Tag Archives: Hiking (2)

Initials of J.D. Reyes (1907)

Posted on June 18, 2025 by Jack Elliott

J.D. Reyes served the length of his duty as a United States Forest Service ranger, from 1900 to 1931, in Santa Barbara National Forest, later renamed Los Padres several years after his retirement. When his family first settled in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, Anthropology, backcountry, Caves, Hiking, Hiking (2), History, J.D. Reyes, Los Padres National Forest, United States Forest Service, Wilderness | 5 Comments

Hat Tip to the Selfless Samaritans In Service to Others

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Jack Elliott

Pope Francis died this morning, Easter Monday. An incredible date for such a man to pass on. The extraordinary event called to mind the deaths of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the second and third presidents of the United States, … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Adventure, backcountry, Backpacking, Hiking, Hiking (2), Landscapes, Los Padres National Forest, Outdoors, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness | Leave a comment

Santa Barbara County Morels

Posted on April 12, 2025 by Jack Elliott

Morel growing under a coast live oak tree with California poppies. (April 2025) Related Post: March is For Morels

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Foraging, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Morels, Mushrooms, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, Wildlife | 3 Comments

Mandalas Through the Looking Glass

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Jack Elliott

I lay simmering in a scalding hot puddle beneath a gurgling pipe, heart fluttering, riding a rocket of euphoria fueled by endorphins, winter’s slanted morning light illuminating Condor National Forest in an apricot radiance. Beads of stinky spring water on … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Chumash, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Mandalas, Native American, Nature, Pictographs, Rock Art, Santa Barbara, Wilderness | Leave a comment

Wild Strawberries, Santa Ynez Mountains

Posted on June 27, 2024 by Jack Elliott

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forest, the wild mountain strawberries ripened. Strawberries and poison oak. Santa Barbara strawberries. The sweet depth of flavor is among the richest, if only but a bit.