Indholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2019 i Sunset

The Daily Driver Sure, those #vanlife humble brags look great on Instagram, but living free doesn’t always come cheap. Lurking beneath the hood of a converted Sprinter van can be tens or thousands of dollars in retrofit or vehicle costs, all for something you’ll likely park alongside your house when it’s not in use. That’s why GoFast Campers cofounders Graeme MacPherson and Wiley Davis took inspiration from a simpler era of exploration, when Westfalias and VW buses traversed the West in search of adventure. “I had so many friends who wanted a camper that didn’t suck for less than $10,000,” says MacPherson, who launched the company in 2017. “I wanted something that was high quality, American-made, and the kind of thing you could drive every day.” Fast-forward to today, and…

Equipment is everything “Too many times students tell me they’ve tried surfing on a friend’s longboard and it was a struggle. Well, the board was probably way too small and thin. Remember, bigger is better. You get better at surfing by catching more waves, and the best way to do that is to use a bigger board with more float.” —John Wheeler, founder, Surfing School Maui Master the pop-up “Try to avoid going on both knees before standing. It’s extremely difficult to get off your knees once you’re on them. Push your body up using your arms right by your chest area and keep your booty up as if you were doing a downward dog. It will help get your body up quickly.” —Mary Osborne, founder, Mary Osborne Surf Camp,…

“BANANA leaves are the original aluminum foil,” says Charles Olalia, placing leaf-wrapped, pyramid-shaped bundles of sticky rice onto the grill in front of him. “Only they taste much better.” Smoke curls around Olalia’s face, perfuming the air with the heady aroma of flowers and tea. It’s a rare day off for the Filipino-born chef behind hit Los Angeles restaurants Ma’am Sir and the recently closed Ricebar. While Olalia’s background is in fine dining (he’s worked at The French Laundry, Guy Savoy in Las Vegas, and Patina in Walt Disney Concert Hall) it was the food at Ma’am Sir that brought him national recognition: traditional Filipino dishes like braised-chicken adobo served alongside lumpia spring rolls untraditionally enriched with lardo and draped with fat tongues of Santa Barbara uni. Today Olalia applies…

1 Pre-salt Salt suppresses bitterness and amplifies sweetness. “If you’re cooking a piece of meat, lightly season it with a really fine salt,” says Jacobsen. Think of it as a quick cure. Let the meat sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before cooking. 2 Cook salt Sprinkling a bit more salt on your meat before placing it on a hot grill helps it develop a crust and adds another layer of savoriness. 3 Finish salt Add brightness and crunch to your finished dish with one last little sprinkle of large-grained salt. Jacobsen prefers a nice flake salt or fleur de sel. You don’t want to coat the meat with salt; just add enough for a pop or two of flavor in each bite.…

We can’t sugarcoat it: Your trusty SPF is killing our coral reefs. Every time you step into an ocean wearing traditional sunscreen, two main UV-filtering ingredients—oxybenzone and octinoxate—wash off into the water and bleach the coral ecosystem. But now we’re wiser, with Hawaii passing a bill that will prohibit sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate by 2021, and forward-thinking brands making eco-friendly alternatives. After testing a lineup of new options, we’d happily slather on any of these four sunscreens before diving in.…

I am halfway through my first single-origin mezcal margarita when the lightly charred street corn arrives on a platter at my umbrella-shaded Adirondack chair. Cotija cheese crumbles fall to the dirt at my flip-flopped feet as I dig in. That’s when the smell of chimichurri and smoke reaches me from the grill. Through the oak trees, the dark headwaters of the Klamath River flow past in a hush. There are 14 guests scattered in similar forms of cocktailhour repose under the oaks. After the last street corn kernals are pinched from the platter, we take seats at the long table under a shade tent. The feast arrives: flank steak, chicken thighs, Oaxacan-molebraised shell beans, cilantroscented rice, and a salad of pickled onions, radish, cucumber, and cilantro dressing. It’s a confusing…

“I’d never seen a cactus before visiting California,” says Jasmine Fitzwilliam, surveying her garden and the half-dozen species it now contains. “It was eye-opening. We just had to move closer.” Jasmine and her husband, Scott, were on a camping trip to the Salton Sea when she saw a cactus in the wild for the first time; now her garden stands as a monument to that and other trips. “I wanted the garden to feel like Joshua Tree in front and Palm Springs in back,” she says. Fitzwilliam, owner of Let’s Frolic Together photography (letsfrolictogether.com), and Scott, a tech engineer, didn’t start out as plant lovers with desert-chic style. “I thought I had a black thumb until we moved to California, and I started growing cactus and succulents,” she says. The…

July/August Northwest PLANT Sow cool-season crops now for autumn harvest. For colorful veggies, include ‘Harlequin Mix’ carrots (orange, purple, white, and yellow); ‘Bright Lights’ chard (stalks are gold, pink, red, white, and yellow); and ‘Garden Party’ radishes (gold, pink, purple, red, and white). All are available at reneesgarden.com. Try purple sprouting broccoli. To extend your harvest season, grow more than one variety and choose options that mature at different rates. If set now, ‘Rudolph’ can start rewarding you in December, ‘Red Admiral’ will produce in mid-February, and ‘Red Fire’ will follow in early March. MAINTAIN As bearded iris foliage withers, stop watering. When leaves turn brown, trim them back, then dig and divide rhizomes. Let them dry in the shade for a few days, then replant. Summer pruning inhibits regrowth…

Paneer Tikka, Peach, and Mint Skewers SERVES 4 TO 6 / 1 ¼ HOURS, PLUS 2 HOURS TO MARINATE Wow guests at your next barbecue with vegetarian kebabs of juicy peaches and the Indian cheese called paneer, marinated in yogurt and spices. (Though not traditional, tofu subs in beautifully for the paneer.) Chaat masala spice blend adds a tangy, smoky, intriguingly sulfurous flavor, but the dish is great without it too. 1 cup Greek yogurt (full-fat to nonfat)1 tsp. ground Kashmiri chile* or ½ tsp. each paprika and cayenne½ tsp. each turmeric and garam masala¾ tsp. plus 2 tbsp. chaat masala* (optional)¾ tsp. kosher salt1 tbsp. lemon juice2 tsp. vegetable oil2 garlic cloves, grated1 tsp. grated fresh ginger1 lb. paneer* or extra-firm tofu, cut into 24 pieces (about 1 in.)2…

Santa Monica DAIRY-FREE DARK CHOCOLATE Bittersweet chocolate lays the groundwork for a super-smooth, creamy texture by Sweet Rose Creamery Petaluma, CA ORGANIC VANILLA FUDGE SWIRL ICE CREAM Swirls of thick chocolate fudge mixed with classic sweet cream by Straus Creamery Santa Barbara HONEY & CORNBREAD COOKIES Central Coast wildflower honey and sweet-salty cornbread cookies by McConnell’s Berkeley PUESTO SWEET CORN, STRAWBERRY & COOKIE White-chocolate cookie chunks pair well with berries and corn by Humphry Slocombe Eugene, OR SWEET CHERRY AMARETTO A coconut-milk ice cream with whirls of cherries and a hint of almond flavor by Coconut Bliss Culver City, CA MILK & COOKIE CRUMBS Chocolate-cookie ice cream with a chocolate-cookie crumb swirl by Coolhaus San Francisco STRAWBERRY ROSE Rose triple-yolk ice cream, strawberry sorbet and jam, and macaron pieces by…

Brothers Matt and Mike French, the visionaries behind the effortlessly hip Pioneertown Motel in the Southern California desert, have a knack for turning off-thegrid places into magnets of cool. Last spring, the duo, along with Ace Hotel Group–alum Eric Cheong, reimagined a historic inn on Washington’s sleepy Whidbey Island. The result: an adult summer camp with saltydog, nautical soul. Set on the shore of Penn’s Cove, Captain Whidbey’s accommodations include a Captain’s Suite above the main tavern, where you can spot whales from your bed, and secluded cabins, each curated by a distinctive Northwest designer, such as Filson.…

When Fresno, California, high school film teacher Marco Tovar purchased a less-than-one-acre plot of land steps from Savage Lake in Troy, Montana, two years ago, there was little left in his budget for a house. So, for just $1,700 he built an 80-square-foot A-frame with plans he purchased off the Internet. “I've always loved A-frames,” says Tovar. “Someday I want a full-size A-frame here, but my stage-one plan is to build a few tiny structures so that guests can have their own space.” By his own admission, Tovar possessed zero carpentry know-how, but he used the skepticism of friends as motivation. As summer approached, he immersed himself in YouTube tutorials on how to build a shed and frame walls and doors. When school break rolled around, he built the base…

Upper Klamath River, OR The Upper Klamath whitewater safari combines rafting through the gorgeous Cascades of Southern Oregon with backcountry glamping. Chef Matthew Domingo will fuel your paddling with artisanal meals paired with craft cocktails and local wines. $1,335/3-day trip; momentumriverexpeditions.com. Salmon River, ID Idaho’s Wild and Scenic Salmon River is one of America’s top wilderness multiday trips with hot springs, sandy beach camps, world-class trout fishing, and exciting Class IV+ whitewater. Row’s culinary trips teach guests how to prepare wild salmon, oysters, mushrooms, cobblers, and other Northwest fare in camp-style Dutch ovens and open-flame settings. From $1,585/5-day trip; rowadventures.com. Rogue River, OR The Serenade Rafting Trip brings masters of open-flame cooking Jaret Foster and Joe Rodriguez of Portland’s boutique catering company Tournant into the Wild and Scenic Rogue River…

1. FURROW SURFCRAFT Leucadia, California-based shaper Christine Brailsford Caro designs custom boards for smooth, flowy wave riding rather than high performance. furrowsurfcraft.com 2. BODY GLOVE OASIS YOGA SUP With handles on the front and back, the center of this 10-foot inflatable paddleboard doubles as a yoga mat. $999; bodyglove.com 3. ASHLEY LLOYD HIGHWATER ALBATROSS Ecoboard-verified and hand-shaped in Santa Cruz, this board is designed for heavy beach breaks. $890; ashleylloydsurfboards.com 4. RONIX KOAL CLASSIC LONGBOARD Ideal for beginners, the thick shape and buoyancy of this toes-on-nose board makes surfing the wake behind a boat effortless. $650; ronixwake.com…

Transportation: Use thick carpet padding or foam to wrap cactus when you’re bringing them home from the nursery. This helps prevent damage to the plants as well as to your skin. Be sure to wear gloves too. Protection: Whenever you are handling cactus that have spines, protect your hands by wearing thick leather gloves. Jasmine Fitzwilliam recommends wearing two pairs of gloves—leather work gloves inside rose gloves. Drainage: Too much moisture can kill a cactus or cause rot. In order to make sure your cactus aren’t getting too much water, put a finger a few inches into the soil to check moisture levels. If there’s any moisture, you don’t need to water. Also, be sure your irrigation system stops watering when it rains. Potting: When potting cactus or succulents, use…

Most people consider themselves fortunate to find true love once, but for Jessica Comfort and Jevon LaBar it struck twice. “It’s a classic, modern love story,” jokes Jessica, referring to a dating app that connected the pair more than six years ago. Their first date lasted four hours and went from a quiet dinner to a bar and another after that. “We had so much to talk about,” she says. The hot topic? Vintage. Jessica has been an ardent thrifter since high school, and Jevon was deep into the Portland estate-sale scene. So naturally, their third date unfolded at one of those frenzied sales, where the entry line was some hundred people deep. Soon after, the couple started Lyon Falls (lyonfalls.com) named for their respective hometowns of South Lyon, Michigan,…

On a Sunday afternoon three years ago, interior designer Blythe Friedmann (blythedesignco.com) was at the tail end of an hourlong drive up to Point Reyes Station, near the start of her favorite hike to Bear Valley Visitor Center, from her San Francisco apartment. But when she and her hiking companion noticed an open-house sign pointing up a winding road into the West Marin woods, they couldn’t resist a quick detour. There, amid a dense patch of Douglas fir, oak, and bay trees, stood a candy-apple red A-frame. The property was dotted with rose bushes and fuchsia, and a circular gravel driveway lead to a sprawling chocolate brown deck with Parisian-style lampposts. Friedmann, who grew up in New York City, had never stepped foot in one of these iconic California cabins…

Super Scoops Ice creams become more inventive (as if that was even possible) NEXT NEXT GEN, renaissance-worthy—whatever you want to call it—we’re living in the golden age of ice cream. From hyper-local seasonal flavors to dairy-free nut-milk bases, these are the best ice creams to eat now. (Turn the page for more of the best scoops in the West.)…

Marionberry Mint Syrup, $16 by Simple Goodness Sisters Sweet-tart syrup sourced from Washington farms. State Bird Crunch in Sea Salt, $28 by Render Sweet and salty, clusters of seeds, puffed quinoa, and sea salt. Black Sesame Brittle, $10 by Sweetdragon Baking Company Addictively crunchy, smoky black sesame candy. Genmaicha, $6.98 by David’s Tea Sprinkle the Japanese roasted brown-rice green tea over ice cream for a toasty flavor. Strawberry Almond Poppy Halva, $14 by Helba & Co. Crumble for flaky, cottony, crispy, yumminess.…

KOSHER Kosher Grain Jar by True Salt This salt staple is best for brines, preseasonings, stocks, soups, and stews. $4.50; truesaltco.com NEXT-LEVEL KOSHER Omnivore Salt by Omnivore Salt Meet your weeknight dinner savior. Use the fennel and chile-spiked salt as an elemental rub for grilling and roasting or as a foundation for sauces, soups, and dressings. $10; omnivore.us SMOKED Smoked Hickory-wood Fine Grain Sea Salt by San Francisco Salt Co. Add a smoky flavor to potatoes, slow-cooked pork, and nuts and seeds without spending the entire afternoon by the grill. $13; sfsalt.com INFUSED Infused Black Garlic Salt by Jacobsen Salt Co. Use this salt as a finish on roasted fish or root vegetables to add a caramelized garlic flavor. $13; jacobsensalt.com PINK HIMALAYAN Ancient Ocean Himalayan Pink Salt Fine Grain…

For a moment it seemed that mezcal’s popularity might be its undoing. With dozens of varieties of agave being distilled across Mexico—from the high forests of Oaxaca to the dusty wilds of Durango—there are thousands of permutations possible. Bottlings differ in flavor, depending on the variety and age of the source plant, the fickle wild yeasts that jumpstart fermentation, and whether the roasted-agave juice was fermented in pine, clay, or cowhide. The resulting elixir can taste of pine, citrus, herbs, tropical fruits, or minerals, depending on the inexhaustible variables. “I’ve never seen anyone get close to being 50 percent right in blind tastings,” says Danny Mena, cofounder of agave-spirit producer Mezcales de Leyenda. This exquisite riddle drove up demand for rare mezcals, and in turn drove some varieties of agave…

Sometimes it’s not even called mezcal There are nine officially recognized DOC mezcal-growing regions. But agave spirits are made throughout Mexico and those outside the DOC are simply labeled “agave spirits.” You can think of it as the difference between AOC Burgundy and renegade Vin de France. “Ensemble” is another word for blended Ensembles are made up of multiple varieties of agave. Prolific espadin is typically the foundation, with smaller amounts of wild varieties added to balance the flavors. This allows a brand to create a house style that’s consistent year over year, much like a non-vintage Champagne. One agave at a time Espadin is the most easily cultivated variety of agave and thus the most sustainable. Single varieties, like tepeztate and tobala, are more difficult to cultivate. Do your…

Sip it Whether you’re drinking from the low clay copita, the shotglass-like veladora, or the gourd-like jicara, sip and savor, but never, ever shoot. (Del Maguey clay copitas, $17; cocktailkingdom.com) Reset with salt Sal de Gusano is the spicy agave-worm salt sprinkled on orange slices served alongside mezcal. The salt accentuates the savory qualities of the spirit while the citrus resets your palate. (Sal de Gusano, $18/1.8 oz.; granmitla.us) Mix minimally The complex flavor of mezcal combined with fruit juice and fresh lime equals minimalist mixology. A can’t-fail ratio is 4 ounces fruit juice (such as mango or pineapple) to 2 ounces mezcal to 1 ounce fresh lime juice.…

THE ROCKIES This month: DENVER The insider: TRACY WEIL COFOUNDER OF THE RIVER NORTH ART DISTRICT When artist Tracy Weil cofounded Denver’s River North Art District in 2005, he sparked a neighborhood transformation. Today, the city’s former industrial center is a hub of creativity, lovingly nicknamed RiNo. Weil’s studio and gallery, Weilworks, is a must-visit contemporary-art space in the area. EAT/Weil is a regular at Safta at the Source Hotel and Market Hall and Hop Alley. Safta has amazing food inspired by the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa, plus a welcoming bar with great views, he says. His go-to order: crab hummus, roasted cauliflower, and crispy eggplant. Hop Alley, located on the east side of the district, serves progressive Chinese fare and specialty cocktails. Weil’s favorite dishes include the…

Be present, but also be prepared To capture authentic moments you have to live them first. Get familiar with your phone’s quick-draw camera shortcuts and you’ll spend more time engaged with your kids and less time fumbling with the lock screen. For iPhone: hard press on the camera icon on the home screen. For most Android phones: Double-press the home button to launch. Include the kids It’s fun to involve your family and make sure they’re also taking photos. Get the youngsters a kid-friendly point-and-shoot camera (we like Nikon’s CoolPix W150, $220), or even a toy camera, to give them hands-on experience. Create a photo contest or scavenger hunt where they can capture people, places, and things. Celebrate mistakes Pictures aren’t meant to be flawless. If a photo is slightly…