The middle of nowhere. This phrase is used a bit too loosely these days. Apparently anything outside of the big city is considered “nowhere”. The drive between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is often referred to in this way. Hundreds … Read More
Despite many years of countless trips to Palm Springs, I had never taken the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the canyon. I suppose that I wrote it off as a typical overpriced tourist activity that would not have interested me. … Read More
Joshua Tree sits at an elevation of 2,767 feet in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. Despite its population of just around 6,500, Joshua Tree holds the dubious honor of increasing popularity for tourism, mostly due to its positioning as … Read More
Another Sunday, late afternoon in August. I finish some yard work, fill my backpack with bottles of water, get in the car and head out to Chatsworth. I’m there in 15 minutes. I park and step out into the heat—it’s … Read More
Ahead of a recent hike up San Gorgonio, I found myself checking the weather forecasts obsessively. The mountain forecasts were predicting “possible” thunderstorms for the day of my hike and I was nervous. I was on a tight schedule that … Read More
Porter Ranch sits on the northern edge of the San Fernando Valley in the city of Los Angeles. The neighborhood begins on the valley floor and climbs into the foothills of the Santa Susana Mountains. The new home construction of … Read More
One of the least appreciated features of Southern California may be the Pacific Ocean itself. That may sound absurd to many; surely, the west coast is famous for its beautiful coastal hot spots from Santa Barbara down to San Diego, … Read More
Heading north on Highway 23 from the 118, my palms begin to sweat a little as I glance over at the steep drop off to my left. I drive higher and higher up the incline, nervously noting the lack of … Read More
Sprawling cities cut through the mountain ranges that spread out across the land. Low and high deserts to the coastal cliffs. Over three million acres of forest stretching up between it all. Dusty and desolate desert cities to the tree … Read More