“The times they are a changin’”

In 1928 Ernest Hemingway and his second wife Pauline moved from Paris to Key West. Marking the beginning of his lifelong love affair with the climate and culture of the Caribbean. For a deeper look into the complex life of one of our favorite authors, we highly recommend the Ken Burns and Lynn Novick documentary series that traces the arc of the writer’s life, personal demons and literary contributions.

What feels like a long time ago in a world far away, we emerged from the remote stillness of Chile’s Aysen region in early March 2020. We continued our plans to explore the wine growing province of Los Andes and the historic seaside city and port of Valparaiso with caution. Although whispers of what would later rise to a global pandemic were in the air, we experienced the joyous openness of the present, as of those still yet unaware to the future.

One of ArchiTec’s core tenets is responsible stewardship. Both to ourselves and to the planet that nourishes us. As wildfires rage in our home state of California and hurricanes arrive with unimagined intensity, the global reckoning that is Climate Change has arrived. At times our individual roles may seem dwarfed by the enormity of the problem, but there are still steps for all us to take.

• Donate to these organizations that are on the frontlines of conservation and environmental stewardship.

• Read- Elizabeth Colbert’s Pulitzer apprise winning The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. One of the finest works published around both climate change and its effects on biodiversity,

• Reuse- Consider upcycling your gear via Patagonia’s “Worn Wear” Program. Simply drop off (or mail in) your used gear for store credit. In turn the company will find a loving home for your old equipment.

Having relocated (halftime) to the Coachella Valley, we have begun to explore the lineage and legacy of all things mid-century modern amongst the austere beauty of the low desert. Many arrive for warm weather, tee times and cocktails, the region offers a surprising abundance of art and culture. The Palm Springs Art Museum is a natural jumping off point to explore the modern art, architecture and design that has shaped the valley. Additionally, the historic Mid-Century Annenberg Estate of Sunnylands and it’s magical desert gardens are a must visit in the Coachella Valley.

Having spent this past summer exploring the beauty of California, we look forward to returning to our spiritual mecca of Todos Santos BCS. A “Pueblo Magica” (Magical Place) that has managed to maintain its cultural and architectural roots while stubbornly resisting the furious growth found throughout southern Baja. This Forbes article highlights a number of our top picks. Make sure to stop into Pacifica Fish Market for some of the freshest seafood on the planet (we recommend the blackened fish salad with a spicy margarita pairing). Blessed with an incredible coastline, the surrounding desert and Sierra de Laguna mountain’s biosphere offers a bounty of adventure. A day long UTV rental from Omega Tours is a fantastic way to explore these remote areas.

One obsession of all our adventures, is finding the right gear that adapts to any environment. For all things carryology, we never set out without our trusty quiver of Mystery Ranch packs and duffels. Founded twenty years ago in Bozeman Montana, the brand produces rare products of beautiful design and functionality, along with incredible durability and craftsmanship. We love their increasingly diverse product line and we have found their expandable Terraframe 50 Pack (pictured above in the remote Aysen region of Chile) and the 55L Mission Duffel to be a journey essential.