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“He may be just a tramp, a guy that likes to roam about this great country without any special aim, just to thank the Lord for these beautiful mountains.”
-B. Traven, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
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“. . .here, where there are still the silences and the loneliness of the earth before man, . . .”
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- Wild Cucumber, Trout and Pictographs
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Latest Dispatches
- Native American Trout Gutter
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- Return To Scene Of Lion Standoff
- Los Padres Forest Association Backs Forest Closure
- Mountain Lion Standoff, Santa Ynez Mountains
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- Firefighters Save the Old Oak, San Marcos Preserve
- Wild Iris Bloom, Santa Ynez Mountains
- Claw Marks In the Tiny Tank
- Hiking Is Not A Crime; Done Dirty By Diktat
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- County Dumps Debris In Sensitive Habitat Off-Limits To Recreational Spearfishermen
- Hiking Is Not A Crime; Bull Moose and Titmouse
- Hiking is Not A Crime, Let Forest Be Thy Medicine
- Bald Eagle, Gaviota Coast
Clint Elliott in Costa Rica
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Category Archives: Santa Barbara County
Chumash Rock Art, Santa Barbara County
These Chumash paintings show little wear from the elements over the last several decades. They are presented here without alteration, but for a slight intensification of the existing natural color. They measure roughly about twelve inches in length. The pictographs … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara County
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Tagged Archaeology, Art, Chumash, History, Indians, Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Pictographs, Rock Art, Travel
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6 Comments
Mollisol Meadow
“Maybe 7% of the landscape across the world is mollisol.” -Dr. John Reganold, Professor of Soil Science and Agroecology, Washington State University “Mollisols (from Latin mollis, ‘soft’) are the soils of grassland ecosystems. They are characterized by a thick, dark … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara County
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Tagged backcountry, Backpacking, Camping, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Pics, Santa Barbara, Travel, Wilderness
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9 Comments
Gooseberry Wildcraft
California gooseberry illustration from Pacific Rural Press (1873). “The California wild gooseberry, red variety (Ribes menziesii), is certainly a desirable variety, and is said to be superior to crabapples for jellies, etc. The plant is exceedingly ornamental when loaded with … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara County
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Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Foraging, Gooseberries, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Outdoors, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wildcrafting
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11 Comments
Wildcrafted Salad
Miner’s lettuce (Claytonia perfoliatum) growing in profusion along a shady bank of Alder Creek in the Santa Ynez Mountains of Santa Barbara County. Skills Are Weightless “You have to travel light. . . And you have to be self-reliant. . … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara County
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Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Foraging, Herbs, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Santa Barbara, Wildcraft, wildflowers
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4 Comments
Fritillaria Ojaiensis, Rare Wildflower
A single Fritillaria ojaiensis growing along Fremont Trail in the Santa Ynez Mountains. This photo is from early spring 2014. This variety of lily is endemic to California. It’s listed by the California Native Plant Society (CNPS) as being rare … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara County
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Tagged Flora, Fritillaria ojaiensis, Hiking, Hiking (2), iPhoneography, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Photos, Rare Plants, Santa Ynez Mountains, wildflowers
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5 Comments
Jack Elliott's Santa Barbara Adventure 