For more pics and info: BLDG BLOG

“The largest sealed environment ever created, constructed at a cost of $200 million, and now falling somewhere between David Gissen’s idea of subnature—wherein the slow power of vegetative life is unleashed “as a transgressive animated force against buildings”—and a bioclimatically inspired Dubai, Biosphere 2 even included its own one million-gallon artificial sea.

“The structure was billed as the first large habitat for humans that would live and breathe on its own, as cut off from the earth as a spaceship,” the New York Times wrote back in 1992, but the project was a near-instant failure.”

Yesterday a friend and I embarked on 20+ mile ride that took us through some historical sites including a Indian Village. Here’s what I found out about the site: “Black Star Canyon Indian Village Site (1832) – Site of an ancient Indian village. Orange County historian Jim Sleeper recorded that a massacre of the native residents by non-native settlers occurred at this site. In 1878, coal was discovered in the canyon and the Black Star Mining Company was formed. California State Historical Landmark. Black Star Canyon on Black Star Canyon Rd, 6 miles north of Silverado Canyon Rd, 9 miles north of Silverado.”

Besides the Indian site we also came across the ruins of Beeks Cabin. Here’s an article on the cabin.

The overall ride is an epic-fireroad-leg-buster. The views make this place a must see. For more info on the spot check out Mtn Bike Bill’s page

Photos via my iPhone…sorry

3 Days, 30 miles, 11,499 ft, 1200 ft in 30 minutes, One Peek, 2 Plane Wreckages, 1 Bottle of Whiskey, 1 Bottle of Schnapps, 1 Bottle of Wine, 7 trips to a water source, cold nights, tons of laughs and great times. Pictures and story to come…

Our homies at Patagonia posted this awesome story in their “My Footprint” series about a Pat employee who makes her own ski’s using recycled palettes: Check it and get inspired.

Backpacker Mag just released their buyers guide issue. I always like getting this issue just to see all the new goodies. I’ve made purchases in the past based on some of their write ups and have to say I was pleased.

The online edition has videos and a roundup of the top picks.