will keep your heart above 150 for 30 minutes or so. We stopped at the Market and Andy got a Tootsie roll while I enjoyed a Hagendaas ice-cream bar.

August 31st, 2008.......Log entry by Grampa. It was Hayden and Grampa tonight and we left after Grandma gave Hayden a bath so it was later than last night with Andy. It was just after 8pm but still that wonderful red yellow glow behind the mountain. Hayden asked if I brought the scary story book with us and I hadn't. She said she didn't like stories about extra terrestrials like ET. Again the named rocks were the highlight of the trip up the mountain. There was a another car at the parking lot with a group sitting at the picnic bench where we hold our club meetings. We didn't stay long as Hayden was getting cold. The view of the valley was nothing short of spectacular coming down the hill, almost crystal clear. Hayden got a pack of skittles and proudly told the lady cashier all about her missing tooth and that she was 6 years old. I took a picture of her missing tooth in the parking lot of the Market.

October 1st, 2008......Log entry by Grampa. Grampa, Andy and Hayden made this trip. The moon was a sliver in the sky with the bright north star near by. Andy asked if that star really was the north star and I said indeed. When we approached the turn up Woolsey Canyon road we could see the flashing lights from a ambulance going up the road well ahead of us. It reminded us that we forgot to bring the new spotlight Grandma had bought to replace the one we had been using for years. The old faithful handheld spotlight just stopped taking a charge. As we made the turn the flashing lights disappeared out of sight up the hill. When we past the entrance to the Summit Mobil home complex we could not see the lights so we weren't sure of the ambulance had continued up the mountain. When got to the big hairpin turn after the entrance we could see another ambulance with flashing lights coming up the mountain behind us. When drove by the rear access to the Mobil Home complex and Andy spotted the first Ambulance parked a little way up the access road in the mobile home park. The rear entrance is gated and not used. We continued on up the mountain seeing Falcon Rock, then Turtle and Iron Man. We slowed down and looked over the edge of the road down on the complex but could not see the flashing lights from that angle. We passed Dog Rock and turned left into the entrance to Sage Park but the main gate up to the top of the hill was closed. Andy commented that Dog Rock looks like Riley and I think it was Hayden who asked if we could change the name to Riley Rock. I told them it would be a matter that all the members would need to vote on the next time all of us were together. We headed down the mountain and decided the most exiting thing about the trip was the flashing lights of the Ambulances. When we passed the rear access to the Mobil Home complex we could see both ambulances parked close together in front of one of the residences. We stopped for few minutes to watch but could not see any activity. We continued down the hill and stopped at the turn out to see the if all tin art was still in tact and it was all fine. Finally we stopped at the store. I got 3 Haagen-Dazs bars, 2 for me and 1 for Grandma. Andy got a Root Brewski and Hayden got a box of candy and a popsicle. Another interesting trip up the mountain. We miss our friends Alden and Graham.

October 3rd,2008............Log entry by Gramps.  Andy and Hayden on the trip.  With rain in the forecast for tomorrow there were clouds all around the mountain tops. Andy brought the new spot light Grammy bought us so we were checking things out on the way up the hill. Nothing exciting going on tonight. The gate to Sage Park was open so we headed up to the parking lot. There was one car there with no one around. The kids got spooked way I shut off the Jeep and banged my hand on the side of the of the door. Stopped at the Market on the way back.

November 22,2008...........Log entry by Alden and Gramps.  The family gathered for an early Thanks giving Day. All were present except Billy, Linda, Kayla and Lauren. We decided to take Sadie and Elise to the mountain for their first official trip to the mountain with all the club members. We loaded up in the Suburban with all the car seats only to discover the Suburb had a battery problem and would not start. With help from Amber and Stacey we switched to Stacey's car and headed to the mountain, Grampa, Alden, Andy, Graham, Hayden, Sadie and Elise. I tried to make it sound like a guided tour for the twins but it was tough with all the other chatter and singing going on. We stopped along the way to check out the tin artwork at the Tin Can Alley turn out. We decided to call the turn out Tin Can Alley on this trip. With the help of 2 spotlights everyone called out the names of the rocks along the way, Falcon, Turtle, Iron Man, and Dog. We saw a rabbit just at the top of the hill. The gate to Sage Park was open so we drove all the way to the top. We stayed long enough for Gray to take a leak then headed back down the hill. We all sang "My Country Tis of Thee" somewhat in unison. Even Sadie and Elsie tried to sing along with us. Elsie was quietly singing "Its Raining it Pouring" while Sadie sang the alphabet.   The stop at the Market was fun, There were lots of other people in the store at the time and they were all getting a kick out watching the kids pick out a candy. Some commented to me that I was a brave Grampa to take all of them along.  Alden got a Three Musketeers bar, Andy hot chocolate, Graham an Extreme Bar as did Hayden, Sadie Almond Joy and Elise Peanut M and M's. As soon as Sadie tasted the Almond Joy she traded with Hayden for her Extreme Bar. It was later discovered that Sadie did not eat Almond Joys and there was one in the bottom of the pantry all the way back from Halloween. We then found out that she only picked it because it was something she recognized from home. Elise shared with every one even though they didn't ask and ate what was left. Andrew was with me when he burped and even though he was drinking hot chocolate it smelled like potato chips. Andrew also shared with me that the burp tasted like potato chips. Upon closer inspection the cocoa smelled like potato chips. However we both had a discussion about the kind of burps you can taste even though you have not eaten the food it tastes like for days. We both agreed that such burps were a pleasant surprise. My brother ( Gray) was in the computer room with us at the time but he didn't hear a word we said because he was munching on his Extreme Bar while playing computer. He might as well have been in a different room. Hayden was also in the room at the time but she was coloring and to busy wondering what colors the flower petals on her flowers should be. The trip to the mountain was definitely one to remember and was very fun.

December 6th 2008.........Log entry by Alden and grandpa.      Before the trip to the mountain the front seat was argued over. Grandpa made a new rule that graham would have the front seat on the way back down the mountain and andy and I would share the front seat. Half way up the mountain there is a turnout and that is where we switch the front seats. Since Hayden can't sit in the front she gets to pieces of candy. On the way up the mountain we noticed that not all the tin can art was there. Only a snowman, an angle, and the fighter plane. We decided that whoever makes them is doing some for Christmas. We had to stop on our way up and saw a black trash bag thrown aside on the edge of the road. Grandpa suggested that it was a body, and instantly Andrew "knew" it was not. Grandpa dared Andy to go out there and open the bag and prove him wrong. Andrew suddenly forgot how to move his lips for a while. We continued up the mountain. The gate was open to Sage Park so we proceded on up. We could hear a group camping in the campground below. We took pictures at the park benches then decided to get back in the car to have our Club Meeting. A park ranger came over and told us he was closing the gate so we had to leave. We stopped where the road widens near the entry to Rocketdyne and had our meeting. The discussed the issue of each member having more than 1 named rock. Each member was asked to comment on the matter and everyone except Hayden thought we should only have one rock. I made a  motion that we the keep the one rock rule and Graham seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion was passed. We also decided we need to come up with a designation for the secondary rocks. We drove home and stopped at the Market (of course). Lots of fun as usual.

December 25th, 2008    Log entry by Alden    To sum stuff up ( I am assuming you will elaborate on the site, assuming) I sat in the front on the way up and on the way 2 baby bunnies ran in front of the car each a short while after the other. Also before we could even start on the way up since it had been raining we had to drive through a mini lake of excess rainwater that crashed over the whole car top to bottom like a tidal wave. ( I saw Aunt Stacey For Hanukah like 2 days ago and she is PISSED at you for, "ruining her car", and says that you have to give her 20 dollars to pay for washing the car) This effect was enjoyed by every one (except Stacey) and after we were clear of the water Graham was all hyped up to do it again on the way back. However his parade was shortly rained on when I gently informed him in my always subtle ways that the water was only on one side of the road. This statement had the effect of deflating a once filled balloon on the car. However disappointment was forgotten when we pulled up to the road that would lead us up the mountain. On the way up we also saw two deserted cars. One was by tin can alley, a usual spot for us to stop, and the other a turnout of no name to us. While we stopped at tin can alley we noticed that a lot of the tin creatures were gone and a single new one in the shape of a black pig had been added. Andrew enlightened us with the simple statement of, "I told you that all it would take was some teenagers and a bat". This had a similar effect as my statement, but since most of us don't speak cynic, Andrews statement had the effect of the air from the  balloon being released and then just as quickly being filled up again. As we moved on from tin can alley Andy started singing, "Street lights, people..." every one in the car joined in and then promptly started laughing so hard our lungs almost burst. The rest of the now short way up was consumed by Hayden telling some kind of story that no one could understand except at random intervals where a few words could barley be recognized.  When we reached the top we got out to take a picture at our picnic bench and immediately became Popsicles and had to huddle for warmth. We then all walked delicately back to the car as it was dark and  Andy had already tried to run back since it was so freezing and fell immediately flat on his face. We had since decided not to follow Andy's stunning example and make it back to the car alive. I carried Hayden back to the car and as a result was last in. I this time  myself comfortable in the back since Andy gets the front on the way down. Driving down passed by uneventfully and when we made it to the candy store we were able to get two things because grandpa (you) was so nice and it was Christmas. I got a snickers and a 3 musketeers, Andy got hot chocolate and a kitkat, Graham got a kitkat and a chocolate bar, and Hayden, after a brief moment of indecision requiring on our opinion of whether or not she should get gummy bears or gummy worms, selected the bears and a lollipop. On the way home everyone was very happy that we had gotten two candies. Also though everyone could not help themselves but to cast a forlorn glance at the mini lake as we drove past.

January 23rd 2009  Log entry by Andrew.............Andy and Grampa.  It was a dark and stormy night, well... mostly dark, the Mountain was unusually spooky. As Grandpa and I made our way up the mountain we discussed how Grandpa rides his bike up the Mountain [boring]. 2 cars were following us near the top when they vanished into mid air just before we came upon a sign that said Truck Crossing. The gate to the top was closed. On our way down we spotted an owl perched on top of a telephone line. Sadly the Jeep scared it away. At the Chatsworth Lake Market I acquired some ice cream and Grandpa got 2 ice cream bars

January 24th  2009.  Log by Grampa....Andy, Hayden and Grampa.  Chili night for a ride up the mountain. Andy road shotgun while Hayden sat in the back seat. We brought both the spotlights. We had another "disappearing car" deal happen just before we passed the market on the way. The car was ahead of me and disappeared after going around the corner before the fires station.....weird. We saw at least 7 bunnies along the way. The gate was open to Sage Park. It was foggy going up the narrow road to the park, very spooky. I asked Andy and Hayden if they wanted to get out and walk around and I got a resounding in unison "NO". Stopped at the Market for the usual dose of health food. I got 2 more Haagen-Dazs bars......bad grampa.