Orange Lights

Best western anderson indiana
The orange lights drifted across the night sky, while we watched with the rest of the crowd scattered across the lawn. They traveled almost single file at irregular intervals. We ruled out planes and fireflies and satellites, then jokingly settled on aliens, because it was Independence Day, and we had no other explanation.

Anderson indiana

One didn’t make the full arc. It was falling (crashing? landing?), down towards the earth. It was on fire. Some teenage boys ran out to catch it. No aliens, just the remains of a burnt sky lantern, probably being launched from the same site as the firework show that had drawn us all outside to this Anderson, Indiana lot.

Anderson indiana

With the mystery solved, they left it behind on the grass, and we all went back to watching fireworks explode.

—

June 30, 2016

California Citrus Historic State Park

On the way home from Anaheim last year, we discovered the loveliest park, made a friend, tried some amazing citrus, and learned a little history.

And it all started with a craving for donuts.

Corona

The donut shops around our hotel were partly to blame, but what really did it is stopping for gas late Sunday afternoon on our way back to Phoenix and noticing a vintage sign across the street that said “Donut Pantry”.

Sadly, it was closed, as were the other 3 donut shops we found driving around the town of Corona. But by then, we had decided donuts and a cup of coffee would be essential for our drive home.

Riverside

So Phillip got back on the freeway, and I got on Yelp. There was a listing for a place in Riverside, just past an intriguing big green rhombus on the map called Citrus Historic State Park.

Before we even got there, however, Phillip saw Mister Blue’s Donut Shop (open 24 hours) and we pulled in. We got an apple fritter, chocolate cream donut, and a large coffee to go and went to check out the Citrus Park.

California Citrus Historic State Park

The gate was open but there was no one around. We drove in past orchards of citrus trees, parked near some rustic wooden picnic tables and enjoyed our donuts and coffee. The donuts were great. The coffee was drinkable.

Just past the picnic tables, behind some hedges, Phillip discovered a rose garden with a dry fountain in the middle.

Across the parking lot was a visitors’ center that had closed at 4pm. We wandered around the back and saw more picnic tables, (locked) restrooms, and a pair of rotund black and white guinea fowl that seemed quite at home. There was a trail that wound up a hill between young avocado trees, but we didn’t want to stay too long.

Ranger Samuel

We were headed for our car when an official-looking truck pulled up. I assumed we were about to get yelled at for being there after hours or not having a parking permit or something.

Instead, Ranger Raphael Samuel handed us a park brochure, assured us it didn’t close until 7, and asked if we had questions.

He seemed truly disappointed we weren’t able to enjoy the park to the full extent. “I just wish you had been here earlier when the visitors’ center was open.” He explained how volunteers not only run the visitors’ center but lead weekend tasting tours where visitors learn about the citrus trees and sample fruit. If you like it, you pick some to take home.

We chatted about California/citrus history, traffic, and the Star Wars convention we had just attended. When he realized we were from out of town and wouldn’t be able to come back for the next weekend’s tour, he couldn’t let us leave without showing us around and picking some fruit for us to taste. His favorite tree had a variety of oranges that were sweet and complex and unlike anything I’ve tasted.

We’re hoping to stop back by for the full tour next time we’re in California!

– More Info –

Citrus Historic State Park

Parking is $5 per vehicle.
Park is open 7 days a week, 8am to at least 5pm, depending on the season.
Visitor Center, Museum & Gift Shop hours are Friday through Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
“Tour and Tastes” are most Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30am, 12:00pm, and 2:00pm.

Riverside, California is about 45 minutes east of Anaheim. In addition to being the site of Citrus Historic State Park and at least two 24-hour donut shops, it’s known for the historic Mission Inn. The hotel is the size of a city block, and you can see its mission bell logo stamped into the concrete freeway walls as you pass the city.

June 27, 2016June 26, 2016

Ocean Month

When I realized it was Cephalopod Week (Science Friday’s “celebration of all things tentacled”), I thought I’d have some fitting photos to share with you.

I couldn’t find the one I thought I’d taken of the octopus up against the glass at the Seattle Aquarium or the cuttlefish we raced across the aquarium at Monterey Bay to see, moments before they closed for the day. (Because cuttlefish are so rad, we couldn’t leave without seeing them!)

While I didn’t spot any cephalopods in my photos, June is National Ocean Month. So here are a few the other ocean creatures we visited at the Seattle Aquarium.

—

We received media passes for the Seattle Aquarium as part of a CityPass courtesy of Visit Seattle.

June 23, 2016December 4, 2021

Would you sleep in a lookout tower?

Wildflowers at McCart Lookout, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana.

I was looking for National Park campground information online when I came across this:

“Bunk in a Fire Lookout Tower – These are mostly historic fire lookouts once used by wildland firefighters, like 55-foot tall Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout located at 10,000 feet.”

I’ve seen these towers in the distance, perched over Arizona forests, and thought how awesome it would be to see the view from there. I had no idea it was a possibility (without years of training and a Forest Service job) until I read that. I also hadn’t thought about them no longer being in use.

I guess nowadays fires just send a text-?

The catch:

“Most offer panoramic views of mountains, forests and wildlife but may not offer electricity, running water, or road access.”

You may have to pack in all your food, water, and gear. You may also have to climb down a ladder to use the bathroom.

Inconvenient, but still, I’d stay in one for a night.

How about you?

—

How to find fire towers you can stay in on recreation.gov:

Type “camp” in the search box.
Under category, choose “campgrounds.”
Under looking for, choose “lookouts.”

—

Images via recreation.gov (except #2).

Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout, Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming.
Via iOS7 Text generator.
Bald Butte Lookout, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Oregon. “The lookout was built in 1931 and served as a Forest Service fire detection site for over 50 years. It was constructed from an Aladdin L4 ground-mounted lookout kit in which all of the pieces were pre-cut in six-foot lengths or less so the entire kit could be packed by horses into the remote site.”
(+ top/featured image) McCart Lookout, Bitterroot National Forest, Montana. “It has been restored to reflect a lookout of the 1940s, including the stove, furniture, dishes and other small touches.”
Screenshot.

June 16, 2016August 11, 2016

Happenings List: June 2016+

This is our monthly curated roundup of maker/artist/explorer events!

Angle brackets (>>) point to related info on our site.

U.S.

National Park Service Centennial

Aug 25. There are programs throughout the United States to celebrate the Park Service’s 100th birthday.

Now – 2017. Art Quilt Tour: 13 art quilts created in celebration the National Park Service Centennial are touring the National Parks they depict now through 2017.
Read on to find out about celebrations in Arizona, Hawaii, and Massachusetts!

+Arizona

>>June in Arizona is not the end of the world! Here are some events that show life goes on, even when it’s really hot outside…

Maurice Sendak art exhibit

Now – Jul 17 at Burton Barr Central Library. 50 original pencil drawings and other early images from Where the Wild Things Are author and illustrator Maurice Sendak.

IN FLUX Cycle 6

Now – Dec at various Phoenix-area locations. Temporary, site-specific public art installations by local artists.

Meet an Astronomer

Jun 17, 7:30pm at Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff. Meet a Lowell astronomer and ask astronomy questions! There will also be real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies and other celestial objects displayed on a large outdoor screen.

Part of new “Meet an Astronomer” series Friday and Saturday evenings in June, July and August.

Classic Saturdays

Jun 18, 10am at Heritage Library, Yuma. A free weekly event featuring classic movies and movies filmed in Yuma.
>>Our trip to Yuma.

The Tucson 23: A Mexican Food Festival

Jun 18, 6pm at JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson.

Tucson Movies in the Park

Jun 24, Jul 8, Jul 22, Aug 5, Aug 19 at Reid Park, Demeester Performing Arts Pavilion, Tucson. Free admission.
>>Ongoing Phoenix-area movie events.

Bites Donuts Pop-up

Jun 26, 8am at Peixoto Coffee, Chandler.
>>You’ll want coffee with that.

Sewing Classes with Oxford Dogma

Jul 6, 6pm. Simple Zipper Pouch at TechShop Chandler.
Aug 3, 6pm. Sew a Waxed Canvas Shave Kit at TechShop Chandler.

Frida Kahlo birthday celebration

Jul 9, 10am at Heard Museum. Art exhibition by the Phoenix Fridas, live mariachi music, and cake!
>>Last year we saw artwork by members of the Phoenix Fridas at Burton Barr Central Library (Phoenix).

CraftHack

2nd Mondays, 6pm at Gangplank Chandler. Free monthly meet-up of artists and crafters. Learn something new or bring your own project to work on!

Jul 11: Seed “Bombs” and Seed Tape
Aug 8: Project TBD

Hilton Indoor Fine Art Festival

Jul 16, 10am-6pm at Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort.
Juried fine arts festival with artisan displays from around the region and live strolling acoustic violin, jazz and bluegrass performances.

National Park Service Parks in the Pines Birthday Bash

Aug 20, 10am-5pm at Flagstaff City Hall Parking Lot. Celebrate the National Park Service’s centennial with a free park fair, photo booths, and cake.

Yuma Jazz Company: Lutes Summer Jazz Series

Now – August 19 Friday nights at Lutes Casino, Yuma.
>>We saw YJC perform when we were in Yuma. We also had lunch at Lutes Casino.

+California

The Junk Show

Jul 10, 8pm at Copper Still, Los Angeles. A monthly comedy-focused variety show at the bar inside Jaraguá Salvadoran restaurant.

#BlogHer16: Experts Among Us

Aug 4 – 6 at JW Marriott LA Live, Los Angeles. BlogHer annual conference.

Aug 6, 10:30am. Mobile-Readiness Blog Review Geek Lab: I’ll be leading this interactive small group session. (See online schedule.)
Watch for a BlogHer registration discount in our next newsletter!

+Colorado

Animalia exhibition

Now – August 21 at Loveland Museum/Gallery, Loveland. Art with animals as the subject, which explores their complex relationship with humans.

July 8, 5:30 pm. Thought to Finish: Natural Artist Laney will produce a wildlife painting in front of viewers from beginning to end.
“The Rat Race” sculpture (and photo) above by Ken Newman will be included in the exhibit.

+Hawaii

Volcano Art Center

“Where people, art, and nature meet.” Educational center and fine arts gallery with handcrafted work by over 300 local artists, as well as a performance series and rain forest tours in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

Jul 15 – Aug 7. “Quilts in the Forest, Quilts in the Park” at Niaulani campus: Volcano Art Center’s first annual quilt show, in celebration of the 100th birthday of both Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the National Park Service.
Mondays at 9:30am. Weekly Forest Tours at Niaulani campus: Free, one-hour guided tour to learn about Niaulani rain forest and other rare native Hawaiian rain forests.
Photo above by volcano art center on Flickr.

Free Ukulele Lessons

Now – Dec 26. Monday mornings at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park Visitor Center. Learn to play basic cords on the ukulele!

+Indiana

Outdoor Concerts in Indianapolis

There’s a great round-up of free summer concerts on the Visit Indy blog.

Now – Aug 3. Summer Under The Sails at The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Wednesday evenings and midday Thursdays.
Jun 22, 8pm. Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra with Fireworks at Garfield Park. Part of Indy Parks 2016 Summer Concert Series.
Now – Dec 16. Fountain Square 3rd Friday Music Series at New Day Craft monthly.

>>Our visit to Fountain Square.

+Massachusetts

Bring the Park to the People!

Aug 20, 1-4pm at Eagle Park, Lowell. Interactive pop-up museums with crafts and informational materials, neighborhood tours, and a community weaving project in celebration of the National Park Service’s 100th birthday.

+New York

Point of Vision: Celebrating Women Artists in Fantasy and Science Fiction

Now – Aug 20 at Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators, New York.

The Great Food Truck Derby

Aug 19, 4pm at Hayground School, Bridgehampton. At least 15 New York City and Long Island food trucks serve food and drink during the Community farmers market. Event benefits Hayground schoolyard projects providing culinary arts training for local kids. (Graphic via Edible East End.)

+Virginia

Virginia Craft Brewers Fest

Aug 20 at Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows. Celebration of Virginia’s craft beer industry.

>>Over 60 participating breweries, including South Street, which we visited in Charlottesville.

+Washington

Graphic Masters: Dürer, Rembrandt, Hogarth, Goya, Picasso, R. Crumb

Now – Aug 28 at Seattle Art Musuem. Exploration of how six historical artists used prints and drawings to express personal sentiments.

+Washington DC

Objects Out of Storage

In conjunction with the ongoing Patrick F. Taylor Foundation Object Project, the Objects Out of Storage program temporarily displays related objects with talks from experts at National Museum of American History about once a month.