Chasing Clean Air

Three Rivers, California - Gateway To Sequoia National Park!

Searching for clean air near the Sequoia National Park, I discovered a lovely small community at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

Three Rivers is located in Central California, about a 4-1/2 hour drive from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, and it's adjacent to the Sequoia National Park entrance, where you'll find the world's biggest trees!

Gentle Sequoias inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen about 4000 ft. above Three Rivers, which helps clean the air.

Three Rivers is alive with music, thanks to the award-winning High Sierra Jazz Band. The jazz band hosts an annual Jazz Affair in the second week of April attracting bands and tourists from around the country.

Art galleries, a historical museum, and an infectious pioneering spirit emanating from Three River's warm people round out the up-vibe of this foothill community.

Now spring wildflowers are bursting onto the scene. On mountaintops. At the side of the road. In every backyard. An artist's dream! A kaleidoscope of color!

 

All-New 2014 Mazda CX-5 Touring All Wheel Drive Goes To Sequoia National Park

The All-New 2014 Mazda CX-5 Touring All Wheel Drive was the perfect choice to drive to Sequoia National Park in search of clean air. Sturdy. Safe. Simple. And when I say simple, I mean simply reliable with easy-to-find and operate features.

I plugged my destination into the navigation system, and enjoyed the ride, which offered spunk and a lot of substance.

The Skyactiv-G 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, rated at 184 horsepower with 185 lb-ft torque, is an upgrade from last year's 2.0. It felt powerful for a 4-cylinder! As for Mazda's Skyactiv vision to deliver driving pleasure and outstanding eco-friendly and safety performance to every customer with a unique combination of technological advancements, they delivered.

 

Gas Mileage

According to Mazda, the 2014 CX-5 gets the best freeway mileage of any other SUV, including hybrids! Keeping in mind that the average small SUV fuel economy ranges from 16-30 mpg, the Mazda CX-5 gas mileage averages 24 city/30 highway.

Excellent.

I drove the CX-5 mostly on freeways, passing farmlands, oil rigs, cows and sheep, making it from Los Angeles to Sequoia National Park and back (with short day trips in-between) on just a little over one tank of gas. About 450 miles.

Considering fuel-economy, comfort, safety, low-wind noise, and long-range driving (the prized all-electric cars are currently best for short "city" runs) Mazda created a winner with this attractive 2014 Mazda CX-5.

Let's break down the all-important safety features.

Sequoia National Park

Standing at Beetle Rock in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I'm in California's Sequoia National Park, where I fell in love.

With the gentle giants--The Giant Sequoia Trees.

The Giant Forest, named by John Muir, had one particular Sequoia that caught my eye and captured my heart. An "old man" you might say. Aged at about 2,200.

Like a fine wine, woman or man--a tree settles into magnificence the more time goes on.

Isn't this  AWESOME?! Or do you have to be next to the gentle giant to truly appreciate its magnificence? If so, please do, GO!

Walking into my favorite tree. Kind of like a woodpecker or squirrel. (I think)

Mmmm. I like a glowing red color, changing shades with passing light.

Here's what John Muir said about the glowing red grove of gentle giants that I was privileged to walk amongst.

"When I entered this sublime wilderness the day was nearly done. The trees with rosy, glowing countenances seemed to be hushed and thoughtful, as if waiting in conscious religious dependence on the sun, and one naturally walked softly and awestricken amongst them."

The air quality was excellent, for it recently rained. This area can be impacted from pollution wafting up from San Joaquin Valley. A combination of cars and trucks, wood-burning, and pesticides. The higher elevations tend to be cleaner especially in fall, winter, and spring. Summer months bring heat and ozone. More info on air quality for area can be found here.

I enjoyed a tour with Sequoia Sightseeing Tours. Our tour included the Giant Forest and world's largest by volume tree, The General Sherman. For parts of the path, we walked in snow, which was beautiful.

 

Vasque Pow Pow Ultradry Winter Boots: What To Wear On a Wet Cold Night

Last night, Los Angeles expected a big storm, (possible hail, thunder, water spouts) and I was meeting mom, just back from a Costa Rica cruise on Oceana which she raved about, downtown for the symphony.

The strangest symphony by John Adams "The Gospel According to the Other Mary" conducted my Dudemel. I appreciate John Adams and love the LA Phil yet tonight I was curious as to the audience's interest in his latest innovation. I scanned the symphony hall and noted several mens' eyes closed, chins nodding toward chests. Mom insisted they listened with rapt attention. A soft snore told me otherwise.  

Above check out Los Angeles pre-storm sky!  Intimidating, no? I know. No.

What to wear?

Mom's long-time companion got creative with the camera, as if he were shooting Vogue models. He contorted his body near the sidewalk kind of like a yogi, so you too could see Disney Hall!

Patagonia had a 75% off sale on Main Street in Santa Monica, so I picked up this snow jacket--keeps you warm and repels water so why not wear on a L.A. storm-a-coming night? Without a conversation about what to wear to Disney Hall and the pretentious, I mean, upscale Patina restaurant where one must be loaded or care to remain very thin, mom was similarly attired. 

Dancers Among Us: Celebrating Joy in the Everyday

Take my breath away!

If you're buying one nature and dance lover's book for all time, you are buying photographer Jordan Matter's New York Times Bestseller, Dancers Among Us!

Jordan captured  three great loves -- nature, dancing and being in the moment -- and he did so brilliantly! beautifully!

Aventura Clothing for Women Who Love Looking Good While Doing Good for the Planet

A planet for tomorrow is something that we live for today!

So says founder John Kirsch of Aventura, a sustainable clothing company located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada. That's where they make clothes out of organic and sustainable fibers.

I'm wearing Aventura's Nyla top--sheer and feminine--and flowy Sinclair skirt right now. Oops but I don't like the way my photos turned out so for now, please see models, photos courtesy of Aventura Clothing.