The Savvy Tourist

Day Trippin' to Oak Glen

Tucked away in the mountains between Beaumont, CA. and Redlands, CA is a little tiny burb called Oak Glen. I think it is officially located in Yucaipa, CA., but it is not exactly on the beaten path. Years ago, while wining about missing the East Coast and my annual apple pickin' escapades, a friend mentioned to me that I could find some great apple orchards up in Oak Glen. So, while savvy auntie was still visiting we made this one of our day adventures.

It really is like a different world when you get to a mile high in the mountains. The rolling hills and clear blue sky that we discovered up in Oak Glen, along with the apple orchards and working cider mills were enough to take me back in time. There is a scenic route through town that leads you to each and every orchard, farm, market, restaurant and even petting zoo.

Beginning our self-tour was a stop at Riley's Farm where they feature "u-pick" apple orchards, hoedowns, tours and hayrides. They also do a schedule of civil war reenactments. If you are really adventurous they have Primitive Historical Farm Stays by reservation only.

We did not have time to stop at every single establishment, which I am sure offers some sort of unique addition to the area. (I hear the spicy peanut butter is to die for!!) There is enough to keep you busy all day, especially if you are looking for something to do with your kids. Right in the middle of the scenic route sits Oak Glen Village where there is a Curio Shop, Art Gallery, Candy Kitchen, Bakery, Leather Shop, Country Store, and Animal Park.

 

If you want to make a weekend of it, try The Sage Herb Farm where they offer Garden Getaway Weekends, along with herb classes and garden tours. There is also camping and RV accommodations in the area for you savvier tourists.

So, young or old, there is something for everyone. Experience a heart-warming meal and a slice of apple pie, then stop by one of the shops so you can take home fresh apple butter, jams, jellies and candied apples.

Don't forget to check back in the summer months when you can pick fresh raspberries!

Julian, CA.

When most people think of Southern California, they think beaches and sunshine and probably movie stars. Well, we do have all that, but we have much more. Since I was raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I am more used to seasonal changes and some occasional weather issues like cold temperatures and snow. That is something I kind of miss...maybe just a little. The rest of my family, except for maybe my son, thinks I am a bit mental.

The other day we took a day trip to Julian, CA. to share with my Aunt who was visiting from West Virginia. I like to visit Julian occasionally because there I can experience all four seasons. At just over 4,000 feet elevation, Julian provides a mild Summer for hiking, camping, and fishing, and a colorful backdrop for fun Fall activities.  The Winter brings the perfect wonderland for the holiday season and then Spring produces all the flowers and new nature that warms our hearts after a cold Winter.

Julian, CA. is an historic gold mining town that was founded after the Civil War. Although it is quite popular with tourists, it has remained small in general population and retains it's old world charm. The tiny town has since taken on new found fame as "Pie Town" because of The Julian Pie Company, who ships pies out by the hundreds to all over the country.

There is plenty to do in Julian for the whole family. They have shopping (my favorite), Art Galleries, historic sites, dining, wine tasting, and of course, many types of lodging. A trip to Julian makes a great day trip if you live in the area, but I think I will stay for the weekend next time I go so that I can experience all the dining options. That is very hard to do in just one day, especially when there is pie involved!!

To camp or not to camp.........

I do not consider myself a serious camper. Actually, I'm not a camper at all and my mother will attest to that as soon as she finishes laughing. You see, we did the "Girl Scout" adventures together when I was quite young, and for some reason we thought we were experts and tried it again later when I was a young adult. Ever since then, my mother and I have decided that our idea of "roughing it" is when the hotel bath doesn't have a jacuzzi tub. Well, I am no longer a young adult, and life has brought many changes over the years and I am beginning to see the "need" to camp. By now I am sure my mother thinks I have lost my mind, but hear me out. Camping is about "getting away from it all", "being at one with nature", and all those other corny sayings that I've yet to really experience. I will , however, agree that there are times when life must slow down a bit and we need not be spending all of our time in front of our Tivo. Think about the peace and quiet that occurs while sleeping under the stars. Feel the relaxation that overcomes your whole body as the river flows quietly by and the leaves rustle in a gentle breeze. It's just you and nature....as intended. Except for maybe your iPod, your cell phone, your portable TV, your gas stove, your temperpedic foam insert for your down sleeping bag, and quite possibly your laptop with super-duty Wi-Fi capabilities.  You see, this is what it has really come down to......we would be lost without all the electronic gadgets that we think we need to survive. Can we ever really just "get away from it all", or "be at one with nature", or are we doomed to be held hostage by our little electronic addictions? When I went camping as a child, all I really missed was my warm soft bed, and a bathroom that I didn't have to share with a snake. Now, things have changed. We only pretend to go camping. What we do now is take our electronically enabled life on an outdoor adventure and see how well it does.  I want to experience some real camping. I want to build a fire and cook the fish I caught for dinner. I want to wake up in the morning to the sounds of the birds, and the smell of fresh air. What I do not care for is bears eating my breakfast before me, and rocks in my back while trying to sleep, which is why you will probably find me at a hotel with the windows open.

So, are there any serious campers out there?  Here's a short list of some popular places in the United States to start your camping adventure..........

1. Joshua Tree National Park - Southern California
2. Glacier National Park - Montana
3. Channel Islands National Park - California
4. Great Sand Dunes National Monument - Colorado
5. Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
6. Warren Island State Park - Maine
7. Adirondack Park - New York
8. Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Texas
9. Cumberland Island National Seashore - Georgia
10. Natchez Trace Parkway - Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama