Keep Calm and Glamp On: West Coast Road Trip - Part II

Special thanks to Bill and Pam for hosting me at Wanser Farm.  I had the most incredible experience, and I hope you'll have me back again!

... Continued from West Coast Road Trip - Part I

We arrived at Wanser Farm just before midnight on Thursday. The 100 year old farm was undergoing some updates, so we set up camp on the front lawn.  The next morning, I woke up to an alarm clock that went "cock-a-doodle-doo," and I stepped outside to behold our little piece of country paradise.  The brown palm trees painted on the side of the trailer reminded me of how far we’d come.  And yet, I felt perfectly at home.

Keep Calm and Glamp On: West Coast Road Trip - Part I

Aunt Jojo and the Pacific Ocean (Somewhere in Oregon)

Summer vacation is not just for kids, though I still consider myself a kid at heart.  I usually satisfy my wanderlust with weekend adventures near Los Angeles, but when my Aunt Jojo mentioned a road trip to a family farm in Snohomish, WA, I suddenly felt the need to explore far away places.

Right now was a perfect time for us to make this journey together.  Aunt Jojo's boyfriend Donnie passed away almost a year ago, and I'm still looking for love.  Though we have a lot in common, our differences compliment each other very well.  I like to plan everything from start to finish, and Jojo likes to go with the flow.  Jojo is a morning person, and I am an evening person.  Jojo grew up in the '70's, and I have a passion for seventies music.  We joked about meeting a father/son pair on the road, but we were just as happy with the two of us.

"B*tch, Don't Kill My Vibe"

Photo Cred: Justin Sullivan

I don't usually do adventure reruns, but last weekend, I just needed to get outside to clear my head, so I returned for a second hike to Murphy Ranch, an abandoned Nazi compound in the mountains of Los Angeles.

In 1933, Nazi sympathizers began construction on Murphy Ranch, Hitler's L.A. dream house.  The self-sustaining community had its own power plant, water tank, meat locker, bomb shelter and vegetable garden.  Original blueprints included plans for a four-story mansion with 22 bedrooms, five libraries and several dining rooms.  The compound was raided in 1941, sold and transformed into an artists' colony in the 60's and 70's.  The buildings were abandoned after the Mandeville Canyon Fire of 1978. (Curbed LA)

Today, the ruins can be accessed on a hike through Rustic Canyon.  My second hike to Murphy Ranch could not have been more different than the first.  In Los Angeles, seasonal change, Nazi ruins and secret waterfalls are real.  No Hollywood magic required.

Hike to Heart Rock Falls: A Love Story

Heart-shaped sunglasses for spotting heart-shaped waterfalls.

Somewhere in my closet, I have a valentine from my 5th grade crush with a lemon-flavored Lifesaver stuck to the back.  The front is a picture of a purple octopus next to the words, "You're My Main Squeeze."  Boy, I really wanted to be his main squeeze.  I didn't care that he gave the same valentine to every girl in the class.  But when he spoke to me, I forgot how to talk.  Also, I turned redder than a heart-shaped box of chocolates.

Since 5th grade, I've learned a few things: 1) don't go for the guy passing out valentines to every girl in the class, 2) red is totally my color, and 3) you don't need a sweetheart to get out and celebrate in the name of love.  How about a walk to a heart-shaped waterfall?

A Sand Castle for Giants

Shredding the Kelso Dunes

Over winter vacation, I found myself wanting to feel like a kid again.  I had two weeks off of “school”, and I was going to make the most of it.  Sledding is an activity that has the power to make the most serious grown-up feel like an eight-year-old.  You can do it in snow or on sand, and you don’t have to drive more than a few hours from Los Angeles to do both.  With that in mind, my sister sidekick and I set out on a two-part sledding adventure.

My Brother, The Pirate

My Brother, the Pirate

Since I began Shoestring Adventures, my brother Mike has been my mentor in trouble-making.  Every few weeks, he checks up on me to make sure I have at least one weekend adventure planned.  Mike knows about a lot of stuff, like how to read weather patterns and geological maps and how to predict the precise location of buried treasure.

So when Mike confided he had a treasure map that led to a secret pirate cave, I volunteered to join him on the expedition.  I had a moment of panic when I saw the actual treasure map, a crumpled pink Post-It with a freeway exit written on it.  Mike had to remind me that this was an adventure, and I just had to trust him.

A Perfect Day for a Wild Goat Chase

Mermaid Rachel

In late-September, my friend Rachel and I planned a leisurely hike to Three Pools Beyond Seven Falls in Santa Barbara.  Rachel is an exceptional adventure partner.  She encourages my crazy ideas.  She doesn't freak out when I lead her down an unbeaten path and tell her we may not end up anywhere.  She appreciates the little things, like leaves changing colors and the unusual texture of tree bark.  She doesn't think it's weird when I stick my nose in the air and fill my lungs with the smell of ancient eucalyptus trees.  She also makes these delicious hummus lettuce wraps that I really enjoy. 

Big Sur Jade Hunt: Beginner's Luck or Fool's Gold?

Beginner's luck or fool's gold?

For my Aunt Jojo.  One day, I hope we can take this trip together.
...

I've known my cousin Taylor since she was born. When she was in 2nd grade, my Aunt Jojo let me trim Taylor's bangs the day before class photos.  In this famous portrait, Taylor is wearing a mustard-colored turtleneck, and her bangs are cut straight across her forehead, about two inches above her eyebrows.  She looks more like a child actor in an episode of Star Trek than a second grader.  Fortunately, Taylor has forgiven me for destroying her 2nd grade image... or so I thought.

Taylor is now a grown up, living in Monterey, California.  When she told me she wanted to go jade hunting in Big Sur, I planned a road trip for the following weekend.  Before I arrived, she met an expert jade hunter at a Gangnam Style party.  She traded him surfing lessons for some insider tips on finding the precious green stone.

Anaconda Part V: Journey to the Secret Waterfalls

My brave little sister jumping off the secret waterfalls... for the 2nd time.

For months, my brother-in-law has been telling me tales about some secret waterfalls near Los Angeles.  Not just any secret waterfalls.  These waterfalls are guarded by killer bees and giant snakes.  If you are lucky enough to make it to the waterfalls alive, the reward is well worth the risk.  Not only can you jump off of one waterfall, but you can jump off of three... in a row!

The Last Poppy

The Last Poppy

I have this fantasy.  I am running through a field of golden poppies.  No shoes.  Just soft velvety flowers underneath my feet.  The skirt of my dress dancing in the breeze.  The sun hitting my face and the wind tossing my hair in every direction.

Reality check.  Running barefoot in a field is not pleasant.  There are rocks.  And snakes.  And last I checked, stepping on a California poppy is a punishable offense.

Once Upon a Time in the Desert

If only this house could talk.

As promised in my previous post, I'd like to tell you another story.  This one is about a magical fairy, a blue-bellied lizard, and house with eyes.

In February, I called my friend Stacey and told her I wanted to go on an adventure.  I met Stacey in preschool before I could count to ten.  She is a magical fairy, a yoga teacher, a vegan chef, a raw chocolatier, and a world traveler.

Stacey told me she was going to take me to a special place called Liberty Advance, a yoga retreat center near San Diego.  On that weekend, we would join a dozen teachers who had volunteered to do some maintenance on the retreat property.

When we arrived on a Friday night, I felt a little disoriented.  The light from my hi-beams led us down a dirt road for several miles.  When we reached the end of the road, the house greeted us with two glowing eyes that had been painted on the second story windows.