Anthony's Audio Journal

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Vasquez Rocks

In this episode I headed out to Agua Dulce California and explored the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area before taking an unusual drive down a Magical Musical road.

You’ve probably never heard of the Vasquez Rocks before but I guarentee you’ve seen them.  Used as a backdrop for many television shows commercials and feature films, the jagged up-tilted rocks resemble the great desert sougthwest or alien planet landscapes.

At the end of the episode we head out to Lancaster California to take a drive down the musical road, modeled after one used in a Honda television commercial and rebuilt just a few miles away on Avenue “G”.  We also stop by a unique side-of-the-road road attraction called Charlie Brown Farms.

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Vasquez Rocks links:

• Trip Photos
• Trip Video

TV, Film, Music and Commercial Links

• Star Trek – Captain Kirk V Gorn Commander
• Star Trek – Another good Kirk V Gorn Scene
• Bonanza – Between Heaven and Earth
• Duel – Starring Dennis Weaver
• Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers
• Rihanna & Justin Timberlakes’s Rehab Music Video
• Michael Jackson’s Black or White Video
• Taco Bell’s Run for the Border 1980’s TV Commercial

Additional Links:

• Charlie Brown Farms
• Honda Civic Musical Road Project part one
• Honda Civic Musical Road Project part five

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Backcountry Bargain Sales

Every year millions of people throughout the United States eagerly await the day after Thanksgiving, the official start of the Christmas shopping season. On this special day merchants offer their deepest discounts to entice shoppers into their stores, some items advertised for even less than they cost, called, “Loss Leaders”.According to the latest figures as many as 152 million people plan on shopping during the Black Friday weekend and spend a whopping 9.7 billion dollars. In this episode I tell you my secrets for finding great deals on clothing and gear to add to your gear closet without breaking your budget.

Outdoor Retailer Gear Links

• R.E.I. Outlet
• Sierra Trading Post
• Moosejaw
• Backcountry.Com
• Campmor

Discount Retail Stores

• Marshall’s
• Ross
• T.J.Maxx

Music Credits

• Ronettes – Sleighride
• Brian Setzer Orchestra – Jingle all the way soundtrack
• Clarerance Carter – Backdoor Santa
• Pushstart Wagon – Christmas Tree Farm
• John Williams – Home Alone, Somewhere in my memory

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Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail

 

In this episode,the day of our hike up to Half Dome had finally arrived and we put on our rain gear and headed up the Mist Trail toward lovely Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Trip Photos

Video in High Definition

LINKS:

• Yosemite National Park – Official NPS Site
• Upper Pines Campground – From NPS
• Half Dome Hiking Guide

Music Links:

• The Valves
• Damon Timm
• Carbon Leaf
• Casey

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Kickin back in camp before the storm

In this episode Dave, Gerry, Mike and I head up to Yosemite National Park and explore the magnificent valley before setting up camp at the Upper Pines Campground. Along the way we check out Bridleveil and Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Village.  Rain pounds our camp but doesn’t damper our enthuiasm while we prepare for our hike up Half Dome.

Trip Photos

Video in High Definition

LINKS:

• Yosemite National Park – Official NPS Site
• Upper Pines Campground – From NPS
• Half Dome Hiking Guide

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Olivenhain Reservoir from the Escondido Overlook

I wanted to get in one last tough trail to better prepare myself for Half Dome and in this episode I decided to head off to the Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve’s Way Up and Lake Hodges Overlook Trails.

One of San Diego County’s most precious natural resources, the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve offers approximately 11 miles of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, as well as primitive picnic areas and scenic mountain viewing points. In addition, the natural beauty of the Reserve includes such native plant communities as oak riparian, oak woodland, coastal sage scrub and chaparral.

In this episode I hike up to the Lake Hodges Overlook and check out the sights along the way. I experiment with my new Canon Camera and GoPro HD Helmet rigged up with a Chesty harness.

TRAIL PHOTOS

TRAIL VIDEO – shot in High Definition

LINKS:

• Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve – Olivenhain Municipal Water District Official Site
• Local Hikes – Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve 
• Trail Map and Botanical Guide  – Download Trail and Plant Guide

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Bighorn Sheep near Icehouse Saddle

In this episode, Gerry, Dave and I take a hike up Icehouse Canyon to visit the summit of CucamongaPeak, one of the tallest and most prominent Peaks in the Los Angeles Basin.  At an elevation of 8859 feet, it sets itself apart from nearby Ontario Peak and others overlooking the southland, and its sheer drop to the west affords a magnificent view over southern California.

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Vernal Falls Yosemite National Park

Hello and welcome back to another edition of Anthony’s Audio Journal, Episode 80, “Over the Edge”.  The recent rash of hiking accidents and deaths lately made me realize just how dangerous hiking in and around waterfalls can be.  In this episode I talk about the recent rash of hiking accidents and deaths in America’s waterfalls.

LINKS:

• Vernal Falls Video
• Another Hiker Dies in Eaton Canyon – KABC 7 Los Angeles
• Cedar Creek Falls – CBS 8 San Diego
• Crazy Guy on edge of Niagara Falls

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Mossy waters along the Santa Margarita River

In this episode I take a hike along the banks of the Santa Margarita River in Fallbrook California, one of the few remaining wild rivers left in the state.  I had been to a small section of this scenic river a few years back on a short hike with my dog and it was time I returned for more exploration.  I shot an HD video of my solo adventure. Be sure to check out the video on Youtube

Santa Margarita River Trail Video

I also took photos along the way

Click here for photos.

LINKS

• Kayaking the Santa Margarita River
• R.E.I. Video review of Smartwool Arm Warmers
• Fallbrook Source – Great info on the trail with maps
• Trimble Outdoors – GPS Routes and waypoints of Santa Margarita River Trail

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A few years ago, National Geographic Magazine printed a list of their 100 greatest adventure novels based on input from their subscribers of their “Adventure Magazine”.  I remember seeing this list and was surprised just how many of the top 100 book I had read over the years. On days when I can’t get out into the wild I find it relaxing just sitting back reading a book about some of the most famous exploits of some of the greatest explorers the world has ever known.  Some folks are just born explorers while others just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and miraculously survive their ordeal and it makes for terrific reading.  I said that I enjoy a good book now and then to relax, well, some of this stories had me so knotted up, sweat rolled off my forehead while I read the horrifying accounts of mountaineers, artic explorers, sailors or jungle travelers.  In this podcast I take you along with me while I organize my book shelf.

Maybe you’ve got some of these terrific adventures too, let’s go check it out.

LINKS:

• National Geographic’s 100 Greatest Adventure Novels
• Worst Journey in the World
• Adrift – 76 Days adrift at sea
• Into This Air