Hiking and Pie: A Good Combination

While visiting my family in California earlier this winter, Matt and I took a trip to the Palomar Observatory with my brother Aaron. 

Although many think of California as the land of eternal sunshine, it is quite possible to experience legitimate snow in the Golden State. 

After our two-hour drive to Palomar, this trail marked the beginning of our hike:

Note the tiny animal footprints. We were headed into the wild. 

As many of you know, I spend my days commuting in and out of New York city. So a lot of my time is spent running to the train, racing through the grimy subway, and dashing through city streets. 

It was a nice change of pace to be surrounded by pristine snow and green, growing things.

Our trek through the snow also provided me with answers to several burning questions I have had throughout my life. 

Question 1: How do chipmunks store their food in trees? 

The only frame of reference I had were cartoons featuring Chip and Dale (before they were Rescue Rangers). 

And some might say that a cartoon from the 1980s is not a reliable source.

Well, folks, here's your answer. 

Yes, that's right. Chipmunks can actually store their nuts in trees! Amazing. (And no, we did not carve the "E" into the tree. But it is cool that it was there.)

Question 2:  Does "X" really mark the spot? 

Answer: Yes. And here it is.

Question 3- Are there indigenous woolly mammoths/elephants in southern California?

Clearly the answer is yes. 

After hiking for close to two hours, we decided to take a rest. We found a great spot, one with a view of the observatory and a large, high rock for us all to sit upon. 

Aaron the-eternally-prepared had thought it prudent to bring pipes for us all to enjoy.

I went along with the boys but, alas! I found myself unable to enjoy the fine, English tobacco as much as Aaron did. 

I myself am more inclined towards sweet things. Fortunately for me, we were headed to a land famous for its sweets.

As we left the Palomar Mountains, we were treated to some spectacular views. 

Having left the snow behind us only minutes before, we could now see all the way to the ocean. 

Not too far from Palomar is a small town called Julian. It is famous for its apple pies. 

My parents used to take Aaron and I when we were kids. It was always a treat for the four of us to hop in the car, heading towards the mountains and anticipating that first bite of apple pie. 

Nowadays, Julian apple pies are shipped to nearby grocery stores. But everyone knows that eating a pie in the town of Julian is still "the real thing."

There are several stores that sell apple pie but we always went to Mom's. 

There are a variety of pies- apple, apple boysenberry, strawberry, cherry...the list goes on. You can choose between an "American flakey" and a "French crumb" top. 

While both are good, my vote is always for the crumb top. 

But you can't really go wrong. 

Hiking in the great outdoors, fun with family, and apple pie. 

It was a good day.