Crab Étouffée

February 20, 2021

After a total of 5 weeks we’ve been able to spend together, we were finally parting ways again… but not forever of course. In honor of that, Alli made some crab étouffée for our last dinner together.
It was.. delicious.
I kind of understood how she cooked it, but honestly, I was also just wrapped up in the conversations we were having.
If you don’t know what étoufée is, it’s a Cajan and Creole dish made with shellfish. Typically you’ll see it with shrimp or crawfish but Allisun just had happened to stumble upon a group of rotary club guys in Fort Bragg who were boiling up a bunch of crabs in big steel pots and selling them. She was so stoked about getting some spontaneous crabs… that sounds… riiight. Well. Back to the étoufée…
The things I do know:
I do know she sauteéd some onions, garlic, celery, and peppers.
I know she added crab she pulled by hand.
I know she made a rue.
I know she used a Creole seasoning. Pretty sure it was Tony’s.
I also know that the smell of Creole seasoning reminds her of being a kid.
Annnd.. I know it was delicious.

Just for the record and without going too much into it because it would take forever to describe how much I adore this woman. Lets just say she’s one of my favorite people… she’s taught me to be more compassionate to myself and honestly, she just gets me.
12+ years of friendship… greats times in Texas, California, Hawaii, and kind of New York.
This fiery lady will always be in my life and I am SO VERY GRATEFUL <3

Without further ado, here’s Allie’s Rotary Club Crab Étoufée.
Also, real quick…
did you know that if you hold down the certain letters (with a Mac maybe a PC, I dunno) you can get accent marks? I just learned this while typing in étoufée and wanted to share.

Shelter Cove

February 19, 2021

The weather was right, I decided to take the day off, and a beach day sounded necessary. I picked up a friend a long the way and met up with a couple more when I got there.

About a two hour drive from the farm, the road to this little black sand cove brought me thru twisty roads lined by towering redwood trees, up into the mountains and down into a small fishing village in Humboldt County, on a beautiful cliff overlooking the Pacific (I woulda had more photos of the drive, but I was driving and that just dangerous and I’d never…. 😬).

Soaking up the sun, toes in the sand… my first batch of ramen noodles got knocked over and covered with said sand. Lucky for me, after we relocated because of a slight fear of the rising tide and maybe getting stuck, we found a spot to watch the sunset and eat a post drive-home snack.

Just Photos: Day 1- Jan 25

January 30, 2021

My first full day at the farm house by myself.
I had some tea, rearranged, unpacked (that was an unexpected joy), was feeling cute so I took some photos, worked on a intro video, started a fire, took more photos. I sprinkled eating through out the day. It was a good day.

Mendo Pt II: Day 7- Snow in Mendo.

January 30, 2021

What you’ve missed;
I got the opportunity to go back to the farm in Mendocino I was working on for a week back in November and again in December. I’m housesitting the house of a very trusting and inspiring woman while getting in some farm time as well as making some money before I slowly make my way back to New York.

Sooooo
for the last 3 days, I’ve been snowed in, I didn’t hate it.
I do have a tendency of being very social, but I actually really REALLY value my alone time… so things like random acts of nature like snow storms or even just rain will encourage me to stay in and recharge my batteries, both internal and camera, guilt free.

Obviously feeling guilty for needing rest is kind of silly, but I still feel it. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. So during this downtown, I’ve been listening to music, tending to things of the planty sort, staring out the window, listening to Shantaram on an audiobook and keeping my camera handy. I’m in a strange space so everything is being seen with new eyes. Maybe thats why I’ve always felt the need to travel.. to be in a strange space so I can be excited every time I open my eyes. There’s something new to learn… like how many logs I can go thru in one day.. or relearning my morning routine.

While this crazy snow storm dumped between 10-14 inches snow in the area, I stayed quite cozy and warm. I feel super fortunate to have this amazing space for one and to have work to do so I can continue to do what I am doing.
The last few days I had been putting in some hours an I was psyched to get to more time in, but the storm had not only knocked down trees but also some cell towers. Coordinating the day was not easy and the day of work turned into a catch up day.
Lately, I’ve been trying to make sure to pick up my camera at least once a day, even if it’s just to run out for a second to capture the sunset. When I go outside in the morning to turn on the generator or walk outside to get more firewood, I’d make sure to have my camera with me. So today I took the opportunity to take some photos as well as edit the ones I had taken the last couple days.

So here’s some of a faves. <3

P.S. Sorry for the random ramble. Today I didnt feel like writing and instead just wanted to post photos. Would you be offended if I just shoved my photos in your face without saying anything? Comment below.

Hey Guys, I'm Still alive!

January 22, 2021

I just wanted to check in with everyone.
How are you?! Its been a while and I missed you.
I’ve got some time coming up and will be filling you in on all the adventures, the ups and the downs, the lessons now that I have the opportunity to revisit and recollect my thoughts.

The last 3 months have been something.
I’ve had a lot of firsts… here’s some highlights!

BB shortly after I hit the black ice and BB the next morning with her bungee cord sling. It totally worked. Oct. 25/26, 2020

I drove across the country by myself. Kansas was what everyone said and kind of boring. BTW, U.S. Route 70 was a beautiful drive. Also, CA Route 1 is also a must do drive, if you get the opportunity to do so.
I car camped for my first time. My first time camping solo was actually this past June?? July?? One of those, but it was more recently.
I hit some black ice driving through Utah. I had made an effort to make sure I was at my campgrounds before the sun would go down mostly because I don’t care to drive long distances, by myself, at night. This was the one time I pushed myself to drive into the night. It was fine, until the snow made it difficult to see. The couple of vehicles I passed that were rolled over on the side of the road felt like heads on a stick stuck in the ground in front of a forbidden temple to scare away trespassers. Luckily aside from a little cosmetic damage and some small kind PTSD, both BB and I were okay.
I went to Moab and Zion for the first time. Gonna have to make an effort to go back since I got hailed on in Moab and just didn’t have nearly enough time in Zion. Note to self: Must always play Damian Marley’s Road to Zion every time you drive into Zion.

Me with two friends, Zak & Mike, who found me on the side of the road taking photos in Zion. I joined them for a hike and then crashed their campsite. … — Me with two friends, Zak & Mike, who found me on the side of the road taking photos in Zion. I joined them for a hike and then crashed their campsite. Oct. 26, 2020

I met some new little ones. My handsome nephew, Ethan and my best friend’s little lady, Isabella. They’re about 4 months apart and both so very adorable. Also, incase you didn’t know, babies are A LOT of work. I mean, I knew it, but after spending extended amounts of time around them, I have a new found respect for parents. Just remember, if at the end of the day your baby is happy and healthy, parents, you’re doing the best you can. Its so easy to place judgment, but it’s better to encourage.

I boondock camped for my first time on BLM land. Just for reference, boondocking or boondock camping is when you camp off the grid. have a whole drafted post I’m working on to go into detail about the different types of camping. BLM land is land that is governed by The Bureau of Land Management and covers about 1/8th of the country’s landmass, about 247.3 million acres, which are open to disperse camping, or camping anywhere in National Forest or BLM land outside of designated campsites.*

My first legit boondocking spot right outside of Red Rock Canyon State Park, CA. Yes, there is a Red Rock Canyon in California. The Red Rock Canyon in Nevada is a National Park. Oct 27, 2020

I spent time on a cannabis farm in Mendocino and learned the ways of the trimmers. I also watched a ton of Disney movies and had some really amazing conversations.

I saw a police stand off with a person in a random creepy bathroom while I was camping in Nevada. Turns out, after an hr or so, the police realized there was no one in there. When approached by the uniformed men, my camping companions recognized the main officer, Ed. He showed up for a “citizen’s assist” when my friends called 9-1-1 after not being able to get back in their car because they left their keys in their pack which was at the base of the climb they did that morning. Apparently Ed found them under the car, spooning, wrapped up in rope to keep themselves warm. It gets cold in the desert at night.
I shoveled horse poop on a horse ranch in Watsonville and got kissed by a horse (multiple times). I also got to feed and ride the horses, but that wasn’t the first time I did that. I didn’t mind it so much. I think I would much rather shovel horse poop rather then dog poop. Their diets hit the nostrils differently.
I felt my first earthquake while in Santa Cruz. It was a 4.5 with it’s center in Aromas. Me and my homegirl were hanging out when it hit. We looked at each other. “Did you feel that?” she asked. “I did, did you?” I asked back, of course she did, she wouldn’t have asked if she didn’t.
I climbed in San Louis Obispo, CA and Auburn Quarry, CA. I also climbed in Red Rock Canyon, but It wasn’t my first time. I love that place. SLO and Auburn Quarry were alright. SLO had a lot of mixed routes (both trad and sport in one route) and The Quarry rock was kind of cold and because it’s relatively new**, so there was a bit of choss.
I climbed my first high ball (it was Perfect Poser) in Red Rock and got hooked. I think I just really love climbing on the rock in Red Rock. That sand stone is so fiiiiine.***

Me & the SLO crew (Micah, Eva, & Brandon) San Luis Obispo, CA Dec 20, 2020 Me & the Red Rock Xmas Crew (Emily, Amanda, Jesse, & Bobby) Red Rock Canyon, NV Dec 23, 2020 — Me & the SLO crew (Micah, Eva, & Brandon) San Luis Obispo, CA Dec 20, 2020
Me & the Red Rock Xmas Crew (Emily, Amanda, Jesse, & Bobby) Red Rock Canyon, NV Dec 23, 2020

… and thats just the things I could think of without opening up my journal. I fell out of journaling for a hot min there, but am making more of an effort to at least jot something down along with my gratitude.

Speaking of gratitude, GRATITUDE CHECK!
Stop reading this and think of 3 things you are grateful for…
*waits till you do your gratitude*
Done?
Good!
See, that wasn’t that hard. I bet the hardest part was deciding if something was worthy being 1 of the 3 things. Truth is, it doesn’t matter if it’s something big or something small, we can show gratitude to it all. Somedays when I do my journaling, one of the things I’d write, many times when I felt stuck, was things like “I am grateful for being able to make coffee at home” or “I am grateful for a hot shower”. The shower one I actually seem to find my self more grateful for when I’m on the road or traveling. During the last 3 months, the longest I’ve gone without a shower was about a week and a half, however as unsustainable as it is, I’ll admit, I have found a new profound love for wet wipes.
With that being said, here’s my quick 3:

I am super grateful for wet wipes. A friend turned me on to Trader Joe’s cucumber citrus wet wipes and I havent looked back every since. They’re good on the face, in the arm pits, on the *ahem* (front and back), and the feet. Oooh clean feet, talk about the feeling of being refreshed. Speaking of….
I am grateful when my hair smells clean. Full disclosure, I wash my hair maaaaybe once a week. Sometimes I can go a week and a half. Because of the coloring, I try to skip shampooing too often. Apparently thats not super great for your hair anyway… washing it everyday… gotta get them natural oils. Also when I lived in Hawaii, I pretty much gave up wearing make up and washing my hair, you never knew if you were going to have an impromptu dip in the ocean. If possible, replace hair washing with an au natural ocean water rinse.
I am grateful for you… reading this ridiculousness. Seriously, thank you.

I’ll be heading out to the Mendo farm on Sunday for a few weeks to work and also to zen out while line some things up. Big moves coming soon! I’m all nervous and excited and scared.

Until next time, keep practicing gratitude and self care… Here’s a little selfie I took the other day after my first shower in almost a week. If that ain’t self care, I dunno what is.
I was debating on wether it’s IG appropriate or maybe I’ll just keep this little gem in my blog.

Keep scrolling for some fun facts!

* According to the the BLM’s website (blm.gov): Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days within a 28 consecutive day period. The 28 day period begins when a camper initially occupies a specific location on public lands. The 14 day limit may be reached either through a number of separate visits or through 14 days of continuous overnight occupation during the 28 day period. After the 14th day of occupation, the camper must move outside of a 25 mile radius of the previous location until the 29th day since the initial occupation. The purpose of this special rule is to prevent damage to sensitive resources caused by continual use of any particular areas. In addition, campers must not leave any personal property unattended for more than 10 days (12 months in Alaska).

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** “On November 18th, 1998, Kirk [Arens] and friends were practicing rope jumping on an elaborate rigging system. Kirk misjudged the length of his rope jump and was killed in the resultant impact. From this point forward 'til 2003, climbers were discouraged from using the Auburn SRA for technical rock climbing, but it was not technically illegal to climb there. In 2004, the ASRA created a memorandum banning technical climbing which was in effect until October 2012, where through the hard work of CRAGS (Climbing Resource Advocates for Greater Sacramento), the Access Fund, and local climbers the ban was lifted and climbing could legally resume in the Quarry. Climbers in the early 2000’s started re-exploring the area for rock climbing routes and currently there are almost fifty established routes within the Auburn State Recreation Area. These routes cater to climbers of all levels from easy, moderate, and hard levels of climbing.”
- mountainproject.com

*** Sandstone is literally fine. Fine particles… almost like… sand! Red Rock Canyon is known for their towering red Aztec sandstone peaks. These 180-190 year old rock is comprised of lithified sand dunes.
If you happen to be climbing in Red Rock Canyon, or any sandstone climbing area, DO NOT CLIMB ON THE ROCK WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RAIN. I repeat, DO NOT CLIMB ON THE ROCK! Sandstone is relatively fragile and will break if it is wet. If you walk up to the rock and you kick the sand at the base of the rock and there is a wet patch, it’s a good sign that you should not climb. Not only will you destroy these beautiful rock formations, but you’ll probably piss off a bunch of climbers when they’re project just got harder because you broke off the only some what positive hold at the crux. Don’t be a dick.