This is the first installment of what will be a regular wrap-up of recent articles, films, books, or gear that I am enjoying. It might be kind of random ,but I always enjoy these types of collections on other blogs so I hope mine are fun and informative.
Reading
I recently finished The Devil’s Teeth: A True Story of Obsession and Survival Among America’s Great White Sharks by Susan Casey. While I was reading it, I could not stop talking about it to everyone I know. Casey writes in a journalist’s compelling and informative style. Her descriptions of the Farallon Islands, the sharks who live there, and the people who study them are fascinating and heartbreaking. As a Bay Area sailor, the Farallon Islands have always been a mysterious and foreboding presence on the horizon. I am now determined to sail there, although maybe not during shark and winter storm season.
Watching
I was super excited to finally watch Motherload, a documentary about parenthood and cargo bikes that I’ve seen a lot about on the family biking internet. Just like many reviewers on the film’s website, I was crying 15 minutes into the movie. It touched every place in me that loves bicycles and the amazing things cargo bicycles can do for a family, and wants to tell the world all of the above.
I enjoy watching documentaries and adventure stories for inspiration and my kids tend to like them too. The first ski movie my six-year-old watched just about blew his mind. At the moment I am considering registering for the BANFF Film Festival so that we can watch this year’s films in the comfort of our living room.
Wearing
It’s been several years since I bought myself new workout clothes. I try to make my clothing last and buy second hand as much as possible. However, some of my favorite tops and bottoms are showing their advanced age so I figured it was time to invest in something new.
I landed on the Title Nine Mad Dash reversible running crop and the Henerela V-Neck Tank Top and they did not disappoint. The pants are just the right length and their high rise means they don’t fall down when I’m running, which many leggings tend to do. The tank top is super flattering and the material is substantial without feeling overly thick. I have owned clothes from Title Nine before and have visited their store in Berkeley. Their clothing is high-quality and very thoughtfully designed for active women of all shapes and sizes. I think I’ll pay them a visit again when I need new sports bras.
Eating
Food is important. Food is fuel for adventure as well as a salve for the boredom of pandemic life. I love to cook and I enjoy discovering favorite snacks and meals to take outdoors. Since California first began to shelter in place last March I’ve rediscovered a love for baking bread. I’m not baking the instagram-worthy sourdough creations that the rest of the world is drooling over, but I am enjoying the convenience of whipping up my own dough and having fresh bread on demand. Perhaps I will include some recipes that make particularly good trail sandwiches in another post.
I also have my eye on this egg sandwich recipe from Cook’s Illustrated. These seem like an ideal breakfast for early morning departures for the mountains.
