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All in Adventure Destinations
We were hesitant, at first, as we got a lay of the land and understood how packed the sand was. Smashing corners felt a bit risky, as did putting the pedal to the metal, but we wanted to kick up some dust for the shots. In the back of our minds, we couldn’t shake the reality that breaking breaking down here had consequences. Running out of gas in Cataviña had smaller consequences, but it would not be ideal. Regardless, we were committed to fun and creating stellar images.
Highway 395, the scenic road which gives you access to the Eastern Sierra, stretches from Palm Springs to Mount Shasta. This old trade route has now become the land of adventure for many reasons. The famous black and white photographer, Ansel Adams, main body of work is based throughout the Eastern Sierra. Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental US can be gawked at from the highway.
Today is February 1st, which means it is time to flip your calendar :-) In addition to the video and calendar flip, I wanted to share some insights for your next visit to Yosemite National Park. If you are looking for a good day hike, iconic photographs to recreate, or just want to brainstorm ideas for your next trip to Yosemite, this is the blog for you.
DANG!! This was a cold one. Lake Sabrina is one of my favorite lakes to swim in during the summer, but I had not taken a dip in the winter… or late fall. When I say cold, I mean that I was shaking, my lips turned purple, and at some point, I ended up throwing up because I was so dang cold! Swimming in the Eastern Sierra during the winter was a fun challenge I am not sure I would take on for myself again. Once out of the water, I hunkered down in a sleeping bag, inside of my van, turned the heater on, and tried to warm up. Andrew was laughing at me the whole time!
After a little mix up, @cbeaumartino and I met up in the buttermilks just outside of Bishop, CA for some climbing. While waiting, the morning was quite productive as I worked on a blog about cool camping spots in the Eastern Sierra.
As you plan and research your trip along HWY 1, I wanted to toss in a few of my favorite places, for you to consider. Some of these are spots are seasonal and some are just good for a quick stop. My goal is to share a few places that aren’t already on your list! I must say, this is not a comprehensive list and is focused on the Big Sur to San Francisco section of HWY 1. Be on the lookout for ideas that are more south and north in the future! Here are my four suggestions:
Our thighs were burning as we tromped up Keasarge Pass to gain our first view into Kings Canyon. All three of us have explored different sections of the Eastern Sierra and JMT, but none of us had been to this area. To avoid the burn, we diverted our attention to the "What do you think is over there” game, trying to see who could paint a better picture of what was on the other side of the pass. Turns out, we were all wrong.
In 1969 Emerald Bay was recognized as a National Landmark, preserving the land for future generations. Within the bay, the only island in Lake Tahoe exists, Fannette Island. Which harbors the “tea house” on the island. For most, sitting on the bluff of Eagle Falls is the closests they will ever come to the tea house. Regardless, this national landmark is an emerald for us all to marvel at.
Conception Bay in Baja is a mind blowing combination of calm, warm water and an adult playground. Offering access to dozens of beaches Bahia Concepcion, as it is called in Spanish, directly translate to Bay of Concepcion, but most ex-Pats and travelers call this area Conception Bay. This absolute must stop when you travel to Baja is a long, narrow bay that stretches over thirty miles from the Sea of Cortez. Mountains encased the bay both sides with only narrow openings at the northern end. Located between Mulege and Loreto along the Sea of Cortez, Bahia Concepcion offers access to outstanding beach camping, each with their own spectacular views and reasons to visit.
As a photographer, my main focus is to chase light. A mentor of mine described photographers as the “Seekers of Light”. While I must admit, the majority of my work is focused more on the moment than light, I will say that my favorite photographs are those with unique light. Regardless, the purpose of the poem is to dive into what makes us human, keeping in mind the cycles of life. Hoping to highlight the daily as well as yearly cycles we all encounter, putting into perspective the one, hopefully long, cycle of life we are all living.
November 18th, 2019
The day started with a colorful, yet cold morning in Davenport, CA, just up the coast from my mailbox in Santa Cruz. Often, I would make the trek to watch the sunrise and seek out waves for dawn patrol, but the reality is often a foggy and waveless day. However, this morning was one of those special days.
Along the coast of California, an unassuming evening turned into an elegant evening blessed with a light show for sunset. The clouds moved overhead with the constant wind barraging the cliffs. I decided to grab my camera and go for a walk along the cliffs. Delighted to find several others along the same walking trail as me. We all smiled at each other and nodded towards the setting sun.
San Juanico is a small fishing village with a large surfing problem. Myth and legends are told among the surfing community of a mile-long ride from third point to first. Some have even gone on and said the link-up has been done from fourth peak… insane! The best part of this sleepy town, other than the surfing, is the beach camping.
Cerritos Beach is a rapidly growing surf oasis that is less touristy than Cabo and still a hidden gem. Only an hour away Cabo San Lucas, and 15 minutes from Todos Santos, Playa de Cerritos has great waves for surfing as well as safe surf for swimming. The laidback, low-key vibe draws surfers, ex-pats, and travelers from all over the world.
California is known for its beaches, sunsets over the ocean, and surf life. For the most part, any beach you visit will be amazing and the views will be out of this world, especially if you have not visited the coast before. However, if you are looking for some of the surfing gems along the coast, here are five spots throughout Southern California that are aesthetically pleasing with good surf!
Lake Tahoe, which borders the states Nevada and California, is known as an outdoor hub for those who love to ski, hike, climb, mountain bike, SUP, wake-board, backpack, and so much more! The endless opportunities for adventures draw weekend crowds that can double and even 10x the residential population. So, it is important to know where you are going and what you are looking for when you head towards this magical place. If you are looking for hiking suggestions, here are FIVE enjoyable yet challenging hikes for you!
Leaving behind my basecamp, I swung my boots out of the tent, buckled up my snow shoes, and shlepped my day pack over my shoulder. Filled with excitement and a good amount of fear—the winter and myself have not mixed well—I was on a photo mission. What was I trying to capture? A frozen Merced Lake reflection in the Yosemite wilderness.
My alarm went off at 5:00 am. At first, I groan, hit the snooze button, and rolled over. Then my mind took over, Are you going to waste this morning? Are you going to be lazy, or are you going to get up and get wet? Throwing back the sheets, the cold steals my comfort. Sitting on the edge of my bed with my head in my hands, stand up in three, two…
