Tag Archives: Camping

SPAM, Backcountry Delicacy Par Excellence

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Jack Elliott

“. . . the mouthwatering taste of SPAM® Classic seasoned with black pepper. It’s a delicious dream come true.” In a previous entry I dubbed the Santa Barbara County original, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, “a nutritionist’s nightmare, a glutton’s godsend.” Well, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Cooking, Food, Hiking, Hiking (2), San Rafael Peak, Sespe Wilderness, SPAM, Writing | 6 Comments

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Afternoon reflections on a deep pool, which would be a lot deeper, as the mineral stain on the rock shows, were it not for the current droughty conditions. Hericium mushrooms are one of the subtle signs of annual change in … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora, Santa Barbara | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Foraging, Hericiums, Hiking, iPhoneography, Mushrooms, Nature, Photos, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wildcraft | 4 Comments

Ballard Camp, Figueroa Mountain

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Jack Elliott

La Jolla Trail Trail through the oak trees. Dropping into Birabent Canyon on La Jolla Trail. A U.S. Forest Service stove at Ballard Camp, which was presumably named after the nearby town of Ballard or its namesake, W. N. Ballard, … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged Backpacking, Ballard Camp, Camping, Campsites, Figueroa Mountain, Hiking, iPhoneography, Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Photos, Pics | Leave a comment

A Goofy Guerilla Camp, Cedar Creek

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Along Cedar Creek Trail While ranging off trail recently I came across a bootleg camp along a small spring-fed tributary of Cedar Creek in Sespe Wilderness. It was situated right in the creek. Branches and fallen trees had been lashed … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura County | Tagged Backpacking, Campgrounds, Camping, Cedar Creek, Hiking, Hiking (2), Photos, Sespe Wilderness | 2 Comments

Finding Clarity and Perspective in the Wilderness

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Jack Elliott

Castle Rock, San Rafael Wilderness Concerns in the wilderness revolve around basic necessities not luxuries. Removal from the busy, overstocked urban realm and immersion in the sparse serenity of pristine nature reduces life to an elemental state. Such experience trims … Continue reading →