american west, california, Camping, Hiking, national parks, outdoors, safety, traditions, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Hall of Horrors and Teddy Bears

In honor of Junior Ranger Day, we spent a lovely spring Saturday in Joshua Tree National Park. We explored more of the park, visiting the popular rock formation called Hall of Horrors and hiked among the interesting desert plants of the Cholla Cactus Garden.

american west, california, coffee, Family, Hiking, outdoors, safety, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Adventure and Misadventures in Calaveras County

Calaveras Big Trees State Park is a magical setting in the snow. Unfortunately, driving in a snowstorm can prove futile and even dangerous if caught unawares.

american west, california, Camping, Hiking, outdoors, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Yosemite Adventures: Wapama Falls

With photos and story-telling, the Cranky Camper describes the hike from O'Shaughnessy Dam to the famed Wapama Falls in Yosemite's Hetch Hetchy Valley.

Beaches, Camping, Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Food, Hiking, Historical sites, holidays, outdoors, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, wine, wine and drink, writing

Where Sand Meets Sea: the Costa Brava

The sunny shores of Baeleric Sea, part of the Mediterranean, enjoy relatively mild weather, even late in the year. The Cranky Camper visits the Costa Brava, Spain's northern 'rough coast.' At the end of this post is a bonus recipe for sangria.

Europe and the United Kingdom, Historical sites, history, holidays, Opinion, outdoors, Style, traditions, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Beachy Winter Travels: Catalonia

The first in a five-part series, the Cranky Camper introduces her experiences traveling in the Catalonia region of Spain as well as southern France during the Christmas holidays.