Author Archives: Jack Elliott

Chumash Grinding Stone

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Jack Elliott

I found this Indian grinding stone or metate yesterday afternoon while on a hike in the Santa Barbara backcountry.

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The Ice Can Stove: A Brief History

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Jack Elliott

An uncommon version of an ice can stove fitted with a large chimney cap and a damper on the flue. In backcountry campsites scattered throughout the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties lie the rusty remains … Continue reading →

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Lazy Day in the Hills: A Canyon Hike Called Off

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Jack Elliott

View of the sunrise on my way up Figueroa Mountain and into Santa Barbara’s San Rafael Wilderness. I left the trailhead at 7 am, but was already back by 3 pm. Lack of sleep and fatigued combined with shriveled enthusiasm … Continue reading →

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Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: A Female Robinson Crusoe (1897)

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Map of California coast showing Santa Barbara Channel Islands In 1835, a ship set sail from San Nicolas Island off the California coast, 78 nautical miles south by southeast of Santa Barbara, and headed for the mainland forcibly removing the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Finding Frontier in the Forest Conquered

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Jack Elliott

“Superficially, the world has become small and known. Poor little globe of earth, the tourists trot round you as easily as they trot round the Bois or round Central Park. There is no mystery left, we’ve been there, we’ve seen … Continue reading →

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