On a winter visit to Indio, we explored the East Indio Hills Badlands. The rocky formations were created by millennia of deposition, geologic uplift, and erosion, and today make a fun low-key adventure not far from desert resorts. In this post, I share our morning adventure, along with some safety considerations for desert hikes.
We return to Shoemaker Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains to explore the spooky Cold War-era escape tunnels. The project was abandoned, but the tunnels remain a testament to a time gone by marked by fear and hysteria. In this post are trail conditions at time of writing and safety considerations.
Under a cover of clouds and precipitation, the 137th Tournament of Roses Parade kicked off 2026 in Pasadena, California. Celebrating 'The Magic in Teamwork,' floats pay tribute to themes of community, friendship, collaboration, and resilience. We wish you a hopeful and blessed new year.
We are thankful for our kooky family, including our five bunnies. In this post, we share Oliver, Scout, and Pippa, and their stories of love and resilience. We wish for you hope and light this Thanksgiving, with love from The Cranky Camper family.
After a rainy couple weeks in November, we enjoyed a half-day adventure hiking and wine tasting in Agua Dulce.
The Cranky Camper 