Tag: malibu creek state park

mott adobe

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Back in 1910, John G. Mott, a Los Angeles lawyer and member of Crags Country Club, built an adobe hacienda near Malibu Creek in what is now State Park. Mott was buddies with President Herbert Hoover, who reportedly liked to visit his friend and get away from the pressures of national leadership.

Fast forward to 1969, when heavy rains caused serious damage to the hacienda. The following year, a wildfire swept through. Now, all that remains of the Mott Adobe is the stone fireplace. But I like to imagine Johnny and Herb sitting in armchairs in front of the fire, swirling brandy, smoking cigars, and discussing the fish they caught that day.

phantom trail

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We hiked a new-to-us trail in Malibu Creek State Park, steep and almost overgrown in parts. It’s unclear why it’s called Phantom, except perhaps that hardly anyone goes there? We didn’t encounter any ghosts, but we did see some out-of-season wildflowers in the wetter areas to the north of the ridge.

Visitor Center signage

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A year-and-a-bit ago, I signed up to re-do all the internal signage in our state park visitor center, to make it consistent and professional. Today I installed Phase 2 of the project, including this new, double-sided sign on the door of the children’s nature room.

Working as a volunteer at Malibu Creek State Park is such a joy for me, a great fit for my skills and passions. Sometimes I can’t believe I get to live this life. So so lucky, am I.

Trichostema lanceolatum

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I’ve really enjoyed seeing, and smelling, the vinegarweed that‘s now running riot at the State Park. This annual herb, a member of the mint family, is native to California, though it occurs in other parts of the western U.S. Its preferred habitats are coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, foothill woodland, and chaparral.

The volatile oils in its foliage have a strong vinegar odour, which grazing animals find unpalatable but I quite enjoy sniffing.

Vinegarweed is an important late summer pollen source for native bees and other insects. When a pollinating insect lands on the lower lobes of the corolla, and inserts its mouth parts into the nectar-containing section, the narrow corolla portion above is straightened and snaps rapidly downward brushing pollen onto the insect’s back. Nature never ceases to amaze.

After work

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Before driving home from my shift at the state park visitor center, I sat under a tree in the parking lot to record thoughts and sounds. I really love my (volunteer) job. The people who come in — they want what we’re selling. I don’t mean drinks and branded swag, but hiking trails, wildlife, history, geology, a respite from the city. It’s such a pleasure to answer their questions (and provoke more), show them something they‘ve never seen, give them a new experience, or provide a comfort.

And when your colleague sends you home with a bunch of art supplies? Bonus! (thanks Dave!)