Wheeler Gorge Campground

We are still in shelter in place orders here,so I am going to do a couple blog posts of places I visited in the past. One such place is Wheeler Gorge Campground located in the beautiful Ojai, California.

 My husband and I spent a few days in the campground with our two dogs a few years ago. When we entered we met the camp hosts who were friendly and polite. They greeted us with smiles and pats in the head for our dogs. Our first choice of campsite had been washed out due to heavy rain a few weeks previously, but thankfully there were plenty of other camp sites available. It was an easy drive in and quick to set up camp. 

The area is gorgeous surrounded by trees and lush green mountains. I spend so much time in the desert I'm always really happy to see anything green. It's a quiet out of the way area and wasn't overcrowded like some places we've visited. After we set up camp we took a hike through the forest. The best part is the campgrounds are a short drive from the beach! We spent the mornings at the beach and the nights in front of the campfire. This trip was one of my favorite camping trips I've taken. I highly recommend making the trip out here if you get a chance. Unfortunately, I didn't get many photos from the vacation. The one above is my golden retriever, Wook peaking out of the tent in the morning impatient for the day to start. 

Wheeler Gorge Campground is located at 17017 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai, CA 93023. You can check the CampOne website for more information. Things to nore: Always double check about pet policies as they can change. Often California campgrounds have restrictions on having a fire and moving/using firewood so check that as well. Happy Travels!

Vasquez Rocks

Vasquez Rocks is a natural area located in Agua Dulce about 40 miles away from Los Angeles, California.It sits right off the 14 freeway between Palmdale and Canyon Country. It offers almost 1,000 acres of pet friendly hiking. The views are spectacular and the rocks will make you feel like you've stepped into another world or maybe another planet. In fact, the area has often been used to film movies and TV shows. If you're a fan of star trek, Holes, Joe Dirt or  Planet of the Apes, just to name a few of the many productions shot on location this is a must visit place. Even if you're not into sci-fi you will want to check out this park for the views alone. It's moderately busy and dogs must be kept on leash at all times. It does offer plenty of parking on the grounds, just be sure not to park on private property if the lots are full as there isn't much street parking.

As of this writing (4/9/20) Vasquez Rocks may be closed due to Covid-19. Please follow all local laws in regards to social distancing. This is one of the places I miss visiting the most and will enjoy as soon as the quarantine is lifted. The Los Angeles County Parks website will give more up to date information about closures and such, so please check there before you head out for adventures with your pup.

Trying to stay active during the lockdown.

Hey everyone. I hope this blog post finds you and your families safe and well. I haven't been able to post much, because we are in quarantine like much of the world. I've been trying to stay healthy by hanging out with my pets in the garden and playing fetch in the yard. If the weather is nice we go for a jog in the open space near our home. How are you all coping?

Anthony Chabot Regional Campground

Anthony Chabot Campground is nestled among the trees near san jose, California. spanning about 3,000 acres it offers many hiking trails to explore. This hidden gem allows on leash dogs in the campgrounds and on some of the hiking trails. Best of all there is NO pet fee for taking your furry friend with you to enjoy nature. That alone earns this campground a star of approval from Wookiee and I.

The area is seriously gorgeous and even though you are conveniently located a short drive from the city, you will feel like you've entered another world as you walk through the forest. I really hope we can go back some day as we had an absolute blast.If you'd like to learn more you can check out the website: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/anthony_chabot/default.htm
A special thanks to my sister for taking the photos in this blog post.

spring garden

Have you started your spring garden yet? Recently I planted tomatoes, peas and cilantro. I added that to my backyard which already houses a blueberry bush, roses, a dwarf peach tree and flowers. The carrots from winter are almost gone. The radishes and turnips are just about ready for harvest.

Inside my house I have a bounty on my windowsills. I grow mint, basil, chives, lavender. I also have cat grass for the kitties. I'm even growing a variety of lettuces, a few carrots and a couple radishes.

I'd like to add a few more fruit trees and grow sunflowers again. What are you growing? Any plans to add to your garden?

An Ode To Misty Mornings

I was born and raised in the desert. Home to me means joshua trees, jackrabbits and the song of coyotes on a summer night. While I will always consider the desert my home there are other wild spaces that hold a special place in my heart. Let’s face it, the desert is hot. Really hot. I remember one particularly brutal summer I was working on a rescue ranch and the temps reached a thermometer busting 118F. Even the animals were miserable. When we get a bit of cool weather it’s a nice change of pace. Beyond that it reminds me of some of my favorite memories growing up. 

You see, my parents were the ones who fostered a love for the outdoors in me. If it involved the outdoors we’ve done it. We’ve road tripped to the Grand Canyon. We’ve snorkeled in the Florida Keys. Many a chilly morning was spent traipsing through our local nature preserve trying to point out plants and animals we can identify. There’s a saying (and I’m not sure who was the first person to popularize it) but it goes something like “at the end of your life you won’t wish you had spent more time at work.” No, but these are the moments I will remember when I’m older. 

I may not have a lot of money right now, but I still have a lot. It’s mornings like these when I can sit on my porch with a cup of tea in my hands and my pups curled at my feet and close my eyes. I can imagine the cool breeze is the crisp mountain air against my cheeks. I can almost see myself waking up in my tent to the smell of campfire and coffee grounds. Or bundled up on the beach at night, toes in the sand eagerly awaiting the grunion run.Or paddling out to the lake at 4am with the scent of diesel fading from the docks. I’m not jetting off to Fiji at the moment and my travels are confined to one state,but I can still cherish the adventure in every single day.

Pet Friendly Beaches in Southern California

San Diego county has many options for dog beaches. It's overall a very dog friendly city. A few of the on leash options include Del Mar City Beach,Grand Caribe shoreline park and Bluffs beach in Oceanside. For off leash options check out Coronado Dog Beach or North Beach in Del Mar. Wookiee and I stopped at solana beach many years ago and it was a lovely area. 

LA County is harder to find dog friendly beaches in but if you're already camping in the area or visiting dog friendly sights it's worth the stop for a romp in the sand with your puppy pal. I've never personally been, but I've heard very good things about Rosie's Dog Beach. It offers an off leash area for you and your pooch to enjoy. There's a beach called staircase beach off the PCH which allows on leash dogs on the sand. Huntington Dog Beach is a favorite among Angelenos and offers ample space to kick back or play fetch. I'd avoid Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey if you want to bring your dog along. 

I haven't been to any beaches in Northern California with my dogs, but it is on my bucket list. What about you? Comment below what's on your travel bucket list.