We have visited Palm Springs a number of times in January for the warm wintertime weather. The weather was what we had expected during the day each trip with temperatures in the high 70's and low 80's. In fact the town of Coachella (south of Palm Springs) recorded the nation's high temperature during one of our trips. We were staying with a group of 15 people in a time share condo. The condo was built against the base of a hill, and at night the … [Read more...]
Palm Springs, CA – Hikes
Indian Canyons are a must visit during any trip to Palm Springs. These canyons are located just south of downtown Palm Springs. From the 111 (called Palm Canyon Drive) take South Palm Canyon drive past Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium, past a number of apartment like complexes until you come to the toll both (marking the entrance to Indian Canyons). If you drive south on Palm Canyon drive, South Palm Canyon drive will simply veer off to … [Read more...]
Mt. Lassen, CA – Attractions
Bumpass Hell is a region of many hot mud pots, an area of geothermal activity. A trail leads from a parking lot in-between Sulfur Works and the Lassen Summit Trailhead. The trail to the sulfur works is about 2 miles one way. For the out and back hike - allow at least several hours. The trail is a good one. It begins fairly level and slowly climbs to a crest and then becomes somewhat steeper and drops down into a little valley where you will see … [Read more...]
Mt. Whitney, CA
Nowhere in California does the west feel more alive then in the Owens Valley. These are the quintessential landscapes that drew pioneers to this part of the country. With a dramatic backdrop of the state's most impressive mountains guiding one up and down the great 395, one is never far from inspiration. If there was a god of nature, she would live in this valley. If there was one small town we would live in at least seasonally, based on the … [Read more...]
Mt. Whitney, CA – Whitney Hike
Introduction When you first drive out of Lone Pine you will see several mountains that look very tall. In fact Lone Pine Peak to the far left of Whitney looks much taller then Whitney itself. This is an illusion stemming from the fact that Lone Pine Peak is much closer in the foreground. Lone Pine Peak in actuality is about 13,000 feet. Mt. Whitney is the spire situated on the right side of all the other sharp jagged spires. It is 14,494 feet … [Read more...]
Mt. Whitney, CA – Manzanar
Manzanar is located directly West of the 395, about 10 miles north of Lone Pine. Manzanar was the first of ten remote camps that in total held almost 120,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II. During its peak period over 10,000 people lived there. Over 600 barracks were built (organized into 36 blocks) along with recreation halls, a judo hall, a hospital, an orphanage, 3 schools, and a music hall. Now you can drive down … [Read more...]
Mt. Whitney, CA – Independance
Like Big Pine, Independence is a good starting point for various attractions in the surrounding area. This is the quintessential Eastern Sierra Nevada town - small, laid back and full of history. Oh and surrounded by the gorgeous Eastern Sierra Nevadas. Town features quiet residential neighborhoods with homes that date back decades. And some very historical buildings. It is also the county seat for Inyo. And was the home to noted author Mary … [Read more...]
Mt. Whitney, CA – Lone Pine
Lone Pine is a small town of about 2000 people with one stoplight in the entire town. Its most well known for three things; gateway to the Alabama Hills, a popular location for filming movies, television shows and commercials and home of the Whitney Portal Road leading to the Mt. Whitney trail head (this road starts in town). Incidentally Mt. Whitney was first climbed by three residents of Lone Pine on August 18, 1873. The town also offers … [Read more...]
Spokane, WA – Spokane City
Spokane is located 18 miles from the Idaho border and 110 miles from the Canadian border. Spokane is located in a unique area because within a short drive of the city travelers can be in the pines and beauty of Coeur d' Alene, desert terrain, snow skiing in the winter or traveling among a sea of farms. The city is protected by the Cascade mountains from the wetter weather experienced to the west in Seattle and along the coast of Washington. As a … [Read more...]
Santa Rosa, CA – Wineries
Sonoma County, while not the first destination in the state for growing commercial grapes (that being in Los Angeles County), is certainly one of the state's most historical viticultural regions and posseses a heritage that the county does not necessarily promote as much as they should. While not the first wineries founded in the state, two of the oldest ones still in existence are both in Sonoma Valley - Buena Vista (dating from 1857) and the … [Read more...]
