Have I mentioned how many wonderful hikes there are either in the city or right outside it. This time we headed out to Malibu Creek State Park. It has probably been 15 years since I’ve been here. In those days parking was free, now it costs $12 to park. Still worth it.
View into the Santa Monica mountains from the parking lot. A wonderful sky, we actually had clouds on this wonderful fall day.
One thing we absolutely love here in So Cal, is running water. Any open body of water will attract people.
We walked by this rusting old water tower.
Later I got a fuller view, yes even out in nature people think that defacing objects with graffiti is a good thing to do. Unfortunately they do it on trees as well. Oh well, and you wonder why I am completely opposed to ‘celebrating’ graffiti as some kind of art form.
Another thing we love is big trees that cast shade on our paths. There were a lot of people walking or picnicking. 
We shared the road with a cantering horse.
Someone mentioned that this is a mule, because of the ears, all I know is he was moving fast.
We were hoping for a quiet peaceful country walk, that wasn’t meant to be.
Right as we started our walk a slew of emergency vehicles came by.
And left us in their dust.
Even a helicopter came over head.
Which was very very appropriate since our destination is the film location for M.A.S.H. We spoke to the rescuers, someone had fallen, more on that later.
Soon we were off the road and onto a rocky path through chaparral – this is the low native growth here in So Cal.
We turned a corner and there it was! The M.A.S.H site! Today most filming seems to be done on sound stages, with a few outside shots just for authenticity. But with this show they built the whole camp out here and a few relics remain. I’m thinking someone may have done some touch up work on this ambulance.
How they convinced anyone that this dry, arid environment is actually in Korea is beyond me.
Here is a ‘burnt out’ vehicle. There are a number of information placards that show maps and details of where everything was on this set.
Even the shed has it’s obligatory bullet holes.
Iconic signpost, this looks too new and clean, someone must come and replace it from time to time.
On our way back we stopped at the ‘lake’, this is where the rescue had taken place. If you think this is some large lovely lake, think again, the camera makes things look so much larger. I do love the reflection, clouds are rare around here.
This area is well known for rock climbers, I assumed that one of them fell (we were told it wasn’t a serious injury, probably broken bones) but no, the people by the lake told us that a kid was goofing off on the dam and fell. Yes there are signs telling you not to climb on the dam, but really who reads or pays attention to signs??
I have no idea if the state stocks this lake or if this father and son are just enjoying the act of fishing without ever catching anything.
We also walked by the visitor center, it was already closed.
This is what river beds really look like around here.
Final shot, a family enjoying the pond. Can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon