This past weekend took us back up north of Sacramento for another adventure on the American River. We had planned on returning since our last trek in 2018, however the Covid pandemic put a pin in those plans. So we were excited to finally be able to make it back up in May 2023. Coloma,… Continue reading Whitewater Rafting on the American River
After sitting for the school counseling praxis exam this past Saturday, I enjoyed a beautiful hike on a clear bright blue-sky day. I just happened to be in San Bernardino County, which had the closest testing center with availability on that date. So after completing the test, I continued about eight miles northeast and headed… Continue reading North Etiwanda Preserve
Enjoying the cool mist from the Brown Mountain Dam waterfall The wild weather of the past several months in California is yielding some lovely results. While technically not a 'superbloom' in many areas, the superfluity of water has sprouted many beautiful blooms across verdant hills in southern and central California. I enjoyed the drive up… Continue reading Wild Winters Melt into Springs
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes Death Valley is a desert landscape of countless natural wonders. From the vast salt flats and the lowest point in North America and the rugged canyons carved by erosion from uplifted rock material, there are many opportunities for geological exploration and recreation. There are also sand dunes, thanks to wind erosion.… Continue reading Death Valley: Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
As mentioned in the Death Valley introductory post, Death Valley is a land of superlatives. The temperatures can be extreme, the dryness is extreme, and the difference between the highest point in the park and the lowest point is over 11300 feet. Badwater Basin, at 282 feet below sea level, is the lowest point in… Continue reading Death Valley: Hitting New Lows
The Cranky Camper 