California Tour: Day 3/4 Napa Valley

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

Thinking back, Monday started off like it was going to be a great day. And for the most part, it was! After work we drove out to the Monticello Dam near Napa Valley and opted for an extremely steep mile hike over the more moderate four-mile loop—it was already getting darker and we didn't want to leave our car alone for that long.

So off we went, scrambling up a 2,000 foot elevation change that was killer on the buns and thighs. It was beautiful! We hiked along the ridge to see both sides of the mountain and got some great practice in varying our jump shots:

See? And even though boyfriend forgot my candy bar reward for reaching the top, I had a great time and was feeling so happy to be able to work from such a beautiful place. Until we got back to the car...

Travel Guide: The Perks of Couch Surfing

That's one way to couch surf...photo via Pinterest.

This is a guest post from our resident Couch Surfing Expert Ambassador Lea Gall.

The first big trip I ever took was a two-month holiday to Australia and New Zealand. Being that I didn't have much experience yet, my cousin and I decided to break things up to prevent jet lag. Didn't work, but good idea, right? We decided that flying out of Philadelphia and spending a week in Los Angeles was the first leg of our trip, and when we got to LAX, we hopped on a bus that would take us to a Venice Beach hostel.

Then something funny happened. We started chatting with a guy named Julian on the bus and when he offered to let us crash at his place, we said yes (I'm not sure why). We went to his condo in a very nice area and rented a car with all the money we saved. I'll never forget that first night—we started getting nervous, so we locked the door and piled some luggage in front of it. I think we may have even taken turns sleeping!

California Tour: Day 2, Kirkwood Mountain

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

Remember how I said I love California? Well, I really do. It's just so cool to be able to go from coastline to snow-covered mountains in just a few hours. The terrain out here is so diverse and everything is so huge! Why didn't I appreciate it more when I lived here?

We spent Sunday snowboarding at Kirkwood Mountain, near Lake Tahoe. The drive is was nothing short of terrifying. Snow chains were required but since we were in a rental, we didn't have any. Luckily we made it through the check point. Luckily? Not so much...the roads were covered in an inch of ice that made any uphill ascent an adrenaline rush, and not the good kind. Before we even go to the resort we saw multiple cars in ditches.

California Tour: Day 1, San Francisco

All photos by Dirtbag Darling

The end of January—it's the time of year when most East Coast natives are about ready to hang up their fleece hats and migrate to some sunnier shore (one without ice-coated windshields). Luckily for me, I work from my laptop, and my laptop can be anywhere I want it to be. So for the next two weeks, it'll be hop-scotching around California with me as I reconnect with business contacts and explore my favorite coast.

Day 1: San Francisco
Our trip out West started off with some hiccups. My boyfriend and I both forgot we had water in our Nalgenes and had to be escorted back through security. An inch of snow in Philadelphia meant a two hour delay in order for the plane to be de-iced, meaning we missed our connection in Dallas. But everything worked out in the end and we made it to San Francisco.

Lesson 1: Double and triple check your liquids are empty or in a travel-sized clear container before you get to the security line.

Base Camp: Do You Want To Have a Good Time or a Bad Time?

At the top of Pharaoh Mountain in the Adirondacks. It was cold.

When I was a kid, I suffered from some major mood swings. One second I'd be a happy-go-lucky five-year-old and the next you'd think someone canceled Christmas. I guess my parents got tired of it because whenever a case of the grumpies would attack my brother and I, my dad would always pose this question: Do you want to have a good time or a bad time?

Simple question, quick results. Whether it was because his logic rang clear to five-year-old me or because I was just scared I wouldn't get whatever toy/candy bar/Disney ride I was promised, I'd always adjust my attitude immediately and force a smile until I was actually having fun again.

Fast forward about twenty years to a campsite in the Adirondacks. I'm frustrated because my camping party is moving at a snail's pace to accomplish even simple tasks and I'm not one to wait around. I look over at my friend and ask (like a brat, I might add), "How are we ever going to do anything when we're on our trip out west this summer? It takes an hour just to break down a tent." Before the words were even out of my mouth, I knew what she was going to say: "As long as everyone stays in a good mood, we'll be fine."

Bam! Just like my dad's magic back in the day, her logic just automatically transformed my attitude. It was the reminder I needed that your outlook on a situation is crucial to its outcome. It's going to rain when you wanted sun. Your car's going to break down five feet from the gas station. You're going to spill wine on your wedding dress. If you whine and complain, you're going to have a bad time. If you force a smile, you're going to have a good time. Just fake it until you make it and pretty soon your smile will be real!

Press: My "One Little Thing" on Her Packing List

Swing on over to Her Packing List today little monkeys to check out an interview I did about my "One Little Thing." I love my Pray for Surf hat! Oh, and get ready for some of the best packing advice you've ever seen—Brooke is running an incredible blog over there.

Get Pretty: Juniper Ridge

Photos courtesy of Juniper Ridge

This is a guest post from Lily Betjeman of New Growth Project. 

I like lots of brands. I love few. But I love Juniper Ridge—their stuff is just too good. The Berkeley, CA-based brand sustainably harvests scents from the wilds of the Pacific northwest, northern California and the desert southwest to make soap, incense, tea, room spray and "backpacker" cologne. The result? An outdoor lover's Elysian fields.

The brand is special for so many reasons, not the least of which being the founders are hikers with a capital H. They care so much about the planet that they donate 10 percent of profits to nine different wilderness conservation groups. Every summer the staff does trail maintenance with the groups they support, but ethics aside, the products hook you emotionally because smell is one of the most evocative senses, and their ingredients come from places where happy memories are made.

The wilderness smells are gender neutral, so guys go nuts over these products. A friend literally described his morning shower with a bar of Big Sur soap as a meditation on his love for plants. My top choice is the aforementioned bar soap, but the Steep Ravine room spray and Pinon campfire incense are great, too. For now I'll experience the magic in my home, but I'll definitely pack some Juniper Ridge with me the next time I head out—I hear using this stuff on camping trips is wild.

Get Pretty: How To Grow Healthy Hair

Photos via Pinterest.

This is a guest post from Petite Physique. See their total body hiking workout HERE.

Your "don't hold back" attitude is great when it comes to making memories...not so great when it comes to having a thick, shiny hair. Constant exposure to cold, heat and sun can cause hair to become thin and brittle.

Hair grows about half an inch per month, and speeding up the process is almost impossible. However, it is possible to get longer, stronger and more luxurious hair. The secret isn't found just on the bathroom shelf—it's hiding in your kitchen, too!

Start by nourishing your hair from the inside out.

Add amino acids to your diet.
Including a triple omega vitamin to your diet can do wonders. With this dietary supplement, you get omegas 3, 6, and 9—the same omega fatty acids that are found in fish, flaxseed, safflower and olive oils. You can also add flaxseed to oatmeal, use olive oil in place of salad dressing or add some chia seeds to your water for an extra boost of amino acids.

Try taking more biotin.
Biotin is very important for building healthy hair, skin and nails. It may even prevent some hair loss in men. The best hair vitamins should have at least 200 mcgs+ in the daily dose (but any more and you'll just pee it out).

On The Mountain Cards

Photos of cards courtesy of On the Mountain.

On the Mountain sells cards made from photographs the founder's father took during his younger years. True dirtbag quality, made cool again. Pick some up here.

Base Camp: The Case For NOT Traveling Alone

Photo by Dirtbag Darling

"Traveling alone is enlighting. It's empowering. It's explorative. People think you're amazing after telling them a story about a place you traveled to on your own."

So begins an article by Kat Lapelosa called "Why You Should Start Traveling Alone." I happened upon it this morning—it's written in response to the recently published article "Why You Should Stop Traveling Alone," and—not that anyone asked me to—but I feel like chiming in here. Because I think traveling alone is the single biggest mistake you can make.

Sure, I get the allure of "finding oneself" among the evergreens and whatnot (yeah, I read Into the Wild, too). I understand the draw of complete solidarity in nature, of learning to fend for yourself and the feeling of accomplishment one finds in not getting lost at the airport. Other people can be irritating, indecisive and impatient. Especially tourists.

But connecting with other human beings is such a driving life-force—ESPECIALLY in a new place. You'd think reaching a mountain peak alone would be a moment of clarity, but in reality, it's just lonely. There's no one to appreciate the scenery with, to bond with over the trials of getting to that point and to that moment with. There's no one to take your picture (don't try and tell me your don't want that...you're lying).

For all of you longing to trek off into the wilderness a la Christopher McCandless, don't go forgetting the single most important insight from Jack Krakauer:

"Happiness is only real when shared."

Especially over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, back at camp, with someone you love.

Photo by Charlie Yacoub

Remember slackliner Dominique Harrison? She sent me this picture the other day. How cool is she? I'm definitely not dedicated to slacking enough to freeze my butt off like she did:

"I haven't been slacking as much as I would like recently as I injured my ankle pretty badly on the line," she tells me. "But I couldn't resist having a quick slack when the snow came."

Ok, Darlings, spill: Do you know an adventurous girl who deserves to be featured in Girl Gone Wild? Tell me so I can reach out to her and share the spotlight!

Guy Lines: Jon Hippensteel

Jon and Heather, just being ripped. Photo courtesy of Heather Hippensteel. 

Guys Lines: The dudes we love, sharing their love for us. Also: a rope that keeps a tent from blowing away.

The Guy: If there were a real "man of steel," it'd be Jon (come on, it's even in his name). He's an Ironman triathlete and adventure traveler and recent corporate world escape artist who's now pursuing a career in modeling.

The Girl: "The outdoorsy girl in my life is my sister, Heather. She's a former gymnast turned collegiate springboard diver who is now a full-fledged Crossfit athlete, training at the renowned Invictus gym in San Diego. When not training or doing yoga, she funds her passions by working as an auditor at Price Waterhouse Coopers."

Get to know the Hippensteels by visiting their About.me profiles here and here. 

Girl Gone Wild: Lindsay Perry

Photo courtesy of Lindsay Perry.

They say God doesn't give with both hands, but after chatting with Billabong surfer and artist Lindsay Perry, I'd have to disagree. She's a bonafied stunner with classic sun-kissed beauty (tousled waves, freckled skin), a knack for art and graphic design and, now, a budding career in music. Sure, she's a triple threat, but she's also too sweet to eat. See what I mean? Two. Hands. I caught up with Lindsay to hear what's new in her life (and snag some awesome packing tips!).

What makes you a Dirtbag Darling?
I like that term, ha ha. I think partially it's being able to just go with the flow. Not being high maintenance—being able to camp all night and surf all day, but still be stylish and feminine. I love all outdoor activities, really. Surfing, fishing, book reading at the beach, bike riding, and even outdoor leisure sports like corn hole, bocce ball, ladder ball.

How does the ocean influence your art and music?
The ocean influences my whole life. It's something that keeps me calm and peaceful. When I go too long without getting a little salt in my hair, I get grumpy.

Art by Lindsay Perry.

Tell me about your album!
Thanks for asking! I'm so excited about it. It's my first album, titled L.O.V.E. and it releases this month. It's a lot of blues, but nothing too emotional. I'm working with a really great group of people in Florida, Studio 18. They've put in so much work with me for it, I can't thank those guys enough.

What's your ideal Saturday?
An early surf, hang at the beach for a while, come back, make a good lunch, cruise for a bit then maybe an evening session. Come home, get dolled up and go out for dinner and a night on the town with my girlfriends.

You've traveled so much—have you become a good packer? Any tips?
You have to be, especially if you travel with boys. After my European road trip with Billabong, I learned to only bring the essentials. For me, I try to not pack an article of clothing unless I know for a fact I'll wear it. If I'm not wearing it at home, chances are I won't wear it traveling. I usually carry:

Guy Lines: Brandon Scherzberg

Photo by Corporate Dirtbagger

Guy Lines: The dudes we love, sharing their love for us. Also: A rope that keeps a tent from blowing away.

The Guy: Brandon, a.k.a. Marlin, is the founder of Corporate Dirtbagger, finance analyst by day. I love that he's showing 9-to-5 desk-dwellers how to break off the shackles of the work week for rad weekend adventures!

The Girl: "'Why not?' is Frannie Root's response when approached with a new adventure. I first met Frannie through a college group and could instantly feel her energy and passion about the outdoors. By trade, she's a special education teacher, but she's also been in the business of getting kids outside to explore nature in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Oregon and California. I'd trust her in any situation we may face in the mountains. Everything from rock climbing to white water boating to mountain biking and dumpster diving, she does it all. She's a true inspiration to myself and countless others."

Check out Brandon's blog at corporatedirtbagger.com!

Get Gear: One Snow Jacket Three Ways

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez. Jacket by Burton; leggings by Nike; socks by Stance, shoes by Nike.

'Tis the season for winter sports and new gear, but if you’re like most Dirtbag Darlings you’re sure to notice the lack of funds that tends to result.If most of your money is spent on gear instead of new clothes, relax. It's still possible to make your investments versatile and fashionable! Take the snowboarding jacket, for example:

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez. Beanie by Forever21; sweater, vintage; jeans by RVCA; shoes by Converse; sunglasses by Ray-ban.

Since the Anorak has become a staple for most, why not substitute it with a solid-colored snow jacket? Over a dress, paired with a sweater and skinny jeans or even with shorts and a T-shirt, it looks right at home for a casual hangout. Pair with leggings for a chilly hike, and of course, it's always appropriate for the mountains. 

Photo by Lizbeth Hernandez. Board by Forum; bindings by Burton; boots by Burton.

Have a style question for our Fashion Editor Lizbeth? Ask us on Twitter @dirtbagdarling or in the comments below and we'll answer!