Two weekends ago we set out on a road trip to track down some Super Bloom wild flowers. We ended up at Amboy Crater off Route 66 in the Mojave National Preserve. Lots of yellow and purple wildflowers growing amidst the black volcanic rock in this normally barren part of the desert.
Pisgah lava field is an amazing spot in the Mojave dessert. This is a huge area to explore with many lava tubes, caves and vents. We also drove to the top of the crater which offered up an amazing view and some interesting blue lava rock.
I have put over 4000 miles on the vehicle in the last month. I spent some time in Arizona recently in the town of Fountain Hills. Took a sunset hike to a ridge that overlooks the town and the world’s 4th tallest fountain.
World’s 4th tallest fountain
We spent two nights at El Chorro Campground located between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay. We also hiked to Eagle Rock and went to an antique street fair in Cayucos.
El Chorro Eagle Rock Hike
A good find @ Cayucos Antique Street Faire
I went hiking in the El Moro Canyon area this weekend. It was a super nice, chilly clear day and San Clemente Island was in full view. I took in the sights and also picked up a gnarly tick that embedded under my armpit. I didn’t find it til last night and after a failed attempt at tick extraction, I headed to Hoag Hospital. All is fine now but the experience was stomach churning.
Ice on the hiking trails of El Moro Canyon
Multi-million dollar home sites…..waiting for you!
And the gnarly tick that El Moro gave me. Don’t worry I will go back!
Over the New Year break, I took up the challenge of hiking to the Black Star Canyon Water Fall. This hike is a tuffy but worth it if the falls are flowing. Unfortunately for us, the falls were dry, even after recent rain. The hike begins with a 3 mile hike up a fire road and from there you drop down into the river bed itself. The boulders are huge and tough to climb….I can only imagine how slippery they would be if they were wet. Proceed about a mile up the river bed and the canyon walls slowly become steeper and more ominous, while the bouldering becomes more difficult and strenuous. The 90 foot falls itself are unique because there is a mine shaft that sits about 15 feet off the ground next to the falls. Strange indeed…..like the Black Star area in general. (Warning: don’t venture here at night or solo)
Black Star Canyon Water Fall….dry
I took the Ortega Highway home one afternoon this week and stopped to check out the Ortega Falls. The sun had just set and the fog was rolling up the valleys. Unfortunately, the falls were dry, but I still recommend this easy, very short hike. 
My sister Aimee is currently on a 200 mile WALKING pilgrimage in Spain called the Camino de Santiago. The intense hike is testing her mentally and physically but she is staying strong and it sounds like she is really enjoying herself. Aimee is keeping us updated via her blog which can be seen here! If you have her contact information, please send her some positive words of encouragement. Good luck little sis!
On the Camino de Santiago
Another busy weekend is shaping up. On Sunday there will be a solar eclipse and hopefully you will see it. This rare event will be cool to watch from the beach. 5 to 8 PM best viewing time, hope for a clear sunset.
I will also be watching some of the live stream of The HangOut Music Fest as well as participating in a friends Baby Shower and planning for our upcoming Memorial Day get together!
Sorry that the beach cam has been out of order for awhile…..it will be back soon.
Picture from yesterday's El Moro Canyon hike
I worked in Palm Springs yesterday and afterwards I went on a hike. It was a tuff uphill to an amazing look out point.
Simonetta Kennett Vista Point
On Sunday I went for an early morning hike in the hills above El Moro Canyon. I stumbled upon a downhill BMX track…..anyone know anybody who does BMX?…I would love to see this in action. It is about a mile long with several natural and man made terrain features.
UPDATE 5/25/12- Yesterday afternoon I re-hiked this trail and upon second consideration the terrain may be more suitable for a mountain biker. None the less the track is still very interesting.
We RV camped in the Joshua Tree area this weekend for Steve’s bachelor party. It was an exciting trip with many highlights. We romped the Super Truck, shot some guns, hiked abandoned gold mines and drank lots of libations.
Moderate off-road terrain at 70mph is fun in this Super Truck
Yes this guy is for real. Note the leather accessories, hat, boots, gold gun, holster, garter and Green Label Jack Daniels with a beer chaser…we thought he was a ghost at first. We also think he knows something that we don’t!
Abandoned remains of a 100 year old gold mine
YES, we went in and not just thru the entrance, we went way in
So much to explore in the area
This guy will get big
Blooms at night
A little hiking, a few geocaches, food, beer, motorcycles and gold panning…..a well rounded day spent in the Angeles Forrest.
80 miles to the beach wih Saddle Back behind me
panning
Newcombs Ranch (the only establishment around for 30 miles)
Brown’s Park in downtown Laguna is a hidden gem missed by many. Sculpture, poetry, stained glass and an incredible view make this a good spot to gain some inspiration. A home used to stand here but was donated to the city by the family after the home was destroyed in a winter storm swell.
The poem reads:In this fleeting moment, what extravagant respite, as booming surf speaks its, mystical passage across, the undreamed depths.
Let me live in a house by the side of the sea,Where men and women wander byWhere there is beauty and grace and excitement that's freeOn the beach, in the sun let me lieLet me listen to ocean's melodious roarAnd its rhythm, so soothing to hearAs the foam-covered waves seem to reach for the shoreUnder skies that are sunny and clear.-Joseph E. Brown
I hit the trail this morning, hiking the El Moro Ridge trail and connecting with the El Moro Creek trail. About four miles. Nice day for it due to the cloud cover.
Emrald Bay overlook
Annika, Eli & Georgia