No gain in keeping, no loss in weeding out. So said Pol Pot, speaking of his own people. Pol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge and the man responsible for one of the worst genocides of the 20th century. Pol Pot, a name I’d heard, yes, but knew embarrassingly little about. A precious gift of…
Overview In October 2016, I was lucky enough to spend almost three weeks camping and hiking with my best friend Karen. We met in Reno (having flown from Alaska and Oregon, respectively) and then worked our way from Yosemite down to Mt. Whitney before cutting east to finish up in Death Valley. We packed so…
After two full weeks of hiking the rugged Eastern Sierras, four days in Death Valley felt like a vacation from our vacation. Death Valley is humongous (3.4 million acres!) and we lazily explored the park, driving through its vast stretches accompanied by the Eagles and Jackson Browne. Though nature’s palette is muted here, it’s not limited…
In a span of three days I hiked amongst ancient Bristlecone Pines, toured Manzanar (a former Japanese internment camp), and explored the Alabama Hills. Visiting one right after the other naturally led to comparisons, and I was struck by their common thread: Beauty - and even triumph - in the face of extreme adversity. Great…
Yosemite is one of those bucket-list destinations, and I’m eternally grateful that my fist visit occurred late-season - the place was mobbed, even in October! I realize Karen and I did our part to add to the crowds, but sheesh, shouldn’t people be at work or in school or something?? Don’t misunderstand: I fell in…
I landed in Reno in early October primed and ready for a 3-week road trip with my best friend from high school. Though the original plan was to head south to Utah’s painted hills, Karen called an audible and switched things up. The Eastern Sierras hold a special place in her heart and the forecast…
I’m not sure why, but when I hear the words “ghost town” I immediately picture a Disney-esque, overly commercialized western town with a shooting gallery, old-timey photo booth, and Sarsaparilla for sale in the corner saloon. Bodie is the polar opposite. Purchased by the California State Parks in 1962, the town of Bodie is a…
Ahh, Mono Lake. Where oh where to start? First off, the name is pronounced ‘moan-oh’ (not ‘monno’ like the fatigue-inducing infectious disease). Second, when visiting, allow time for a sunrise trip to the lake, even if you’re not a morning person. Trust me, it’s worth it. Backing up, Mono is a lake due east of the town…
I visited the Pleasant Valley winery last summer and gave it a bum rap having been underwhelmed by the winemaking museum (a bit dated) and tastings (too sweet for my palate). What a difference a year - and a tour - makes. Or rather two tours: I visited with my friend Jill and liked it…
What is it about old wooden boats? Is it their simple elegance, wood varnished to a high gloss, gracefully cutting through the water, or the way they encapsulate an era, a tableau frozen in time reminding us of days gone by? Perhaps it’s the hard work poured into each and every one, a labor of…