Hi Reader!

Spring is in full force over here, which means days of gloom, then sun, then drizzle on rotation. Whether the weather decides to play nice or not, I'm spending some time outside each and every day. 🌦️

I hope you're enjoying the changing seasons as much as I am. Let's dive into the newsletter!

Adventures

Last week, I finally carved out a few hours for a proper spring hike to make up for missing my birthday hike this year. I headed to Las Llajas Canyon in Simi Valley. It’s one of those trails that feels like a hidden gem — easy to access, but once you're in, it’s all rolling hills and that peaceful hush you only get when you're surrounded by nature.

I did the full Las Llajas Trail, which clocks in at around 9.2 miles with just over 1,600 feet of elevation gain. It’s a steady, moderate climb with wide, well-maintained paths that wind gently through the canyon. There’s very little shade, so definitely bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water — especially if you’re hiking with a pup like I was.

Pico came along and absolutely loved it. He trotted happily up every hill and sniffed every shrub like it was his job. By the end, though, he was totally wiped out and flopped in the backseat for the entire ride home — happy and dusty, just how we like it.

We shared the trail with a small handful of mountain bikers (friendly and easy to share the space with), and surprisingly, we only passed two other hikers the entire time. For a perfect spring day, that kind of solitude felt like a gift.

And speaking of spring, the canyon is bursting with color right now. Huge drifts of blooming black mustard tower over the trail in spots, giving everything a golden, sun-drenched glow. I also spotted lupines, Indian paintbrush, and a few California daisies clinging to the edges of the path.

If you're looking for a long, quiet hike where you can stretch your legs, soak up the sun, and see spring doing its thing, Las Llajas is a solid choice. Just be ready for a workout and remember the sun protection. ☀️

& S'more

🎰 Weekend Trip to Las Vegas

This weekend I’ll be trading canyon trails for casino carpets—I’m heading to Las Vegas for a little getaway! If you’ve got any favorite food spots, hikes, quirky attractions, or secret gems, I’d love to hear your recs. I’ve been to Vegas a few times but always feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface beyond the Strip.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Half Marathon Training Continues

That said… the half marathon training doesn’t stop just because I’m out of town 😅 I’ve stuck with the training schedule ChatGPT helped me build, and I’ve actually really been liking it! It’s been keeping me motivated without feeling overwhelming.

This week’s long run is up to 10 miles (😰!!), and since Vegas is going to be hot, I’m planning to knock it out on the hotel treadmill. Send energy telepathically.

🎧 My Top Book in April

One thing that’s been helping me power through longer runs lately is audiobooks. I’ve been absolutely flying through them, but the standout recently was Exhalation by Ted Chiang.

It’s a short story collection that blends science fiction with deeply human questions—like free will, memory, time, and the nature of consciousness. Every story is imaginative and mind-bendy in the best way, but somehow still emotionally grounded. If you liked Black Mirror or Arrival (which was actually based on one of his earlier stories), you’ll love this.

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Thank you for being here week after week! Have a wonderful rest of your week and I'll catch you in the next one ✌🏻

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Happy adventuring,

💚A

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