Dan May Not Be Mr. Cool, But He’s Getting Warmer (2023)

It is a rainy afternoon in late June 2023, like so many this month on the southern coast of Maine.  As tree huggers, Hannah and I are off to the Climate Action Fair at York High School.  As a mini-convention of eco-friendly folks, we meet our former primary care physician, a guy we knew when our kids were in elementary school together, and a friend who has fallen head over heels in love with pickleball like we once were.

As part of the come-on to get people to come to this four-hour event, there were raffles for a battery operated E-GO mower, leaf blower, and weed whacker.  Always up for a freebie, Hannah and I each get a ticket with what we know is a very modest chance of winning.

You have probably guessed where this is going. Hannah’s ticket number is called.  Since the mower has been taken, she picks the weed whacker.  Once the fair is winding down, she picks up her prize.  The guy giving it to us offers to take the boxed weed whacker to our car. 

Two things to note, one, it is raining and two, I can handle it simply enough but…

… but I see an opportunity to make a connection to a guy who presents as amiable and friendly. So I let him carry it out.  I will have blown a chance to interact further if I just say, “Oh, I can get that.”  As we walk to the car, Hannah and I learn that John is on his way to the local First Parish Church where he again is volunteering to clean up the Attic Treasures yard sale.  

That little information gives me the chance to make things happen.

You, faithful readers of my blog, may remember Hannah and I were part of group in Carpinteria, California where we each of us came up with a community project.  Mine was to invite engaging people Hannah and I met on our morning walk above the beach for coffee.  Cara, one of the group members, designed a card for me to hand out to ones we found intriguing.

In California, we made two long lasting connections with Eric, then later Mary.  Hannah and I have since talked how we might make such connections here in York.  Don’t wait to interact if you get a great first impression! is one such idea.

Knowing our friend Karen is also volunteering at the Attic Treasures yard sale, we text her to see if she knows John.  It turns out she does and can find his email for us.

Given John’s email, I cold call him (by email) and invite him and his wife to our front deck for coffee and some of Hannah’s morning glory muffins.  I figure, What the hell do I have to lose! I have big shoulders. I can take “No.”

It turns out John is delighted to come with his wife, but says it’s a busy time, how ‘bout in a few weeks? 

Emailing him three weeks later, I set up an 8:30 Monday to get together on our front deck.

Despite thinking, what the hell have I done the morning prior to their arrival, Hannah and I find John and his wife Susan delightful company. What a combo! They are both interesting and interested in us.

That’s a W for just taking a shot! He just might be cooler than you think.

Dan and Hannah Hike to the Buena Vista Trail in Montecito, California (2023)

For the second day in a row, Hannah and I are operating outside of the law. 

In the fine tradition of Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King, jr., we are challenging the blanket powers of the Los Padres National Forest as guardians of the wild. On January 11, 2023, they abruptly closed all the hiking trails in their purvue.  There is much discussion among the hiking public whether this is really necessary for all trails, especially since they don’t maintain the trails anyway!  My inspiration, Ray Ford, hiking guru of Santa Barbara, feels it’s an overreach.  I think Hank and Marty would agree.

We’ll start on the San Ysidro, turn right at the Old Pueblo Trail, then a left on the Buena Vista Trail to a right on the Edison Catway, then home via the San Ysidro once more.

Ray says the Buena Vista Trail is just fine to hike in March of 2023.   On a gorgeous day in paradise between the atmospheric rivers pummeling California, Hannah and I decide to find out ourselves about this trail.  We will not put ourselves in danger or damage sensitive trails that might crumble into the local canyon creeks.

Nine miles taking fourteen minutes

To get to the Buena Vista Trail, we first hike the San Ysidro Trail for 0.5 of a mile. We have no quarrel with the conditions on the fire road heading to our right turn on the Old Pueblo Trail. 

Taking the San Ysidro Trail to the Old Pueblo Trail

We do pass the spot where six years ago (2017) the EMTs and fire fighters massed to take Hannah to the Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara after her 25′ foot into the San Ysidro Canyon (below). Click here for that historic, terrifying six-part series of  blogs.

EMTs came to the rescue some six years ago at this very spot

The San Ysidro Trail takes us to the Old Pueblo Trail

The Old Pueblo Trail takes us above the mansions of Montecito where meets with the Wiman Trail that skirts the driveways of the rich and very rich.

Wiman Trail with its desert climate

Finally arriving at the trailhead of the Buena Vista Trail, we see no “closed” signs.  There is a warning of dangerous waters on the Buena Vista Creek.  The sign looks like it might be from January 2023 when a powerful atmospheric river inundated these trails and caused many trails to be shuttered. For warned is for armed. We’ll be prudent.

We hiked this very trail exactly one year ago and don’t remember any creek crossings.  Of course, the winter of 2022 was a drought season/year.  We’ll just be safe and turn around if need be.

Climbing the Buena Vista Trail

Heading into the Santa Ynez Mountains

The Buena Vista Trail climbs steadily for a mile plus to the Edison Catway trail.  We are working hard and find nasally breathing a challenge. 

One of the easy-to-navigate creek crossings on the Buena Vista Trail

Crossing the creek three or four times we find it gurgling at the pace of city park stream.  We step lightly and don’t come close to getting our hiking boots wet.  Again, an overstated danger by the forest authorities makes some wonder about all their pronouncements.

Near the end of the Buena Vista Trail before the Edison Catway

Once at the Catway, we descend for another mile to creek at the San Ysidro Canyon.  The trail is gullied in places but no worse than the benign Toro Canyon Trail in Carpinteria that we took our grandsons to two weeks ago (February 2023).  The trail continues to be of no danger to us or we to it.

The gullied Edison Catway Trail descending towards the San Ysidro Creek

Once at the San Ysidro Creek, we head for the trailhead. 

Once again the Los Padres National Forest has overstated concerns for the hiking public, making me wonder about other Montecito trails. I’m guessing Henry David and Martin Luther would have been proud that we took a stand!

Dan and Hannah Hike the East Fork of the Cold Spring Trail (2023)

Itching to get back on the trail, I read in the local online Noozhawk how the Hiker Extraordinaire Ray Ford says that the Los Padres National Forest has no reason to summarily close all its trails when some are just fine.

This afternoon Hannah and I each will take the risk of hiking a “closed” trail and be responsible for our choice.  I think Mahatma Gandhi would be so proud! Previously we hiked the trail to Inspiration Point in Santa Barbara when it was “closed.” Even so, that trail was fine and we and the many others hiking that day did no damage to the trail itself.

At the trailhead to the East Fork of the Cold Spring Trail

Our 2.5 mile loop beginning at the East Fork of the Cold Spring Trail and returning by way of the Ridge Trail

Today if we are to encounter a dangerous section of the trail, your favorite septuagenarians will just turn around.  We are not heroes.

On this overcast, high 50s first Monday in March (locals say they have never seen such a chilly winter), we have a rich trail of greenness – grasses, bushes, and trees – guiding our way.

Hannah on the East Fork of the Cold Spring Trail

The East Fork is a favorite of ours

Three tenths of a mile in, we head right on the East Fork trail rather than cross over the creek for the West Fork, which is known for gravelly, perilous hillsides. We’ll wait til 2024 to hike the West Fork.

The trail rises into the Front Country with threatening clouds in the distance.

Seeing the falls, the creek maiden poses for a picture by her knight.  Little did we know that we were about to be hydrologically challenged by our first creek crossing.

Creek maiden

Spotting five energetic twenty-somethings just stomping through the knee-deep water (to the right of the picture below), we know that that is not our choice to ford the creek.  The rocks of the trail are submerged and look slippery. If you know Hannah, you know she wants no part of cold water and cold soggy hiking boots. We look down stream for an alternative.

Submerged rocks at the main trail crossing

After, Hannah looks to straddle a two smooth boulders with the creek down the middle (not pictured).  I think this will not end well; she agrees and we look further down the stream to cross.

Using all fours we eventually step across gingerly and then bushwhack 30 feet to the trail. 

We crossed on the creek rocks in the top center of the picture, then bushwhacked above the creek where I took this picture

Hannah raises her arms in triumph after our successful crossing.

We both are well aware that we still have to cross back over this rushing creek one more time to get to the hillside of the Ridge Trail which will take us back to the trailhead.

The creek crossing lies ahead.

Seeing the creek crossing, we are relieved to see it is just a hop, step, and a jump.  Victory is ours.

Soon we are climbing up the switchbacks of the hillside to the junction with the Ridge Trail.  Having gone a mile and a half, we’ve just a mile back to the trailhead.

Lush switchback trail thanks to the winter of rain

Heading back to the trailhead (MTF stands for Montecito Trail Foundation of which we are members)

The mountainside view to Montecito and Carpinteria to the east

Again, the trail is just fine and ready to be officially opened.

Dan Starts Conversations on the Bluff – KGUA #120

For the April 3, 2023 KGUA Radio Writer’s Hour hosted by Peggy Berryhill and Mark Gross, we are asked to respond to the prompt:  

How to start a conversation?

Let me set the scene.  It’s the off-season, winter, in Carpinteria, California where Hannah and I come to escape the cold, the snow, and the dark of our home in Maine. 

Every morning along the bluffs of the Pacific Ocean, we head out for the Seal Sanctuary.  It’s often low to mid-40s as we first walk along the boardwalk through the sand dunes, then by way of the State Park campground. Soon we are at the bluffs above the Jelly Bowl beach.  Continuing on among the towering cypress and eucalyptus, we arrive at the bluff perch for seal watchers.

Along the way, we pass many of the same folks; we see senior couples, athletic 50-somethings, young runners, and so many people walking their dogs; many folks pass by listening with ear buds to, I’m guessing, their music or a favorite podcast.  Usually we nod hello and pass with a quick “good morning.”

Then on a following day, to those with inviting body language, I step up my game by saying, “Another beautiful day in paradise.”  Often that brings a smile and a slight pause to their step.

Another time, I ask “how far do you usually go?” or “are you locals?” or “ever seen so much rain?”  For a few moments, we have a brief interaction and we all move on.   But the door has been opened. 

Though 90% of the people quickly pass by, Mary, and later Eric linger for a few minutes.  And every once in a while, as in their cases, the conversation leads to a cup of coffee and Hannah’s morning glory muffins at our place.

Amazing what a simple acknowledgement of another’s presence will do.

Words – 253

The business card that I gave Mary and Eric (the Carpinteria bluffs as the background)

Dan and Hannah Hike the “Verboten” Inspiration Point Trail, Santa Barbara, California (Carpinteria 2023)

Hannah and I are getting word in February 2023 that more local trails are opening up this stormy winter. We’ve recently successfully trekked on the Rattlesnake and Parma Park trails. 

Local hiking guru Dan McCaslin informs the hikers of Santa Barbara County that the Tunnel Trail up Mission Canyon is open.  Primed to hit the trail, we drive 25 minutes to Mission Canyon Road past the Front Country mansions to roadside parking.  Arriving just after 11 AM, we notice 12-15 other cars parked with no other purpose than to hike into the mountains. That’s an excellent sign that there will be hiking today!

Where the Santa Barbara elite live on Mission Canyon Drive

Walking 0.3 of a mile up the paved road to the gate, we read a small sign saying the trails are closed.  Really? That’s not what Dan McCaslin said. We’ll see for ourselves.  If it’s dangerous or we’d be damaging the trail, we’ll turn back. On we go. Hannah and I know that we make our choices and accept the consequences of those decisions.

Hannah at the gate of the chewed up but passable Edison Road

I wonder how unsafe the trail is.

We pass a couple in their 50s returning from the trail and just nod.  They don’t act like they are doing anything wrong. We see evidence where rock slides have come crashing down on the Edison Power Company’s cracked and weathered tar road.  Safely we find that we can step around the debris in the road quite easily.

Tumbled cliffside to the Edison quote road to the trailhead of the Tunnel trail

More crashing rocks not quite blocking the road

Next we engage an exuberant young man with his dog who tells us the trail to Inspiration Point is open.  That is such good news for the Inspiration Point Trail has a mile of sweet switchbacks to an ocean view.

At the trailhead, other hikers head right up the Tunnel Trail while we go left on a fire road for Inspiration Point.

We head left on the Inspiration Point Trailhead

Dan, the photojournalist wannabe, captures lilacs on the trail

On to Inspiration Point

On the Inspiration Point Trail, we soon spot a National Forest Service employee working with his pickaxe.  Earlier we’d been told we could easily pass through.  He’s digging a trench across the trail directly in line with a recent mudslide that occurred last month due to the heavy rain.  He pauses, then lets us pass.  We thank him and keep hiking.  Now wouldn’t he say something if we weren’t’ supposed to be hiking?

National Forest employee repairing the trail

On past the Seven Pools, Three Falls side trail, we step lively towards Inspiration Point.  Passing first what seems like two moms whose kids are in school, we see what I am guessing are local University of California, Santa Barbara students laughing and enjoying life. No one seems like they are sneaking onto National Forest land.

There is nothing damaged about the trail.  It is fine for one and all – the young and Dan and Hannah.

At the top, we look out to the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands.  We encounter four elderly Asians enjoying the views to the ocean. On the way down two young couples flirting joyously pass us by.

Dan McCaslin reports that the National Forest Service’s credibility is compromised when they close all their trails with a blanket closure when some trails clearly can be hiked.

The trail to Inspiration Point is one of those trails that should be open!

Dan and Hannah’s Home Away From Home (Carpinteria 2023)

Hannah and I fly home to York, Maine this morning after spending most of January, February, and March in California. 

In recent blogs, I have called our winter destination of Carpinteria, California our home away from home.  You might be thinking, Whoa, big fella!  It seems you are dousing us with one big time cliché.  But it’s real for us.  Let me explain.

From the deck of our condo complex in Carpinteria, California

First, we have a few things in our favor.

One, the winter climate of Santa Barbara County.  It’s not Florida with morning 60s and daytime 70s.  It’s often mid-40s when we walk in the pre-dawn.  Usually, winter daytime highs are in the low 60s.  There is the caveat that there is lots of sun.  By my calculation, sunshine adds 6 to 8 degrees to the ambient temperature.  So many people here are outside and active.  Hannah and I can hike, bike, and/or walk, often three times each day.

Two, the small town nature of Carpinteria.  It allows us to fall out of bed and walk to town for pizza, Chinese, Subways, grocery shopping, the beach, and the library as well as bike just over a mile to hike the Franklin Trail.  We walk the beach bluff to the Seal Sanctuary before breakfast each morning.   The terrain is level so our one-speed cruisers allow us to bike to the nearby Rincon Bluffs to the east and to Loon Point Beach in the next town to the west.

Three, the desire, the want-to.  Since we enjoy meeting people and getting together in threes and fours, I frequently initiate conversation with others. 

Four, the duration of time.  Since we stay most of three months, we have time to build and develop connections, which, in turn, will pay compound interest for our future winters in the Golden State.

Five, the courage to step out of our comfort zone and join community groups: Unity of Santa Barbara spiritual center and the four-week Community Pioneer Lab class at the Carp Library.

For us, these conditions set the stage to develop relationships that are the foundation for our Left Coast home.

Our community begins with Nancy.  At a 2017 service at Unity of Santa Barbara, the minister encouraged folks to step out of their normal groups and welcome someone new.  Nancy spotted Hannah and it’s been magic ever since.  We see her every Sunday at Unity. Hannah and Nancy thrift shop at the Assistance League, walk most Wednesdays, then we three have lunch together; every February 6, Nancy and her hubby Duncan celebrate Hannah’s birthday with us at the Summerland Beach Café.

In 2018, our VRBO condo was next to Kim’s apartment.  She had us for apps and drinks. We will be forever grateful for her finding our one-speed beach cruiser bicycles. 

Right before the Covid pandemic hit in 2020, Bill, a regular pickleball partner of mine, asked if Hannah and I would like to catch lunch with him and his wife Claudia.  Having them at our Airbnb instead, we played cards and feasted on Hannah’s Mexican casserole.   Days later we hiked the Hot Springs Trail in Montecito with Claudia.  In Covid 2022, we were regular Covid pickleballers.  Our times together continued in 2023.

Though we stayed home in Maine in 2021 due to the Delta variant of Covid, in 2022 when walking the beach before breakfast, we happened upon the swimming sisters, Susan and Jenny.  Susan became a Friday wine drinking buddy and stores our bicycles awaiting our return. Hannah is Susan’s personal hairdresser.

Seeing an advertisement for a four-week Community Pioneer Lab class at the Carpinteria Community Library (2023), we happened upon a wonderful group of women (Sandy, Jill, Cara, and Julia) led by our fearless Jena; we supported each other in our community passion projects.

My community project is “Coffee with Dan and Hannah,” getting together with singles or couples that we meet on the bluff trail in Carpinteria each morning.  Cara designed a business card for me to give to folks that we meet. She put her talents to further good use by designing a card for Hannah.  See below.  

The background is the east end of the beach in Carpinteria.

Later Jena came for coffee and Julia, another group member, came for Hannah to cut her hair.  At Hannah’s request, Julia’s payment was to plant a tree, a part of Julia’s community project.  Through that connection, I helped Brad (Julia’s husband) edit his book on coaching.

One RV couple, Karen and Dick, at the local State Park campground were our first “Coffee with D&H.”  Soon Lucy came for coffee, and weeks later locals, Susie and Lou.  Jean from Unity came for lunch. Recently I’ve hiked the Douglas Preserve in Santa Barbara with Gregory of Unity.

Hannah met Frank at Unity of Santa Barbara; an invitation for coffee followed.  Frank followed up with invitation for lunch at Delgado’s in Carp with his wife Diane.

Eric, too, came for coffee with Maggie, his pooch.  On our last Saturday in 2023, we lunched together at the local’s Thario’s restaurant to celebrate our daily morning interactions on the bluff.

Mary was also a bluff-walking regular each morning.  Soon she came for coffee and later we went to her place for grilled steak tri-tips. Margaritas drew us back together one more time.

Though York, Maine is home for nine months a year, Carpinteria has our hearts each winter.

Dan’s Image #28 – Sundog at Carpinteria Beach, California (March 23, 2023)

Morning sundog at the beach in Carpinteria, California. Photo by our morning bluff walking friend, Mary Koenig, who introduced us to the term “sundog.” A sundog is a patch of rainbow. Who knew? It seems Mary did.

Mary and Hannah on the Carpinteria bluffs minutes after the above picture was taken.

Dan’s Images #27 – Casualty of the Relentless Rain – Linden Fields, Carpinteria, California (March 21, 2023)

One of the two towering (I’m guessing 80′, 150-year-old) eucalyptus trees at the edge of Linden Fields near the Amtrak Railroad across the street from The Spot burger joint on Linden Avenue in Carpinteria. The Island Brewery is in the background across the tracks.

The other once towering eucalyptus tree was a casualty of the heavy rains this winter in California. Though Hannah and I didn’t see it fall, it’s likely to have slowly listed to parallel as the soggy soil could no longer hold its shallow root system. Falling 150 yards from our condo, I’m happy to report there are no eucalypti trees near our winter home away from home.

Dan’s Image #26 – Rattlesnake Creek, Santa Barbara, California (Mama Didn’t Raise No Fools) (March 20, 2023)

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The first crossing at Rattlesnake Creek with submerged rocks for us

It’s been a rainy winter in Santa Barbara. Hannah and I set out to hike Rattlesnake Creek in Santa Barbara, California before tomorrow’s latest day of rain. When we got to the first of three crossings (rated 3.5 out of 5 by an experienced hiker), we had trouble finding a place to cross without getting soaked. She, an experienced hiker, said, “If you fall, fall to the upstream side which will be shallower.” Hannah is known far and wide for not wanting to be cold, especially soaking cold feet.

Then she told us that said this is the first of three crossings. The second she rated 2.0 of 5 (easy peezy), but the third was 4.5 of 5. Since the first 3.5 crossing had “getting soaked in the water” written all over it, we wanted to no part of a 4.5 crossing upstream.

After 0.8 of a mile of our 2.0 mile hike to Rattlesnake Creek Meadow, we turned around. Mama didn’t raise no fools!

Dan and Hannah Hike Parma Park, Santa Barbara, California (Carpinteria 2023)

Just about everyone (make that everyone!) we talk with in the Santa Barbara area says that this has been one of the coldest and rainiest winter in forever. We patiently smile and think, Have you ever been to Maine in the winter, this winter?

Granted, mornings when we walk the bluff above the Carpinteria Beach, we wear light jackets and gloves.  Though, by the time we are back around 8 AM, we have the sliding glass door to our patio wide open. 

During the day we hike or bike in shorts.  Let’s be clear, it’s not Florida with its 70s and 80s.  It’s 60s here on the South Coast, which is ideal for our outdoor activity.

12 miles in 18 minutes

Buoyed by the opening of some local Front Country trails, we drive into Santa Barbara, turn towards Sycamore Canyon to the quiet trailhead of Parma Park.  On this windy Valentine’s Day 2023, we hike in shorts and alternate between tee shirts and long sleeve shirts depending on the amount of sun and wind.

The trailhead

We take to the fire road directly before us.  But to think of it as a mere fire road with a gravelly surface that lacks charm is just plain wrong.  Its dirt path weaves through the forest into the mountains.  The proof is the photo below.

Sylvan trail into the mountains

But soon the trail lets us know that it wants nothing to do with switchbacks.  No, no, it goes straight up the hillside relentlessly.  Small steps around gullied steep inclines gets us to the top.

Looking back down the steep trail

The views both to the mountains and out to the ocean are spectacular, especially on a windy day that has blown away any marine layer of fog.  Typically, the winter weather in Santa Barbara is clear with very little haze.  The winter is not May Gray or June Gloom as it can be in Santa Barbara; it’s not Foggest August in northern California when fog can rule the day.

At the top, after a mile of hiking, we learn that we can complete the hiking loop if we take the trail to the left but then always keep to the right.  Sounds simple, but we ignore the advice because we want a longer hike.  Well, there are consequences for such adventurism. 

Descending on the parched trail

As you can see from the Strava map below, twice we travel down steep side trails that we think will bring us back to the main loop.  Alas, it is not to be.  No matter, Hannah is a low-maintenance hiker (unless when she is cold) and we just double back.

The descent is steep in many places but not perilously so.  Though less than three miles, the Parma Park trail deserves its designation as a “moderate” trail with its many climbs and descents.

Descending the Parma Park Loop Trail

Approaching the trailhead

It’s been challenging workout for us but one we will include in our rotation of local hikes in 2024.

We hike on Valentine’s Day and love this Valentine’s card.