barbara's lake hike

Do you know Orange County, CA actually has a few natural lakes? Two or three, I can't seem to get a straight answer, but there are at least two, or three, and they are located in the Laguna Coast Wilderness. Barbara is the largest of the three, or two, and is fed by a spring. No swimming or boating is allowed in this tiny lake, but it is nice to look at. I have lived here my entire life and never knew this lake existed until a few years back.





the lake


Well, we met our friends there for a play date/picnic/hike. The hike from the Nix Nature Center parking lot area to the lake is flat and very easy for small kids. It took us about 15-20 minutes to reach the lake. The hike can be longer depending on where you start and end.

obligatory shoe shot (we are looking at an ant carrying food)




The kids found many red ant dens? homes? holes? Whatever you call them. Several small beetles, not the stink kind, a grasshopper, and a plant that smells like peanut butter (do you know what this is called? I don't). Probably their favorite part was running up and down a dirt hill under the bridge.

the little ones are holding up the bridge


We spent two hours out on the trail, walking, exploring, running, eating snacks (of course). The best parts were the exercise, fresh air, views, happy kids, good conversation and the fact we barely saw anyone out there and, luckily, we did not see any snakes, either. I love uncrowded places.

Laguna Coast Wilderness

The girls and I went on a outing with friends to the Nix Nature Center last Saturday in the Laguna Coast Wilderness. It was a gorgeous day, warm and sunny. First stop was the Nix Nature Center. There was nobody there, which pleasantly surprised me, except a very friendly volunteer...other visitors were out hiking so we explored the center. We saw some art from local plein air painters, mechanical bats, and the girls ground some corn with a stone. A telescope facing the wilderness was also a hit with the girls. A funny sign hung on the wall, "Unattended children will be given an espresso and a puppy." Now that is funny. Julie and I ran over to our children sides right away.





Next we took a small nature hike and then parked ourselves on a picnic bench and the kids played in the dirt and explored for well over an hour. That was my favorite part, just sitting and conversing with my good friend while watching our kids play in the dirt. Just good, "clean" fun.


Hey kids, see that hill over there? Why don't you race up and down it a couple times.