Just got another Santa Ana winds warning via phone app. Winds expected through Monday. The umpteenth such warning in the last few weeks. National meteorologist Dr. Jeff Masters laid out the harsh weather experienced in Southern California this week already: Record May heat sent temperatures soaring above 100° in much of Southern California on Wednesday,Continue reading “Why are we having Santa Ana conditions in May?”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
The blindness of GOP climate denial: USA Today
As those radicals at USA Today put it: The National Climate Assessment, released this week, adds to a mounting and overwhelming body of evidence that the effects of rising temperatures are here and now — and that even higher sea levels, more extreme weather and water shortages are in our future if nothing is done. AddressingContinue reading “The blindness of GOP climate denial: USA Today”
What we can do about climate change: the Monarch
A funny thing about climate change: contrary to popular opinion, individuals can make a difference, here and there, for other people and other species. Example? The Monarch Butterly. Ask the experts at Monarch Watch, the leading conservation group devoted to this iconic species: In California, Monarchs aggregate in more than 25 roosting sites along theContinue reading “What we can do about climate change: the Monarch”
What moved Obama to act on climate change: the disappearance of the CA snowpack
According to a great story in the Washington Post by veteran environmental reporter Juliet Eilperin, this is the image that shocked Obama in February, and moved him to act to slow climate change, in spite of opposition in Congress. Missing in action: the California snowpack, on which tens of millions of us depend. Eilperin writes:Continue reading “What moved Obama to act on climate change: the disappearance of the CA snowpack”
A letter home (on global warming): Neil Young
Neil Young just let slip news of a record relase, in a paradoxical, almost confusing way, embedding the release in a voice and a raw 1947 technology that has to be heard to be believed (and appreciated). It's called A Letter Home, a reference to the remarks below. It's richly appealing and enjoyable, about asContinue reading “A letter home (on global warming): Neil Young”
Warner Springs break-down: The post-PCT adventure
Sometimes the real adventures on the trail come before or after the trail, as was the case for me after the Pioneer Mail to Warner Springs section of the Pacific Crest Trail I walked gosh, just two weeks ago.
I don't have as many pictures for this section as I did for the last one, but I think it'll be worth it, so please come along and take a look see.
I'll begin with where I left off, at Warner Springs, a lovely end-point for the first section of the trail, about 110 miles north of the Mexican border.
Here's what the trail looks like just 1/4 of a mile from the PCT Stop N' Shop at the Warner Springs Community Resource Center (which is open for a month during the thru-hikers season).
On Saturday eve, I had a pleasant post-trail dinner of bread and salami, dried fruit and a little left-over rum. Repacked, put everything in my little truck, turned the key and — nada. No response. Maybe because I left the lights on for three and a half days.
The freedom in walking lies in being no one: Philosopher
A delightfully light (but thoughtful) interview focuses on a new book — A Philosophy of Walking — written by a French professor who takes the subject so seriously he's nervous about answering questions from a reporter. From The Guardian: It is a sunny spring Sunday and – joy! – I am off to Paris toContinue reading “The freedom in walking lies in being no one: Philosopher”
On love and global warming: True Detective
The HBO show True Detective included some of the most compelling filmed drama seen here in many a moon. But as much as most critics liked the show, what everyone liked was the credit sequence. Created by an Australian studio called Antibody, the creators told Art of the Pitch what they envisioned: We boarded out theContinue reading “On love and global warming: True Detective”
Between every two tall cacti is a door to a new way of life
On the PCT, in the Anza-Borrego desert, seeing two ocotillo beside the trail like gate posts reminded me of a famous quote of John Muir's. (Okay, I'm a nerd, I admit it.) The quote, from a note Muir made in a margin, goes something like this: Between every two pine trees is a door leadingContinue reading “Between every two tall cacti is a door to a new way of life”
PCT section A: Pioneer Mail to Warner Springs
Last week I completed the second half of the first section of the Pacific Crest Trail, through the Anza-Borrego Desert, which turned out to be a good little adventure. Pics and comments below for anyone who might wonder — what's it like to walk the PCT in SoCal just 50-100 miles north of the border?
Let me start with a moment of mild drama…ran into this fellow hanging out in the trail:
Fortunately he was very mellow, and hardly seemed to notice as I skirted him and the trail to pass, (after trying to move him on with a couple of chucked rocks).
Kit Stolz 