Category Archives: Santa Barbara

Chumash Grinding Stone

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

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

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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John Haines On Pool Rock

Tafoni formations on Pool Rock. “John Haines, whose experience hunting, trapping and surviving as a homesteader in the Alaskan wilderness fueled his outpouring of haunting poetry of endless cold nights, howling wolves and deep, primitive dreams, died on Wednesday in … Continue reading

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Santa Barbara Courthouse

An iPhone photo of the northeast corner of the Santa Barbara Courthouse taken from my truck window while waiting at a red light.

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