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.

"Line Dancing is the Ugly Girl's Dance"

A couple of two-steppers at the Cowboy Palace Saloon

I grew up in the small town of Chatsworth, California.  You may know Chatsworth as the porn capital of the world, but I know it as the sleepy suburban horse town where the hottest nightlife is a bar called the Cowboy Palace.  Unfortunately, I moved away from Chatsworth before turning 21, so I never got to experience the Cowboy Palace.  So for my sister Kyrsti’s birthday, I decided it was time to go back.

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.

I Was A Girl Scout Dropout

2012 Shoestring Adventures

I was a Girl Scout dropout.  I started my own club instead.  It consisted of three members, and each of us held high-ranking positions in the organization. 

Our first order of business was to decide on a name.  My suggestion “Perennial Peace” was overruled by our babysitter, who said it sounded like the name of a funeral home.  So we agreed on “Perennial Friendship”.  My grandmother had just taught me the different types of flowering plants, and to me, perennial was the way to go.  Flowers all day, every day.  Friendship too.

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.

Do Some Good: Get in the Kitchen

I had to crop my hairnet out of this photo.

I invented at least three new dance moves during the writing of this blog post.  OK, so maybe I didn’t actually invent the “Stanky Leg,” but these moves look pretty sweet when I do them in front of the mirror and no one is looking.  But before I reveal too much, let me tell you how I ended up at this dance party for one.