The top photo shows Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, CA from Simi Peak in China Flat. The flat is is dotted with ancient oak trees, each of which has a serial number assigned by the Parks Service.

Until the early ’90s, this property was owned by Bob Hope, who’d bought it decades before with plans to develop a golf course. The green season here is short, so yesterday I hiked up four miles and got some photos while the getting was good.