Short hike at Hodges
The only way I can stay sane sometimes, barely.
Category: nature
Picnic and climbing trees with my nephew
Great day. Shawn and I are adventurers.
God is in the neurons
Better World Tour: Yosemite
Wow! Honestly after so much nature on this trip it was hard to believe that any one place could radiate such astounding beauty. Driving into the valley for the first time was mind blowing. Though I quickly learned that the scope of water in the valley was extraordinary. Apparently record snow fall in 2010 was creating waterfalls and riverflow unseen for more than a decade. So I suppose there is the chance on returning to Yosemite it might actually seem less amazing. Oh well, it was a nice first view. Ha. Coming down the[...] | read on »
Better World Tour: Day 3: Biking the Santa Ana River Trail (sort of)
Honestly I was still a little wore out from sort of getting lost the day before on another bike ride preventing a serious ride and full appreciation of this incredible trail. In all maybe I rode all of a couple miles and that was a struggle since I was so tired and out of shape. But this small bit of trail at then very end of what is apparently 33+ miles of single track and maybe 47 miles or more total is just amazing. After biking exclusively around the various trails in the San Diego area I felt for the[...] | read on »
Better World Tour: Day 2: Budget cuts, concessionaires, and bike trails
After getting “lost” on my bike ride earlier I ordered an iced espresso in Fawnskin before continuing on to find the Big Bear Discovery Center to get my campfire permit and interagency annual pass. But before I left the small village of Fawnskin I saw this curiously closed park. To my eye the park looked pleasantly maintained with typical stuff for children to play on as well as some historical sign boards explaining the history of the area. But the park wasn’t just closed, it was closed for official reasons as the sign indicated, “WARNING. This park is legally closed[...] | read on »
Caterpillar to Chrysalis (missed the moment)
I took these shots the night/morning before the transformation. And yet…
Monarch Butterfly resort and day spa
Monarch butterfly caterpillars rescued from the herb farm my sister works at taking a well deserved break on their migration in a relaxing mason jar spa filled with milkweed. Watch these amazing creatures as they eat, poop, and socialize. Seriously though, check out that one guy scarfing down the milkweed and that other one pooping out a log. Pretty cool, huh? Also see my previous post Animals Around for other natural life encounters in North San Diego County
Elfin Forest kicks my ass…again
I am beginning to wonder if my memories of riding Elfin Forest, in particular the “Way Up Trail”, are fantasies. About once every couple of weeks I think to myself, “I’m ready, I can take it.” And each time I am the fool on the side of the trail huffing and puffing and hiking my bike up a good portion of the distance. And by the time I come back down I am tired enough that I can’t fully enjoy the thrill and danger of the steep drops and near 180 degree switchbacks. Each time I get farther and feel[...] | read on »
That isn’t a trail…that’s a beach
Someone (not a mountain biker) told me about some trails in Fallbrook, CA and yesterday I thought I would check them out. I started in the middle of Fallbrook and headed north out of town towards the location I starred in Google Maps. I think of Fallbrook as just more dry chaparral and the past few days have been cool and nice so it seemed an ideal time to check it out. However I always forget that Fallbrook is replete with riparian land, creeks and trees abound. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a water paradise, but surprisingly green and[...] | read on »