Tag: Southern-California
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Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest
The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest is located in the Inyo National Forest. It is the home of the oldest trees on earth, some of which are over 4000 years old. This was not our first trip to visit these ancients but it was the first time with a toddler. The one developed campground in the…
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Idyllwild Nature Center and Trails
The Idyllwild Nature Center and Trails is located about one mile northwest of downtown Idyllwild, on highway 243. The Nature center is not fully opened at this time due to Covid but there is a ranger there to answer questions Thursday-Sunday, 9am to 4pm. All trails are open 7 days a week from sunrise to…
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Oak Glen Preserve
Nothing says fall like the obligatory trip to an apple orchard. Apple picking in Southern California is a bit of a spectacle. Thousands of Californians descend on a handful of orchards, swaddled in their best fall-wear, cozy sweaters, boots, and chucky knits, with no one seeming to care that it is over 90 degrees out.…
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The New Normal
Thank you to all the first responders, medical worker, and service people who keep going to work. You keep the rest of us safe, healthy, and fed during this difficult time. I know that this is a very hard time for so many families, everyone has their own struggles, and no matter how much we…
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Missing you
These are strange scary times. I hope everyone is staying safe, and staying at home. It’s been hard knowing that our adventures will be put on hold for awhile. We had lots of plans for camping in the desert this spring, but for now I will just had to imagine myself in the Mojave. We…
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Oak Glen
My favorite time of year is autumn. Southern California may still feel like summer but you can start to sense a bit of crispness in the air. The mornings are a bit cool and you may even be able to don a sweater before the sun fully comes out! To celebrate the fall equinox we…
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Santa Rosa Plateau
Have you ever wondered what Southern California looked like before the freeways, houses, and Starbucks showed up. How about what it looked like before Europeans came on the scene with cattle, plows, and agriculture? One of the best examples of native California landscape can be found at the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve. The Reserve…
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Super Bloom Fever
Thanks to a particularly wet winter, Southern California is experiencing a super bloom. There are many areas that are covered in wildflowers, and everyone and their aunt Mildred wants in on the action. However the quest to experience this natural phenomenon can bring out the worst in humanity. Many people are respectful, but there are…
Bit of Betsy 