I’ve been fascinated by bears for as long as I can remember. I’ve hiked dozens of times through bear country in various places, but I’d never actually seen one up […]
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Tag: california
Mammoth Lakes’ Earthquake Fault: A Mind-Blowing Natural Wonder
Every now and then, you stumble into one of those unexpected geological surprises when you’re exploring a new place—and that’s exactly what the Earthquake Fault was for me. It’s this […]
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Exploring Devils Postpile National Monument, A Geological Wonder in California
Devils Postpile National Monument is one of the most fascinating geological sites in the Mammoth Lakes region—just one of several natural wonders packed into this area. It had been on […]
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The California Hot Spring Locals Love—but Most Travelers Completely Miss
If you’re exploring this corner of California, there’s a hot spring that’s surprisingly easy to reach and even easier to fall in love with. Set in a wide open valley […]
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What I Learned from My Misogi Challenge — and Why You Should Try One
The Misogi (禊) Challenge comes from an old Japanese idea about cleansing yourself — not just physically, but mentally. Traditionally, people would stand under a cold waterfall or step into […]
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A Tree That Smells Like Butterscotch—and Survives the Harshest Slopes
If you’ve ever walked through the Sierra Nevada and caught a sudden whiff of warm butterscotch or vanilla, you might’ve met a Jeffrey pine. These towering evergreens are some of […]
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Tasting One of California’s Best Sandwiches at a 100-Year-Old Bakery
One of my favorite parts about living full-time on the road is stopping in different towns and checking out their local bakeries. I usually go for something sweet—some kind of […]
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This Slice of California Rivals New England Fall Foliage (It’s Peaking Right Now)
We’ve chased fall colors all over the U.S., from blazing maples in New England to golden aspens in Colorado. So when I heard there were leaf-peeping opportunities in California, I […]
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Relaxing at Shepherd Hot Springs: A Mammoth Lakes Escape
If you’re heading out from Mammoth Lakes, Shepherd Hot Springs is one of the easiest and most relaxing spots to hit up. It’s tucked into the Long Valley Caldera, just […]
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Visiting California’s Little Yellowstone: Hot Creek’s Steaming Rivers and Hidden Geysers
Growing up on the Gulf Coast of Texas, geothermal activity wasn’t exactly part of the scenery. (Unless you count sweating through August, which I don’t.) It wasn’t until I started […]
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