Best Family Adventure Summer Hiking Series - Red Rocks Swimmin' Hole

After last week's super hot hike just south of SLO, we figured it was time to head for the swimmin' hole - Red Rocks on the Upper Santa Ynez River upstream from Lake Cachuma. It's a relatively long drive from, well, just about anywhere, but the hike is short and the cool water is usually a wonderful reward.

We didn't have a great showing for this hike, which was too bad because it's really a great spot to play. The girls and I waited at the trailhead for awhile, then headed up the river to our favored beach where we enjoyed a picnic before hitting the water.

Unfortunately, last week's temperatures didn't hold out and a cool wind blew up the canyon. It subsided shortly after we met up with a mom and daughter hiking team we'd originally met on our tour of Arroyo Hondo. They had come up from Goleta to join us! We all enjoyed a dip and the girls found some waterlogged logs that were still floating. They joined the logs and climbed aboard to use it as a paddleboard all over the swimming hole. (We hope they're still there when we return.)

The only downside to Red Rocks is that it's a known party place for young, alcohol-driven, trash-throwing partiers. Next time, we're bringing trash bags. I think we could pay for our gas for the trip out with all the recycling we could haul back with us. Very sad.



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Best Family Adventure Summer Hiking Series - Johnson Loop

This summer, the girls and I...wait. I mean I have committed to leading a family friendly outing every Thursday this summer. (The girls, of course, are along for the ride, and the hike, and whatever other adventures we find along the way.) The girls and I used to hike every week, but we've fallen out of that habit in recent years as other obligations (classes, travels, social events) began to fill the calendar. But with the release of each "Best Family Adventure" book I've heard from fans that they'd like to hike more regularly but that they need either the security of a buddy to go with, motivation of a friend on the trail with them, or just someone to show the way. So, when it came up again one late night, I started scheduling.

The first Best Family Adventures Summer Thursday Hike was held on June 3. I chose Johnson Loop south of San Luis Obispo because it's newer than the first edition of "Best Family Adventures: San Luis Obispo County," and I'd heard a fair bit about it. All reports were that it would be a mellow enough loop for a gaggle of kids. Plus, with the print run coming to its end, it's probably time to start researching again for the second edition.

It was incredibly warm (some might even have called it downright hot) right off the bat. But we persevered and celebrated shade when we found it. We had a really nice group show up, and E was particularly enamored with a boy her age who also likes to tell stories and explore. Once they figured out they shared a common interest to talk about along the way, they were off and running.



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Summer Solstice Beach Bash

After a very windy spring, the marine layer has finally made a comeback. Yep, summer's on it's way and the Best family plans to celebrate with a beach bash on June 21, Summer Solstice. Please join us!

I know...that's a Monday. But here's the deal: the kids will be out of school, so bring 'em down to the beach whenever you can make it; we'll be there.

If you have to work 'til 5, no worries! We'll stay 'til way after dark playing in the sand, the surf, and certainly cooking something fantastic over the fire.

You have to get up early Tuesday? That's fine, too. We won't strap you to your chair and make you stay (though I suspect you won't want to leave once we break out the s'mores).

Oh, speaking of food and fire, here's the low down:
The Best family will arrive early in hopes of securing a fire ring. (No fire ring=no fire.) We'll be set up by lunchtime, and then hang out for the day. BYO food to cook over the fire (or not), favored beverages (no glass), chairs if you need 'em, camera, sunscreen. We'll bring toys, but if you have some special toys/games, bring 'em along.

What's the point, you say? To have fun, to enjoy the beauty our Central Coast offers, and, most of all, to celebrate life with friends whom we don't see often enough.

Please join us. We look forward to seeing you there!

Oh, and if you haven't already figured out exactly where we'll be meeting, drop me a note and I'll provide further details. Looking forward to seeing you there!