CoViD-19: CDC Releases Camp Guidance | Biden Releases Budget | County Installs Free Feminine Product Dispensers | ATF Inaction Under Fire |

  

Caterpillar at San Elijo Lagoon (Taken 5.28.21)

I was really hoping to be a little more productive going into the weekend and get my inbox under control, but it appears everyone else thought they'd do the same and triple the volume I get daily. Ew. So I mostly ignored it. I'll catch up later and get some more in depth reading in but cocktails are waiting for me in the speakeasy so I'm gonna cut. 

What we did do today was get a ton of time in the sun. We went to Anderson's Nursery and  bought some pollinator plants for an old bookshelf we've laid flat to convert to a planter in hopes of getting some more butterflies and hummingbirds around since the construction next door removed all the weeds and wildflowers that had provided habitat in the past. It looks so pretty and I hope it does the trick. We've already gone through most of the compost we got at the dump so may have to make another trip soon. 

After the afternoon of gardening, we decided to go to San Elijo Lagoon. It was pretty empty as it was after 6pm and the visitor's center was closed, but we just wandered some of the trails with the dog and me stopping every ten feet to watch more birds and flying fish. The marine layer had already rolled in so after a couple miles we called it a day. None of my pics are especially great so I'll skip sharing and chalk it up to a learning experience instead. 

Maybe it's because people are traveling and thus testing more, but today's positive cases in California (4,864) was more than three times as many as yesterday (1,418), and our 170 deaths are almost a third of the 577 US deaths-- though they may actually be different reporting days, but the point remains: don't start thinking this thing is over. Not by a longshot. Stay safe out there. 

CoViD-19 Stats | Hiking Ramona Grasslands & Photos | Conspiracy Theories Run Rampant | Vaccine Equity Threatened | Wildfire Death Count Rising

A midday hike on the permit-only Ramona Grasslands trail (Taken 9.13.2020)

I don't keep it any secret that I have terrible sleep habits. If you've ever asked me (pre-pandemic) to get together, you'll generally get a hem-haw. Plans give me debilitating anxiety. I do well with spontaneity, where in that moment I can say yes or no and move on. 

When I actually got to bed before midnight on Saturday, I woke up rested at 4am. And I thought, no day like today to go for a hike. 

I thought I did my research. A couple weeks ago, we got permits to hike the Ramona Grasslands Old Survey Road 97 Trail, but obviously with the recent heat and fires, we hadn't really thought about it. I mean, just last week I was railing against people who were hiking in the dangerous conditions, being rescued, diverting frontline personnel. 

But I thought I did all the things. I got my map to Ramona Grasslands and screenshotted in case we lost service. I consulted the local hiking group on the essential things to carry on a hike. I filled water bottles and refrigerated them. I froze my cold pack cooler. I packed a basic first-aid kid and found my multi-tool. I packed snacks. I checked the air quality, local fire situation, and the projected weather forecast. When I finally woke Nova up to see if she was onboard (she's always game for something new,) I had her pack a bag for the hike and one for the car for after. Same for Darren. We had binocs and my camera and extra water and food in the car (probably enough for 3 days though we were only hiking 6 miles.) Once everyone was up, we all had healthy, energy packed breakfasts. 

We did all the things. 

(More after the jump.)

CoVID-19: California Closes State Parks To Vehicular Traffic

Hiking Anza-Borrego Slot Canyon in March of 2019

Well, we couldn't stay away. Californians heard the warnings and threats and then, as we do, found the loopholes. Last week it was City parks and beaches and canyons that closed, so everyone (including my family) found county and state park loopholes, or sought the cities where closures hadn't gone into effect, like Oceanside and Coronado. But it's bad. And the numbers keep growing. And we don't want to be like Italy. And I know we are accustomed to a certain lifestyle here in Southern California, that's why we pay the so-called 'sunshine tax' to live here, but now the state parks have had to shut down to vehicular traffic, too. And this is a good little primer from KQED: Can I Go Hiking During California's Shelter in Place? Yes, But Read This First, though I just realized this was posted on Friday, before the state expanded their closures. It's so confusing. I know.

Full press release after the jump.

CoViD-19: A Summary of Hiking Closures

A View of Point Loma from Coronado, taken 12.28.2020

The other day I said I wouldn't post comments from a private group, but I thought this one was important. This is from Nick Gee, admin on the group San Diego Hiking Society, posted Marcg 24 around 9am. This is a constantly evolving situation:

There are numerous updated and current posts about closures to specific areas and lands managed by every agency present within San Diego County. County parks and preserves are still open, except those closed for rain damage. City parks and reservoirs are all closed. Torrey Pines State Reserve is closed. Carlsbad parks and beaches are closed. State parks like Cuyamaca, Anza-Borrego, and Palomar Mountain are open for hiking but not camping in developed campgrounds. Other wilderness areas, state conservation areas, and wildlife refuges are open. National parks like Cabrillo are open for hiking. Cleveland National Forest is open, though the two popular waterfall trails, Three Sisters and Cedar Creek Falls are closed to hiking. That's a comprehensive breakdown of current conditions on Tuesday morning, March 24th.
"The Trails" do not exist on their own. "The Trails" are a product of political acts made by many different agencies and public government entities. We really need to realize this for our future decisions of land use and jurisdiction for public lands and utilities, and private lands that surround them. Let's get serious about our hobby when this is over.

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COVID-19: San Diego County Graphic Related to County Managed Properties

County of San Diego Parks and Recreation:

This relates to County-managed properties, only. Some agencies have instituted their own policies, based on staff and the likelihood of maintaining safe social distancing. Get info before you go.

You can also check Get Outside San Diego, which can tell you which jurisdictiton manages specific trails and parks.

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CoViD-19 Diary: My Life During A Pandemic

Things have no doubt been crazy for everyone. I've been busy trying to keep up with information and posting that information, because I guess that's how I respond during crises. But like everyone, we're dealing the best we can. We have no shortage of food over here; I grew up in a house with four closets converted to pantries, two chest freezers, a full size fridge and three mini-fridges dispersed in various rooms around the house, so to say that it's ingrained in me to be prepared for anything is an understatement. Which is why I'm still so pissed we didn't get more toilet paper when we could. Where the fuck is all the toilet paper??? I was literally looking at an old CityBeat thinking, "hello, future toilet paper."

more after the jump.

CoViD-19: Mission Trails Visitor and Interpretive Center Closure

photo taken at Mission Trails on 1.9.2020.

Most of the closures across the county and across the country heartbreaking because of their devastating impact (like all the bars, restaurants, and venues presently shut down,) but after my post of things that we could still do, though I was kind of expecting this closure from Mission Trails, it doesn't mean I'm not bummed about it. But to clarify, the lot gates won't be opened and the visitors' center will stay closed (which means NO BATHROOM ACCESS, so plan accordingly) but it doesn't mean you can't find those surrounding parking areas and still have a little hike through, or start on the other side by Kumeyaay Lake and walk in that way. Just don't be stupid, because the last thing we need is our first responders taking care of you when they've got so much else to deal with at the moment. Mission Trails press release after the jump.

PSA: California State Parks Memorial Day Weekend Safety Tips

It's Memorial Day Weekend and not only one of the biggest road trip weekends of the year, but San Diego is always a top destination for the holiday. California State Parks sent this helpful reminder for safety tips etc. that is definitely worth a read (after the jump). 

Palm Canyon at Anza Borrego Desert State Park 

PSA: Wildflower Season May Bring Beautiful Blooms––and Crowds––to State Parks

The following is the full press release from California State Parks regarding "The Big Bloom" or "Superbloom,"expected this spring in places like Anza-Borrego State Park, Ocotillo Wells, and Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve. Be familiar and do yourself a favor and do your research. The traffic dropping into A-B on the weekends gets insane.
Or, if TL;dr: Obey the signs, check the weather, your phone won't work in remote areas, be prepared with adequate provisions and gas for your vehicle, leave no trace, and don't be an entitled asshole (my words, not theirs.) And learn from our mistakes: leave your dog at home. Full press release and tips are after the jump.

Anza-Borrego in 2017 - End of the Bloom

Anza-Borrego Superbloom

I know, I know. EVERYONE has been talking about the Desert Superbloom as a result of the heavier than usual rainfall that hit Southern California this year. I mean everyone. Here are a few: National Geographic, LA Times, LAist, Curbed LA, Wired, KPBS, Times of San Diego, San Diego Union-Tribune, Huffington Post, and even the Weather Network. Not to mention every. single. person. you know on Facebook posting photos. So here's one more post to add to the bunch.

There were a few things that compelled us to make Anza-Borrego a destination this year. For one, Nova has repeatedly lamented that she's never been camping. Growing up, my family went to a lot of campgrounds, but with an old camper to sleep in, we never really pitched a tent and roughed it. But in my late teens and twenties, I had a small group of friends who made a tradition of camping in Anza-Borrego, at the Borrego Palm Canyon campsite. Though we slept in tents, it was still not roughing it because I always appreciated the bathrooms and showers, and the honorary group leader, whom we called Toro, who always brought pounds of shrimp and carne asada and eggs and fruit and cases of beer and booze and made some amazing meals over an open flame, but eventually we all sort of fell out of touch and I've not ever been camping since.

The other massive influence, as I'm sure is the case with everyone else, was social media. I saw an "Anza-Borrego 101" seminar/talk at Adventure 16. I can't exactly recall the lady's name, but she sold the park quite well. "The largest state park in California" and "the 2nd largest contiguous park in the continental US" were the kind of factoids we wanted to hear, selling us on a low-cost, close to home adventure. Enough that we made two trips pre-Superbloom, parking at the visitor's center and walking into the Palm Canyon campground along the paved walkway.

I'll say this, too. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not the outdoor type. Or even the daylight type. And we still haven't gone camping. Luckily Darren and I have this sort of overlapping life experience of long car rides with our families, enjoying scenic drives, family road trips and the like. He's an adventurer, and Nova has certainly picked that up from him, whether that's nature or nurture, I don't know. But we have commitments and obligations and I don't do too well being 'off the grid' or away from wi-fi for any stretch of time. But Anza is close enough. This is something we can all do and meet somewhere in the middle...Nova bouldering and climbing, Darren trying to hike as much as possible before losing daylight, and me quietly enjoying the birds, the frogs, the crickets, the beauty of vistas and sounds of nature, while packing a cooler of cheeses and salami and seltzers and crackers and peanut butter and jelly to make sandwiches.

I'm not saying we're experts. We still couldn't find that goddamn serpent. But I think we pulled off a pretty great day trip. With Nova having an activity each day and my work and show schedule, plus having to consider leaving our cat and dog alone all day, I don't think we're overstretched, but we certainly have to plan for anything more than a day trip. But we finally pulled it off before all the blooms dried up. And maybe we've set ourselves up for a future camping trip. And if not, at least we got a glimpse of the Desert Superbloom of 2017.

Recommendations: Check the Anza-Borrego Foundation site. Know a destination. The first couple times, we Google mapped to the Visitor's Center, which had us take the 8 to the 67, through Ramona, to the 78. This time we decided to go the 8 to 78, around Lake Cuyamaca, toward Julian, through Banner. The colors as we descended into the valley were stunning, nothing we could capture with pictures but something we won't soon forget. Most of all, learn about the park. As long as you're not on private property, Anza is one of the few parks where you can literally pull off just about anywhere, so long as you're not on the roadway. There are tons of resources and informative sites to find your own adventure. Also, as painful as it was, leave your dog at home. There are a lot of restrictions about dogs on the trails, and while we got away with it in the colder winter months, she was better off skipping this trip.
Lastly, I know there are some brilliant photographers, and I do not consider myself one of them, but all of these are shot with my Samsung S7 phone. I took all of my cameras in the car, but you have to consider if it's really worth lugging all your gear, plus water, plus other essentials or just trying to soak it all in. I opted for just the phone.

This thing is almost over. The flowers are drying by the day, the colors fading fast, and many say this is probably the last week to really take it all in. If you do, skip the sculptures for another time (unlike us, wasting precious sunlight hours), and find your own flower adventure.

More pictures after the jump.