Through the canyon and to the mountains where the hot springs lie

Continued… After spending the night at chateau BLM we headed towards Death Valley National Park through Titus Canyon. The Titus Canyon route is a 27 mile dirt road which passes through the rugged mountains that frame the eastern edge of Death Valley National Park. The road was originally built, like so many other roads  in…

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The Opera, Pupfish, and Ghost Towns

Continued… As the diffuse morning light painted the landscape in pastel we packed up and left the desert rat enclave of Tecopa and headed toward Death Valley Junction. Death Valley Junction is a small desert town with a population of less than 20 people. The town was formed in the 1920s with the backing of…

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Hippies, Date Palms and Mud Mites

For thanksgiving we explored corners of the desert we had not been to before. Our five day road trip started in the depths of the Mojave, took us over arid mountains and into Death Valley. We finished our trip by popping out by the eastern Sierra. I realize I write an awful lot about the…

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The Little Things

Slow down and look around. See the little things. Find beauty in the smallest part of a flower. Stop to smell the earthy scent of sage brush as it transitions into winter. Always take a small amount of time to appreciate what lies directly around you. There is magic in these moments.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico

For three days salt has encrusted my hair, I have drank more beer than water, and spent more time in the waves then on dry ground. Welcome to Baja California, the Sea of Cortez, a very sandy paradise. After 10 years of living so close to the border I have finally made it down to…

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Boondocking

Sometimes a little patch of dirt at the end of a long dusty road is as close to heaven as you can get.

Five Essentials For Hiking In Southern California

Southern California is a great place to go hiking. The weather is almost always pleasant, the mountains are accessible, and you can be sure there will be a micro brewery to hit up on your way home from the trail. In addition to the 10 essentials  I find the following five items are great supplements  for…

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Mountain Senses

Breath deep; the mountain air is thin yet it fills the lungs and brain to capacity. Heavy boots fly weary bones to the pass between two ragged peaks overlooking 11,000 feet of rock, wildflowers, and air. Take the dusty steep trail down to a pool of sapphire crystal. The edges of the glassy water so…

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10 Travel Tips for Flying

We all dream about traveling from time to time. Although the destination of our dreams is exciting traveling by plane can be anything but. Here are 10 tips for air travel when things don’t go as planned. Pack snacks. You never know when you will be running to make a connection or when the last…

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Hiking: Mount Morrison

When many Southern Californians head to the beach during the hot summer months I prefer that glorious drive up the 395 to the Eastern Sierras. The goal of my latest trip was to summit Mt Morrison. Morrison is a 12,000 foot peak which is perched above Convict lake. It’s about an 8 mile round trip and there is no designated trail head so it involves some bushwhacking and game trail navigation. The views are worth the work.