Moments in Dirt and Ink

I managed not to totally neglect my sketch book this month. The harbor and beach from a spot above the botanic gardens in Ventura . There is just a pool of shrubs in what was once a permanent pool on Nicholas Flat.

Los Padres National Forest Locate the trailhead. The eclipse is coming and I have a plan to get my mom out backpacking for the first time in quite a few years. Yes, I do have to choose short and flat day hikes for her, but I will get her out backpacking! The hike up to 19 Oaks would qualify for one of those day hikes. I also like it because Upper Oso has some very nice dark skies, so just 2 miles further along should not be too bad either. It seems like a better chance to see the moon in a sea of stars if I go for a place with dark skies. I have also invited folks from the Wednesday night hikes, the Friday night hikes, and a local backpacking Facebook group, but everyone seems to be already off to Santa Rosa Island or barbecues at the top of the ridge for the evening. I dug out my first internal backpack, a cavernous thing that I have never been able to fill up, to be able to carry whatever was needed between the two of us. Mom only asked me to carry her sleeping bag and ma...

Leo Carrillo State Park It rained (ever so slightly), so maybe the pond in Nicholas Flat previously thought to be permanent has a little water in it. Or at least some mud. There could be something, but I am likely engaging in some very wishful thinking. More importantly, the light rain has brought a day of cooler weather which will be nice for hiking. Starting by the increasingly warm ocean will help a little, too. I grab a parking spot and start to climb as the clouds give way to the sun. Above, there is still shade from the clouds, but it seems to be keeping just out of reach as I climb. The campground below is a little noisy from those orange spots.

Ventura I took advantage of a minor break in the heat to explore the hills behind Ventura. Here are a few photos from that wandering. Looking down on the Ventura Harbor when just starting out.