A popular hike in north-inland San Diego County, Monserate Mountain provides a good workout with spectacular views from its summit. This moderate trail climbs 1,160 feet in 1.6 miles and is a memorial to honor all the fallen first responders who lost their lives on 9/11. The trail markers A1-A11 represent every 10th floor of […]
Hiking Corte Madera in the Pine Creek Wilderness
Sitting in the Pine Creek Wilderness in east San Diego, stands Corte Madera, or as some refer to it, San Diego’s Half Dome. This peak offers some impressive views of Baja California, Los Pinos, Anza Borrego, Mount Laguna, and Cuyamaca State Park. This challenging trail has some stunning vistas as it climbs toward the summit. […]
Hiking Volcan Mountain
The Volcan Mountains are a relatively small range about 13 miles long and 7.5 miles wide. Located east of San Diego, near the town of Julian, this hike up Volcan Mountain gives you a perfect excuse for a weekend trip rewarded with a slice of Julian apple pie. The out-and-back double-track trail has and entrance […]
Road Tripping, Part 1: San Diego
I am not a car guy. My first car was a 1972 VW Bus that I bought used from my aunt and uncle. It had curtains in the window, an air-cooled engine and loved to cruise on flat highway roads. Hills were another matter entirely, and I ended swapping the engine twice in the six years […]
Following in the Steps of my Grandparents
My grandparents played an important role in my life. They were a tremendous example of living a meaningful, thoughtful life. They stayed active throughout the years. And they were always there with advice, or to listen, or to share the most valuable thing of all — time. Last December, my grandmother passed away at the […]