will rogers state park

Last weekend, Jesse and I wanted to get Yuki some much-needed exercise and ourselves a fun time doing something new, preferable something outdoors-y. We decided to check out Will Rogers State Park, just a little ways up the coast from us. Originally, I wanted to do a big hiking loop that would take us up to Will Rogers' Inspiration Point, then along the Santa Monica Mountains' Backbone Trail, and then down to a creekbed/canyon. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on parts of that loop, so we ended up doing two shorter hikes on either side of it. In between, we had a picnic lunch and watched part of a polo match (Malibu vs. Pacific Palisades). It was a fun place. There were grills, so I could imagine going back someday to grill and watch more polo, and maybe do the loop without Yuki.

This is the view from Inspiration Point. I like Yuki's tongue in this one. He was being a little wimpy.

Much of this first trail was wide and a little dusty, but with some nice vegetation.

Our picnic spot - this gave Yuki a chance to catch his breath.

Polo match.

Yuki was watching the polo match too, although we had stand back a ways so he wouldn't bark and spook the horses, which he did only once.

Team Malibu, which was pretty much killing Team Pacific Palisades.

Next we headed down towards the second trail, along the canyon.

It was pretty dense, and Yuki loved running through the water.

He was not happy about leaving.