2017 sounds like a great year to cross "summiting Mount Whitney" off your bucket list. And since you probably want to maximize your chances of summiting, you have to time your trip just right. In the Sierra Nevada, the absolute best conditions generally exist during July and...
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Black Friday: once a day filled with leftovers and friends and lounging on the couch, it has morphed into a bloodbath full of stampeding shoppers fighting over Furbys (or whatever is this year's hottest toy). Last year, REI took a stand against the increasingly oppressing consumerism...
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Thanksgiving is the time to fill your home with family, friends, and delicious food. But then you have dishes to wash, leftovers spilling out of the fridge, and relatives scattered about in a food coma. Why not do Thanksgiving a little differently this year and move...
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Yes, you can make pastry in the backcountry—all you need is a round water bottle for a rolling pin and a large ziplock freezer bag for rolling out the dough. It isn’t messy, and freshly baked pie is a real treat. This recipe from A...
Read MorePortable pumpkin pie! Okay, it isn’t quite the same, but this recipe from A Fork in the Trail still tastes really great. Pumpkin Pie Leather Makes 4 servings 1 cup cooked canned pumpkin 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ginger At Home Mix the pumpkin and spices together. Spread the mixture about 1/4-inch thick on lined dehydrator...
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Apples. Pumpkins. Hayrides. Animals. Fall is a great season to bring the little ones to a local farm. These three family-friendly spots featured in Visit California Farms, by Erin Mahoney Harris, are the perfect place to celebrate the season. Slide Ranch Muir Beach, CA Situated on 134 picturesque acres overlooking the bluffs of Muir Beach just...
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This is a great month to plan a weekend getaway—to somewhere close that still feels like a vacation. You want to unplug and unwind, but you don’t want the hassle of camping for this trip. You want a comfortable bed to sink into, but not at a chain hotel. So...
Read MoreThis recipe from A Fork in the Trail makes the most of apple picking season, with bonus points if you pick the apples yourself. Rice or egg noodles are a great accompaniment for this dish. Harvest Pork and Apple Stew Makes 4-6 servings 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 pound pork tenderloin A handful of flour 1 onion,...
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Sweet potatoes are a fall staple, packed with nutrition and flavor. This recipe from A Fork in the Trail can be accented with a little sprinkle of cinnamon before serving. Chipotle Sweet Potatoes Makes 2 servings 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon lime...
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This chili from A Fork in the Trail includes four types of beans and is the perfect way to fight off the chill in the fall air. Try adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to enhance the flavors. Bean and Mushroom Chili Makes 3-4 servings 1 small onion, chopped 1 1/4 cups...
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