Coming from Denver I’m a bit biased in regards to the great outdoors. I admit it: We’re a little snobbish about our state’s natural beauty. Here in Malibu those things called the Santa Monica Mountains are not mountains but pointy hills. There are no fourteeners a half-hour drive away (if you don’t know what that is look it up and climb one) and it grieved me greatly that I would not be able to throw my snowboard in my car and drive a mere 45 minutes to a world-class ski resort any day my best friends and I didn’t have classes … or wanted to skip them.
These stark realizations for a mountain-lover like me were further heightened by the overwhelming wealth power and pace of life that surrounded me. Where I come from a “status symbol” is a worn-out pair of Chaco sandals and last season’s coolest snowboard bought at a bargain price both of which showcase your absolute dedication to the outdoors as well as your thriftiness. Here cars that cost more than my house women with more non-organic matter inside their bodies than covering them and excesses in nearly every area of life seem commonplace. It is hard not to either get lost in the rat race or mournfully long for simpler days.
When I first arrived here I chose the latter and yearned for the beauty simplicity and friendships I had left behind in Colorado; that is until I discovered an entirely different solution — a solution not outside of myself but within. A change of perspective. A broadening of my horizons. Instead of seeing all I thought was wrong around me I began to see and to seek out all that was right and beautiful and peaceful here. The more I have the more I have grown to love many things about this place and the more I know I will most certainly be sad to leave.
I began to love those pointy little hills that flank our campus and the wealth of beauty and great hiking they provide. Going through the canyon numerous places exist from which to set out on a leisurely hike through Malibu Creek State Park to enjoy some rock climbing or to jump into the creek’s refreshing water. Further down Pacific Coast lies Topanga Canyon State Park another picturesque piece of wilderness where I have enjoyed many long hikes with great friends. And for some truly amazing views the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area up Corral Canyon Road has some meandering pathways that give breathtaking views of LA.
I also learned to better appreciate the ocean. I had always been an admirer but simply enjoyed it to the extent of wading up to my shoulders. Its hugeness entranced me. Then some incredible people who have since become wonderful friends led a Campus Recreation ocean kayaking trip and I was hooked. My attempts at surfing have come to comical ruin but through a new friend’s patience I discovered that there is no feeling like being out on the waves with nothing but a small flat piece of plastic between you and the enormous expanse of the ocean. Still the beautiful sights paths and rock climbing at Point Dume overlooking the ocean have captured my heart.
And of course there are many many more things to do here in California that I haven’t even begun to mention. Great places to bike are everywhere. Snowboarding and skiing are a bit more of a drive but still possible in a weekend trip to Big Bear. And believe it or not California does in fact have several fourteeners – some of the hardest to climb at that –though most of them are much further north making a great destination for a road trip.
Even without venturing quite so far I have found that natural beauty abounds right here in Malibu. Amidst all that is fake and will waste away the magnificence of God’s creation stands out in stark contrast. But perhaps the most significant beauty I have found here is that of the souls of the people with whom I have been privileged to spend my outdoor adventures. There is nothing like sharing the wonder of this world’s natural beauty with another. It is these friendships – nurtured on long hikes kayaking trips and sunset conversations overlooking the ocean – that I will truly miss after I leave this place.