Maui magic

We said good-bye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with an incredible week on Maui. It was tricky getting all of us COVID tests before we flew (plus, waiting in a line that stretched the length of the airport once we arrived) but it was all worth it. We got to explore beaches with sea turtles, stroll through a lavender farm, travel to the top of a volcano and hike in a valley dubbed the "Yosemite of the Pacific."

Here's a link to a story I wrote a few months ago that was based on our summer trip: "The parents' guide to flying with your kids in 2020." I guess the same tips could be applied, so far, in 2021.

Wanderlust during COVID-19

One of the advantages of “sheltering in place” is that you can catch up on things — like posting on your blog you’ve been neglecting since last year. 

One of the disadvantages is that you can’t travel. Here are some places I wrote about last fall for the L.A. Times that are worth checking out (once you’re able to leave the house again):

“Mirages? No, these California desert oases are real yet magical”

Now from hot to cold: “Are you tough enough to take the polar bear plunge? If so, try these” 

With NBA and MLB games being postponed indefinitely, here are some other sports worth trying: “Everybody’s getting into the ax at ax-throwing clubs” along with some unusual games played with a ball.

And a few Gold Country getaways:

Preston Castle

“Visit a haunted hotel and creepy castle on a weekend trip to Ione”

“There’s gold (rush history) in them thar California saloons”

“Hop on the Polar Express train on a weekend trip to Jamestown, Calif.”

Along with an old favorite hangout: 

“Your guide to Monterey: Tide pools, tacos and more”

Unusual meats and cool caves

Our summer adventures have taken us from cities to the mountains. On a trip to Mammoth, we passed through Yosemite and had to wait an hour in the car at the entrance station. That reminds me:

Want to avoid Yosemite-size crowds? Sample other national parks in California

Ediza and Gus enjoying a hike in Mammoth.

Some other travel pieces from this summer include:

If yak and other unusual meats elicit a ‘yum’ from you, check out these restaurants

Exploring Calaveras County caves keeps you cool, puts your imagination in high gear

We recently passed by Moaning Caverns on our way to Utica Reservoir. What made this camping trip different was we took kayaks out to camp on an island! Here’s a photo of us hauling our gear back to the boat launch. 

More travel topics

Here's some more L.A. Times travel articles I wrote just in time for summer:

How to safely share the highway with semis 

Heading to Yosemite? Consider a weekend escape to historic Groveland

Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is hidden in Yosemite National Park's northwest corner.  

Wapama Falls

Eat your way up and down California 

These luxe places take the ‘ugh’ out of camping 

Take the plunge in these California swimming holes to keep your cool

Travel topics

Well, it has been awhile. Here are links to several new travel pieces covering some pretty diverse topics:

Admire baseball legends, soak up baseball history at museums across the U.S.

Forest bathing, or how you can experience nature without getting wet (Below is Ediza forest bathing as a toddler in the Ansel Adams Wilderness of the Inyo National Forest. What a trendsetter.)

May Day may mean maypoles, beer or leis. But it's still about spring (Below is present-day Ediza and her class during this year's May Day Festival at Sierra Waldorf School.) 

In Depoe Bay, Ore., a family weekend getaway means relaxing walks, pizza and play structures 

Where to commemorate D-day, in the U.S. and overseas

Where to chase rainbows? Here are six stunning places to see them

Mountains 2 Beach

We started this summer with a trip to Ventura over Memorial Day weekend so I could run the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon. Now, three months later — just in time for Labor Day weekend — here's a story about our trip: Explore Ventura's beaches, shops and family-friendly restaurants on a weekend escape (also in Sunday's L.A. Times).

Sonora and Shakespeare

Washington Street in downtown Sonora

We didn't have to travel far for A weekend escape to Sonora, Calif., where the charm of the Old West remains. Also, this upcoming weekend Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream' comes to Yosemite — for free.

Exploring the property at Indigeny Reserve 

Moss Landing

Hope your New Year is off to a good start. Here's a link to a new travel story (also in this Sunday's L.A. Times) about a different spot we checked out on the Central Coast: Escape to California's quaint Moss Landing for a family weekend filled with kayaking and fresh seafood. We visited there back in October for Ediza's birthday and we actually just got back from the area for Amber's birthday.

Warm Wishes from the Wild West

We got this Old West photo done at Kamice's Photographic Establishment as part of my latest L.A. Times travel story: Just in time for the holidays, a family-friendly weekend escape to California's Columbia State Historic Park. Happy holidays! 

Travel stories

I can't believe this is my first post since the beginning of the year!

Wanted to share a link to my latest L.A. Times travel story posted earlier this month: Paddle and play on a weekend escape to picturesque Pinecrest Lake in the Sierra

Pinecrest Lake

I recently complied a list of previous travel stories to help me keep track of places I've written about. 

Other stories in the Sierra include:

Off the trail and into a soft bed in Mammoth Lakes

Hiking the Sierra with three llamas and a baby

Sonora, Calif.'s antiques, eateries and train ride

Mariposa Butterfly Festival will take flight 

Here's a few more just about Yosemite:

Unwind naturally at Yosemite National Park

Hiking to the top of Yosemite Falls

Where to stay when visiting Yosemite

As well as nearby Calaveras County:

What's shaking in San Andreas? Plenty of California history

Calaveras County: Still hopping to it

Murphys rings in St. Patrick's Day with green wine

And the California coast:

A train depot B&B, family-friendly beach, moonlight cliff walk in Capitola

Surfin' Santa Cruz like a local

Monterey's historic sights, seafood and simple pleasures turn into lasting memories 

Along with various cities:

Visiting San Francisco? Say yes to NoPa

Hitting Reno with a child in tow

Washington: Cherry blossoms, gifts that keep on giving, turn 100

In addition to international travel:

Inca Trail Marathon is a runner's high in Peru

One-of-a-kind treasures in New Delhi's markets

And the first story:

Travels with a toddler: It can be done 

Monterey

Baby Augustus checking out the moon jellies.

Not only did we have a new baby, but we also moved to a new house. And when we want a weekend escape, here’s where we go: Monterey's historic sights, seafood and simple pleasures turn into lasting memories.

Ediza in her element. 

Central Coast

We recently escaped to the cooler coast for our last trip before the baby. Our first stop was Capitola, which can be summed up in last Sunday’s L.A. Times Travel piece: A train depot B&B, family-friendly beach, and moonlight cliff walk in Capitola

Breakfast in bed(room)

We then continued down the coast to visit a friend in Monterey. Along with the beach, we returned to our favorite thrift store, playground, bakery, and of course the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

 

Summer fun

Granite Dome

Here are some photos from a trail run/hiking adventure through the Emigrant Wilderness over Fourth of July weekend. 

And here are links to recent Weekend Escapes for L.A. Times travel:

What's shaking in San Andreas? Plenty of California history

Unwind naturally at Yosemite National Park

Snow in July!

Season's Greetings

We returned this year to the Historic Downtown Sonora Christmas Parade, which is held annually the night after Thanksgiving. This photo was taken at the start of the route near the Red Church. Amber made wreaths with lights for around the llamas necks, and Ediza was a pro walking her llama the whole way. Speaking of pros, thanks to Maggie Beck for the festive photo!

Earlier that week, we spent my birthday exploring Moaning Cavern (which we hadn't done before) and sampling beer at Prospectors Brewing Company (which we have done before). Also that day, my latest L.A. Times travel piece ran: Visiting San Francisco? Say yes to NoPa

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and an incredible New Year ahead!

Summer's last hurrah

My parents came to visit earlier this month and we went everywhere from the mountains of Mammoth Lakes to the skyscrapers of San Francisco. Speaking of Mammoth, here's a link to my new L.A. Times travel piece about our trip there last month — Weekend Escape: Off the trail and into a soft bed in Mammoth Lakes

During their visit, we also checked out the wineries of Murphys, the latest play at the Fallon House Theatre in Columbia and an outdoor movie at the Pinecrest Amphitheater. 

Here are some pics from San Francisco, where we stayed with Airbnb again:

A selfie in front of the "Painted Ladies."

A playground that rivaled those in New Zealand. 

Blondes on the beach. 

Totem

 We spent the weekend in Santa Monica and saw the amazing Cirque Du Soleil show "Totem," which recently opened next to the Santa Monica Pier.

My friend (who also ran the Inca Trail Marathon last year) is the show's manager and gave us a tour a few hours before Saturday night's performance. We got to see some of the artists warm up for their superhuman routines. We even got to meet some of the performers as we caught a glimpse into their world.

 The show itself is incredibly creative and entertaining. Highlights for me were the unicycle girls and roller skating Native Americans.

Speaking of roller skating, Ediza hit the beach on her wheels and left us in her dust (in the background, you can see Cirque Du Soleil big-top tent and the pier).

 Ediza just kept going — all the way up a ramp and over the highway headed back. The day before it was so warm that she actually went swimming — in January!

Amber took a break from skating, but she has her roller derby season opener this weekend.

 We used Airbnb again and stayed at a nice apartment within walking distance to the beach and an even  shorter distance to an awesome juice bar.

On our way out of town, we stopped by the L.A. Times Travel Show at the L.A. Convention Center. As we walked by the Travel Smart Stage, the presentation "Home Away from Home: A Different Way to Stay" caught our attention. Ironically, the discussion featured the managing editor for Airbnb.

Dia de los Muertos

Here's a photo of us yesterday at the Dia de los Muertos celebration in Murphys (after some wine tasting, of course).

While Murphys is always a good weekend spot, here's another: Today's L.A. Times Travel section has a piece about our trip to Reno — Weekend Escape: Hitting Reno with a child in tow