love cook adventure

sharing my love for philanthropy, cooking, and adventure

Sunrise illuminating the summit glacier on Mount Kilimanjaro, with ice formations in the foreground and a sea of clouds in the background.

Month: January 2025

Lake Hodges Dam viewed from above, showing the concrete arches and green reservoir water below

Lake Hodges | Escondido | CA

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On January 30, 2025

In blog | adventure | travel | california hikes

A Hike Through Time, Art, and Mystery

Some hikes impress you with views.
Others surprise you with stories.

Hiking Lake Hodges did both — quietly and unexpectedly. What began as a straightforward out-and-back turned into a walk through early water engineering, subtle trail art, wildfire reminders, and one lingering mystery that stuck with me long after I left the trail.

I parked across from Hernandez Hideaway, crossed the road, and headed south toward the dam. From the first steps, this hike felt like more than just mileage.

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Narrow dirt trail winding uphill toward an old rusted water tank at Daley Ranch in Escondido, surrounded by chaparral and rolling hills.

Daley Ranch | Escondido | CA

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On January 29, 2025

In blog | adventure | travel | california hikes

Rattlesnakes, Regulations, and Ridiculously Good Views

Catching up on some hikes from 2024, I found myself at Daley Ranch Park, a 3,201-acre conservation area in Escondido, California. I really didn’t know what to expect. I figured I’d get some miles in, gain a little elevation, and—hopefully—avoid the kind of crowded trails that tend to attract hikers lacking any semblance of trail etiquette. Normally, when I pull into a packed parking lot, my first instinct is to turn around and head somewhere quieter. But I stuck with my plan, and outside of a close encounter with a rattlesnake, Daley Ranch exceeded my expectations.

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Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park with the Chicago skyline on a clear summer day

Summertime in the Chi

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On January 25, 2025

In blog | adventure | travel | fun finds & more

The Magic of Chicago and Lakeshore Vibes

From one of my favorite songs by Hayley May, John Summit, and Lee Foss:

And there ain’t no city that is quite this pretty
Like summertime in the Chi
As the breeze is blowin’, breathing in this moment
And we ride down Lakeshore Drive

You can’t argue with that—Chicago in the summer is pure magic. If you haven’t experienced it yet, what are you waiting for? During my Upper Midwest adventure this past July, I squeezed in a stop in the Windy City to meet with a couple of potential clients. Spoiler: the trip delivered all the charm, views, and vibes you’d expect from “Summertime Chi.”

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Panoramic view from the summit of McGinty Mountain overlooking rolling hills, rugged canyons, and eastern San Diego County under a clear blue sky.

McGinty Mountain | San Diego | CA

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On January 20, 2025

In blog | adventure | travel | california hikes

I’ll Take an “S,” Ryan!

Confession time: I’m a closeted Wheel of Fortune fan. And when I found out they were hosting their first live auditions since the pandemic—with Ryan Seacrest as the new host, no less—I knew I had to go.

The audition was happening at Sycuan Casino in San Diego. So I set my alarm early, fueled up with coffee, and made the hour-long drive southeast.

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Frost-covered summit marker, bench, and register desk at Panorama Point, Nebraska’s highest natural point, surrounded by icy grass and dense fog.

Panorama Point | Nebraska (#34)

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On January 19, 2025

In blog | adventure | travel | high pointing

At 5,429 feet above sea level, Panorama Point is Nebraska’s highest natural point, tucked into the far southwestern corner of the state where Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado quietly meet. Ranked #20 among U.S. state high points, this marked summit #34 in my ongoing high-pointing journey. And despite the name, Panorama Point isn’t about sweeping views—it’s about subtlety, solitude, and the story of getting there.

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Mount Sunflower summit area on the Kansas High Plains with directional signs, fence enclosure, and wide open prairie under a blue sky.

Mount Sunflower | Kansas (#33)

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On January 18, 2025

In blog | adventure | travel | high pointing

A “Peak” Experience in Kansas

In far western Kansas, near the Colorado border, lies Mount Sunflower, a towering summit by Kansas standards at 4,039 feet above sea level. As the highest point in the Sunflower State, it ranks #28 among U.S. state high points by elevationand marks my 33rd summit on this ongoing high-pointing journey. While it may not boast rugged peaks or dramatic cliffs, Mount Sunflower is a subtle reminder that Kansas has more topography than it often gets credit for.

Instead of jagged ridgelines, this summit owes its height to the gradual rise of the High Plains as they slope toward the Rocky Mountains. It’s understated, yes—but that’s part of the charm.

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Winter view of Historic Lake Scott in western Kansas with frost-covered trees and partially frozen lake.

Historic Lake Scott State Park | Kansas

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On January 17, 2025

In blog | adventure | travel | best state parks list

Road Trippin’ into 2025!

Happy 2025! After a fun New Year’s Eve in Nashville — raving to Sofia Kourtesis at Night We Met — I decided to kick off the year with something equally energizing: exploring, hiking, and high-pointing. If you’re going to start a new year, why not begin on a literal and figurative high note? Historic Lake Scott made for the perfect start to 2025.

So far, I’ve visited 32 of the 50 Best State Parks in the U.S. (as ranked by The Discoverer). I’ve also stood atop 32 of the 51 State High Points — yes, including Washington, D.C., because why not? That leaves some serious ground to cover.

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