TRAVELS WITH MATTIE

When it rains at night there are a thousand toads on the road home, and we stop the leaking truck to move them aside. The raindrops are fat and heavy and fall from twisted oak boughs to wash the cabin skylights. Mattie Dog curls up on a sleeping bag called The Cat's Meow 20 Degree. I wrap myself in the new-smelling Pomer Hoit (it is too hot here and belongs in the mountains) and sink into the sage couch next to hot tea and a snoring puppy to think about islands and granite. The coyotes and the turkeys are quiet. We all listen closely as winter arrives on Paradise Road.

Oh boy, this week... Here are things that are new: I rocked my ankle last Monday and have been out of commission for 7 whole stupid days, but am finally feeling better and am hoping to get back outside by the end of the week. Climbing and running progress is keeping me motivated and I can't wait to get back to it. Thanksgiving was wonderful. I spent two days in Santa Monica with the family (we missed some of you guys!), then drove up to SLO to spend a very welcome weekend with Danielle, Cole, Mary, Lindsey, Jon, Mattie, Kai, Collins, and a couple new friends from San Francisco. Cole made raging bonfires both nights and we listened to the ocean heaving at Morro Strand. I saw the most insane shooting star of my life from their front porch and made two wishes on it, because it could handle it. I spent more time with my family and watched Moonrise Kingdom again...and then again. I drove back to Santa Barbara last night and arrived at the cozy cabin under bright moonlight. Of cour...

VOTED. Now, waiting for good news. I forgot to post a picture of a new design yesterday. I recently finished the new logo for the Santa Barbara Trails Council - here's a picture of it laser etched onto a wine box. A wine box? I think it's a wine box, if that's a real thing. Anyway, the landscape was originally done by hand, and the rest edited and put together with super hi-tech graphic design software (right). I like it. Now back to waiting, impatient and optimistic.

Hi friends - It's been a relatively good week, with reminders of why I left Santa Barbara, and why I came back, and why I'm ready to leave again. But it's beautiful, hot, the colors are quintessential Fall In Los Padres National Forest (everything wears translucent ecru), and there's been some time for bouldering (outside and in), hiking, running, and early evening sunsets with Mattie Dog. #ihateyoudaylightsavingsandiwantmysunshineback Mattie and I have been doing some substantial exploring in the back country whenever we get a chance. And to add to our log of creature buddies, here are some pictures of new friends: The little stick bug (Senorito Stickito) hanging out on our screen door! Muddy prints on our front porch bench. I took a little run/hike back to Gibraltar dam the other day, and on the way back was SO happy to find this little home on the dried shores of the Santa Ynez River:  Guess who lives here. Guess. HERE'S A HINT. yes...