outdoor living, outdoor campingThere is nothing like outdoor living the day after a big rainstorm. This is really true for Southern California. There is no secret pollution is a problem in this area even outside some of the urban sprawl but when the rain comes everything clears right up. After a good rain, the smell of grass, pine branches and even dirt is more natural. The birds are out chirping and everything just seems more alive. Not being able to take the outdoor camping equipment out a few days ago when a friend came into town, we went hiking. And it just so happened the day before had been a winter storm. Not the kind of stuff the east coast is seeing. Those people are really getting slammed with snow. I can’t imagine not being able to slide open the back patio door without letting three feet of powder slide in.

Anyway, we hit the trailhead and the air smelled terrific. It was a cool 65 degrees and at the top, the horizon looked spectacular. It made for one of those outdoor living moments worth storing in the back archives of the brain. I can’t wait to break out the camping stove again when the weather heats up again.