Down to just one car last week, I had to drive my boo to work early Saturday morning. Most of the fibers in my body wanted to stumble to the car in my PJs, but I threw some stretchy, ass-jiggle highlighting pants on and toddled to the car with sneakers in hand. I figured I should take this opportunity to hit a trail before it got hot. After dropping off the boo, I coffee'd up and resisted the urge to go home and get some work done on the couch.
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| I love the couch. |
Despite the siren's call of a
lazy Saturday, I drove toward the Santiago Oaks Regional Park which was recommended by a friend. I shared the road only with old trucks whose drivers were heading off to manicure the lawns and gardens of the expansive Orange County homes. The farther I drove, the more rural the landscape became. At least, it was reminiscent of a rural area but one that is very
expensive. Turns out, this is what is referred to as an equestrian community. This explains the horse trails and stables and McMansions.
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| Another oldie but goodie. Somehow, he did not make an appearance in the equestrian community |
I followed the helpful signs toward the park and noticed several gated communities and 90s era (once) new developments that almost made me pause. Confident in my friend's suggestion, I continued on. The road narrowed, a horse and its rider were spotted, and suddenly there were trees everywhere. I gasped. I stared. I squealed. The park attendant asked if I might mind paying the parking fee and getting out of the way.
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| Who doesn't love sun poking through trees? Monsters, that's who! |
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| Historic Orange Grove. Look but don't touch. |
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| a leetle creek! |
The
OC Parks website will tell you that Santiago Oaks provides a sense of removal from the urbanized environment, and you know what? This is not a lie. Even just sitting in the parking lot, I felt so at peace I almost cried.
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| surrounded! |
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| historic creek dam. not for swimming, damn. |
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| it's all shady and tree covered and then there's this valley type thing out of nowhere! |
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| for when you get thirsty. intended for horses, but hey. |
I have nothing bad to say. No snarky jokes to tell. There was hardly any litter and no graffiti that I saw. Just a beautiful place full of people there for more or less the same reason I was. I give it five Haribo gummy bear bags! (out of 5)
