Our first Grand Canyon trip brought a campervan setup at Mather Campground, a winter hike to Cedar Ridge, freezing nights, heavy rain, and an unexpected morning of snow.

We rode our bikes to the beach for two days of jets, aerobatic pilots, and photography at the 2019 Great Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach.

My experience buying and selling used camera gear through KEH, including Bargain-grade film cameras, Nikon and Sony lenses, a Fujifilm X100T, and a smooth warranty replacement.

Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve offers some of Orange County’s best coastal birding, from nesting herons and Least Terns to feeding pelicans and dancing Reddish Egrets.

The Osprey Kyte 36L has carried Kim through day hikes, mountain climbs, overnight trips, and years of travel. In 2026, it is still one of her favorite backpacks.

A rainy birthday weekend on Oregon’s north coast brought quiet beaches, the Peter Iredale shipwreck, Haystack Rock at sunset, state parks, cheese, and memorable local beer.

Ryan Mountain is a short but strenuous Joshua Tree hike, climbing more than 1,000 feet to a windy summit with expansive views across the desert.

An evening hike around the reservoir at Peters Canyon Regional Park brought steep little hills, quiet overlooks, California Quail, young Western Bluebirds, and noisy parrots overhead.

The Tenba DNA 11 combines quick camera access, a removable insert, magnetic closures, and an abundance of pockets in a compact messenger bag made for travel and urban adventures.

The REI Co-op Ruckpack 28 combines a roomy main compartment with useful access points, making it a versatile backpack for camera gear, travel, car camping, and short hikes.

A closer look at the Cotopaxi Luzon 18L, a colorful and lightweight daypack that works for short hikes, everyday errands, and travel.

Hidden in the middle of Irvine, San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary offers peaceful walking trails, thriving wetlands, and excellent birding. It also happens to be where my love of birding really began.