Woolly Wanderings in Big Sur, California

Looking for a magical place to wander and explore? Look no further than Big Sur, California. We had the opportunity to camp and explore Big Sur during the summertime months and it’s an experience that we will never forget. The drive through Big Sur on Pacific Coast Highway is breathtaking. Whichever way you are headed, the entrance into the area of Big Sur will be sure to take your breath away.

We started our journey from Northern California, stopping in San Francisco and Santa Cruz along the way. Pacific Coast Highway is a beautiful scene and every direction you look reflects stunning ocean views. After grabbing a bite to eat in Santa Cruz at our favorite falafel place, we continued the journey through Monterey and Carmel. There’s no rush to get to Big Sur, since all the coast towns leading up to it are little gems of their own.

Of course, we had to stop to take the classic Big Sur photograph. It truly is amazing to see in person. As we continued our journey, we stopped for an early dinner at a little hippy place that served amazing sandwiches. Without much of a plan, we set off into the woods and drove quite a distance to the top before finally landing at Prewitt Ridge. If you decide to go, be sure that your car has all-wheel drive. This is a very desolated area but the views are worth it. You literally overlook the ocean and camp above the clouds. Prewitt Ridge is one of the most stunning places we have ever set up camp. No running water, no bathroom facilities. Pure nature in its beauty.

Some tips to keep in mind if camping around Big Sur…

Campsites fill up quickly, which is why we opted for backcountry camping in Prewitt Ridge. Be sure to plan if you are looking for a campsite that has bathroom facilities, running water, etc.

Pack water. This is one thing we wish we had packed more of. The temperature was very dry and dusty. Although we had enough to get by, we could have used more if we opted to stay another night.

What to pack?

Plan on packing all the essentials for this trip. It’s remote. Since you’re camping above the clouds, the weather can change almost immediately. Start with a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, lantern, whistle, grill, water, chairs, sunscreen, thick wool blanket, extra gasoline for your car, and plenty of food.

Are you planning an upcoming trip to Big Sur? If so, check out our wool blankets for sale. Stock up on camping blankets while you can!

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Woolly Wandering in Banff National Park

Thinking about crossing the border for a hiking or camping trip this year? Look no further than Canada's first national park, Banff National Park, nestled in the Canadian Rockies about an hour and half west of Calgary.  This stunning outdoor-lover’s paradise is a great place to visit any time of the year.  From hiking, camping, golfing, birdwatching, white water rafting, and canoeing to skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing -Banff has any outdoor adventure you crave. 

Our Banff adventure began in the early fall when Summer’s warmth had disappeared and the chilly days and snow where in full force.  Winter camping near Lake Louise was a must.  Lucky for us we had our multiple wool camp blankets and our hammock camping gear to keep us elevated from the cold, snowy ground.  Due to the dense weave and high-quality wool, we lined our hammocks with our warm wool blankets from the Explorer Collection.  High quality winter camping sleeping bags are a must.  After lining the bottom of our hammocks with gray wool blankets, the top layer consisted of a heavy wool blanket from the Farmhouse Collection.  We setup wind proof canopies that surrounded our hammocks before hoping into our warm wool enclaves to get some sleep.  

We spent the next few days exploring Banff National Park.  Our favorite sights to see were the emerald waters of Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, and the world-renowned Lake Agnes Teahouse. 

Lake Louise has the most beautiful emerald blue waters encapsulated by the soaring Rocky Mountainsand the elegant Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel.  The lakeshore paths are typically pretty crowded with tourists and photographers.  Moraine Lake was equally as beautiful as Lake Louise, although it was a bit less crowded.  Lastly, the hike to the Lake Agnes Teahouse is astounding! The moderate level hike will have you hiking through a majestic forest passing Mirror Lake and a waterfall cascading out of Lake Agnes, prior to arriving at the tea house which overlooks the crystal clear alpine water of Lake Agnes.  Once you have arrived at this historic tea house, grab yourself a warm beverage, a sandwich and soup, and relax before your next adventure.

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Top 5 Items to Keep in Your Camping Tent

We have had the extraordinary opportunity to camp in some of the most beautiful places around the US. You learn a little bit more about yourself and adventure backpacking with each trip that you take. What to pack, what not to pack, and how sometimes you must just go with the flow when it comes to sleeping conditions and weather. Always plan ahead and be sure that you pack the appropriate essentials to keep your adventure safe and comfortable. Below are some of our camping must-haves for a night out in the woods.

Birkenstocks

I’ve been camping with Birks for years. I prefer the clog version, paired with a warm pair of wool socks. These are great for lounging around the campsite and easy to throw on/off for those midnight bathroom breaks. By slipping them on and off, it prevents dirt being tracked into your tent.

Lantern

Not only do tents look like a magical little oasis when the lantern is shining bright inside, but these serve as helpful tools when cooking up a campfire meal. Always be sure to check the batteries on your lantern before leaving on your camping trip.

Warm Wool Blanket

Packing a warm merino wool is essential for camping. Wool is temperature-regulating, which means it’s beneficial to use all year round in both warm and cool temperatures. A quality wool blanket will compactly fit on the outside of your backpack. It can serve as a cozy blanket under the stars or as an extra layer over your sleeping bag. A camping wool blanket is a must have for the outdoorsperson. We find that a fiber-blended wool blanket (around an 80% merino count/20% nylon polyester blend) is better than a 100% wool blanket. The nylon and polyester adds more strength and durability to the weave, something that is important to keep in mind when roughing it in the woods. Wool blanket camping is much like hammock camping…once you try it, your adventures will never be the same!

Knife

Do yourself a favor and invest in a quality knife. This is not only for safety purposes, but can come in handy when cooking.

Whistle

You never know when danger may strike. Having a whistle on hand can alert others that you need help.

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Vegan Broccoli and Cashew Cheese Cream Soup

We are big soup fans. There’s nothing better than a lazy day around the house with a big pot of soup simmering on the stovetop. Curl up with your favorite book and your best wool blanket, and I’d say that’s a perfect afternoon.

1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or 3 hours in hot water

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon sea salt, divided

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups broccoli florets

1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh Italian parsley

4-6 cups homemade vegetable broth, depending on if you like it soupy or chunky. 

1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)

-Sautee onion, garlic, olive oil on low/medium in a dutch oven until you smell the aroma.

-Add your homemade veggie broth. I go with 2.5 cups, but you can add up to 4 depending on how many you are serving.

-Add broccoli florets. Bring to a boil. Reduce on simmer. While simmering...

Take soaked cashews (1 cup, soaked overnight. or if not enough time, boil water and add to bowl and soak while prepping beginning of soup).

Rinse/drain. Put in a food processor. Add 6 Tbs of nutritional yeast and 2/3c+ 3 Tbs unsweetened regular almond milk. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in food processor until creamy.

Transfer broccoli soup to Vitamix or blender. Pulse to mix. Slowly add creamy cashew sauce and keep mixing.

Transfer back to dutch oven. Warm. 

Serve with homemade oregano artisan bread.

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Top 3 Reasons to Take a Cross-Country Road Trip This Year

Fresh Air and Freedom

Grab your best friend or friends and plan an epic cross-country road trip this summer.  Before hitting the open road, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is in excellent shape.  Spend a few bucks getting an oil change, tire rotation, and having the vehicle inspected for any looming unforeseen issues.  Once you hit the road, there is no looking back.  Pack lightly, but ensure you have the appropriate gear that suits your needs for the adventures you plan on having.  Set up a loose travel itinerary but allow yourself flexibility in your plans so that if you are enjoying one location or experience, you can just live in the moment and not have to worry about your plans being thrown out of whack.  Warm wool blankets are a must for every road trip during any season. Be prepared for a day when you don’t quite make it to your next campsite and you must sleep in your vehicle!  Fresh air and freedom are abounding as wanderlust sets in and an amazing experience is set in motion.

Camping

Camping on a road trip is a must.  Whether you find yourself at the beach or in the mountains, having a lightweight camping tent, sleeping bag, warm clothes, and heavy wool camp blanket will allow you to be comfortable no matter where you decide to set up shop.  Be prepared that most National Parks will have campsites that need to be booked months in advance, especially the more popular parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Great Smoky Mountain to name a few.  These national parks do have first come first serve campgrounds, however, you will need to be at the campsite bright and early to obtain a spot.  Once you’re at your campsite, kick up your heels, read a book, have a campfire, share stories, and gaze at the stars. 

Friendships and Experiences

Between the long hours in the vehicle, sharing stories around a campfire, and experiencing the beauty and natural wonders as you make your way across the country, you will find yourself building strong relationships and memories with your friends who made the journey with you.  Along the way, you are sure to meet new friends as well.

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Making the Square Foot Garden

Early spring is the perfect time to start thinking about your garden… what flowers, fruits, or vegetables you intend on growing during the year.  One of the easiest ways to create a beautiful, organized garden is to through square foot gardening.  What this entails is building a few simple boxes out of 2 x 6 wooden boards.  The material to create the garden boxes is an inexpensive and building the boxes is quite simple. 

First, you will need to decide how big your boxes will be and how many boxes you want to have.  Our square foot garden beds are 4 feet by 4 feet. Simply go to your local home improvement store, ask for the 2 x 6 wooden boards, and have them cut to size.  You can use the 8-foot-long boards and have them cut in half.  You will need two 8 foot boards to create one box.  To divide your boxes into 1 square foot sections, find a thin trim board that can be cut 4 feet in length.  You will need six of these thin trim boards that will crisscross atop your garden bed to create square foot sections (hence, square foot gardening!)  You will also need the appropriate decking nails and a drill to screw the boards together. 

Secondly, head to the lawn and garden section of your home improvement store and pick up a roll of garden weed barrier, which will be cut to size and stapled to the bottom of each garden bed to prevent weeds from entering your new garden beds.  While you are here, pick up your favorite soil and composting material that you will use for planting your seeds. 

Lastly, once you get home, find a flat open space to build your square foot gardening boxes.  Create a perfect square, pre-drill your holes, and then screw the boards together.  Staple your weed fabric to the bottom of each new garden bed.  Then simply add your soil and seeds. 

Sit back, relax, and watch your garden flourish!  We love wrapping up in our cozy warm wool blankets, coffee in-hand while admiring the fresh scents and bounty of that our garden produces.  Our quality black and white checkered blanket from our Farmhouse Collection makes for the perfect wool blanket to put on your garden bench or front porch rocking chairs. 

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Horsing Around: Tips For An Amazing Trail Ride

Setting off into the woods on horseback is an experience like no other. We’re fortunate to have horse trails surrounding our property, which makes for some fun adventures every week. The connection between horse and rider is a wonderful relationship. Whether you’re a novice rider or an experience equestrian, an adventure on horseback is one that you will never forget.

Below are our tips for planning your next riding adventure.

Wake Up Early

Hit the trails before everyone else. There’s something peaceful about waking up before the rest of the world. Wandering through woods and fields alone puts the world, and your place in it, into perspective. Make a cup of coffee, saddle up, and breathe in the fresh air.

Pack for Safety

As wonderful as your relationship with a horse may be, never forget that they are still animals and can turn on an instant. Packing enough water, a whistle, mini first aid kit, cell phone, and food are important points to consider. Keep your cell phone on you and not in a saddle bag. If your horse takes off and you must dismount, you’re out of luck if the cell phone is attached to the saddle. Attach an identity tag to your horse. Be sure to also wear reflective clothing.

Ensure Your Horses Level

Don’t hit the trails until you’re certain of your horse’s levels both with traffic and fitness.

Mix it up

Experience different trails. Pack a lunch. Have a picnic. Bring your favorite plaid wool blanket, find a great open area and read among the trees. Adventure and beauty is out there if you just look for it. Want a little more adventure? Some camping facilities offer corrals and other amenities to accommodate horses. What an amazing adventure to experience a camping trip with the companionship of a horse!

Planning a camping trip soon?

Check out our woolblankets on sale. Thick wool blankets are a must-have for any expedition. Wrapping up in a camp blanket under the stars with your horse nearby is an unbelievable experience. If you’re planning a group trip, we also offer wholesale wool blankets.

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Woolly Mammoth Woolen Company, Washing Wool Blanket

An amazing feeling to wake up early and hit the trails. Starting the day with fresh air and connecting to nature is great for the mind, body, and soul. We’ve put together our top hiking hacks to make sure your journey through the woods is stress-free and enjoyable.

Line Your Backpack

A simple trash bag will do. This is especially helpful if you’re carrying extra water or items that may leak. If it begins to rain your items will be safeguarded. Plus, it serves as a trash bag if you don’t hit stormy weather. Win-win.

Invest in Good Socks

We prefer using wool socks. Wool is temperature-regulating, so wool socks are ideal for hot or cold temperatures.

Pack Band-Aids

There is nothing worse than developing a pesky blister. It throws the entire hike off. Pack band-aids, even if you don’t think you will need them. You can also use Duct Tape—which can serve multiple purposes.

Protect Your Phone

An easy and cheap way to do this is to simply store your cell phone in a plastic bag. This prevents damage in the event the bag gets wet or if you must trek through the water.

Use A Prescription Bottle

Old plastic prescription serves as a great holder for aspirin, Band-Aids, and antiseptic towels. It also keeps the items dry.

Use Binder Clips

Binder clips are excellent and cheap tools to hang dry items off your backpack (i.e., wet socks, shirts, or bandanas).

Plan

Weather can change in an instant. Always be sure that you are packing for worst-case scenarios. There are many camping gear items out there that pack up compactly, including rain jackets and winter puff jackets. Pack a warm merino wool blanket on the outside of your pack. It won’t take up much space and can come in handy if the weather turns cold. I always pack my navy-blue wool blanket, my olive green wool blanket, or my gray wool blanket. The dark color hides dirt, it’s easy to clean and shake out, and the dense weave keeps me warm at the summit.

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Wool Blanket Spotlight : French Country Farmhouse Collection Wool Blanket

With a touch of French Country décor, you make your home feel as though you are nestled in the French countryside.  The teal and cream plaid wool blanket is a high-quality wool blanket from our Farmhouse Wool Blanket Collection.  This pure sheep wool blanket in a beautiful teal and cream plaid pattern will have your imagination running wild when you wrap yourself up in this heavy wool blanket and begin to doze off.  Thoughts of freshly baked baguettes, fresh cut flowers, and bicycling through the rolling green pastures back to your tiny villa.  

Spice up the color in your living room or bedroom.  These warm wool blankets are the perfect addition to your home décor.  Your family and friends will fall in love with the size, quality, and craftsmanship of these fine sheep wool blankets.  The teal and cream plaid blankets come with a brushed finish, providing extra loft and softness.  Every wool blanket we make comes double stitched and finished with a thick yarn whipstitch that provides strength and longevity that really shines through.  Our customers love keeping these blankets in the living room for wrapping up into while watching their favorite shows and movies.  Family and friends always enjoy finding a Woolly blanket in the guestroom, which provides them with an extra layer of warmth and comfort on their bed. 

The French Country wool blanket is one our top selling warm wool blankets.  We find that many customers who purchase one also come back to purchase another.  Aside from selling directly to our customers via our website, we also provide wholesale wool blankets for those looking to make larger bulk orders.   Our blankets make the perfect corporate gift idea, providing your customers or employees with a timeless, high-quality gift that with last for many years.  High-quality corporate gifts are the perfect way to express appreciation and gratitude and to stay engaged with your clients and employees.  Our wholesale wool blanket program consists of either the Explorer Collection wool blankets or the Farmhouse Collection wool blankets… or a mix of both.  To receive more information about our corporate gift and wholesale program contact us today at info@wmwcompany.com. 

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