A new study has found that smoking marijuana and ingesting THC edibles over the long term can reduce blood vessel function at levels similar to those seen in cigarette smokers, posing a risk to heart health.
The growing legalization of cannabis use has led to an increase in studies investigating its effects. As more countries and states have legalized cannabis for medical or recreational use, researchers have had greater opportunities to study it in a more regulated, controlled, and accessible environment.
New research led by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has looked at whether long-term cannabis use, either smoking marijuana or consuming THC edibles, affects heart health.
The researchers recruited 55 adults, comprising 20 females and 35 males, with a mean age of 31. They allocated them into three groups: marijuana smokers (three or more sessions a week for a year or longer), THC-edible users (three or more edibles a week for a year or longer), and non-users. The participants were otherwise healthy, and none used nicotine (either by smoking tobacco cigarettes or vaping) and were not frequently exposed to secondhand smoke. Blood and urine metabolites of THC, cannabidiol (CBD) and nicotine were measured, along with cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and body mass index (BMI).
To assess the participants’ blood vessel function, the researchers measured their arterial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV). FMD is a measure of how the arteries expand (dilate) in response to increased blood flow after that flow is temporarily restricted, usually by inflating a blood pressure cuff around the arm. A healthy artery will dilate more significantly, indicating that the endothelium, the inner lining of the blood vessel, is functioning well.
PWV measures how quickly blood moves through the arteries. Sensors are placed on the carotid artery in the neck and the femoral artery near the groin to measure how fast the pulse travels between these two points. PWV measures arterial stiffness. Healthy, flexible arteries will allow the pressure wave to travel slowly, but stiff arteries will cause it to travel faster. Both tests are valuable indicators of cardiovascular health and can help assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, high blood pressure, and heart failure.
In addition to these physiological tests of vascular health, the researchers also performed lab tests in which they exposed endothelial cells to participants’ blood to assess how it affected the cells’ production of nitric oxide (NO). NO causes blood vessels to dilate, allowing blood to flow more easily. Lower NO production can be a sign of poor endothelial function and a potential risk factor for cardiovascular problems.
Compared to non-users, arterial function (FMD) was found to be significantly worse in marijuana smokers and THC-edible users. Marijuana smokers had lower NO levels in the endothelial cells compared to non-users, suggesting that regular marijuana use could impair endothelial function and blood vessel health. On the other hand, THC-edible users didn’t show the same reduction in NO, indicating that different methods of cannabis consumption may affect vascular health in different ways.
“Chronic cannabis smoking and THC ingestion were associated with endothelial dysfunction similar to that observed in cigarette smokers, although apparently occurring via distinct mechanisms,” said the researchers. “This study enhances the understanding of the potential risks to vascular health linked to cannabis use and provides more evidence that cannabis use is not benign.”
Limitations of the study are that it could not account for different cannabis strains, and self-reported cannabis use can introduce recall bias.
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Jadeon Carter from Lincoln, Nebraska, has flipped his commitment and will now stay in-state as he has committed to Nebraska-Omaha. Carter originally committed to Missouri in August 2024.
Carter just finished his senior year at Lincoln East High School and does his club swimming with Lincoln Select.
This past spring, Carter swam to a Nebraska High School state title in the 500 freestyle. He swam to a season best 4:39.09 but was faster in prelims with a 4:36.66. He finished 2nd in the 200 free in a season best of a 1:41.45.
In March, Carter swam to numerous lifetime bests at Sectionals in Columbia, Missouri. There he swam a 1:49.61 200 back for 15th as well as a 4:05.92 in the 400 IM for 21st. He also notched a personal best of a 51.96 in the 100 back.
Carter’s best SCY times are:
200 free: 1:41.20
500 free: 4:34.01
100 back: 51.96
200 back: 1:49.61
The Nebraska-Omaha men finished 4th out of seven teams at the 2025 Summit League Championships. They scored 507.5 points finishing just behind 3rd place South Dakota State that scored 544 points. Owen Hoak led the way for Omaha with 29.5 individual points including 4th place finishes in the 50 and 100 freestyles.
Based on his best times, Carter would have made the conference ‘B’ final in the 200 back and finished 12th overall. It took a 1:48.53 to make the 200 back ‘A’ final. His 200 free also would have made the conference ‘B’ final.
Carter will arrive this fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Brady Wainionpaa (breaststroker), Mason Zadina (fly/sprint free), and Carson Agnew (breaststroker).
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
The US has sent Iran a proposal for a nuclear deal between Tehran and Washington, the White House confirmed on Saturday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he had been presented with “elements of a US deal” by his Omani counterpart Badr Albusaidi during a short visit to the Iranian capital.
It comes after a report by the UN nuclear watchdog said Iran had further stepped up its production of enriched uranium, a key component in the making of nuclear weapons.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Saturday it was in Tehran’s “best interest to accept” the deal, adding: “President Trump has made it clear that Iran can never obtain a nuclear bomb”.
Leavitt said a “detailed and acceptable” proposal had been sent to Iran by US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The US proposal “will be appropriately responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran”, Araghchi wrote on X.
The precise details of the deal are not yet clear.
The proposal follows a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – seen by the BBC – which found Iran now possesses over 400kg of uranium enriched to 60% purity – close to the 90% purity required for weapons-grade uranium.
This is well above the level of purity sufficient for civilian nuclear power and research purposes.
It is enough for about 10 nuclear weapons if further refined, making Iran the only non nuclear-armed state producing uranium at this level.
The report paves the way for the US, Britain, France and Germany to push for the IAEA’s board of governors to find Iran in violation of its non-proliferation obligations.
Iran insists its programme is peaceful. On Saturday, Iranian state media described the IAEA report as “politically motivated” containing “baseless accusations”.
Iran has said it will “implement appropriate measures” in response to any effort to take action against Tehran at the IAEA governors’ meeting.
The US has long sought to limit Iran’s nuclear capacity. Talks between the two powers mediated by Oman have been under way since April.
Both sides have expressed optimism during the course of the talks but remain divided over key issues – chief among them, whether Iran can continue enrichment under any future agreement.
Despite the ongoing negotiations between Tehran and Washington, the IAEA report offered no indication that Iran has slowed its nuclear enrichment efforts.
Iran has produced highly enriched uranium at a rate equivalent to roughly one nuclear weapon per month over the past three months, the IAEA report found.
US officials estimate that, if Iran chooses to make a weapon, it could produce weapons-grade material in less than two weeks and potentially build a bomb within months.
Iran has long denied it is attempting to develop nuclear weapons. However, the IAEA said it could not confirm whether this was still the case because Iran refuses to grant access to senior inspectors and has not answered longstanding questions about its nuclear history.
Trump is seeking a new nuclear agreement with Tehran after pulling the US out of a previous nuclear agreement between Iran and six world powers in 2018.
This nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA, was signed in 2015 by Iran and the US, China, France, Russia, Germany and the UK.
The JCPOA sought to limit and monitor Iran’s nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions that had been placed on the regime in 2010 over suspicions that its nuclear programme was being used to develop a bomb.
But Donald Trump withdrew from the deal during his first term in office, claiming JCPOA was a “bad deal” because it was not permanent and did not address Iran’s ballistic missile programme, amongst other things.
Trump then re-imposed US sanctions as part of a “maximum pressure” campaign to compel Iran to negotiate a new and expanded agreement.
In the intervening years, Tehran has steadily overstepped the 2015 agreement’s limits on its nuclear programme, designed to make it harder to develop an atomic bomb.
Trump has previously threatened to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities if diplomacy fails to achieve a deal.
Finding the best travel deals is a matter of timing.
A lot of people think travel is just expensive, but in reality, there are incredible deals happening all the time. They often don’t last too long, and you have to act quickly. That can sometimes be a problem when a deal requires jumping on a plane tomorrow (how many people can do that?).
Fortunately, most deals are for months in the future, giving you ample time to plan your schedule.
Often I will book a flight and then figure out my plans.
Since you can usually cancel a flight within 24 hours without incurring a fee, I lock in the deal and then figure out if I can make it work. Sometimes I can (like the $1,200 USD business-class flight from LA to Stockholm round-trip); sometimes I can’t (like the $400 USD New Zealand flights I had to cancel).
I am always looking out for deals.
Today, I want to tell you where I go for travel deals, tips, and expert advice. After all, these resources focus solely on this one aspect of travel, so why not use them? I can’t know everything, so I rely on specialists. If travel were a hospital, I would be your general practitioner.
Here’s a quick look at the top companies I use and suggest:
Quick Overview: Best Travel Deals
Best Cheap Flight Website
For a full breakdown of each company and what they are best for, click on the links below to jump to that section:
Where to Find the Best Flight Deals
When it comes to finding flight deals, I use these four websites for last-minute deals. There are always finding new (and tempting) last minute flights — often for a fraction of what you would pay otherwise.
My go-to website for cheap flight deals is Going.com. Formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights, this is an awesome resource for finding flight deals from the US. They offer free flight alerts, and with a premium membership you get access to even more deals as soon as they find them. (New users can get 20% off Premium with the code NOMADICMATT20.)
Three other great websites to use are:
The Flight Deal – This is a great resource for finding cheap flights from the USA. If you’re based in the States, start your research here!
Secret Flying – This cheap flight website finds “error fares” (when airlines make pricing mistakes) to and from destinations all around the globe.
Holiday Pirates – No matter where you’re based this is a great cheap flight website so be sure to always check here for more deals.
If you’re simply looking to book a flight, check out the search engines below. It’s important to remember that there is no one best online booking website. All the search engine websites have blind spots so it’s important to search a few different places before you book your flight.
Generally, the BEST booking sites are the following:
Skyscanner – I always start my searches with Skyscanner. It’s a very intuitive platform that searches booking websites and airlines all around the world to ensure that no deal is missed. If you’re not 100% sure where you want to go (or when) then start your search with Skyscanner.
Google Flights – A good all-around flight search website to include in your cheap flight arsenal.
Where to Find the Best Points & Miles News
When it comes to finding the latest in airline and frequent flier news, I turn to these sites. They give me the latest on the changes in the industry and loyalty programs, and any points and miles news that might be important:
View from the Wing – This is where I go for airline and frequent flier news.
The Points Guy – A great resource for credit card and points & miles news and information.
One Mile at a Time – This is a great website for credit card, in-flight experiences, and frequent flier news.
As a very, very, very avid traveler (and while I have my own special tricks and tips), when you’re overseas a lot, it’s hard to stay up to date on your own so I use these three sites to keep me in the loop.
READ MORE:
Where to Find the Best Cruise Deals
In my mind, there is only one cruise deal website worth following: CruiseSheet. This site consistently has some of the lowest rates out there, and its interface is beautiful.
If I don’t find anything on CruiseSheet or want to double-check a price, I go to the second-best website, vacationstogo.com.
Where to Find the Best Transportation Deals
If you’re looking for budget transportation, these are the websites you’ll want to check. Cheap buses, trains, and rideshare apps can help keep your transportation costs low, giving you more time on the road. Here are my favorites:
FlixBus – A budget-friendly bus company routes all across Europe and parts of the USA.
Trainline – Offers a variety of discounted train passes for both individual countries as well as entire regions of Europe, including passes for the entire continent.
Rome2Rio – A helpful resource for finding and comparing budget transportation options.
BlaBlaCar – A rideshare app that pairs travelers with local drivers who are looking to pick up passengers for a small fee.
RVShare – A sharing economy platform for renting RVs and camper vans directly from locals.
Turo – A car rental app that enables you to rent cars for short periods of time from locals.
Japan Rail Pass – A budget-friendly train pass exclusively for Japan. Comes in 7, 14, and 21-day passes.
Discover Cars – A comprehensive rental car aggregator for destinations all around the globe. I always find the best car rental deals here.
READ MORE:
Where to Find the Best Accommodation Deals
From hotels to hostels to camping, there are tons of great websites out there to help you find deals and save money. Here are my suggestions to help you get started:
Booking.com – This is the best website for finding hotels no matter where you are in the world. I usually start my search for hotel rooms here.
Campspace – This app connects you with locals renting out plots of land, RVs, cabins, and camper vans ranging from rustic to glamping.
Trusted Housesitters – Helps travelers connect with locals looking for house and pet sitters. Great for slow travelers/long-term travelers.
HomeExchange – A network that facilitates swapping homes with another person or family. They have over 200,000 members with houses in 155 countries, making it an amazing platform for finding house swaps around the globe.
Hostelworld – They are hands-down the best resource for finding budget-friendly hostels around the world. I use them every time I travel and you should too!
HostelPass – This card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money and it’s constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and so I’m glad it finally exists. Use the code NOMADICMATT to get 25% off too!
READ MORE:
Where to Find the Best Tour Deals
For tours and excursions, I keep an eye on the following companies by subscribing to their emails:
The Nomadic Network (TNN) – I created this global community for travel lovers in 2019. While I no longer run it (they’re now run by Lisa, a long-time TNN community member), they’re great group tours for people who want to travel — not simply vacation!
Intrepid Travel – This is my favorite small-group tour company. They hire local guides and are great for both solo travelers and couples/groups.
Walks – Walks operates small group tours with local guides in some of the best cities around the world.
Devour Food Tours – My go-to food tour company, with tours all around Europe and the US.
EatWith – Allows you to eat home cooked meals with local cooks. Everyone sets their own price (so prices can vary wildly depending on the cook) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.
Get Your Guide – A huge activity aggregator where you can find and book all kinds of activities, from cooking classes to walking tours to multi-day local excursions.
Worldpackers – Worldpackers organizes group tours centered around volunteer experiences. It’s a great way to meet like-minded travelers while giving back to local communities.
READ MORE:
Where I Find the Best Travel Insurance Deals
I never travel anywhere without travel insurance. After dealing with injuries and emergencies abroad (and knowing plenty of other travelers who have been injured or robbed on the road) I always make sure I have comprehensive medical and travel insurance before I leave home. Here are my recommended companies for finding the best travel insurance:
SafetyWing – This is my go-to travel insurance company. They offer affordable monthly plans with a deductible. Great for digital nomads and frugal travelers!
Insure My Trip – If you’re over 70 and looking for insurance, this is the best place to find it!
Medjet – Medjet is a good option for people who are going to be far from home and want added evacuation coverage. It’s great for solo travelers and super affordable.
World Nomads – The first company I ever got travel insurance with, World Nomads is best for adventurous travelers. They cover a lot of adventure activities that other companies don’t, and now even offer annual travel insurance.
READ MORE:
***
While I think my site is amazing for your on-the-ground tips, tricks, and advice needs, for when you need travel deals to get you to where you want to go, use the companies above. They’re what I use, and they’ve never steered me wrong! They’ll save you the most money!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car? Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
As Elon Musk leaves his formal US government position, dozens of legal challenges over the billionaire’s powerful role in the Trump administration and the work of the Department of Government Efficiency will press ahead.
Musk announced his departure earlier this week. At a White House press conference with President Donald Trump Friday, Musk said he’d continue to be a “friend and an adviser.” He didn’t elaborate on what that would entail.
At least three lawsuits are pending that accuse Trump of unconstitutionally handing the Tesla Inc. and SpaceX chief executive officer the equivalent of a cabinet-level post over the past four months. The challengers behind those cases are vowing to continue those fights.
“The case is absolutely relevant,” said Anjana Samant, a senior lawyer in the New Mexico Department of Justice, which is leading a group of states in one of the challenges.
The Democratic state attorneys want a judge to invalidate actions they contend Musk unlawfully took to upend federal government operations and to declare that the DOGE project has gone far beyond what US law allows.
The larger collection of lawsuits challenging Musk and DOGE activities to date are certain to continue. They include fights over DOGE access to Americans’ personal information, whether the office is subject to public records laws and its role in canceling federal grants and contracts, dismantling agencies and firing workers.
Hours after Musk and Trump appeared together in the White House, a federal appeals court handed the administration another DOGE-related loss. In a 2-1 order, an appellate panel left in place a lower court order that blocks the administration from carrying out mass layoffs across the US government.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields declined to comment on the administration’s next steps in the various court cases, but said government lawyers “will continue to fight every single frivolous lawsuit that is brought our way.”
A Justice Department spokesperson and Musk didn’t respond to requests for comment. The Justice Department has represented Musk and DOGE in court and would be expected to continue defending against allegations related to government work.
Musk recently had criticized Trump’s tax cut proposal but he and Trump praised each other during Friday’s press event in the Oval Office. He also slammed the wave of court rulings against the administration, saying that “immense judicial overreach” is “undermining the people’s faith in the legal system.”
Some legal experts say Musk’s formal exit could give the Justice Department grounds to argue for dismissal.
Jeff Powell, a constitutional law professor at Duke University School of Law, said claims over the legality of Musk’s position under the Constitution’s Appointments Clause would no longer be valid once he’s left government service. Powell called the claims “meritless” to the extent the challengers want to hold Musk or DOGE responsible for communicating Trump’s “will” to Senate-confirmed officials who carried out the actions.
“Musk was a minion,” Powell said. “The lawsuits may have other things, they may challenge the substantive validity of the reduction of force or cancellation of contracts, but that had nothing to do with Musk.”
Norm Eisen, executive chair of Democracy Defenders Action and a lead attorney in another case challenging Musk’s appointment, cited the billionaire’s comments that he would stay involved with the administration for the rest of Trump’s term as a reason why it was “very important” that he remain a party in court.
“You do have to take account of his prior statements that he’s gonna keep a hand in — to my mind, that’s an unconstitutional hand,” Eisen said.
‘Principal Officer’
Courts can dismiss cases if circumstances change. When Trump lost the 2020 election and left office in January 2021, the Supreme Court dismissed long-running fights over whether Trump’s business interests violated anti-corruption provisions of the Constitution.
Musk joined the administration as a “special government employee,” a temporary status set to expire this month. Legal challenges citing the Appointments Clause allege that Musk was functioning as a “principal officer” similar to Senate-confirmed agency heads who only answer to the president. Each of the lawsuits include other claims and defendants.
A Washington federal judge this week denied the government’s request to dismiss the states’ case over Musk’s appointment. US District Judge Tanya Chutkan wrote that there might be a viable Appointments Clause claim against whomever Trump put in charge of the DOGE effort, given the allegations that the position had evolved to influence multiple agencies.
Brent Ferguson of the Campaign Legal Center, which brought a third constitutional challenge to Musk’s authority in the administration that’s also before Chutkan, said they were “full steam ahead.” He said they wouldn’t take Musk and White House officials at their word that he’s no longer part of DOGE’s work and demand evidence that proves his status.
“Regardless of the title that he’s given by the government or what they say his role is, the real question for the Appointments Clause is, what actual power does he have,” Ferguson said.
Dozens more lawsuits have been filed that relate to DOGE’s activities. Judges have handed down a mix of rulings, in some cases greenlighting DOGE-affiliated staff’s access to agency records and allowing cuts to federal spending and the workforce. In other cases, they’ve restricted DOGE from seeing Americans’ information, revived spending and put fired federal personnel back on the job.
Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, a group involved in a number of lawsuits against the administration, said in a statement that they would continue to challenge the legality of what Musk accomplished.
“While he may have left Washington, the havoc he has created has not,” she said.
My innovation journey started decades ago. Two pivotal events influenced my view of the world and how important innovation could be for a better one: (1) a course on designing systemic change about the Why, the What and the How of making change happen, and (2) participating in a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)-led academic research project. Notably, this research started in 1995, spanned two decades and resulted in important findings about how to build a capability for adjacent and breakthrough innovation.
I have no idea how to structure this post so I’m just gonna get into it. Things got kind of strange at times, probably a function of American fans in our Editors’ circle. When your favorite sport delivers the best it has before lunch, you have all sorts of time to indulge the ideas knocking around your head. Keep in mind that the online cycling content alternatives consisted of CyclingNews and VeloNews, not known for weird humor (stupid editorial standards!). A lot of our ideas seemed to get ripped off over the years, or maybe they weren’t so original such that the similarities were inevitable. I don’t even need to cite the FSA Directeur Sportif, our fantasy cycling game that Clydesdale and I dreamt up and SuperTed Supercharged into the current staple it has become. Anyway, stuff we got up to, you can find elsewhere now.
But some items, nobody was going there but us.
The Grisly Death of Girbecco
The 2009 Giro d’Italia was a memorable affair, as the organizers threw themselves a 100th birthday party, full of special events. The race switched its general orientation, starting in Venice and staying up north before finishing in Rome. It included a Milan criterium, a Coppi stage from Cuneo to Pinerolo, the resurrectioin of the Block Haus, a climb of Vesuvio, and a concluding time trial ending at the Roman Colosseum. To spice it up further, the Giro brought on a mascot, Girbecco, and… I don’t know why we became so obsessed with him(?) but we did.
After several posts seeking commentary from the cartoon goat of the Apennines, where Girbecco was given space to chirp our coverage, we then decided that the whole thing was a huge success and began lobbying the Tour de France to come up with its own mascot. Hearing nothing, we did the job for them. And I present…Tourbecco.
Then, well, things got dark. First, Girbecco was reported missing the night of the Rome stage, with little information to go on. Tragically, his murdered body was found a couple days later, under bizarre circumstances. The following week, Tourbecco was introduced to the media in France, and displayed his own brand of edgy commentary not unlike his cousin. He then participated in covering the 2009 Tour de France, but shortly after he too went missing. Rumors started flying about who was or was not a zombie, and whether Tourbecco’s death was staged. Vueltabecco went into hiding shortly after being unveiled in Madrid, and has remained out of the public eye. The Becco family had suffered enough. But nobody could forget the haunting images from that time.
It was a very distressing time for the sport. Fortunately, the various events wound up in the Italian justice system, where the matter is still pending after a series of convictions and reversals.
[Images were a collaboration between Jimbo and Crashdan, swapping photoshop details til perfection was achieved.]
Playing With Dolls
Not all of the long-running hijinx here involved acts of extreme violence. One of the sport’s compelling characters in 2009 was Heinrich Haussler, a dual citizen who shared German Cycling’s love of hair styling with Australian Cycling’s … Australian-ness. With a great season, Haussler was in the news enough for us to find out that his nickname was Barbie, because of the Ken doll hair look. But we couldn’t ignore the Aussie cliché opportunity, and before long Barbie Barbie was born. And brought to life.
The full Adventures of Barbie Barbie seems to be inactive but several editions can be found here, here, and here.
[All images, doll positions, clothing creations, dialog… hell, this was a Majope joint through and through.]
Know Your Cow
WillJ, a/k/a CyclingChallenge (@cyclingalps) is a presence all his own, the most active member when it comes to exploring the famous climbs of the Tour de France, plus all the hidden ones you really need to know about. If you have a checklist of iconic roads to tackle yourself, chances are Will has ridden them and will happily give you the download on what you need to know. Visit his wonderful website or follow him on social media for a sense of what I mean.
But by far his most unique contribution was introducing us to the real inhabitants of the Alps. And they Pyrénées. And the Dolomites.
Will J
Mountain passes look like fun in spring (sometimes) and summer, but they aren’t generally human-friendly on a large, year-round scale, for all the obvious logistical reasons. You know who doesn’t need roads, or restaurants, or walkable shopping? These guys. The bovine inhabitants of Europe’s large mountain ranges have all they need in each other and plenty of delicious, delicious grass. They do seem to find the summertime trickle of humans entertaining, however, and Will — having spent about as much time at their altitude as to qualify for Swiss citizenship — has discovered what makes them entertaining as well. Any Belgian could have told you that cows and bikes are inseparable, but to the North Americans (outside of Colorado), this was news.
Enter the Cow Calendar. Let me emphasize that this was not a Podium Cafe bit, it was all Will. But we were happy to host any and all of Will’s photo projects. The Cow Calendar existed every year through 2023 (AFAIK) and sold online to Cafe-sters and others. I had one on my office wall and got a couple requests from co-workers for the purchasing info. I’m counting on Will to add in whatever he wishes to share.
And then there were the Marmottes…
Marmottes Without Contracts
Inevitably, Will’s love of mountain creatures met Majope’s love of dolls. There was an additional tie-in via the FSA DS, where Will’s teams carried the Marmotte name and… well, Majope was not going to just let that pass. She adroitly seized upon the pitiful performance of the Lady Marmottes, Will’s 2011 Women’s DS team, as the team members opened a dialog with their disappointed (or complicit) directeur. These riders were largely left off of the next iteration of Will’s team and the Marmottes Without Contracts series was born. See the midseason check-in, and don’t miss the series finale… a star-studded affair!
The Binary Nature of Existence
Are you sensing a trend? Like, that maybe Cycling is about bigger things than just winning races? And that, with Majope’s help, they can be best explained through dolls? Through the White Unicorn and the Black Unicorn, who are still available for advice concerning your team. Some gifts just keep on giving. Although I asked both about Tadej Pogacar, and while the White Unicorn was supportive, the Black Unicorn told me to stay away, in no uncertain terms. Does it know something about the 2025 pricing? Never underestimate the Black Unicorn’s access to life’s hidden secrets.
To be fair, before they became fantasy savants, the Unicorns were known for their commentary on the sport’s big questions. Everyone has a little good and bad in them, whether they know it or not. And while we could see shades of it on our TV screens, the Unicorns helped us go deeper in exploring the many shades of cycling morality.
And Now For Something Completely Different: A Look Back At Civility
Risking getting into humblebrag world here but one of the first things I bring up when talking about the site is how civil the community is. Some of what I know about this is second hand — people coming in here and saying that they are glad to have found a more positive space than wherever they came from. I can’t confirm those descriptions, but I do know very well that the tone is a big thing. Always has been. A few things to consider…
Timing is a part of it. By the time things got rolling here in 2006, even in the early stages of social media we had been through a few spasms of incivility to see what the negative potential was for disrespectful behavior was. We weren’t so green as to ignore the issue. But we didn’t just lash out at anyone who crossed a line. Not because we are therapists by training, but because of him. He who must not be named. Rhymes with Schmance Shmarmstrong.
Just about everyone coming here in those early years was spurred on by Armstrong, the dominant figure in the sport — even registering in American pop culture — from the start of the new millennium, and still hovering over it in 2006, retired or no. Most American fans loved Armstrong at some point, but the doping murmurs were deafening, and we parachuted into a divided atmosphere. It quickly became apparent that people had intractable positions and disagreement was baked into the community, so we forbid commenters from bringing up either Lance or doping generally in certain places, particularly the live threads. Here, preserved for posterity, were The Lance Rules. We created posts specifically for people to wade into the controversy (see What We Talk About When We Talk About Lance), creating a venting space rather than letting it pop up where it wasn’t welcomed. So yes, we owe Armstrong a wry thanks for making us reckon with civility practices.
Oh, and I would be remiss for not giving some credit to the nature of Cycling. Compared to ball sports, there are a lot more heroes than villains, to the average fan. Cycling teams used to have stronger national identities and it was possible to exult over the home crew, while disdaining everyone else. But it’s not a sport where you have to pick sides. I personally find myself rooting for about half of the big names. Or I did before we started playing the FSA DS anyway. But you get my point — there isn’t the built-in compulsion to pick sides and attack, not to the degree of ball sports.
But a lot of the positivity is just a reflection of the personalities at the Cafe. I think I’m a pretty positive person, for better or worse. Gavia too. Jens, by Scandinavian standards, is downright ebullient. Conor, Andrew, Douglas Ansel — the editors have tended toward the light side. That matters.
Finally there are THE Editors, people who actually assumed some editorial responsibility, or spent enough time commenting or posting as to gain a sort of de facto leadership place here. I don’t want to try to name them all, but let’s just say we have people across Europe and North America who were capable of upholding the site’s civility rules. For practical purposes, the geography part mattered. When tempers flared, someone was usually able to respond and defuse it quickly. I can’t tell you how many times I woke up on west coast time having slept through the occurrence and resolution of a potential conflict. Had it been up to me, the comment threads would have burned to the ground before I could respond. Don’t underestimate how important this was!
So that is some background. I am grateful to everyone over the decades who came to this site with the right spirit, or at least found it quickly, and contributed to it being the friendly confines that it has been. I take pride in there being some more prickly personalities that eventually were brought around to our ways, which I can understand is not easy. Text isn’t a suitable substitute for in-person communication, especially among strangers. I get that it’s easy to take things the wrong way (you might be surprised to learn just how defensive I can be? or maybe not), and not just reflexively make the effort to turn around a negative interaction. So I appreciate people’s ability to make this as pleasant as it has been, whether that came naturally or through deliberate effort.
*****
Please feel free to bring up other nonsense that happened here, I am sure I am forgetting plenty. Oh and I love that this post will live on the front page indefinitely.
In September 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died in police custody after she was detained by the morality police for wearing a hijab “improperly,” sparked widespread protest around Iran. Authorities claimed Amini died of a heart attack while in custody, while her family said she was beaten. The demonstrations over her death quickly morphed into wider discontent with the regime.
In the six months since, Iranian security forces have routinely used draconian tactics to try to suppress protests, going so far as to arrest children. In a report released Thursday, Amnesty International found children arrested during and after protests had been subject to electric shocks on their body, had their heads held underwater, been sexually assaulted, and been threatened with rape. Many children were released only after they signed “repentance” letters and promised not to participate in further protests, according to the human rights organization. The Iranian government has not responded to the report and did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News’ request for comment.
A mysterious wave of suspected poisonings across the country has also landed more than 1,000 schoolgirls in the hospital. Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi, whose department is spearheading investigations into the poisoning reports, said in early March that 90% of the hospitalizations came from “stress and worries caused by the news.” Many Iranians have dismissed that explanation, calling Vahidi’s claim “ridiculous” and criticizing the regime for not taking action on the reports despite widespread surveillance of residents.
In a Thursday press release, the United Nations called the poisonings “deliberate” and condemned the government for failing to protect the girls and swiftly investigate the cases.
“There is a stark contrast between the rapid deployment of force to arrest and jail peaceful protestors and an incapacity spanning months to identify and arrest perpetrators of large scale, coordinated attacks against young girls in Iran,” UN experts said.
I grew up just 50 miles south of Ventura County, California and have so many fond memories of this retreat from LA…Mission San Buenaventura was my 4th-grade project, Oxnard was our spot for strawberry picking, Ventura Beach is where I had my 17th birthday party, Camarillo Outlets got me decked out for prom, and the Channel Islands was home to my summer camp for years. With so many awesome childhood experiences and things to do in Ventura County, it was time to see what new wonders were in store!
While there are numerous towns in Ventura County, we honed in on their coastal cities of Oxnard, Camarillo, Ventura, and Port Hueneme, plus the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary for a proper sand and sea getaway. We spent nine days road-tripping and sailing between these destinations to pinpoint the best things to do in Ventura County for beach lovers! From surfing their epic breaks to whale watching in the “Galapagos of the North” to taking the wildest scenic flight of our entire lives, our time on the Ventura County Coast was packed with adventures.
Check out our Ventura County Coast travel guide and start planning your own trip to one of Southern California’s best beach destinations!
THINGS TO DO IN VENTURA
We kicked off our trip in the county’s namesake town of Ventura. With its roots as an 18th-century Spanish Mission town, it has nearly 250 years of history, yet its rugged location at the foot of the Los Padres National Forest and the Pacific Ocean kept it hidden from travelers for the better part of the 20th century. Until the Ventura Freeway came in 1969, it was a working-class town and a mecca for surfers in the know. What we love about Ventura is that, even though it’s become a popular beach destination, it’s remained down to earth, preserving its natural beauty and small-town vibe.
With a lively Main Street, just three blocks off the beach and the mountains, the day flows between cultural offerings to outdoor fun and a nightlife that pulses. Below you will find our favorite things to do in Ventura, including the best places to eat, drink, and sleep!
Tour Mission San Buenaventura
To get your bearings on this historic city, start at Mission San Buenaventura right on Main Street. I’ve long had a connection to this mission…we share the same birthday of March 31st (exactly 200 years apart) and I made a model of this colonial beauty for my 4th-grade project on California’s Mission History…so I know and love every inch of this place. With a nominal entrance fee, you can explore the museum to learn about the mission’s founding by (recently canonized) Franciscan Father Junipero Serra, the impressive aqueduct work by the Chumash Indians that allowed the town to thrive, and the beautiful church still in use today. We wandered the lush courtyard and caught the tail end of a service to soak up this city oasis.
Shop Main Street Ventura
Forget traffic and parked cars, Ventura has turned five blocks of its Main Street into a pedestrian-only zone with tons of outdoor cafes, artisan pop-ups, vintage shops, and one of the most pleasant places to stroll, shop, and dine. Better yet, 90% of their businesses are locally owned…including Patagonia (this is where the eco-conscious gear company opened its first shop and is still headquartered). The thrill of the strip is popping in and out of stores that call to you, but here is our must-shop list:
Iron & Resin Garage for the coolest clothes
The Refill Shoppe for eco-friendly household & beauty needs
Latitudes Art Gallery for awesome local photography and gifts
El Jardin Courtyard for the serenity of this shopping area’s green space
Cat’s Cradle Rescue, Bargain Box, and more thrift shops that support charities and sustainable fashion
Explore the Ventura Botanical Gardens
In the hills above City Hall, 107 acres have been reserved for natural beauty, education, and recreation. Founded in 2011, the Ventura Botanical Gardens are just in phase two of a 40-year masterplan, but have already cultivated over 100,000 plants! Mindfully designed with fire-adapted, drought-resistant species from Mediterranean zones around the world, it’s an incredible showcase of gardens inspired by South Africa, Chile, Southern Australia, the Mediterranean Basin, and California.
What we love most about Ventura Botanical Gardens is the community aspect. This non-profit is supported by 2,100 Perrenial Society members who donate, and volunteer their time. Pocket gardens are enhanced by sculptures, inspiring quotes, and benches to further encourage people to take a closer look. Entrance is $7, or get in free on Fridays or while volunteering in their lovely gardens. Enjoy the diversity of flowers, hiking trails, sweeping coastal views, and spirit of this special place!
Surf Mondos Beach
As a native Californian, I’m embarrassed to admit I never really surfed. Mike and I took lessons back in our first country of Brazil, but it never stuck…until Ventura! We signed up with the Mary Osborne Surf Academy, founded by this pro-surfer and champion longboarder, and hit the gorgeous Mondos Beach. The quality of the waves, instruction, and scenery made something click for me! I was up by the second round and Mike and I were hanging ten for a full morning of fun. Mary Osborne’s school has taught over 1,200 kids and nearly a thousand women over 40 how to surf, so it’s never too early or late to catch a wave. And no matter what, you gotta get to Mondos Beach to watch the surfers and soak up one of the prettiest beaches in SoCal.
Best Restaurants in Ventura
Ventura has an impressive food scene with a focus on local ingredients and their multicultural influences. As plant-based eaters, we found a ton of fantastic options, from ethnic restaurants to pure vegan eateries.
Beach House Tacos: More than Mexican food, this is a classic Ventura outdoor dining experience on the city’s 19th-century wooden pier, where you can watch the surfers as you savor every spicy bite. We loved Beach House Tacos‘ veggie Burrito Bowl, washed down with a Ventura Coast Pale Ale.
Seed Ranger: Aka, “The Great Vegan Food Station,” this 100% plant-based restaurant has an unbelievable amount of options, from Mexican to Hawaiian, Japanese, and American comfort food. More of a to-go joint or for a quick bite on the patio, Seed Ranger nails it when it comes to friendly service and fresh plant-based eats, particularly their sushi and “spam” musubi!
Rice by Mama: If you ask any Venturan for their favorite restaurants, Rice by Mama makes the list! This family-owned Thai restaurant has all the classic curries, noodle dishes, and unique twists for a flavorful feast. On the heart of Main Street, their patio also offers some great people-watching.
Harvest Cafe: We absolutely adored this health-conscious restaurant and its slew of plant-based options and globally-inspired dishes. Harvest Cafe’s airy contemporary space is perfect for breakfast lunch or relaxing over coffee. Vegans, don’t miss their unbelievable “cheese” platter!
Rumfish y Vino: Our Ventura County friends said this Belizian-fusion restaurant is their go-to for date night and it was as romantic as they said. Rumfish y Vino’s expansive outdoor patio and airy dining room had Caribbean-cool vibes and, considering their first location is actually in Belize, this place is authentic!
Historic Bar Crawl: Not only do these watering holes mix a mean drink, but they are in some of Ventura’s prettiest old buildings. Beer lovers head to Finney’s Craft House, discerning mixed drinkers go to Italy Cocktail Trust, and for those who want it all, Fluid State has such good vibes and libations. If you’re still up for a fun nightcap, The Saloon pulls in great DJs and a dancing crowd.
THINGS TO DO IN OXNARD
The Strawberry Capital of the World, Gateway to Channel Islands National Park, and home to 2023’s “Best Beach on the West Coast,” Oxnard has a lot going for it! Downtown has a ton of character, from its Victorian Homes, funky old theaters, grand Plaza Park, and top-notch taco scene. Oxnard is the most diverse city in Ventura County, with particularly vibrant Latino and Asian communities, that have historically supported the farming and shipping industry at Port Hueneme (the only deepwater port between LA and the Bay Area). With a long history of community organizing in the civil rights and farmworker movement, Oxnard pride runs deep and comes through in everything from the food to the street art!
Stroll Plaza Park
This European-style square anchors downtown with an expansive green space, a beautiful pagoda, and the grand Carnegie Art Museum. It’s a lovely place to sit or play any day of the week, but most lively at their Thursday farmer’s market, summer concerts, and festivals throughout the year.
Get Cultured at Heritage Square
When some of Oxnard’s most unique and historic buildings were at risk of being demolished in the 1980s, citizens banded together to safeguard them in what is now Heritage Square. Today 11 Victorian houses, a church, a water tower, and a storehouse have been turned into 25 fabulous businesses and event spaces. We happened to meet one of the Heritage Square directors while strolling this lovely block of buildings, and he tipped us off to the Rancho Ventana artisan winery in the Scarlet House, the ultra-cool Pipiripau clothing brand making modern Mexican heritage designs, the Square’s summer concert series, and themed tea parties (Steampunk and Celyon anyone?). Drop by on a Saturday for their history and architecture tours or book a private hour any other day of the week for just $2 more.
Beach Day at Oxnard Beach Park
USA Today 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards for “Best Beaches on the West Coast” gave Oxnard Beach Park the #1 spot!!! Framed by the Channel Islands, mountains, and towering sand dunes, this beach is a stunner! Plus it’s an outdoor recreation heaven with great surf, volleyball courts, bike paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, and beautiful grassy knolls.
Sunset at Hollywood Beach & Channel Islands Harbor
Hollywood Beach was a favorite of early 20th-century stars for their movie shoots and vacation homes. We came for a cerveza at the awesomely old-school Rudder Room and a sunset beach walk. It was one of the best sundowners we’d had all year, with the Channel Islands in the distance, birds playing in the glowing surf, and the lack of crowds! Adjacent to the Channel Islands Harbor, Hollywood Beach is also a fun place to watch the boats or take out a watercraft for yourself. Multiple rental companies in the marina offer SUP boards, jet skis, electric boats, kayaks, and even parasailing.
Nosh Along The Oxnard Taco Trail
With arguably the densest concentration of Mexican restaurants, food trucks, and taquerias per capita, Oxnard is contending to be The Taco Capital of The USA. They have so many, that Visit Oxnard narrowed down the top 15 into an interactive pass to help people navigate all this deliciosa. We started at Tacos La Bonita, a food truck so successful it’s turned into a proper outdoor restaurant across from Plaza Park. Their homemade tortillas melt in your mouth and their salsa bar has just the right kick.
We’re a sucker for micheladas and mariachis so after dinner, we went to El Chilto. The beer creations at “El Rey de Micheladas” come out like works of art, with everything from chamoy gummy worms, fire Cheetos, and a sparkler light show, with a Norteña serenade! If we weren’t stuffed to the gills, we would have hit up the highly recommended House of Tacos and La Huerta. If you can visit all 15 eateries on the Taco Trail you win a T-shirt boasting your glory…send us a photo if you do!
Best Restaurants in Oxnard
You could certainly eat Mexican the entire time in Oxnard (we would happily), but Oxnard has far more than tacos. Here are our favorite restaurants in Oxnard.
Honey Cup Coffee: With beautifully crafted oat lattes, gooey Nutella pastries, and a tree-shaded patio, this is a great place to start your day. Save a little Honey Cup coffee for your stroll along the adjacent Channel Islands Harbor and watch the sea lions basking in the morning sun.
La Jannelle Natural Cafe: This new eatery in Silver Strand Beach is a health-food dream for vegans, gluten-free, and organic devotees. The husband-wife team has a background in soil biology and wellness, and puts so much love into their food! We ordered La Jannelle’s Nard Nachos with jackfruit carnitas and El Capitan BBQ Pulled Porc with plant-based gouda cheese and slaw on a pretzel bun and savored every bite!
Tierra Sur at Herzog Wine Cellars: Did you know the largest producer of Kosher wine on the West Coast is in Oxnard? And that within Herzog Wine Cellar’s headquarters is a gourmet restaurant that draws kosher diners from around the world? Walking into the corporate office, we weren’t sure this was the right place, then a long hall led us to white tablecloths and candlelight. We ordered Tierra Sur’s Grilled Lion’s Mane with toasted quinoa and red pepper emulsion, followed by the rigatoni with honeynut squash puree and toasted hazelnuts. Each dish, including our poached pear dessert, came with a complimentary wine pairing to bring out the flavors…and they were all divine!
Tacos La Bonita: While we did not conquer the whole Oxnard Taco Trail, we can say Tacos La Bonita were some of the best tacos we’ve had in the USA! Plus, it’s unusually atmospheric for a glorified taco truck, with cafe lights and views of Plaza Park.
Ox & Ocean: Tucked within Zachari Dunes Resort, Ox & Ocean’s outdoor patio with lounge chairs and firepits is so sexy for sunset apps and cocktails. Plus, they run great happy hour specials. Their fine dining restaurant would delight any omnivore, and plant-based peeps will adore their mushroom bao buns.
THINGS TO DO IN CAMARILLO
Famous for Camarillo Premium Outlets, this town draws people from all over Southern California to shop their 160+ stores. I came here in high school to gear up for back to school (and even my prom dress) but made the common mistake of overlooking Camarillo’s Old Town, atmospheric farms, and unique opportunities for adventure. Surrounded by mountains and 15 minutes from the beach, they still get ocean breeze and 300+ days of sunshine, for an awesome outdoor lifestyle that we totally got into. Here are the best things to do in Ventura County’s very own Camarillo.
Shop Old Town Camarillo
A tree-lined street with historic buildings filled with boutiques and cafes, Camarillo’s Old Town is classic, with some edgy surprises for a town known to be more conservative. For example, the American Pie Records vinyl shop is doing so well, that it’s adding a second location as a listening room and late-night coffee shop. Across the street is Studio Channel Islands, a fantastic free art venue with exhibits that rotate every two months, cultural events, regular classes for kids, and a great boutique. Then the shop that really made us headbang was The Rockin’ Edge, a clothing store run by the fashion queen of 80s Metal. Melissa Cantor has made clothes for Slash, The Doors, Megadeth, and one-of-a-kind threads for the rockstar in all of us.
U-Pick Garden & Wine Tasting at McGrath Family Farm
Founded in 1868, the McGrath property is the oldest organic farm in Ventura County and is still run by the same family…five generations later! In their early days, they had land all the way to the sea (hence McGrath State Beach), and the remaining 300 acres are still thriving with sustainably grown vegetables, flowers, and a winery in the works! We checked in for our McGrath Farm tour at the charming farm store, with produce from the grounds and local sellers, specifically women or minority-owned! The store’s mother-daughter team Hilary & Kennedy explained more about their regenerative practices as we explored the rows of microgreens, flowers, berry patches, and outdoor tasting room. The McGraths have been in the wine business for years and are excited to announce that their label Public Domain is going to open a winery on the farm in the coming year! With our freshly picked produce, we cracked a bottle of their rosé for the freshest picnic.
Tip: McGrath Farm has a year-round U-pick garden and in March and April they are always looking for volunteers for harvest if you want a truly organic experience.
Hike Point Mugu State Park & The Chumash Trail
The Santa Monica mountains span from the Hollywood Hills to Camarillo, with Point Mugu State Park as the grand finale. We drove through Camarillo’s veggie farms to the Pacific Coast Highway and reached the popular Chumash Trail. Hiking switchbacks up through cactus groves and vista points to the sea, we reached a stunning valley. Another short and steep climb led us to Point Mugu Peak for sweeping ocean views and jagged mountains that I couldn’t believe were in my home range! With a 2.5-mile round-trip hike, this is the fastest and most rewarding way to enjoy the state park. To dive deeper, continue along the ridge to the La Jolla Valley Loop Trail through the Natural Preserve.
Ultralight Flying
Bungee jumping, skydiving, gorge swings…we’ve flown through the air in a variety of batty ways. When it comes to experiencing the adrenaline and beauty of flight, nothing, and we mean NOTHING, compares to this Skyrider Ultralights flight. Taking off from Camarillo Airport just before sunset, our open-sided aircraft banked the Santa Monica Mountains and skimmed the Pacific Ocean for breathtaking views and serious thrills. Read the full post and watch the video above for one of the absolute best ways to see the Southern California Coast!
Best Restaurants in Camarillo
Check out our favorite eats in Camarillo, from old-school restaurants to modern food courts to do-good cafes.
The Mark: Old Town’s hottest new hangout brings together a brewery, wood-fired pizzeria, bakery, and creamery to satisfy all your cravings. These four businesses face inwards to a common seating area for a modern food court and great community hang space. The Mark was packed on a Thursday night, with Topa Topa Brewing pouring a steady stream of craft beers and Freda’s Artisan Pizza tossing pies in the air for a happy crowd. The plant-based pizza was excellent and washed down nicely with a Nitro Milk Stout.
Old New York Deli: Serving some of the best bagels this side of New York and showing their NYC pride with subway maps and Yankee decor, this place brought us back to our Manhattan days with the good schmear and dough.
Braxton’s Kitchen: Comfort food with a farm-fresh twist, Braxton’s is a winner for breakfast and lunch. Better yet, a portion of their monthly sales go towards local animal rescues and nonprofits! Continue looking out for the animal kingdom with their vegan offerings like Soyriz Power Bowl and the Somis Sammy.
Lamplighter: We love a dive bar and we could tell from the neon sign and windowless stone facade that this was a good one. Order Lamplighter’s legit bloody marys and play a round of pool. There are a few sharks in here, but none of them bite 😉
Adolfo Grill: Named after the founder of town, Adolfo Camarillo, this restaurant plays into the history with old-time photographs and classic decor. Upscale American fare with a Ventura County sense of place makes Adolfo Grill a particularly great dinner option.
THINGS TO DO IN CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Fondly called The Galapagos of the North, the eight Channel Islands and National Park are a biodiversity dream with over 2,000 species of plants and animals. Just 12 miles off the Ventura County Coast, yet never connected to the mainland, these isles evolved in isolation, leaving 145 species found nowhere else on Earth! Layer on the fact that people lived here for 13,000 years (with the oldest human bone ever found in North America to prove it!) the Channel Islands are a place of epic proportions.
Note: Channel Islands National Park has virtually no facilities (lodging, restaurants, shops, or first aid), so come prepared! Santa Cruz Island is the most “developed” with a visitor center, bathrooms, potable water, and regular ferry service. Outside of summer, days are short and the ferry is infrequent, so make the most of your time on the island and keep track of it, so you don’t miss the return boat…or you’ll be camping!
Scenic Ferry with Island Packers
We headed to the Ventura Harbor to catch the official national park ferry, Island Packers. They’ve been cruising this national marine sanctuary since 1968 in the name of recreation, research, and education, and they treat this hour ride to Santa Cruz Island as an opportunity to introduce The Channel Islands and spot wildlife! A third of cetacean species worldwide can be seen in these very waters, so we saw multiple whales and, no joke…a pod of 600 dolphins (watch the video above)! We got off at Santa Cruz, but Island Packers also runs trips to the outer islands for dedicated wildlife watching, pelagic birding trips, and can help facilitate overnight camping trips.
Hike Cavern Point Loop
The best short overview hike on Santa Cruz Island, Cavern Point Loop offers incredible vistas of Scorpion Harbor, sea cliffs, and neighboring islands. If you have time continue two more miles to the beautiful Potato Harbor. If you want to keep your hike nice and easy, start at the campground near site #22 for a more gradual ascent and a clockwise two-mile loop back to the Visitor Center.
Sea Cave Kayaking
Channel Islands’ wave action has carved incredible sea caves into their cliffs, making it a kayaker’s playground! We joined Channel Islands Adventure Company for their 2.5-hour Discovery Kayak Tour from Scorpion Anchorage. The first thing that struck us was the incredible kelp forests swaying in the teal waters. We paddled along the sheer cliffs and timed the waves to ride through the rock arches. Dipping into a sea cave we saw a family of sea lions playing in the surf. What a morning!
Tip: The Discovery Tour offers the perfect amount of time if you want to fit in other activities like hiking or snorkeling and still make the afternoon ferry. Even though we love to kayak, we are glad we split our time so we could also explore the park by land.
Snorkeling the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is known to have some of the country’s best snorkeling and diving. With cold currents traveling down from the North Pacific and warm currents moving up from the tropics, there is an upwelling of nutrients that make the waters’ biodiversity off the charts! Channel Islands Adventure Company runs snorkel trips (some you can combo with kayaking for a full-day adventure) and the responses we heard from snorkelers made us jealous! Swimming through the kelp forests and sea caves, they saw girabaldi, lion sharks, and playful baby sea lions!
The towns on the Ventura County Coast are only 20 minutes apart, so you can easily base camp in one to explore the whole area. Though for us to get to know the county better and give our hotel recommendations from experience, we stayed a few nights in Ventura, Camarillo, and Oxnard. So whether you like to mix up your accommodations on a trip or nest into one, here are three fantastic Ventura County hotels.
Ventura: Waypoint Vintage Trailer Hotel
Retro-cool campers just blocks off the beach and Main Street? Waypoint Vintage Trailer Hotel had our name all over it! Started by a brother-sister team in 2014, the twins have been curating and renovating their perfect collection of travel trailers–from a 1946 Spartan Manor to a 50-foot tour bus with stories to tell, and more in the works! We stayed in the 1948 Palace Royale, with its original stove and fridge, birch interior, and candy-shell blue exterior. Waypoint’s attention to detail was spot on, from the s’mores kits, complimentary bicycles, cornhole courts, and sculptural firepits that had us gathering round with our fellow glampers. If you have your own swanky camper, you can also BYO and join the neighborhood.
Oxnard: Zarchari Dunes
During our three days in Oxnard, we made our home base at the gorgeous Zachari Dunes Resort, set right on the sugar-sand Mandalay Beach with views of the Channel Islands. With Spanish-style architecture and a recent renovation, this all-suites hotel has done a fabulous job with the decor and amenities…multiple restaurants, an expansive pool, modern gym, fun rec room, and a robust activities program. At Henry’s Gear Rental, we took out a complimentary hoverboard, SUP Skate, and skateboard, plus two Polaroid cameras to capture it all. Fun, romantic, and perfectly situated on the beach, Zachari Dunes is the best hotel in Oxnard!
Camarillo: Sonesta Select
We stayed at the Sonesta Select and this recently renovated, affordable, and conveniently located hotel was a great jumping-off point and soft landing from our Camarillo adventures.
Ventura Land Trust
In every place we visit, we try to find awesome environmental nonprofits that are keeping wild spaces beautiful and making them even more fun for residents and visitors, like Ventura Land Trust. This org is preserving thousands of acres for public recreation and education, with so many awesome programs. We joined their Harmon Canyon naturalist-led hike and they made us fall in love with the area. Hike or bike Harmon’s trails any day or join VLT for a variety of awesome events around Ventura, from their Wild & Scenic Film Festival, River Restoration Days, Lecture Series, Beach Cleanups, and weekly wildlife restoration.
#VCCvibes
We absolutely loved our time on the Ventura County Coast! To show our gratitude to the locals and help preserve the area’s natural beauty, we have donated to the Ventura Land Trust, Channel Islands Restoration, and Ventura Food Share. Many thanks to Ventura County Coast and their amazing towns of Oxnard, Ventura, Port Hueneme, and Camarillo, for inviting us to their region and supporting our storytelling. For more on this incredible slice of California, check out VenturaCountyCoast.com and see our VCC Vibes Instagram Highlight Reel.
Welcome to Music Business Worldwide’s weekly round-up – where we make sure you caught the five biggest stories to hit our headlines over the past seven days. MBW’s round-up is supported by Centtrip, which helps over 500 of the world’s best-selling artists maximize their income and reduce their touring costs.
Elsewhere this week, HYBE dominated the news cycle. On Tuesday (May 27), we learned that it’s selling its entire 9.38% stake in rival K-Pop firm SM Entertainment to Tencent Music for nearly $180 million. The next day, HYBE America sold Big Machine Rock.
On Thursday, news broke that HYBE’s HQ had been raided as part of a probe into alleged insider trading. In a separate story, South Korea’s financial regulator was reported to be ramping up an investigation into HYBE’s Chairman. Meanwhile, HYBE also confirmed its expansion into China.
In other global expansion news, Live Nation boosted its presence in Latin America via the acquisition of Dominican Republic-based promoter SD Concerts. Meanwhile, Downtown Music Publishing rebranded Johannesburg-based Sheer Publishing Africa as Downtown Music Publishing Africa.
And finally, Spotify has hit 100 million paying subscribers in Europe…
Taylor Swift has successfully acquired the master recordings of her first six studio albums from investment firm Shamrock Capital.
The deal brings to a close one of the music industry’s most high-profile ownership disputes. Swift confirmed the news on Friday (May 30) in a handwritten letter to her fans.
The transaction involves the master rights to Swift’s albums Taylor Swift, Fearless, Speak Now, Red, 1989, and Reputation – recordings that have been at the center of a six-year battle over artist ownership rights. (MBW)
HYBE has officially launched a subsidiary in China, the world’s fifth-largest recorded music market.
A HYBE spokesperson has confirmed that the South Korea-born entertainment giant set up an office in Beijing last month.
HYBE is behind superstar acts including BTS, ENHYPEN, Seventeen, and others.
The launch of an office in Beijing marks HYBE’s fourth global market presence outside of South Korea, having expanded into Japan, followed by the United States and, most recently, LatinAmerica over the past few years.
Live Nation is expanding its presence in Latin America via the acquisition of SD Concerts, a live entertainment company in the Dominican Republic.
Founded in 2001, SD Concerts is behind many of the region’s most prominent live events, promoting Latin and international talent across the Dominican Republic, as well as supporting shows in Aruba, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and Puerto Rico.
Live Nation said on May 29 that the concert industry is seeing continued momentum across Latin America, with the company seeing fan attendance in the region up over 25% in the first quarter of 2025.
The company added that “growing demand for live experiences is supported by the global rise of non-English language artists”, who, according to Live Nation, now represent twice as many of its top 50 tours compared to 2019.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/103988/girbecco.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/123662/tourbecco.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/146272/sunflowers04.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/539239/gav_shack_best_so_far.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/1186968/mySuperLamePic_504e55dac324b9065d628f9cc68b9781.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/6520711/14628394282_2e52f2ebd3_b.0.0.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25802305/dear_will_what_did_we_do_medium.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25802299/black_unicorn_no_pink.jpg)
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/401757/jerseygate.jpg)
