CALIFORNIA A sneak preview of the next issue featuring flora of the southern California coast, gardening and indoor plant tips, & hiking spots through the Santa Barbara foothills. Keep up to date! sxanthakis.squarespace.com
Seattle, WA, U.S.A . 2014
Following the Washington issue of THE BURROW, I decided to explore some of the best well known and little known nature escapes on the California coast. This zine showcases just a few highlights of the upcoming articles. I grew up in Santa Barbara, a small part-hippie part-tourist town known for surfer babes, excellent Mexican food and incredible hiking locations. Due to the fact that seasons have no effect on this paradise, the rainy days are few and far between, which makes hiking a grueling trudge through dry heat. However, there are plenty of places to cool off and enjoy the view. The beach has a perfect balance in the peak of summer of blazing hot on the sand and ice cold in the water, so running back and forth should keep your temperature just right.
When it does rain, the plant life changes drastically. I prefer hiking in light rain over any weather, and after the hillside has soaked up a good amount of water, everything seemes to glow and take on a different essence. In my experience, mushrooms are less abundant near southern California. Other plant life such as succulents and cacti get more attention with a pastel, sunbleached palette. Enjoy the preview and keep updated with new articles at sxanthakis.squarespace.com! Happy foraging!
Sarah Xanthakis
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ALAMEDA PADRE SERRA 路 SANTA BARBARA 路
In the foothills of Santa Barbara, APS is a winding, scenic road that provides incredible views of downtown and the waterfront. The houses in this area, called the Riviera, are built along sloped hillsides. Some sandstone walls and terracing were constructed in the early 20th century by Italian immigrants. Various kinds of cacti grow abundantly along the roadside, some prickly pear cacti growing over 7 feet high, and agave plants flowering with their stalks nearly reaching telephone wires. The Riviera is a picturesque mix of modern architecture, historical adobe structures and native southern California plant life.
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RED ROCK PARADISE ROAD 路 SANTA YNEZ RIVER 路 santa barbara 路
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On the drive to Santa Ynez through the foothills, this oasis resides for tired hikers and all walks of wildlife. In the summer the pools at Red Rock are a very popular spot to cool off for Santa Barbara locals looking for a nature escape. A 40 foot cliff towers over the turqoise waters. Though most visitors choose to leap off of the boulders, some professionals tackle the brave jump from the cliff wearing sneakers for protection on impact.
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LIZ & CHRIS
路 DOWNTOWN, SANTA BARBARA 路 Slightly secluded behind tall hedges on a busy street, a small white house is home to a couple handy gardeners. Liz grows various vegetables and leafy greens in her homemade, cedar wood garden box in her backyard. In our interview, she shares her recipe for pistachio ice cream as well as travel stories from India.
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How did you decide what to plant in your garden? LW: We filled the box late in the fall so our selection was limited to winter crops. Luckily, we have a pretty long growing season here so we didn’t have to be too picky about what we planted. We chose a lot of lettuces because I’d buy them weekly at the farmers market anyway, and because they just looked so pretty. I also had some rainbow chard and kale that I had started from seed a few weeks prior. Everything got 3-4 times larger in my parents garden. They must just have the perfect little microclimate. What are your favorite places to hike in California? LW: Anywhere in Big Sur. I believe it’s the most beautiful place in the world. I also really enjoy the hikes back in the Sespe and Matilija Wildernesses: I love the California chaparral, the horny toads that must have no natural predators because of how docile they are, and being able to swim every few miles. I’d love to hike back in the Dick Smith Wilderness when we get some more rain. Can you describe your hiking experiences/travel experiences in India? LW: India is the most beautiful country. It is also probably the hardest country to travel, and not just for women. Seriously, India is not for the novice traveller. The entire country smells like hot feces and spice. You are constantly sick, everything is loud, and everything goes wrong. Despite all that, you kind of just have to laugh it off. It is a very religious country and even dressing modestly will not defer attention. You must be firm. But for every one guy staring at you and
publicly masturbating, there are 3957915470 others not about to let somebody think ill of their country. The Indian people LOVE their country. And you really must go once. Would you say you have a knack for plant care? LW: Not really. I have a knack for recognizing which ones I’m going to keep alive and which ones I’m going to promptly kill. Which types of plants do you notice most in nature/ while hiking? LW: Maidenhair ferns. I can keep them barely alive forever but they never look as lush as when you see them growing out of the cracks of a decrepit dam somewhere in the foothills. What types of recipes have you made/hope to try from the plants you’ve grown? LW: Oh well: lots of salads, kale-slaws, sauteed pak choi. This summer I will be going for tobacco, purple peppers, and yellow watermelon. I have some beets back there right now. I just got back from a few days in Death Valley NP... hopefully Chris watered. What does your dream garden look like? LW: It’s a symbiosis between house and yard. I think both will have to become one another. Ideally I will use most of my yard to produce edibles. I’d love to have chickens and would have to plant a chicken-friendly garden. Maybe that way I could grow brussels sprouts and cauliflower without them being destroyed by aphids. ➶
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RAGGED POINT 路 CAMBRIA 路
After leaving the main strip of Cambria antique stores and following the highway, once again, into the dusty beige hills that so truly define the California coastline, there lies a hidden (and forbidden) pathway to a secluded beach. Our determination to get to the beach lead us through 7 foot high bushes filled with critters, and spit us out into an oasis.
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SKOFIELD PARK · SANTA BARBARA ·
Located deep in the foothills, up winding roads where houses become more spread out and nature is more dominant, Skofield Park sits quietly along sloped hillsides off the road, and opens up into a large, recreational picnic area. It’s secluded spot brings only a few visitors at a time on weekdays, allowing for almost complete silence, aside from the clucking of nearby chickens in a local’s backyard.
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