Picks and Pans – Whirlwind trip through Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado

PICKS:

Highway 60 from Globe to Show Low, AZ

After much too brief of a stop at my sister Vanessa’s house, we began a new phase of the road trip — the all driving, minimal stopping, hauling of our behinds to get across the country in time to spend Christmas with my grandparents in western […]

Picks and Pans – In and Around L.A.

PICKS: Thanksgiving weekend with friends

I never really thought that L.A. would be one of the spots on the trip that would feel like a temporary home, but thanks to our friends Norbert, Yolanda, Xavier, Michael, Judith, Teddy, Charlene and Aaron, we had a Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by loving, generous, intelligent friends that made us […]

Picks and Pans – Pismo Beach and Shell Beach, CA

PICKS: Pismo Beach

Although at first glance there doesn’t seem to be anything special about it, Pismo Beach is a solidly good beach. Nice sand, hardly any trash blowing around, lots of space and just enough people for good people watching, but not so many that it seems crowded. Plus, it was warm enough in […]

Picks and Pans – Morro Bay, CA

PICKS: Sunset at Morro Rock

Morro Rock is all that remains of a once gigantic volcano. It sits on Morro Beach like a lost behemoth, left behind when the rest of its kind vanished. During sunset, the waves crash dramatically against it and create great plumes of spray in the fiery light, reminiscent of the […]

Picks and Pans – Monterey, CA

PICKS: Fisherman’s Wharf

While in Monterey, we spent almost all of our time on the bay, starting with lunch on the wharf. We packed up some food, walked down the creaky planks to the end of the wharf and ate while listening to the local fisherman assess the probability of a good catch for the […]