Hiding in the hills.

Most of the camping I've ever done has been at least a few hours away from home. I've never aimed my eyes close by when looking for a destination, but when the time came to have a quick, leave after work on friday, one night camp trip, I began searching close by our home in Corona and settled on going to Blue Jay Campground located in the Cleveland National Forest a few miles off of Ortega Highway on the  North Main Divide Road. I had heard of and read about Blue Jay before, but had talked to no one who had actually been there before (my dad took me once when I was 8 or so, but I don't recall the event). Despite the uncertainties going into the trip, Blue Jay ended up being a great choice. We found the quiet and relaxation I love about camping in remote areas close by home, which only makes me want to explore the Ortega Corridor further.

Prepping the camp gear a few hours before leaving Friday afternoon. 

After finding a site and setting up camp, we were treated to an exceptional sunset.

Our home for the previous night shortly after sunrise.

Because of its location on the edge of a valley, our site had a view and no neighbors: exactly what we like.

Somewhere on the San Juan Trail heading south out of the campground on our morning hike.

Trail head for Falcon Trail, which runs north out of the campground.

A view along Falcon Trail of the sprawling valleys and mountainsides.

The morning was ideal for strolling through the surrounding meadows dotted with Oak and Pine trees.

It's the little details that matter.

The three of us, along with a jug of water in hand.

A friendly reminder.

Waking in the desert

The family that feeds together.

My girlfriend and I have been apartment sitting for a close family friend for close to a week now. When we began, we were told to watch for raccoons at night; they will come by looking for cat food left out for the alley cats. Well, here they are. I was cooking some eggs a few nights ago when I heard her call me to come quickly to the front door. Upon arriving at the door and looking out into night, I was presented with the sight of this family of three Raccoons devouring the cat food left by the front door. I was amazed. It was hard for us to not want to sit there and watch them go about their life. We're hoping to see them again soon.

Mist.

Into the fog. San Onofre, June 2011.

One person's trash is another's canvas.

After spending a few days helping a good friend on a cross town move into her new apartment in L.A, Jefri was able to swipe this light and bring it home to turn into functional art. The light was originally one of a pair but after the other light took a fall and broke it was no longer as appealing as a single light, so Jefri decided some color was in order. I couldn't have agreed more.

Big swells of years past.

A very angry looking Cylinders.

Wave breaking through the middle of Newport Harbor.

The Wedge with onlookers.

Oops, I disappeared to Joshua Tree

The desert greeting us after arriving not long after dawn. We were running off of four hours of sleep and coffee at this point, but seeing this added a huge boost to our energy levels.

Yucca plants in full bloom near Desert Queen Mine. It is hard to describe the large scale of the blossoms on these plants.

Bigfoot's face happend to adorn this late 1800's water tower we happened upon while hiking in an area of the park that was once a ranch to the Ryan family. Truth be told, we were looking for rumored multiple graves in the area we when came across this.

A peace sign on the opposing side of the same water tower, along with a better look at said Bigfoot. What I'm bummed I didn't shoot was graffiti scratched into the metal itself that read "Respect the Earth our mother."

Essentials

There are some of my possessions that have proved their value time and time again on the road. My tent, suitcase, and Little Martin guitar are some of those items.

Desert Exposure

Stretch.

Early morning in the Anza Borrego.

The nearest store to the campground, which was the nearest store for untold miles.

Decent into Moonlight Canyon.

Airstrips and shade rocks.

I'm happy to say that after a three hour car ride spent straddling a guitar and holding bongos, I'm officially safe and sound, back at home from a weekend camping in the Anza Borrego desert. The suitcase is unpacked, and my camp gear stashed for the next trip. For now I'm going to catch up on some rest and let my skin take a break from the relentless desert sun.

The road calls

Well packing is about done. Only a few minor items left to throw in the car, then I will be ready to get out of here for the next few days. I've never camped in the Anza Borrego desert, so I'm pretty excited to be somewhere new. The weather is lining up to be perfect, and this is the time of year when the desert is in full bloom, so as of now things are looking to go well. The almost three hours it will take to get there will be just enough time to settle into the car and enjoy some good music and the desert scenery passing by. Tonight I'll be staring at stars.

Recently

My room.

The land before time.

Spinning

Society has turned us into mice running in place.

Coming Projects

I've got a few projects in the works that I'm really looking forward to finishing. Here's a look at what's on the work bench now. Time for some chiseling.

Found Treasure

I'm not sure where this came from, but about six months ago it somehow manifested in my garage. This is the first time I've taken it out from the darkness and I'm bummed I hadn't sooner.

Fuel for the fire

These are two things I'm pretty stoked to have in my possession at the moment (although Mr. Kerouac is only mine temporarily). Hoping for fresh thoughts to propel the ensuing music recording that will be done.

Color(full)

Life in technicolor.

Natural Clarity

I love how crisp and clear the local streams are in the Santa Ana mountains after rainfall. It lets light dance. Refraction rocks.

Good Nights.

Woke up to nothing left.

Getting Busy

I've been in the process of forming a band these last two months. So far things are going really well. We've got our drummer and singer, and from here on out it's just a matter of time until songs are finished. There have been many late nights spent jamming and recording.