One of the many stunning views at the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve.
My love for dirt started at a young age.
When I was two my parents moved from the paved environment of the Bay Area to the rural lands of Boise, Idaho. An acre of dirt made their eyes grow large, much like a kid at a candy store. Yet unfortunately too much candy can cause a bellyache. Finding the balance between raising a family, working 9 to 5, and managing a plot of dirt was tricky; Something had to give. Luckily the strong bonds that had developed (from what I assume is child birth and breast feeding) could not be broken.
They decided dirt had to go. My family moved into a less “dirt-y” environment: Suburbia.
And despite the move my family still loved dirt. Whenever there was extra money burning in our pockets we spent it on dirt. We became weekend dirt warriors. For as many weekends as possible we eagerly traipsed on dirt for family events & relaxation. The dirt around Stanley, McCall, & Cascade, Idaho became our home away from home.
Even the annual family vacations became dirt-focused. During one of my favorite vacations we explored the dirt between Boise, Idaho & deep British Columbia. There we discovered that Canadians harbor a well-kept secret; their abundance of beautiful dirt.
They call their dirt the Canadian Rockies.
As an adult I still love dirt.
For example, when I was living in Girdwood, Alaska I kept pet worms. Sometimes people would blindly say, “Your pet worms are more boring than a hibernating turtle.”
My response? “I love dirt.” Plain & simple.
Here are a couple of links to a few of my favorite dirt adventures:
Yum Yum Colostrum: A Volunteer Experience at Coonridge Orginic Goat Dairy
Atlanta, Idaho Bicycle Journey
Highwway 26 the Bicycle Tour from Boise, ID to Portland, OR
One of the (many) reasons I live at the Bridge Street Inn is for its bountiful, beautiful dirt. In front of the Inn there’s a white picket fence not to keep in the 2 1/2 kids, control the growing herbs or fence in the dog but to keep out the pavement.
Just three blocks from the BSI are some winding dirt trails that lead to the edge of North America’s western shore. It’s a great opportunity to see the blooming milk thistle or listen to the birds chirp.
Cambria, California has an amazing section of dirt to explore called the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve. Click on the link to view photos and trail maps:
http://bridgestreetinn.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/i-love-the-dirt-at-the-fiscalini-ranch-preserve/
Earthworm Envy 