Reverence and Reflection on a Sunday Morning Hike

 

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.” 

~ John Muir

  
Just up the street from our home in California we have discovered a quiet little wilderness area called Canyon Park. Nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains just minutes from the 210 freeway and a bustling city it is an eighty-acre refuge offering hiking trails, a nature center, places to enjoy a picnic and the waterfall that was our destination this morning. The park literature explains how volunteers opened the park in 1911 but I couldn’t help imagining what it must have been like for the visitors who happened upon the canyon in the 1800’s.

 

The serene peacefulness of a Sunday morning seemed like the perfect time for us to explore this cathedral of nature located in our own backyard. Right after breakfast we made our way up the hill and into the canyon. The ranger who greeted us at the gate provided us with a map, a parking pass and trailhead information.

 We walked to the trailhead in the dappled sunlight breathing in the sweet scents of the forest, smiling and holding hands, happy to have found this sanctuary. It quickly became evident how well loved and well known this community park is. We shared the trail with families, couples, dogs and visitors from as far away as England and Asia, all cheerily greeting one another with hellos and well wishes as we navigated the path.

 

The one-mile trail to the waterfall is just one part of a much bigger trail, a portion of which is closed to hikers as a result of a fire. I enjoy hiking but, I would put myself in the beginner to intermediate classification  and I pick my trails accordingly. This was what I would consider an easy trail. The trip to the falls is mostly uphill on a grade. It was a good workout but I had no difficulties with the rise in elevation or crossing the water on the stones nestled in the streambed.

 

Before too long we had arrived at the thirty-foot spring fed waterfall. A small crowd milled around taking photos and enjoying the sight and sound of the water as it pooled at our feet. The water was as clear as any I’d seen and our fellow hikers hopped back and forth across the rocks in the sparkling streambed balancing children, puppies and cameras. I knew at that moment we were all sharing in the wonder of this beautiful little waterfall tucked away in a small corner of Los Angeles County.

 

We completed the hike in about an hour and fifteen minutes, which included several stops along the way for photographs. We could have continued along the trail past the waterfall if time had allowed but unfortunately today it did not.  

As I walked along the trail I thought it fitting to spend Sunday Morning in this spectacular forest. I was a member of the congregation in God’s own cathedral. Wherever I travel I’m always humbled and moved by the beauty of our natural spaces. It is my hope that we all will in the midst of our busy hectic lives pause and seek out similar places of refuge and renewal in our own backyards.

The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

 "Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were making ships"  ~Charles Simic

The Piedras Blancas (White Rocks)

       We generally don’t pass a lighthouse without stopping in to meet the keepers and learn a bit about the local history.  How is it then that despite years of numerous adventures along the California coast we had never stopped to explore the Piedras Blancas lighthouse?  Perhaps we had been in a delightful rut. After visits to our favorite beaches, quaint towns, wildlife sanctuaries and wineries the time move on invariably arrives. We tend to head north en route to Big Sur, Monterey and Carmel enjoying the spectacular views as we time after time pass the lighthouse. 

     While researching our Memorial Day road trip I happened upon the lighthouse website and discovered that docent led tours of the historic buildings and the nature preserve were being offered by the bureau of Land Management three day per week. I immediately decided to make time to explore this landmark. 

The fog signal house assists ships when the lighthouse is difficult to see

        We met our guide on a cool central coast Saturday morning at the old abandoned Piedras Blancas hotel about a mile and a half north of the lighthouse property. We checked in and formed a convoy of about ten cars that followed the ranger’s lead car through the gate. A faint foggy marine layer still clung to coast as we assembled but, the sun quickly burned it off and left us with a crisp clear morning for our tour. As we were led to the parking area it became clear that there was more to see here than just a lone building. This was a complete compound featuring several out buildings, a nature walk and wildlife preserve.

The Spiral Staircase leading up to the top of the lighthouse was off limits and therefore quite tempting  

     The lighthouse was built in the late 1800’s and sits on 19 acres along the pacific ocean about six miles north of Hearst Castle.  It has recently been painted and refurbished and is even more impressive up close than it was from a distance.  Our guide entertained us with tales of what life was like for longtime lighthouse keeper Captain Lorin Thorndike. We were encouraged  to examine the many displays of Thorndike's personal items which gave us a glimpse of lighthouse life. We went on to learn about how Fresnel lights work and discovered that the original light has been replaced but, can now be seen on the main street of the neighboring town of Cambria. The tour continued with a stop at the fog house and finally a short talk on efforts being made to replenish the local otter and seal population.

The Fresnel light is now located in nearby Cambria

       After the first portion of the tour ended we set off on our nature walk. Tremendous efforts have been made to remove invasive nonnative plants from the acreage. They were installed with good intentions but their proliferation had a ripple effect and soon native birds and animals left the area. They have been successful in reinstalling native plants and are now seeing a rebound in native fauna as well.

     The waters off the craggy coast are teeming with wildlife and we stopped often along the trail to enjoy their beauty. The abundance of kelp provides a haven for sea otters and we were able to see quite a few playing in the morning sun. It is impossible to miss the scores of elephant seals and harbor seals that have since the early nineties established their rookery along theses protected shores. They are massive sometimes weighing upwards of 5000 pounds.   

      I was impressed at just how informative this tour was. The volunteers really seek to give visitors a comprehensive overview and instill an understanding about the importance of preserving the history, wildlife and natural plants of the central coast.  If you ever find yourself exploring this part of California plan a morning to discover the Piedras Blancas lighthouse for yourself. Take the tour; watch the waves break against the rocks and marvel at the animals that call the coast home. It made me wonder just how many hidden treasures we overlook on familiar routes because we are focused on something else. It's exciting to imagine all that is yet to be discovered in even the most familiar places.

  

   

Twisted Oak: Meeting El Jefe On Our Calaveras County Wine March

     

     Exploring Calaveras county on the road from Angels camp to Murphys one could sneeze while driving along Hwy 4 and bypass the historical town of Vallecito California. That would be a mistake because it might cause you to miss visiting the Twisted Oak winery on Red Hill Road.  

A sign on this building guides you up Red Hill Road to Twisted Oak

     A few weeks ago we traveled to Vallecito to meet with Twisted Oak Winery owner Jeff Stai, see his vineyards and taste his wine. The private road that led us up to the tasting room wound through the property taking us ever higher and afforded us a bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside. As our car rounded the first turn up the hillside we found ourselves in what Jeff Stai refers to as the “Rubber Chicken” national forest and we knew immediately that we would be very fond of Jeff. At each bend in the road clever whimsical road signs marked our journey making us laugh and giving us some insight as to the unique wine tasting experience we were about to encounter.

     The Twisted oak tasting room is like no other I have seen. It is not the sterile, modern, minimalist, yearning to be chic style and it is not the cottage, homespun but elegant grape logo encrusted style either. It’s the comfortable, barn like, rustic, rubber chicken, pirate style and proud of it. There are rubber chickens everywhere, for sale, as décor and as a catalyst for conversation and laughter. I believe Jeff got it right; wine, conversation and laughter are a natural pairing. While it is impossible miss the rubber chickens that grace the tasting room, it is also impossible to miss the wall displaying the ribbons, awards and accolades bestowed on Twisted Oak wines. Jeff seems to place a high value on the whimsical lighthearted joy of not taking life too seriously but make no mistake; he takes the art of producing top quality fine wines very seriously. He is true to his values and I respect that he honors all of who he is in making his business a success. 

Rubber chicken and award winning wines find a home at Twisted Oak

      The tasting began, as all tastings should, with head pats, ear scratches and belly rubs. Before the first sip of viognier touched our lips we paused to visit with the beautiful and charming wine dog, Garnacha Blanca (Nacha for short). Nacha took to us right away, as we looked to be the type of people who rub dog bellies and might accidentally drop a cracker on the floor.
 

      The relaxed atmosphere of the tasting room encouraged us to take time with each pouring. Discussing the agricultural aspects of the wines with Jeff helped us to appreciate the subtleties of the terroir that make these wines their own. A few of my favorite selections were the crisp dry Grenache Blanc with fruit and citrus notes that I knew would be a perfect summer wine. I also enjoyed the potty Mouth Red a beautiful Rhône style blend of Grenache syrah and mourvedre. I thought it had a nice spiciness combined with rich plum and berry flavors. I found the Tempernillo bold and rich with elements of cherry, tobacco and a bit of spice. I remember thinking how good this wine would be with John’s pork tenderloin recipe.

     Our first introduction to the wines of Calaveras County was a smashing success. We found beautifully crafted wines offered at what we considered to be extremely reasonable prices. If you ever find yourself driving through Vallecito California stop in to Twisted Oak Winery, pet the dog, check out the rubber chickens, taste the excellent wine and say hello to Jeff (El Jefe) Stai. 

Lake Arrowhead And Big Bear: Playing In Our Own Backyard

Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers ~George Carlin

     

 I’ve always heard people speak of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear as a playground for the Los Angeles outdoor set. In all our time here we had never taken the opportunity to explore these iconic mountaintop resort areas. When I did my trip research I found out that the area had been home to the Serrano Indians over 2000 years ago and that Ben Wilson of Mt Wilson fame had found his way here in the 1840's. I realized that we were living within a couple of hours of both resorts. When Californians tell you that on any given day they can ski in the morning and surf in evening they are not exaggerating. Within a three hour period one can descend from Snow Valley resort and arrive at Santa Monica pier to play in the waves and sip a fruity cocktail on the beach.

   We decided to take a day trip up to Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear to see these legendary California landmarks for ourselves. Just off the 210 freeway near Fontana we turned north and headed up the I30 highway. As we climbed up through the San Bernardino Forest we were treated to fantastic far reaching views. The haze muted the colors of the mountains making them seem ethereal and almost magical. The winding road continued and finally we were led to the turnoff for Lake Arrowhead village.

 

 

     The parking area was surrounded by shops and looked a bit like the typical ski villages that spring up in resort towns to service the après ski crowd. Just beyond the shops we found the lake. It appeared before us, a real life 1950’s post card extolling the joys of a summer on the lake. 

     

     We were surprised to learn that this lake is privately owned and for use by residents only.We walked along the lakeside enjoying the ducks and geese who, apparently had not read the rules and have made Lake Arrowhead their home. We spent about an hour exploring before we continued on to Big Bear Lake.

   As we entered Big Bear we were greeted by a beautiful blue lake. We parked and took a moment to soak in the peace and tranquility of our surroundings. The lake is well used and bustling with activity.We chatted with a couple ready to take off on a kayak trip. They had been enjoying Big Bear for decades and gave us insights on the area and shared a few restaurant tips with us. The town is fairly simple to navigate, as it hugs the lake. There is a town center filled with tourist shops, restaurants and lodging options. It's possible to rent all manner of water sport equipment on site, making a getaway to the lake very easy to plan.

     

We stopped for lunch at a local brew pub where both the beer and the food were just below average. Usually brew pubs have great food so we were a bit disappointed.The rather lackluster meal was followed by a wonderful surprise. We came upon a local craft fair right along the lakeside and I spent some time browsing and meeting the artists, finally deciding  on a blown glass oil lamp as a souvenir of our day in the mountains.

    
     So often we feel that every trip must involve copious lists, over packing and endless details. It’s nice to know that a beautiful road trip can simply involve jumping in the car with very little and making  wonderful memories right in your own back yard.