Category Archives: california

Jelly Of The Month Club: The Girl & The Fig Black Mission Fig Jam

Achievement: #11. Jelly of the Month Club

Long-running feature Jelly of the Month Club returns in 2020! We’re back with the first of twelve jellies and jams that we’ll review for color, flavor, jelly-ness, jar presentation, and awesomeness. First up: Black Mission Fig Jam by “the girl & the fig”. Continue reading

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Filed under #11, #11-20, california, jelly, jelly of the month, layla

Scaling Valencia Peak

Achievement: #100. Valencia Peak Hike

Our trips out west are all about the food, the wine, and the hiking (the third helps us earn the first two). Valencia Peak is strenuous enough to cover your breakfast AND lunch! Have a look. Continue reading

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Filed under #100-18, california, fitness, flowers, healthy, hiking, morro rock, mountains, san luis obispo, SLO county

A Death Valley Sojourn

Achievement: #87. Whirlwind Tour of Death Valley National Park

Our tendency when on vacation is to pack our schedules Way Too Tight, and our whirlwind tour of Death Valley was no exception. On the other hand, this gives us the perfect excuse to spend more time there in the near future! In the meantime, let us whisk you through the desert for a quick overview of what the valley has to offer. Continue reading

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Filed under #87, #87-18, california, death valley, desert, hiking, mojave reserve, national park, nature

Our Joshua Tree Return

Achievement: #75. Stargaze Again in Joshua Tree

Last year’s trip to Joshua Tree left us with some mixed results, photography-wise — but this year, we had perfect conditions within which to document the trip. Please enjoy the sights and stargazing photos! Continue reading

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Filed under #75, #75-18, california, joshua tree, national park, nature, stargazing

Traveling South Along The Salton Sea

Achievement: #95. Salton Sea & Salvation Mountain

Have you ever visited an area for the first time, and instantly known you’d been there before? That is the feeling we get when visiting the Salton Sea. Join us on a tour. Continue reading

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Filed under #95, #95-18, art, california, salton sea, salvation mountain, tourism

In Which We Visit A Giant Metal Spider

Achievement: #101. Bring Spider to Visit the VW Bug Spider

During this year’s trip to California, we saw beautiful wineries, stunning deserts, mountain peaks…and this giant metal spider, made out of the husk of a VW Beetle. You’re welcome. Continue reading

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Filed under #101, #101-18, california, palm springs, roadside america, spiders, tourism, travel, vacation

Our West Coast Wine Night

Achievement: #51. Host a Wine Tasting Class

We love wine, and we want our friends to love wine, too. So, we took it upon ourselves to organize a night of wine tasting and education. (Mainly wine tasting, though.) Here’s how it turned out! Continue reading

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Filed under #51, #51-17, burgers, california, central coast, charcuterie, cheese, education, french fries, home bar, west coast, wine, wine tasting

A Trek Down To Joshua Tree National Park

Achievement: #86. Joshua Tree Stargazing

While out on our yearly trip to the west coast, we took a detour south to visit Joshua Tree National Park for some stargazing and hiking. While we experienced some complications, we got to see some lovely sights as well. Check it out! Continue reading

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Filed under #86, #86-17, california, extreme weather, fail, hiking, nature, outdoors, overnight, photoblog, weather, west coast

Friday Statudanceatopia: Nature Dancing

Achievement: #5. Inappropriate Dancing

We clear a bit more of the backlog with a slightly overdue inappropriate dancing post. To make up for it, we did *way* more inappropriate dancing than usual! Continue reading

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Filed under #5, #5-17, beach, california, central coast, dance, dancing, hiking, morro rock, national park, nature, SLO county

Jelly Of The Month Club: Fess Parker Apricot-Riesling-Vanilla Jam

Achievement: #12. Jelly of the Month Club

As we continue in catch-up mode, we present to you the belated April installment of Jelly of the Month Club, featuring a treat we hauled back (ok, mailed back to ourselves) from California. Continue reading

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Filed under #12, #12-17, california, jelly, jelly of the month, layla, santa barbara county