Tag Archives: Native Americans

Eating Fire Roasted Yucca

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Jack Elliott

A yucca flower spike in full bloom. “There is a great deal of century plant of the species which the Mexicans call mescali. The mode of using it is as follows: they make a hole in the ground, fill it … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Backpacking, Camping, Chumash, Foraging, Hiking, History, Indians, Native Americans, Nature, Spanish Explorers, Traditional Knowledge, wildflowers, Yucca | 4 Comments

Of Soldiers and Warriors

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Nineteenth century U.S. cavalry. “Indians stay pretty much to the reservations anymore, where they belong. There’s no way of mixing the white race with the red. Too many differences.” Andy knew the differences all too well, for he had lived … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction | Tagged Cavalry, Historical Fiction, History, Indians, Native Americans, Old West, Soldiers, Tales, War, Writing | 1 Comment

Old Mission Santa Barbara

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Mission Santa Barbara, “Queen of the Missions,” was built in 1820. The original church was founded on December 4, 1786 and was the tenth mission built by the Spanish Franciscans in California. It was later rebuilt twice, its size increased … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged Architecture, California, Chumash, Churches, Franciscans, History, Indians, iPhoneography, Landmarks, Native Americans, Old Mission, Photos, Pics, Spanish | 2 Comments

Deal Canyon, Rancho Nuevo Canyon 17 Mile Day Hike

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Jack Elliott

The trail we hiked through California’s Dick Smith Wilderness. David Stillman and I recently hiked the Deal Canyon/Rancho Nuevo Canyon trails. Five years after the Zaca Fire destroyed most of the forest, with sooty deadfall logs lying about and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County, Ventura County | Tagged Adventure, Backpacking, Camping, Chumash, Dick Smith Wilderness, Hiking, Hiking (2), Indians, iPhoneography, Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Nature, Outdoors, Photos, Pics, Pictographs, Rock Art | 14 Comments

Making Soap From Yucca Video

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Jack Elliott

Here is a demonstration of some traditional Native American backcountry know-how on making soap from yucca (Yucca whipplei). It is, admittedly, esoteric knowledge that is obsolete in the current age of abundance where innumerable soap varieties are available in countless … Continue reading →