I recently returned from an outstanding family trip to Southwest China. We visited the provinces of Sichuan and Yunnan. Both provinces border Tibet and are traditional crossroads. Yunnan is further south and borders Burma and Laos. Sichuan had many important…
Not all adventures turn out as planned. I recently hiked and packrafted Waddell Creek in Big Basin State Park. Big Basin is California’s oldest State Park. The 30+ mile Skyline to the Sea trail bisects Big Basin as it descends…
Pinnacles National Park is an excellent family camping destination for the spring & fall. The park is located ~100 miles south of San Francisco between the Central Valley & the Salinas Valley. Pinnacles protects volcanic peaks, accessible caves, interesting hikes,…
Packrafting Pescadero Creek is an ideal spot for my first packrafting adventure. First, Pescadero State Beach protects a unique ecosystem. The state beach & adjacent & Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve protect the mouth of Pescadero Creek, the largest marsh between…
Bay Area outdoors is outstanding, but few places provide a sense of wilderness. The Heritage Grove in Sam McDonald County Park is an exception. Visiting this first growth redwood tract feels remote despite being next to an accessible…
San Francisco Bay’s Angel Island served as a Native American hunting area, an Army Base, the West Coast Ellis Island, and a Nike Missile Base. Today, Angel Island is a California State Park. I recently backpacked ~2 miles with four…
Inflammatory headlines about Mexico dominate the headlines. Those headlines obscure the fact that Mexico is an extraordinary place to visit. Mexico City offers the best high altitude mountaineering in North America and many historic sites. I visited Teotihuacan, the Mexican…
Few things compare to watching ~1000 elephant seals cavort on a beach. Ano Nuevo State Preserves protects a large elephant seal rookery on the San Mateo County Coast. Docents host elephant seal walks from Dec 15 until March that can…
The Winter Outdoor Retailer Show showcases the latest in Gore-Tex jackets, bomber tents, and convertible boots. While most gear improves comfort and safety in the outdoors, the gear does not perform unless used outside. The Technology Hiker Gear of the…
2016 was another outstanding year for exploring the outdoors. Thank you to everyone that I’ve shared my love of the outdoors – through trips, posts, or conversations. Here’s a catalog of my 2016 trips. Family Adventures Most of my 2016…