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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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Recently Read
- The Sisquoc Falls: A Little Known Region in California Explored (1884)
- Old Mission Santa Barbara
- Save Old Mission Sycamore ... __ __ __ ...
- Eating Poison Oak
- Mugwort: A Natural Poison Oak Preventive
- Tarantula Mating Season, Santa Barbara County
- Indian Creek Waterfalls (Dick Smith Wilderness)
- Burro Schmidt Tunnel and Shanty (1906-1930s)
- Old Cold Spring Tunnel (1897)
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Latest Dispatches
- March of the Mustard; The Spread of Noxious Weeds
- Mark of Conquest II: Benchmark and Mortar
- Save Old Mission Sycamore … __ __ __ …
- Raking the Forest: Anderson, Trump, Kuyper
- Initials of J.D. Reyes (1907)
- Last California Grizzlies Seen In Santa Barbara National Forest? (1926)
- Eccentric Artifact, San Marcos Foothills Preserve
- Fog Drip Morels
- Naming Santa Barbara’s Modoc Road
- Mark of Conquest: Benchmark and Mortar
- Hat Tip to the Selfless Samaritans In Service to Others
- The Intelligence of Coyote Tobacco (Nicotiana attenuata)
- The Journey of a Root (1907) and Plant Intelligence
- Santa Barbara County Morels
- Hollyleaf Cherries Golden Morph
Lunar Phase
Tag Archives: Wilderness
The Economy of Direction and Sharing of Secret Places
Clouds over the Santa Ynez Mountains, December 14, 2024. Akin to the asperitas clouds of November, 2023. “Rumours circulate about entry points which might give access to unseen spaces. Secrets are jealously guarded, closely shared. The subculture has its subcultures. … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara
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Tagged Adventure, Anthropology, backcountry, Chumash, Hiking, Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Pictographs, Rock Art, Santa Barbara, Wilderness
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10 Comments
Mandalas Through the Looking Glass
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
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Tagged Chumash, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Mandalas, Native American, Nature, Pictographs, Rock Art, Santa Barbara, Wilderness
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Wild Strawberries, Santa Ynez Mountains
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.
Posted in Santa Barbara
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Tagged Foraging, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Nature, Public Lands, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wild Foods, Wild Strawberries, Wilderness
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Chief Matilija’s Poppy
We grew up hearing about Chief Matilija and his group of warriors who tried to fight off the ever-present armies. In the myth, the story goes on to tell of Chief Matilija’s daughter, Amatil, who was very much in love … Continue reading →
Posted in Santa Barbara
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Tagged Chumash, Hiking, Hiking (2), Los Padres National Forest, Native Americans, Nature, Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Mountains, Wilderness, wildflowers, Wildlife
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6 Comments
Jack Elliott's Santa Barbara Adventure 