I{HEART}ART: Inspiration: Mammoth!
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| "Winter" by Tina C. Wells, Acrylic on canvas |
JOURNEY: Eastern Sierra, Mammoth
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| Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort |
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| The rugged Owens Valley; along hwy 395 |
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| Along Hwy 395 in the Eastern Sierra |
As I journey further into the Sierra, the scenery is rich, purple glacier formed mountains, deep, rich green trees, large rocks and caves, streams and meadows. When I finally reach Mammoth and step out of the car, the scent of the pines and the cold mountain air is overwhelming. Suddenly, I am 8 years old. This is all so deeply ingrained in me. I am awed.
Have I mentioned that I absolutely love Mammoth? It is some kind of weird California mix of rustic and glam with its old mountain town feel, juxtaposed to the new up scale Village with its boutiques and restaurants. We are old school, though, and we have a tradition- dinner at Tamarack. One word: FANTASTIC! The old lodge from the 20's sits on the glacier Twin Lakes. It is amazingly beautiful with ancient pines, caves, a waterfall. If that weren't enough, the lodge has a tiny dining room overlooking the lake with about 10 tables, and incredible cuisine. Last night I had white sea bass with saffron, coconut milk and cherries, wonderful wine, and finished with a trio sampling of homemade gelatos. A delicious meal shared with people I adore makes for a memorable evening.
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| Skiing with "Wooly" |
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| View from the Top at Mammoth Mountain |
Mammoth Mountain is such a large resort that you can ski all day without going down the same run twice, if you like. There is something there for every level of skier. My Dad has been skiing Mammoth since the 60's. He and his brother CLIMBED to the top of the cornice, before there was a chair lift, to sign a book encased in a metal box, and then ski down! While I am not a snow boarder, those guys seemed to be lovin' it too. My new favorite is the lodge and visitor center at the TOP. The gondola will take you all the way from the Village up to the top at over 12,000 feet in elevation. There you can experience an amazing view of those rugged, craggy, snow covered peaks, all nice and warm inside with your lunch. For those who are not willing to ski down the black diamond runs at the top, you can take the gondola back down. But I am with the hard-core viking skiers and we ski down! It's a rush!
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| Top of Mammoth, over 12,000 feet in elevation |
After an amazing, sunny day of skiing, we are ready for apres ski! A little wine and cheese back at the condo, and then we have reservations at the restaurant at Convict Lake. Leave Mammoth and head south on 395 for 5 minutes follow the signs to Convict Lake, yet another glacier formed beauty. The restaurant serves an upscale intercontinental cuisine that is not to be missed. Love it.
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| Convict Lake, Summer |
Tamarack Lodge (description above)
The Restaurant at Convict Lake (description above)
Giovanni's Pizza: a locals favorite with great pizza and pasta
Nevado's: excellent food, upscale yet casual
Skadi: good, interesting food, upscale yet casual
Mammoth in the summer is a great "base camp" for exploring the whole area.
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| Twin Lakes in the Summer, Mammoth |
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| An ancient beauty |
JOURNEY: Tea with Friends
Sometimes, our journeys take us to destinations. Other times, it is the journey of daily life...
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| Impromptu Tea with Girlfriends |
Tea is wonderful. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love coffee! I can’t live without it. It is my morning ritual. I seem to need my coffee buzz to make it through the hectic-morning-get-everybody-out-the-door routine. But then, after that, a mellow, warm cup of tea can really hit the spot. I get together with a few of my girlfriends a couple times a month over tea. We drop off the kids at school and meet at one of our houses where we talk, laugh, cry, vent, encourage, pray, and just sit and sip together. With our hectic lives, these times are often quite impromptu. Sometimes it’s a text sent out the day before “come for tea tomorrow?” Other times there is actually a little planning and prep, but always simple and easy. There is the freedom to serve tea in mugs, sitting on the couch, barefoot, or in your grandmother’s china, at the table, if you feel like it. It’s really just about connecting. This is not afternoon tea with its dainty sandwiches and bite size delicacies. This is a last minute, mid-morning get together. At my house, I usually have a few staples, like a variety of teas both herbal and caffeinated. I always have on hand cheese, nuts, dark chocolate, and fruit. Sometimes I get a wild hair and actually bake something, but it is never expected, which is a relief.
So I encourage you to invite your girlfriends over (the ones who won’t judge you because the morning dishes are still in the sink) and whip up that scone mix in the cupboard if you have time...if not, heat the kettle and pull out the cups (and that dark chocolate that you have been hiding). You’ll be glad you did. Sip and savor.
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| Tea Time |
JOURNEY: Michigan, part 2
October 3, 2012
A few photos that give the flavor of the area: |
| Goshorn Lake, MI Lovely, little Goshorn Lake is separated from Lake Michigan by two miles of sand dunes. During our week stay, we watched the leaves turn increasingly crimson and golden. |
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| Cabin Decor |
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| Saugatuck Dune Ride |
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| Lake Michigan |
One of my favorite things to do while visiting the cabin is to hike to Lake Michigan from the Felt Mansion. The hike is about a mile and takes you through a thick forest. All of a sudden, there is a glimpse of the lake. It looks like the Atlantic, waves, beach grass, and so vast that you can't see the other side. Beautiful.
JOURNEY: Welcoming Autumn in Michigan
September 26, 2012
It is officially fall. In Southern California, we have no idea Autumn has arrived; we are still busy chasing our endless romance with Summer, that often lasts well into October. This week I am visiting the family cabin near Lake Michigan, and I am well aware that truly, it is Fall. Red and orange leaves have started to make an appearance on the trees, and there is a crispness in the air.
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| Crane's Apple Farm |
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| Beautiful fall colors reflecting on the lake |
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| Apparently, there is a garden gnome living in the tree by the lake! |
We are in the charming, artsy town of Saugatuck, perfectly situated on the Kalamazoo River. Full of art galleries, little shops and cafes, Saugatuck is dedicated to art in many forms. The children's park in town has colorful public art sculptures. Love it!
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Trip to Montecito, CA
September 19, 2012
September is one of the best months of the year. The weather is warm, sometimes too warm, and the crowds have gone home. There are a few more days of summer to be enjoyed (officially, fall equinox is September 22). I was fortunate enough to visit one of my favorite spots this week, and soak in a little time at the coast. My sister and I took a quick trip to Montecito, the lovely little coastal village, just below Santa Barbara. I suppose it is my favorite spot because of the years of wonderful memories at Westmont College, (my alma mater), nestled back in the foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains.
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| Montecito Coast |
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| Channel Drive, Montecito |
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| Eucalyptus |
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| agave and bougainvillea |
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| agave by the sea |
spanish Biltmore with its terra cotta roofs, Santa Ynez mountains behind, giant palms, towering eucalyptus trees, agave, bougainvillea, roses, and succulents galore. This morning I had a rare treat; as I was on my ritual morning run (so happy to have a change of scenery) I approached the Biltmore wall and noticed everyone was looking out into the water, where a pod of dolphins were making their way through the surf. They looked close enough to touch. Magical.
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| photo by Peter Nijenhuis
After my run, I walked to Jeannine’s Bakery where the coffee and homemade pastries are divine (not to forget the best ever eggs benedict, but I am saving that for tomorrow). Morning complete.
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I took a drive up to Westmont, a small, Christian liberal arts college. The drive takes you through the hills of Montecito, thick with old majestic trees and magnificent estates. A flood of remembrances runs through me and take me back to the years I spent here. Sunlight and shadows, natural stone walls, the rich mountains, curly wrought iron gates; it is an exceptionally beautiful place. Better still are the deep and lasting friendships that were made here.
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| Westmont College, Kerwood Courtyard |
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| Westmont College, Italian Fountain |
Before I get lost in sentiment and long strolls down memory lane, I want to tell you about a few of my favorites in Montecito, should you ever venture up the coast. There are several options of where to stay. We have chosen the more economical path at the Coast Village Inn. It is small, cottage-like inn with adequate rooms, but the best part is the location. While it is not the Four Seasons Biltmore with its divine oceanfront setting, the Coast Village Inn is located right in the heart of the coastal village of Montecito (vs. the upper village on East Valley Road), where there are great cafes and shops, and a five minute walk to the beach. If you are looking for something a step up, the Montecito Inn down the street is very charming, with a very good restaurant, and colorful history.
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| Seahorse sign in Montecito |
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| Coastal Village of Montecito |
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| Coast Village Inn, Montecito |
OK, let’s talk food. I already mentioned Jeannine’s Bakery, but here are few others:
Cava: oozing with charm; delicious and interesting food from south of the border
Los Arroyos: lovely patio, good Mexican fare
Montecito Cafe (at the Montecito Inn): fresh fish and steaks, well priced. Save room for the Coconut Cake- to die for!
Tre Lune: fresh, fantastic Italian food (I have heard they have a great breakfast too).
Upper Village:
Pierre LaFond: Market, coffees, pastries, deli. Diet tomorrow and have a Farm Cake today (dark chocolate and cream cheese muffin).
Plow and Angel: Appetizers, drinks, and more, in a cozy setting, located at the San Ysidro Ranch (where the Kennedy’s honeymooned).
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| Tre Lune, Montecito |
And that is just Montecito...don’t get me started on Santa Barbara...that will have to be another post.
Journey to Arizona’s Beautiful, Wild Elk Country
September 5, 2012
You might wonder why we would travel to Arizona in August. Surprisingly, just 2 hours north of Phoenix, 7,500 ft. in elevation, you find yourself in the woods, where afternoon thunderstorms are standard. We are “glamping” with my husband’s brother and sister-in-law. I call it “glamping” because I have been on the truly rough’n it kinds of trips with a tent, no running water, or bathrooms, etc. (I was, of course, decades younger when I did this). We are camping with a trailer and generator that provides warm showers, a small kitchen, a bed and bathroom. But counter-intuitively the real glam is that we are not in a campground on asphalt with hook-ups to water and power, and a campground bathroom (the other kind of camping I have done); we are truly in the woods. There are no numbered spots and reservations... you can just pull off on an old logging road in the national forest and make camp. Amazing! There are hundreds of miles of these roads, and a person can seek out as much solitude as you like. We are not so far out that we see no other signs of life, but far enough that we have tons of privacy, and it is wonderfully quiet. We are tucked between the pines, the ground is covered in grasses, wild flowers, and the ever present yellowy-green ferns. Whoever was here before us has built a swing from a pine tree branch and a perfect fire pit. Terry and Stacee (brother and sister in-law) are amazing hosts and very generous with their gear and toys. They have 2 ATV’s (all-terrain vehicles) for back woods, off road exploring. Camping with us are Stacee’s cousins, and our son Kenny, age 8. This place is 8 year old boy heaven, full of sticks, and stones, and old elk bones.
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| Mollogon Rim |
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| Kenny with his Dad and Aunt Stacee and Uncle Terry |
After a night of thunder and lightning, morning showed no signs of rain. One of my favorite parts of camping is coffee around a morning fire. This was followed by a delicious breakfast of quiche and fresh fruit, an excellent start to our day. After James and I had our ritual daily run, greatly enhanced by the scenery, we had some “Hunger Games” training! My husband is an archer...OK, I think he is incredible at it...he would argue this, but really it’s true. He has been pulling a bow string since he was a kid, and is now training our son in the skill of archery. Today will be my first lesson. Kenny has a compound bow, which is fairly technical. I will be making my “Katniss” debut with a traditional recurve. My son and I had a 5 shot competition...he, of course, won. While I have a way to go in the skill department, I really enjoyed trying this and would love to do it again.
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| Katniss Training |
We took another beautiful ride on the ATV’s, this time to the rim of Clear Creek Canyon. We took a short, but extremely steep hike to get a better look at this amazing canyon with rock walls of 1,000+ ft. How do I even begin to describe this? Enormous, colorful rock formations that create a canyon in which a beautiful creek flows. This is the home of big horn sheep. God is an amazing artist!
Back at camp, we enjoyed Stacee’s “secret recipe” white chicken chili with corn bread and margaritas. The smell of the campfire is wonderful, made of fallen pine branches, and pine needle kindling. Talk about aromatherapy. My son was having great fun adding more pine needles and watching them go up in flames- boys! We could hear a pack of coyotes not far off as we sang campfire songs and ate s’mores (I can’t say no). Alas, a warm shower (my kind of camping), and...zzz.
We certainly made the most of our last day. We took a 60+ mile (round trip) ATV ride. We drove for about 12 miles through the pines until we reached the Rim Road. It is aptly named as it winds along the Mogollon Rim. We stayed along the rim for about 15 more miles with the most inspiring views, rugged rock walls, pines, and fallen trees, all in the Coconino National Forest. This ride is breath taking, and I mean that literally; there are many spots where about a foot off the dirt road is a straight drop down, who knows how far. Incredible.
We turned off the rim road toward Buck Springs where my husband spent his childhood hunting and camping. We stopped and took a long hike through Buck Springs to the remains of an old trapper cabin mingled in an aspen grove. We stopped for a brief picnic and long enough to carve Kenny’s initials in a large aspen, as James and his dad had done 35 years ago in the same area. This place is so peaceful and gorgeous, I wanted to linger longer. Kenny was busy catching butterflies, grasshoppers and horney toads. The sky was full of huge billowy clouds, that kept teasing us with rain that never really came. Buck Springs has a beautiful meadow with dense forests on either side. There were signs of many elk all around, but mid-afternoon is not the time of day that they come out in the open. If we were only going to be here in this spot in a few hours, we would likely see a large herd. We hiked back to the road, and eventually home. Happy.
And a good time was had by all...
JOURNEY: Eastern Sierra, Mammoth
The Eastern Sierra stole my heart long ago. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, as I have been journeying there since early childhood. Every winter, our family would make the 7 hr. trek from San Diego to Mammoth Mountain to hit the slopes; and several months later, in the summer, we would make it again for a quick overnight on our way to Lake Tahoe. As a kid, it just seemed LONG. As a teen, I would drive my own car up with a friend...this represented FREEDOM! I think this is when I began to like the drive, blaring U2, my girlfriend and I singing along at the top of our lungs and giggling the way only teenagers can. I also began noticing the scenery.
After the first 2 hours of smoggy So Cal traffic, it starts to get interesting. The Mojave Desert is sparse and bland, except for the Joshua trees that are so strange and cool. It can be 110 in the desert, or more, but this year was a treat, 85 and showers. Have you ever smelled the desert in the rain? It will awaken your soul- rich, full of sage and wildness. As you wind your way up to Red Mountain, you wonder where in the world you are. Strange shacks and abandoned cars, ripped up couches on porches, and void of people. Honestly, I've never seen a living soul there. As you continue along highway 395, there's the first glimpse of the Eastern Sierras, dry and brown, the valley below heaped with huge piles of black volcanic rock. The colors are earthy, umbers, ochres, sienna and grey-green sage. Lone Pine is next; the tiny town at the base of Mount Whitney, tallest mountain in the continental U.S. This town, as well as the other bumps in the road along 395 has a vibe of days gone past, old fashioned, western, rugged, yet charming. As you look up to the west, you see the craggy peaks of "the 3 Sisters" and Mt. Whitney. Amazing. Traveling along, the road is dotted with old western ranches, cattle of all colors and beautiful horses. There are so many old abandoned cottages, country stores, old mines, gas stations, made of stone and wood, boarded up and dilapidated, much like the imaginary "Radiator Springs" from the movie "Cars." They are the fingerprints left behind of a time gone by. The road is also full of historical markers and sites to visit. Someday I want to go slow and stop along the way, have lunch at the Ranch House Cafe (that always seems to be busy), stop at the historical sites, walk the streets of the little town of Big Pine, and visit the Ancient Bristlecone Forest. Someday I will.
8 yr. old adventures include canoes, waterfalls, and caves
Ancient Beauty
JOURNEY: Tahoe's West Shore
The last day of the trip, James and I got up early and packed a thermos full of coffee, 2 pastries, and headed out to our old canoe. It was purchased originally here at Tahoe in the 1970’s, and when it fell into our hands, it was completely dilapidated. Many, many hours and help from others went into this ol’ boats’ restoration. Needless to say, like anything you pour yourself into, we are attached to this canoe. She is a beauty, a wooden Old Town. We waded out, thermos and paddles in hand, in the perfectly still, glistening morning. Out a way, we stopped and had our coffee and treats and then glided quietly along the shore. As opposed to being in a motor boat, you can peer down to the bottom through the clear aqua waters, see the rocks and sand, and reach out and feel the cold water. Savor.
Some of the other highlights of this years trip:
James, with the help of our son (Kenny) and nephew (Spence) caught a record, six trout!
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| The Proud Fishermen (see recipe below) |
Kenny and Spence had a grand feast of crawdad tails after spending many hours baiting and capturing the creatures.
I love waterskiing in the cold, clear, cobalt blue waters of Tahoe on a perfectly glassy morning.
Time with family! It was so fun to watch my precious niece crawl all around and give her sparkly smiles to anyone who caught her eye. Seeing my son and nephew spend hours exploring the lake shore, outings on my Dad's boat, walks and runs with my mom and sister along the Truckee River, and down the dock. And the best, gathering all together with my sister and brother-in-law, uncle, parents, husband, and kids on the deck or lawn for drinks and appetizers, where there is always interesting conversation and much laughter.
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| Baby Tori |
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| Fun in the sun out on the lake |
As always, I am amazed by the trees; I can never get enough. They are ancient and enormous, rich reds, golds and greens. If they could see, what stories could they tell? They are the playground of the abundant squirrels, chipmunks, blue jays and robins, and home to the mighty osprey and bald eagle. Their strong scent fills the dry air. I always long to paint them. I know I cannot do justice to their majesty. I took some photos from different angles to use as inspiration back home. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to paint some murals in a home in Tahoe. The pictures are below.
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| Emerald Bay Mural by Tina C. Wells |
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| Emerald Bay Mural (entire view), by Tina C. Wells |
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| Tahoe Mural, East Shore by Tina C. Wells |
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| Sierra Giants |
When my son was born, almost 9 years ago, I painted his room in a Tahoe inspired theme. Quite fortunately for me, he still loves it. I am not looking forward to the day when he wants me to paint it out so that he can decorate his own room with "cool stuff." Maybe we will move first. Here are a few photos:
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| A mural was a fun solution for these very large, ugly sliding closet doors. They now disappear into the wall. |
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| Tahoe Bears, mural by Tina C. Wells |
Sunnyside: quintessential Tahoe, deck on the lake (I had dinner there the night I got engaged 15 years ago, so it is near and dear to my heart). I really like the more casual, less expensive, bar side menu.
Fire Sign Cafe: great outdoor deck in a wooded setting, with the best breakfast in the world, seriously.
West Shore Cafe: great deck on the lake, upscale menu items...fantastic!
Garwoods: beautiful north shore deck, on the lake. Go for their signature rum punch slushy on Wednesdays when they are 1/2 price. Then, take a stroll over to the big warehouse of Sierra Boat Co. to see some of the beautiful wooden boats Lake Tahoe is famous for.
The Bridgetender: on the Truckee River, burgers, brew, and lots of charm.
Christy Hill: If you want an excellent dinner out with fabulous lake views, this is the spot.
Tahoe House: Great homemade pastries and coffees. Worth the wait in line.
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| The Bridgetender |
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| Tahoe's Wood Boats |
One Last Item...
The Trout, Potato Skins, and Salad- Simple Tahoe Meal
A fresh fish from the lake was a bit intimidating, as I am used to buying fish that has already been filleted. Well, thank goodness for the internet where one can Google "cook fresh trout". Easy, when fisherman Wells is in charge of gutting and cutting the head off (that's step 1). Next, bake in a little white wine and lemon juice with butter, salt and pepper; keep the skin on and bones in. 400 degrees, approximately 15 minutes. When it is done, the skin easily comes off and the bones pull out. More butter, salt, and lemon never hurts :)
Another Tahoe favorite that is great with the fish is Potato Skins:
(Ok, so these are not super healthy, but really yummy :)
(Ok, so these are not super healthy, but really yummy :)
Bake potatoes 400, 1 hr. then allow to cool
Slice potatoes in half and dig out some flesh, brush with melted butter, salt, pepper, generously cover with grated cheddar.
Place under the broiler until cheese is melted and potato browns a little.
Garnish with sour cream, green onions, and crumbled bacon
Add a salad and chardonnay, and the meal is complete.
And a good time was had by all...
JOURNEY: Sierra Trek, Tahoe to Mammoth
Always hard to leave, but we made the most of the drive home, and stopped at a few of the spots I had mentioned on the way up. We took 2 days, staying overnight again in Mammoth.
Day 1: Picnic on the shores of the Walker River, and a trip to the Ghost town of Bodie, a once prosperous gold mining town. We enjoyed a great dinner at Convict Lake, formed by a glacier. Deer grazed on the lawn out front.
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| The Walker River |
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| Toes in the River |
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| Ghost Town of Bodie |
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| Bodie, CA |
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| Convict Lake at dusk |
Day 2: Nine miles off 395, just south of Mammoth, we visited Rock Creek Lake. We had a piece of homemade boysenberry pie from the Pie in the Sky Cafe, at a picnic table overlooking the lake...definitely coming back here.
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| Rock Creek Lake |
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| From Pie in the Sky Cafe |
You are very welcome! We love you all too. There is so much beauty to see up there we should make it an annual trip!!
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