Katie vs. Wild

My idea of camping is parking your car at the beach with a fully stocked supply of beer and smores with running water bathrooms and an i-pod stereo to set the mood. For those who do not know: backpacking is not synonymous with camping. In fact, I have come to learn there is not much they have in common at all. Backpacking is taking all your gear with you... no car, no crowds, just you miles away from the closest bathroom. Chris and I went on a weekend 3-day adventure in the Mohican State Park in Central Ohio. This was my first experience in backpacking. Chris is a self-proclaimed nature enthusiast that has grown up backpacking. His childhood consists of hiking to the top of Mount Whitney (tallest peak in the continental US) along with much of the Sierras and California coastal ranges. He even has an eagle scout ranking to prove it. Although my dad is the one with the navy seal background, the Pozzi's idea of a natural vacation was Hawaii. Chris and I backpacked 16 miles through hilly terrain and humidity. The temp reached well into the 90s as we were making our way to our daily destinations. It was hard for this little girl. Chris showed great encouragement and support as I complained about the bugs/ nature/ heat/ getting lost/ lack of chocolate. After all was said and done, I was able to experience the beauty of Central Ohio forests and the gratification of reaching your campsite each night, an amazing experience. I have learned a lot and feel thankful that Chris was able to teach me so much about nature and his skills in backpacking. I survived and cannot wait for our next outdoor experience together.

Baby Will

My sister and her hubby had their first baby on April 16th. It took me two months to get out there because I started a new job. I was so excited to travel to Austin to finally meet him. Needless to say he is the cutest baby I know. Jenny and Will are so good with him. It is pretty cool to see my sister as a mom too. I know I posted a lot of pictures of him, but when it comes to babies, more is better. I cannot wait to post more when I see him again in November!

The Lost Coast

After a brutally long and windy road to Shelter Cove, we reached the southern trail head of the Lost Coast. Known for its desolation and popular with backpackers, this stretch of coastline is stunning in the severity of its isolation. Blackish gray sand lay in a strip of coastline surrounded by savage shorebreak on one side and steep cliffs leading up to redwood forests on the other side. There was a noted lack of life in the area, coupled with the stout wind, and hazy fog slipping in and out of view gave the place a beautiful, but eerie feel.

At the trailhead parking lot


Me and my mom with the vast expanse behind us

Another scenic shot

Random huge boulder in the middle of the beach where we decided to turn around. It looked so much closer than it actually was! After our long hike back to the car, we headed for San Francisco and the end of another wonderful family vaction. Can't wait for the next one!

Happy Birthday America

Classic 4th of July. Celebration in Arcata Square, followed by a Crabs win, and then some drinking, grilling, and fireworks at Coach Nutter's house. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Me and my dad in Arcata Square on another beautiful day in Humboldt County


The World Famous Crabs Grass Band in full force for the day game on the 4th

It's Sunday and that means that kids get to run the bases after the game and give the Crab's players high fives on their way home

The fam in front of Arcata Ballpark, home of the Crabs

Coach Nutter's front yard. Not a bad view, huh? Nevermind the view though, we have a sibling rivalry to reignite on the ping pong table.

Crescent City Pier

My dad checked off the northernmost pier in California when we drove up to Crescent City. Another beautiful drive north of Humboldt took us through more beautiful redwoods growing right down to the jagged coastline overlooking the Pacific. Crescent City is a stone's throw from Oregon and isn't much to write home about. It's basically just a fishing village, but it has a pier, so there we were. One more crossed off the list!

Go Crabbies!

Prior to one of Scotty's games, we explored the northern spit of Humboldt Bay. We checked out all of the motoheads playing in the dunes and walked down to the beach to check the surf at the north jetty. We also went to Samoa Cookhouse, a historical feedhouse for loggers working at the mill. It was full of old logger memorabilia and cool old photos. The meal was worthy of a logger after a hard day's work too. Served family style, there was tons of food and as much as you like. Needless to say, we were very satisfied and ready for some Crabs baseball that evening.

Scotty in his home whites in between innings

Base hit! Nice follow through.

Baseball the way it was meant to be. Crabs games are the most fun I've ever had at a baseball game. Scotty defintely seems to be enjoying his time up there too. Look at that smile.

"Sanchez, you have more errors than hits this season. Your thoughts...?"

Patrick's Point/Trinidad

On our way back from Fern Canyon we stopped off at Patrick's Point State Park to make the most of our California State Park day use pass. The coast line jutts out here and let's you see for miles both north and south past a jagged coastline teaming with seals, sea lions, and tide pools.

On our way home from Patrick's Point, we stopped in Trinidad for a delicious seafood lunch. My dad checked another pier off his list at the Trinidad Pier and we picked up some smoked fish in town for dinner. I definitely got my seafood fix on this trip.

Fern Canyon

North of McKinleyville is Redwood National Park. After 8 miles on a steep up and down dirt road through breathtaking Redwood forests, dodging backhoes, steam rollers, and various other heavy machinery, we emerged at the coast and the trail head for Fern Canyon. A short hike brought us to the entrance of the canyon, where we were transported into another world. Steep walls line either side of a creek bed covered completely in lush, prehistoric ferns. On top of these giant shear walls sit giant redwood trees that filter the light, allowing only sparse beams of light to penetrate into the canyon below giving the place a heavenly and pristine feel. We wandered up the creek bed until we were spit out of the east end of the canyon up a steep set of steps into the Redwood forest creating somewhat of a sensory overload moving from one beautiful vista to the next. Around each corner was another breathtaking sight with a lack of words to describe it.

To get to the trail head, we had to ford a couple of small streams. The Explorer was up to the task and handled them with ease, also making for a fun little sequence of photos.