Spooner's Cove

A pebble, a shell, a polished piece of blue beach glass. I walk silently my eyes searching for more treasures from the sea. Each brings with it a new message from Mother Earth. Framing a moment in time, I assign remembrance to these found objects to indicate their sacred nature. Seeking balance and renewal hiking has become a form of spiritual practice. My one day pilgrimage to a power spot to receive wisdom and perform rituals. The pacific ocean's negative ions invigorate my body and mind, bringing a deep feeling of empowerment. At some point I stop walking and silently offer a prayer of thanks to the Spirits of this place, once a bustling Chumash village site. Chosen by many people as the perfect location to stage a family portrait, exchange marriage vows or scatter a loved ones ashes, Spooners Cove in Montaña de Oro State Park is an area of strong energetic earth forces. Rugged Monterey Shale cliffs and rocky outcroppings offer resistance from crashing aqua blue waves. Only expert surfers successfully ride these coastal waters. Reflecting how good it feels to be here I decide to sit awhile and watch the sun as it begins to set.

Hike Montana de Oro State Park

Reservoir Canyon Natural Reserve

Can you find the Hairflipp? 

A rusty teepee formed of corrugated scrap metal and spray painted with a big number five greeted us as we arrived at the mountain top. Glad to have found something so unique this far from civilization was a treat! So I invited myself in to have a look around. Yes, it would provide adequate shelter from a sudden rainstorm but luxury teepee it was not. Breathtaking views of the surrounding canyon and mountain slops make this 520 acre open space feel like you have the whole world to yourself. Only a half mile hike from the creek trail, steeply elevated switch-backs open to peaceful flat grasslands with astonishing views of Cuesta Grade and the Santa Lucia Mountains. You are now entering the Twilight Zone set amongst an odd collection of scrap metal sculptures once inhabited by humans. Just when you think you might be lost and this arduous journey is going nowhere, a wonderful swing appears hanging from an ancient eucalyptus tree. Time to kick off the hiking boots and swing! Wheeeee!! I haven't swung in years....This is really great!... Gee, I feel like a kid again!!! After an hour of playing and exploring the rusty artifacts we meander back down the 5 mile round-trip trail towards the dribbling creek hidden among oaks and dense sycamores. We happily call it a wonderful family day and promise each other we will revisit this San Luis Obispo open space after the winter rains.

Tips for Hiking Reservoir Canyon

Oso Flaco Lake

Skinny Bear is the translated name for Oso Flaco Lake in southern San Luis Obispo County. Today a nicely built wooden boardwalk over the sand dunes to the Pacific Ocean allows hikers, strollers and wheelchairs quick access. All sorts of fine feathered friends are easily seen by bird watching enthusiast. Docent led tours and educational exhibits can be arranged at the non-profit Guadalupe Dunes Center. Beautiful to look at the enormous waves often result in strong riptides so exercise caution. Surf fishing is the big draw at this State Park and the entrance fee of $5.00 per carload helps maintain this natural wonder. Parking tickets are given out often by the ranger so do pay at the kiosk before you start the nature walk. Posted signs say: no dogs, no bicycles, no horses and no camping allowed and these rules are strictly enforced. Dune buggies and four wheel drive autos have a separate designated entrance called Oceano State Vehicular Recreational Area to the north at the end of Grand Ave. in Grover Beach.

Learn More About the Dunes and Estuary

Read an inspiring novel set in the Oso Flaco Dunes.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Like graceful ballerinas ruffling their tutus these jellyfish put on a show. Living happily in a rotundas tank at the Monterey Bay Aquarium they capture the attention of both young and old. Viewers gaze with gaping mouths and delightfully squeal as the jellies open and close, slowly they float up and down in a natural syncopated rhythm. Perfectly choreographed to natures silent symphony translucent forms dance endlessly. A must see for anyone visiting California, this world class aquarium offers an entire days worth of marine life observing. Watch as divers feed albacore, sunfish, and sharks; while knowledgeable volunteers are on hand to offer scientific answers to your marine biology questions. Amateur photographers are sure to come away with exceptional National Geographic-esk snapshots and videos of sea life. Set in the historic seaside town of Monterey, this coastal wonder will quickly become one of your favorites places to revisit.

Visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Lost Lake

Have you ever heard of losing a lake? I know. Me neither. I can see losing a creek but never a lake. So it's was really special to be hiking to a lake in Whistler, British Columbia by that name. This isn't just any old lake. This lake, local lore reports was occupied for centuries by the Coastal Salish Indian Tribe. In 1877 this area was officially opened to trappers and prospectors seeking their fortunes amidst the snow laden mountains. The day we visited, the forest trees had an almost lite-brite, yellow green, fertile glow; a vibrant color pallet combo of wheat grass and asparagus green hues. The soil gave off a musky smell like soggy dinosaur remains, spruce, and cedar. Mother Natures healing energy and aroma therapy... just my style. We even spied a bald eagle sitting in a nearby tree waiting for an opportunity to catch a fresh Squamish River salmon. How fortunate we are to be able to hike these surroundings with family and friends and still remain in close proximity to modern comforts. Whistler/Blackcomb Mountain and Olympic Village make for memorable times. Offering year-round sports adventures, gondola lifts and a wide range of dining and lodging venues, this mountain is perfect for any age outdoor lover. Numerous trails meander around the lake and offer cross country skiing and snow shoeing during the winter and walking, rollerblading, and biking during the summer months. Experience life, step out in nature and make memories.

Finding Lost Lake

Change Color

Does the branding for paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams come to mind? This exhibit has all the paint perks and is dripping with Generation X wisdom. A brightly colored spiritual summary of the digitized 21st century condition. Pantone #199 has never looked so good! The Words Into Objects exhibit offers profound word nuggets that wake one from their perceived target market, a tweet of McWisdom packaged for an accelerated utopian culture. An enormous Lego built suburbia exhibit looks somehow comforting to my inner world nostalgia. My techno culture now a weapon and I, a statistical response sinking in an apathetical abyss oblivious to the delete button. I really like this artists first major museum solo exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery. So!... Where has Canadian born author and artist Douglas Coupland been hiding himself? Inside, busily writing 14 novels, 2 short story collections, 7 non-fiction books and a number of screenplays for film and television, his books have been translated into 22 languages and published in 30 countries. Guess I should ask...Where have I been?

Douglas Coupland Exhibition

Everywhere is Anywhere is Anything is Everything

Granville Island

In 12 hours this waterway will be the scene of a colorful fireworks display to celebrate Canada Day. Live music performances, parades and cake will make for a festive national bash. Granville Island a once derelict Canadian industrial area in the 1970's was transformed into the vibrant community destination you see today. A tourist magnet attracting over 10 million visitors every year, this hip seaside area boasts a very large farmers market, microbreweries and numerous art galleries. Modern high rise apartments and boats of all sizes make for great people watching and wondering. Fireworks barges in Coal Harbour and Dundarave will launch the fire in the sky extravaganza, easily seen from beautiful Stanley Park. Wear your red and white and come join the fun!

What's Happening in Vancouver Canada?

Luminescing Rain

"The richness of the rain made me feel safe and protected; I have always considered the rain to be healing—a blanket—the comfort of a friend. Without at least some rain in any given day, or at least a cloud or two on the horizon, I feel overwhelmed by the information of sunlight and yearn for the vital, muffling gift of falling water."  -Douglas Coupland

Cave Landing

Cave Landing near Pirates Cove

Cave Landing is a natural rock pier which forms the perfect scenic divide between Avila Beach and Shell Beach. Jutting 150 feet out into San Luis Obispo Bay this cavernous arched tunnel was once used by trading ships as a warehouse and loading dock. Along this rugged coastline many small wind-swept coves and caves offer beach goers a uniquely framed view of the crystal azure bay. Small, serene, and hidden by cliffs, the adjacent clothing optional beach of Pirates Cove offers a private blue lagoon feel. Bring your Frisbee, volleyball or floatation device and join the fun. Don't forget the sunscreen! An easy hike to all sites from the dirt parking lot you won't believe how close this is to the 101 freeway. Hungry? The pristine seaside town of Avila offers convenient food and lodging nearby.

Flag & BBQ

Memorial Day

by Steve Kowit

Because our sons adore their plastic missile launchers,

electronic space bazookas, neutron death-ray guns,

a decade down the pike it won't prove difficult

to trick them out in combat boots

& camouflage fatigues,

rouse them with a frenzy of parades, the heady

rhetoric of country, camaraderie & God,

the drum & bugle & the sudden

thunder of the cannon as they march

into Hell singing.

Which is the order of things.

Obedient to a fault, the people will do as they are told.

However dispirited by grief at the graves 

of their fallen, the mother returns at last to her loom,

the father to his lathe,

& the inconsolable widow home to raise sons

ardent for the next imperial bloodbath;

Ilium. Thermopylae. Verdun. 

Pork Chop Hill.

"Memorial Day" by Steve Kowit from The First Noble Truth. 

© University of Tampa Press, 2007.

Bubblegum Alley

"Don't touch anything!!!" This is the usual command given by mothers as their children enter the alley. "Gross!!!" Is another common reaction to the most photographed landmark in downtown San Luis Obispo. Spanning over 70ft. this sticky walled gum world is a jaw dropping tourist site worth stepping into. For over fifty years people have participated in Bubblegum Alley on Higuera Street, where you can chew and stick your artistic self into existence. Bazooka Pink, Bubblicious Orange, Adams Black Jack Licorice, Wrigley's Doublemint, Chiclets, it's all here! The color of the chewing gum more important than ever before in this alleyway. Many times business owners have led the charge to scrape and even fire hose off the wads of chew, but to no avail. Offering a taste of SLO's kooky artistic charm, Bubblegum Alley's local flavor attracts families year round and is conveniently located near eating, shopping and parking areas.

Leave Your Chew on Bubblegum Alley

Reservoir Creek Falls

This spot was a wilderness retreat for me. Today my chakras screamed for green energy and this hike supplied. Blue green serpentine rocks lined a lush riparian oasis under oak, bay, sycamore, and willow trees. Low water levels made for remembrance of years past when heavy rainfall filled the creeks many pools. A lush winding wooded trail led first to a 50ft waterfall that felt refreshing and peaceful. Then through a chartreuse painted landscape with an abundance of feathery horsetail ferns. This living fossil is the only surviving genus of an entire class of spore reproducing vascular plants over one hundred million years old. Beautiful and tranquil I sat awhile and enjoyed my stunning surroundings. Being careful when I left to not trample the precious "Equisetum" plants who beckon seekers to rest and recharge among its natural wonders.

Health Benefits of Horsetail

Felt Summer Today!

Now that I'm in this thing 
I'm not coming out! 

Sonnet 18
by William Shakespeare

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,

And summer's lease hath all too short a date.

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,

And often is his gold complexion dimmed;

And every fair from fair sometime declines,

By chance, or nature's changing course, untrimmed;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,

Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st,

Nor shall Death brag thou wand'rest in his shade,

When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st.

So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

Make Kombucha Iced Tea Recipe

 

Charles Schulz Museum

Emblazoned on lunch pails, school notebooks, and T-shirts, the Peanuts gang of comic characters was my favorite as a child! Even today the sight of a Snoopy or Woodstock emblem makes me nostalgic for days gone bye when life was simpler and the biggest crises one faced was which home room teacher you were assigned for the year, the nice one or the old wicked witch one. It was a welcomed Sunday tradition to be the first among my family to read the funny paper comics with the Peanuts strip being at the top of the newspaper header in full color! Charlie Brown always had a way of being the ragged underdog, while Lucy became the know-it-all group psychiatrist, Schroeder a talented piano protégé and Snoopy the coolest dog, made for light hearted reading with a deep moral lesson. A recent trip to the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, CA reminded me what a great talent he was drawing and writing my generations collective world view in a profound yet childlike way. You can do it!..... Never give up....! Became familiar advise the characters gave to their imaginary life problems. Over Peanuts fifty-year history, some 65 characters later, the creative genius of Schulz tackled many childhood issues with amazing insight: school bulling, summer camp, loneliness, sibling rivalry, faith, hope, heartbreak, and love.

Visit the Charles Schulz Museum

Bishop Peak

This is an UP and DOWN sort of hike. Narrow rocky footpaths and sunny switchbacks with boulders to scale. So be sure to wear your high traction tennis's and bring 2 bottles of water. Best to go on weekdays when less crowded. Don't be discouraged by the muscle bound who run up the oak incline path and skip their way down. Patience my dear, you'll get to the top eventually. Bishop Peak, one of nine inactive volcano cores, distinguish San Luis Obispo from the foggy seaside village of Morro Bay. Two sturdy benches on top of this ancient morro are a welcome site as we arrive alive and take in the 360 view. Surprise!... there are other brave Trekkers who have already reached the craggy goal. Looking down the mountain we bask in January's rare 90 degree weather glad to have worn wide brimmed hats and plenty of sunscreen. Noticing a large body of water, Laguna Lake Park, we make a note to check it out someday. "Wow!!" "Everything looks so dry!" We exclaim. After a short sit we start our descent passing other hikers whom we encourage with a cheerful, "You're almost there!"

Bishop Peak Guide

Papallacta Volcanic Hot Springs

We chose the Papallacta Volcanic Hot Springs & Spa as our destination for the day. At 10,000ft above sea level the air temperature is a cool 50 degrees but the volcanic spring water is a comfortable 96 degrees, and only a 2hr bus ride from Quito. The sun is very strong at the equator and daily care must be taken to protect the skin during its high peak. We soaked and relaxed for hours and came away refreshed. Six separate pools with varying temperatures ranging from cold to very hot make these waters absolutely magical. Amazon legend says that these waters and mountains were worshipped for their great healing powers. Papallacta means "land of the potatoes".  Fantastic trout fishing brings many American tourists to this small Ecuadorian town.

Thermas de Papallacta

Burning Effigies

On New Years Eve they are burning life sized effigies outside my hotel window. Funny they always start with the crotch first. Fanning the flames vigorously until only a clump of ash remains. Then they embrace each other warmly, give a European kiss and depart. Leaving last years memories behind, blowing in the wind. Cartoonish paper mâché effigies,"ano viejo", represent what was important this past year. On every street corner booths are selling masks and large three dimensional figures of the Hulk, Smurfs, Captain America, Spiderman, Bart Simpson, etc. This year it is the corrupt mayor and his political cronies that are happy hazed by the Ecuadorians. Many cars had effigies tied to their front grill as they drove through the streets with bullhorns announcing the crimes committed. Roman Candles, Skyrockets, and M-80's were heard continually throughout the night as we tried to carrying on with life as usual. Sawdust stuffed dummies, "monigotes", are burned in celebration representing out with the old regime in with the new. A Contest for the best puppet maker in all of Ecuador is held and the winning artist held in high esteem.

Happy New Year Ecuadorian Style