Snow camping in California is easiest in April, and perfect for our first family & Cub Scout snow camping trip. California April days are longer & warmer while snow still covers the high country. Our destination is Grass Lake near…
Patagonia, Bariloche, & Nuhuel Huapi
In August 2018 I visited Patagonia, a bucket list location for me. I was in Buenos Aires for work with a few extra days. I researched the most beautiful and accessible places in Argentina & Chile. Bariloche is the largest…
Comfort in Uncomfortable Places: Arc’teryx Stanford Center Presentation
On February 27, 2020, I participated in an Arc’teryx Stanford Center store event focused on how individuals find comfort in uncomfortable places in the outdoors, at work, or at home. The store invited Daphne de Jong (climbed Everest 2019, to…
Elk, Coyotes, & Owls at Tomales Point in Point Reyes National Seashore
Tomales Point Trail in Point Reyes National Seashore is the best place to watch land based wildlife in the Bay Area. The Tule Elk Preserve protects 300+ elk. Bring your telephoto lense and binoculars as the grasslands make it easier…
Six Best Bay Area Migration Wildlife Hikes
The Bay Area in winter is a magnet for migrating birds, whales, seals, and ladybugs. Winter foliage & colder temperatures make it easier to spot year round residents. CA State Parks, East Bay Regional Parks, City of Palo Alto Parks, POST,…
#Tokyosnow Photo Essay on Woolx Journal
I recently visited Tokyo for a worktrip. During my stay, Tokyo had its biggest snow in over four years and coldest temperatures in over 40 years. Enjoy my photo essay of Tokyo Snow (drift) featured on the Woolx Journal. The…
Ladybugs & Redwoods in Redwood Regional Park – World Class Family Hike
Thousands of ladybugs descend upon Redwood Regional Park in the Oakland Hills in winter. The ladybugs spend their November to February in the warmest, moistest areas. In late December along with a few other families, we hiked ~3 miles roundtrip…
Cycling & Hiking Big Sur along CA 1 without Cars
Visiting the Big Sur delivers a unique experience due to limited access. Landslides, fires, and floods buffeted the region over the last 12 months. CA 1 Northern auto access is closed to a bridge outage at Big Sur. Southern access…
My Mexico Ixta Climb Featured on Woolx
Enjoy this photo essay of my Mexico climb on the Woolx website – link is below. If you’d like to read more about my Woolx experience, please read my recent review. #woolxinaction Photo Essay – Climbing Iztaccihuatl
Why live a life that’s perceived as mad – #questionmadness
Why live a life that’s perceived as mad? This summer I stood at over 15,000 feet in a thunderstorm on a Mexican volcano. Twelve hours previously, I slept soundly in my Bay Area home at sea level. With thunder cascading…