Beach managers and volunteers gear up for another summer of protecting the lake
2020 was a difficult year for travelers, wanderers, adventurers, and explorers here in California. I did get out – sometimes with groups, sometimes furtively by myself – and was rewarded with solitude, silence, and freedom within the great cathedrals of nature that California offers from the deserts to the beaches, to the mountains and deep forests.
As with any exploration, it’s all about knowledge and preparedness. My hardware set is pretty solid – if I can’t get out of a jamb, I can call someone to come and find me – but this year my software set has been a bit lacking.
Next Level Camping is what I was looking for when I discovered you could rent fire lookouts. I’d been a member of the Forest Fire Lookout Association for years because I lived close to the Butler Peak Fire Lookout while up in Big Bear, and thought that I’d eventually be able to volunteer at the lookout. Solitude is always a draw for me, and the forest is my church. So going up to the steeple seemed like a pretty cool idea.
California State Parks News Release, Borrego Springs – California Department of Parks and Recreation encourages visitors exploring state parks during the wildflower season to properly plan and prepare for their trips. Thanks to this year’s rain, many state parks are experiencing wildflower blooms.
This is especially the case at the 650,000 acre Anza-Borrego (Anza-Borrego) Desert State Park which is experiencing the most dramatic bloom in nearly 20 years. With the flowers, come the large crowds. Knowledge of the area, weather, limitations of your body and enjoying the outdoors safely with everyone can help to ensure an enjoyable trip.
Below is some helpful information for wildflower enthusiasts:
Arcata Community Forest Environmental Services Director Mark Andre has discovered a hidden cabin deep in a remote section of the forest. Not just some tear-down thing thrown together with locally-sourced refuse and detritus, but a real cabin made with a frame built on a concrete block foundation with a real roof and even a porch with a wooden awning. Windows, a locked entry, and a tidy interior – complete with bed, kitchen and even a library make up the 8 x 12 building. It’s covered outside with tarps, black lasting sheeting, and “concealing forest duff” do make the cabin difficult to see if you’re more than a few feet away from it.
All of the materials and furniture had to be carried to the site. It’s a work made to last for awhile.
