r e f r e s h

Mountain lakes. There might not be anything better in the entire world. 

witchy vibes in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree at sunset just begs for some witchy vibes. All black everything, a big floppy hat, and a a matte black skull? Obviously. All we needed was a rattle snake, but thankfully, they stayed away. Most likely due to the fact that I ever-so-nonchalantly made lots of unnecessary noise and chatter with each step I took...I'm currently listening to the Wild audio book, and am more aware than ever that we're living in their territory. And that my own survival skills are slightly lacking. 

I am very happy to add another National Park to my list; I had never seen Joshua Tree before, and Evan hadn't visited since he was 13 on a trip from Alaska, so we had a wonderful, sun-soaked adventure through the cacti. Many more photos to share. 

p.s.: the skull is now hanging safely in our living room, and was my birthday gift to Evan from Near & Deer. 

my perf day

I think we've officially acclimated to California. 

To continue our tradition of taking a New Years Day adventure, and to search for snow after a few days of blessed rain, we headed up highway 2 until we found our own little winter oasis. And we were so happy. And so cold. We may have gotten a little bit soft in this gorgeous LA climate of ours. Thankfully we had our new blanket from Give Perf, a thoughtful Christmas gift from Evan's sister, which I kept around me at all times. We've been eyeing these blankets on instagram for a while now, and I now cuddle up in it every evening to read or Netflix. We love that they give 15% of profits to charity, too. There's nothing better than a company that considers bettering the world around us to be an integral part of doing business. Except maybe these mountain roads.  

e x p l o r e : los padres

We fiiiinally got to do a california camping trip last weekend, and it was really just what we needed. after a gorgeous two hour drive out of LA through orange groves, nut trees, and desert mountains, we settled at near-deserted campground in the los padres national forest (pro tip: go camping on the sunday after the 4th of july--everyone already had to head home), grilled corn on the cob over the fire, and had the most relaxing evening camped next to a stream. The next morning we explored highway 33 for a few hours, winding along the tops of mountains and stopping to climb along rocks with the scurrying lizards and cooler mountain air. We had another search for water (in the midst of California's awful drought) as we hiked along what is usually the Sespe River in the hot hot heat--we crossed dry stream bed after dry stream bed and things got a liiiittle rough until we finally found the promised oasis and could swim with the turtles and fish. We didn't want to drive back to the real world. I'd still #ratherbecamping. 

ps: here's a look at our weekend (and some practice at filming + editing by yours truly)

e x p l o r e : secret sea caves

One thing (of many) my boyfriend is really good at is finding new adventure spots that few people know about. Even when it's in my city and it's my turn to find the adventure--he's just so much better at it. Last weekend we raced against the incoming tide to explore this hidden sea cave in Point Loma, and the view was more than worth the wet shoes and (my) fear of the unstable cliffs high above us. There's something beautifully mystical about places where you can only be when the tide is low; it's as if nature is allowing us to see only her beauty but only when she says we may. Just another reminder that man doesn't control the earth, we just live among it. 

adventure in your neighborhood

Discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes. 

Marcel Proust

With a beautiful beach ten blocks from our front door, it's not hard to stay right in our own neighborhood. But there are so many gorgeous places within & close to San Diego to explore! So in 2014, lots of adventuring in our own neighborhood will commence. Starting with Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, a long gorgeous strip of bluffs & cliffs stretching out over the coast. There are caves etched out by the waves and pristine beaches accessible only by treacherous, steep paths--only taken by surfers and a few other brave souls--and I'm returning for a sunset as soon as possible. 

Cheers to new adventures, right where you are.