The Abandoned Shores of the Salton Sea
In February, my friend Marcela hosted a Baby Jesus Tamales Party, a Mexican tradition that begins with the sharing of Rosca de Reyes, or…
B*tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe: Hike to Nazi Ruins in Los Angeles
I don’t usually do adventure reruns, but last weekend, I just needed to get outside to clear my head, so I returned for a…
Hike to Heart Rock Falls: A Love Story
Somewhere in my closet, I have a valentine from my 5th grade crush with a lemon-flavored Lifesaver stuck to the back. The front is…
A Sand Castle for Giants: Shredding the Kelso Dunes
Over winter vacation, I found myself wanting to feel like a kid again. I had two weeks off of “school”, and I was going…
Dance Lessons at the Cowboy Palace
I grew up in the small town of Chatsworth, California. You may know Chatsworth as the porn capital of the world, but I know…
My Brother, The Pirate
Since I began Shoestring Adventures, my brother Mike has been my mentor in trouble-making. Every few weeks, he checks up on me to make…
I Was A Girl Scout Dropout
I was a Girl Scout dropout. I started my own club instead. It consisted of three members, and each of us held high-ranking positions…
Wild Goat Chase: Hike to Three Pools Beyond Seven Falls
In late-September, my friend Rachel and I planned a leisurely hike to Three Pools Beyond Seven Falls in Santa Barbara. Rachel is an exceptional…
Big Sur Jade Hunt: Beginner’s Luck or Fool’s Gold?
For my Aunt Jojo. One day, I hope we can take this trip together. … I’ve known my cousin Taylor since she was born….
Join the Cooking Club at Downtown Women’s Center
I invented at least three new dance moves during the writing of this blog post. OK, so maybe I didn’t actually invent the “Stanky…