Tag Archives: Tales

Lost Valley and Castle Rock

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Jack Elliott

I spent ten hours wandering around up Lost Valley way and covered nearly 12 miles altogether winding and weaving around on and off trail here and there. I rolled into Nira Campground early Tuesday morning and nobody was around. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara County | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Hericium Mushrooms of Santa Barbara County

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Jack Elliott

I spotted a Hericium today growing on an oak log alongside a well used trail. Because there are so many different common names for Hericiums (Comb Tooth, Bear’s Head Tooth, Bearded Tooth, Lion’s Mane, Pom Pom, Hedgehog, Bearded Hedgehog . … Continue reading →

Posted in Ventura | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Don Victor Valley and Pine Canyon

Posted on January 29, 2011 by Jack Elliott

“. . .here, where there are still the silences and the loneliness of the earth before man, . . .” -Dick Smith With a high pressure system ensuring near perfect clear winter conditions—cloudless blue skies, mild temps with warmth in … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Jack O’Lanterns and Chanterelles

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Jack Elliott

I was out wanderin’ around the other day in the Santa Barbara backcountry and happened to be near a place where I know chanterelles grow. I had not planned on picking any mushrooms, but since I was so close I … Continue reading →

Posted in Santa Barbara | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Carrizo Plain Wildflowers: Temblor Range, San Luis Obispo County

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Jack Elliott

The Carrizo Plain was officially designated a National Monument a decade ago today on January 17, 2001. Vast. Silence. Perhaps no two words more aptly describe the Carrizo Plain. As I stopped the engine and stepped from my truck I … Continue reading →

Posted in San Luis Obispo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 25 Comments