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Santa Cruz Half Marathon: New Birthday Tradition?

Santa Cruz Half Marathon: New Birthday Tradition?

Feb 7, ’17 · by Denise · in On Adventures

Guess who just registered to run the Santa Cruz Half Marathon 2017? This accomplishment is a shout out to all you other procrastinators, because: It is the last day to register before the prices increase. If I calculated correctly, the half marathon is exactly 16 weeks out. This means I am just in time to start my favorite half marathon plan. The plan is for “beginners,” or people who just…

Sonoma State Park Hike

Red Hill, Sonoma State Park: A Hike from Redwoods to Coastal Vistas

Feb 12, ’15 · by Denise · in On Adventures

After going to Russian River Brewery for the second time last month I thought – why not see the real thing on our coast trip? Word on the street is that the outlet of the Russian River is plagued with sharks (not that different from other rivers – except these might be Russian Sharks!),  so I was opting not to go for a swim… also because it is January, and the…

Backpacking Glen Camp Point Reyes

Backpacking Glen Camp, Point Reyes – Everything is Damp (thanks ocean)

May 2, ’14 · by Denise · in On Adventures

Not only was my trip to Glen camp my first backpacking trip of 2014, but it is now my earliest backpacking trip done ever in the year!  Starting out strong, 2014!  Of course that meant it was consistently raining on the first day of the two day trip…. but considering I can not remember a single time it has rained on me while backpacking in California, I can’t really complain….

Steep Ravine, Mt Tam Camping

Steep Ravine Camping – My Favorite Campsite in California???

Apr 30, ’14 · by Denise · in On Adventures

Last weekend I took a trip to the coast, North Bay Area, following a short work stop for Curtis in the bay area …Did you know the California regional forest service office  is located on a strange abandoned navel island? Neither did we… Anyhow, it was an extended weekend of wet camping, wet backpacking, and then ‘I can’t bear to be wet at a KOA next to a dozen screaming kids…

Moss Landing Sea Otter

Where to find California Sea Otters – Moss Landing, CA

Mar 18, ’14 · by Denise · in On Adventures

I  am loath to rank my favorite wild animals, because there are so many cute ones out there (Bunnies, mountain goats, pikas, & quails immediately come to mind), but Sea Otters gave to be somewhere in my top 10. They float around and use tools with their little otter hands, they look so furry and floaty… did I mention they float? ;) AH! Too cute! Sea otters also play an…

Andrew Molera Beach, Big Sur California

Camping Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur

Mar 22, ’13 · by Denise · in On Adventures

I’m not going to lie, whenever I am car camping anywhere new I worry about not finding space to camp. A pretty justified fear thanks to past experiences,  like the time we reserved a campsite at Butano State Park and someone still tried to take our spot. I mean the people who we ended up sharing the spot with had assumed they could find a spot, and then they couldn’t –…

TanBark Trail & Fire Road Loop

Tanbark Trail Big Sur: Hiking at Julia Pfeiffer Burns SP

Mar 20, ’13 · by Denise · in On Adventures

Following Saturday’s short hike to the beautiful McWay Falls in Big Sur I was adamant about wanting to go for a longer day hike. Unfortunately the trail I had noted to hike, the Ewoldsen Trail, is apparently closed right now (March 2013)… but looking at the maps in the parking area of the McWay Falls trailhead Curtis & I discovered that the previously closed Tanbark Trail was now open instead, and it did look like a very similar, although slightly longer, hike.

McWay Falls Big Sur

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park Camping & Hiking McWay Falls

Mar 19, ’13 · by Denise · in On Adventures

Tourist season is almost upon us again up in Groveland – slowly the local businesses are livening up, we are beginning to see a steady flow of traffic Yosemite, and I can hear the PML golfers outside teeing more and more often. These changes made me realize that if I wanted to go to any traditional popular tourist locations I had better get moving now, or face the higher prices and thicker crowds that true summer tourist season demands. Impetus enough for Curtis & I to make our (moderately spontaneous?) trip to Big Sur this weekend!

Giant Artichoke, Castroville CA

Traveling to the Coast – Monterey and Artichokes

Oct 7, ’12 · by Denise · in On Adventures

My parents had a nice long visit here in California, 10 whole days, and as lovely as Yosemite and the mountains are it isn’t quite the whole West Coast experience if you don’t get out to the coast! So we planned to get out to visit Big Sur, stay in Monterey, and hit up a few tourist attractions along the way… including this Giant Artichoke in Castroville! Next time I find myself…

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About Denise

Denise, glam-ing up backpackingHello! I am a 30-something outdoors-lady, backpacker, and resident of Groveland, California - the Gateway to Yosemite. My blog is a guide to my adventures & hopefully helps to spur your own. Learn more here.

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