July 4, 2021
I really wanted to do this cosplay-astro shoot, a genre I may have invented as I have never seen other pictures fitting it… though admittedly I haven’t looked very hard. I wanted to battle my friend, galactic style. And so a portion of my suitcase contained the costume for this Read more…
According to the handy digital thermometer at the visitor center at Death Valley National Park, the day would reach a high of 117 degrees F. Though during my previous visit to the park in 2017 the temperature maxed out at 124, tonight’s night time low–which I didn’t stay for previously–would Read more…
You would think that a waterpark in the Mojave Desert might have staying power–and it did from 1962 to 2002. During that time the renditions of the space, named Lake Dolores (after the manmade lake named after the owner’s wife), Rock–A–Hoola Waterpark (a version of the waterpark that blared Oldies from Read more…
July 3, 2021
As usual, I have to eat a lot in LA. This time I tried to put a dent in the tons of vegan fried chicken places I have been drooling over from afar. Starting with Uncool Burgers… on my list because I thought I could get an Atlas Monroe chicken Read more…
July 2, 2021
After a few nights roughing it, a self-care day in San Diego. It started with Split Bakehouse, an all-vegan bakery I was really looking forward to. It’s inside a food court in a mall, but the food court has a bunch of dediacted vegan eateries. That is vegan friendly! Take Read more…
In El Cajon, California is the remains of Marshal Scotty’s Playland Park. The amusement park opened in 1967 and enjoyed success until the 90’s. Since the owner was forced to file for bankruptcy in 1990 parts of the property has been used as a day camp, a go-cart raceway, and, Read more…
July 1, 2021
With a Milky Way twinkling vibrantly above, it is not difficult to capture a magical shot. But just down the dark path were the abandoned trains of the San Diego Railroad… so, astro-urbex it was. The contrast of the glowing beauty of our Universe and the lifeless decay of train Read more…
The Goat Canyon Trestle Hike is a 16-mile walk in the blazing sun along a stretch of tracks called “The Impossible Railroad.” The lure of which is outstanding scenic views, the remains of the world’s largest curved wooden train trestle and abandoned railcars memorializing its life as part of the Read more…
June 30, 2021
Last time I was in Borrego Springs in February of 2020, it was the trial of my then-new camera base. Since then I have discovered that the settings were way off when I did my night shoot, resulting in disappointing shots. This time, much more exciting and dynamic shots near Read more…
I want to share how lovely my stay at La Casa de Zorro in Borrego Springs was. Well-needed and fantastic in every way, especially after roughing it, I tried to capture all its fun in pictures. It’s a great place to settle in before and after area star-gazing. They even Read more…
Carlee’s Place has been serving the Borrego Springs community since 2010… but it seems longer. The place is timeless, cradling a familiarity and ambiance that is inexplicably comforting. So it is wonderful to see the “vegan” markings on its menu! First, a Coke. It’s been years since I had a Read more…
Off-season in Slab City is like a Ghost Town. We drove through the self-sufficient community of wanderers out of curiosity and found our way to the sculpture park East Jesus, impressed by their fascinating display of art installations. I will leave their interpretation up to you, because: Art. Things to Read more…
Leonard Knight’s Salvation Mountain has a simple statement: God is Love. Apparently this message is best conveyed with bright colorful paint upon the area’s pale stone, local adobe clay and other such happenstance canvases. Entering the Dr. Suessian land you can feel the urgency of Knight’s saved soul even if Read more…
It was this stop that began this whole desert itinerary. Bombay Beach, California–an abandoned resort town turned artist community next to the Salton Sea, which I just told you about. To follow, a gallery of images from our visit.
In short, the Salton Sea is an ecological anomaly, proof that sometimes Nature can create the conditions to kill itself despite its characteristic web of interconnected purpose. Then, add some human error and you get a full-blown environmental catastrophe… millions of dead fish and wildlife and a mass exodus of Read more…
June 29, 2021
I haven’t seen the Cabazon Dinosaurs, the roadside attraction made famous in Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, since 2005 (shown in this previous post). I was shocked that they had been painted vividly, but pleased that there was a constant stream of folks equally excited to see them. Bubblegum pink brontosaurus… Read more…
Chef Tanya is the force behind vegetarian mainstay Native Foods, an all-vegan casual eatery with locations in California, Colorado, Oregon and Illinois. Making seitan and tempeh from scratch since the 80’s (!!), her standards are high. So her latest eatery, Chef Tanya’s Kitchen, was a must on my visit to Read more…
Camping at Joshua Tree National Park was like living in a gorgeous desert painting… from sunrise to sunset. To follow, a visual report from that colorful canvas. Yield. Don’t die. This tree’s name is Joshua. Butt rock Skull rock
June 28, 2021
I first visited Joshua Tree National Park in 2017 (see here). This time I’d camp in the park despite the excessive heat warning to see its dark skies, my 17th dark sky park. Things to know: The moon rises like the sun, just as powerful in my camera’s lens. Read more…
The Transcontinental Railroad was a big deal in the 1880’s. It brought to life countless towns along its path west, towns that would supply the steam engines with water. One of them was Ludlow, California. Soon the railway boom gave way to other town developments to welcome the Gold Rushers. Read more…
The West is covered in Ghost Towns, structures miraculously preserved within time to remind us that progress can gradually kill entire communities. Trains, gold, silver, or, in this case, borax and iron all created Boom Towns in a flash. But what burns bright often soon fades thereafter… and what is Read more…
Seven Magic Mountains, New York-based Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s public art display in Las Vegas’s desert, would be our gateway to a California desert adventure. Though very instagram-ed out, the vivid rocks are only permitted to remain in this location, 20 minutes from Las Vegas, until the end of 2021, Read more…
June 26, 2021
Now that it’s summer I can say “Balls” again. Yes, teaching middle school you gotta figure out ways around the word if it comes up as it disrupts the class. This is what I know after teaching 12 years. (laugh emoji. Yes, I said laugh emoji.) So because I’ll need Read more…
June 15, 2021
PB Bistro & Bar in Greenwich, Rhode Island was a must-visit as I snaked back south from Massachusetts. “PB” stands for plant-based. “Bistro” for hearty, comforting fare. And “Bar” as in thoughtful libations with housemade components. More specifically there was this M*tha Clucka sandwich I had to get my hands Read more…
It’s been about 10 years since I discovered Manchester, Connecticut’s Divine Treasures. And it’s time I make a declaration about their vegan soft serve ice cream: It is the best I’ve ever have. 🏆 The nut-based small batch delight is even more fantastic when topped with their own hot fudge Read more…
June 14, 2021
For all intents and purposes, Summer is here. This I have declared since the season slips away so fast. Here is my trying to capture it at Nauset Lighthouse Beach on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It’s the least I can do with my index finger. And yes, it is the Read more…