Category : Destination
Backroad Diversions: Highway 199 along the Smith River - A scenic ribbon for adventurous souls
April 10, 2012
Following this route will take you through remnants of truly giant coastal redwoods and offer a roller coaster ride alongside the Smith River and into the Siskiyou Mountains where one of the most diverse coniferous forests of North America grows. At 2,100 feet, the highway passes through Collier Tunnel under the Hazel View Summit, leads into the Illinois valley of southern Oregon and reaches all the way to Grant’s Pass. Four miles east of 101, at the Hiouchi Bridge, travelers get their first tantalizing gaze at deep pools and riffles in the Smith River. Read More ...
April 10, 2012
Following this route will take you through remnants of truly giant coastal redwoods and offer a roller coaster ride alongside the Smith River and into the Siskiyou Mountains where one of the most diverse coniferous forests of North America grows. At 2,100 feet, the highway passes through Collier Tunnel under the Hazel View Summit, leads into the Illinois valley of southern Oregon and reaches all the way to Grant’s Pass. Four miles east of 101, at the Hiouchi Bridge, travelers get their first tantalizing gaze at deep pools and riffles in the Smith River. Read More ...
Skyline to the Sea Trail
April 4, 2012
Despite its proximity, surprisingly few have hiked the trail. Perhaps because it is so close, many deem it too short of a drive to be a “real” adventure, a “real” challenge, or a “real” wilderness experience. It’s all those things, minus the long drive and the hefty gas bill. Read More ...
April 4, 2012
Despite its proximity, surprisingly few have hiked the trail. Perhaps because it is so close, many deem it too short of a drive to be a “real” adventure, a “real” challenge, or a “real” wilderness experience. It’s all those things, minus the long drive and the hefty gas bill. Read More ...
Canoer’s Delight: Paddling the East Fork Carson River in an open canoe offers the perfect blend of comfort and excitement
April 4, 2012
Canoes are for kids at camp, or people from Maine and Minnesota. So when my husband Andrew and I decided to canoe the East Fork Carson River, we received some raised eyebrows from several friends. “It’s a fun kayak,” their faces said, or, “I own a raft you know. Read More ...
April 4, 2012
Canoes are for kids at camp, or people from Maine and Minnesota. So when my husband Andrew and I decided to canoe the East Fork Carson River, we received some raised eyebrows from several friends. “It’s a fun kayak,” their faces said, or, “I own a raft you know. Read More ...
A Diamond in the Rubies
February 2, 2012
It’s true. That's actually one reason I always have questioned going. Imagine skinning all day, only to be a few hundred feet away from the top of your objective — and then a helicopter lands on the peak and your hard-won line gets poached! Not the sort of daydream that usually gets us to visit epic backcountry locales. Read More ...
February 2, 2012
It’s true. That's actually one reason I always have questioned going. Imagine skinning all day, only to be a few hundred feet away from the top of your objective — and then a helicopter lands on the peak and your hard-won line gets poached! Not the sort of daydream that usually gets us to visit epic backcountry locales. Read More ...
Drinking Local in the High Sierra: Mammoth Brewing
December 1, 2011
Located in Mammoth Lakes on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park, the brewery was founded by Sam Walker in 1995, who sold it to current owner Sean Turner in 2006. Turner explains that what makes his beer unique is that at 8,000 feet water boils at 198 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than 212 degrees at sea level, resulting in a softer flavor profile during the brewing process. He also adds that at 8,000 feet, the mountain water they use is as pure as it gets. Read More ...
December 1, 2011
Located in Mammoth Lakes on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park, the brewery was founded by Sam Walker in 1995, who sold it to current owner Sean Turner in 2006. Turner explains that what makes his beer unique is that at 8,000 feet water boils at 198 degrees Fahrenheit, rather than 212 degrees at sea level, resulting in a softer flavor profile during the brewing process. He also adds that at 8,000 feet, the mountain water they use is as pure as it gets. Read More ...
A Royal Opportunity
December 1, 2011
But in August, after the owners of Royal Gorge defaulted on a $16. 7 million dollar loan, a receiver was appointed to maintain Royal Gorge’s assets and prepare the 3000-acre property for sale. What does this mean for the future of one of America’s largest cross-country ski areas? David Achey, general manager of Royal Gorge, is optimistic. Read More ...
December 1, 2011
But in August, after the owners of Royal Gorge defaulted on a $16. 7 million dollar loan, a receiver was appointed to maintain Royal Gorge’s assets and prepare the 3000-acre property for sale. What does this mean for the future of one of America’s largest cross-country ski areas? David Achey, general manager of Royal Gorge, is optimistic. Read More ...
Aquatic Meandering in Mendocino
October 1, 2011
You can paddle about five or six miles up, until the river narrows and loses itself in a thicket of vegetation. Along the way, there are three very interesting floating houses. The launch is from an RV and fishing park, and the parking is right next to the launch ramp. Read More ...
October 1, 2011
You can paddle about five or six miles up, until the river narrows and loses itself in a thicket of vegetation. Along the way, there are three very interesting floating houses. The launch is from an RV and fishing park, and the parking is right next to the launch ramp. Read More ...
Ode to Carrizo Plain, California’s Serengeti
October 1, 2011
I was over a mile away and had never seen elk on the plain before. With the sun at their backs I managed to close the gap to about 100 yards, running with a 300mm lens, while moving low to the ground in a shallow wash draped in tidy tips and tangled tumbleweeds. Along with tule elk, pronghorn antelope also browse the open plain. Read More ...
October 1, 2011
I was over a mile away and had never seen elk on the plain before. With the sun at their backs I managed to close the gap to about 100 yards, running with a 300mm lens, while moving low to the ground in a shallow wash draped in tidy tips and tangled tumbleweeds. Along with tule elk, pronghorn antelope also browse the open plain. Read More ...
A Grand and Revealing Journey
June 1, 2011
Gazes are cast out the windows, into laps, a few grins appear. We had agreed to follow the Las Vegas rule: “What happens in Vegas …” But really, our hearts were still in the canyon. Our minds were on the river. Read More ...
June 1, 2011
Gazes are cast out the windows, into laps, a few grins appear. We had agreed to follow the Las Vegas rule: “What happens in Vegas …” But really, our hearts were still in the canyon. Our minds were on the river. Read More ...
SLO Motion Appeal
April 1, 2011
It’s easy to understand why when you consider the healthy ingredients that shape this easy-going community of 44,000: • It’s a bike-friendly college town with a vibrant downtown core. • It has a mild year-round Mediterranean climate moderated by its location 11 miles from the coast. • There’s lots of protected open space (6,500 acres) with running, hiking and mountain biking trails in and around town, even rock climbing. Read More ...
April 1, 2011
It’s easy to understand why when you consider the healthy ingredients that shape this easy-going community of 44,000: • It’s a bike-friendly college town with a vibrant downtown core. • It has a mild year-round Mediterranean climate moderated by its location 11 miles from the coast. • There’s lots of protected open space (6,500 acres) with running, hiking and mountain biking trails in and around town, even rock climbing. Read More ...
