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Top Ten Favorite Breweries

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WE LOVE CRAFT BEER!!

There you have it. We’re not going to hide it. Deal with it. Hoppy makes us happy. From stouts to sours and belgians to IPA’s, we appreciate the craft. We appreciate quality beer made by lovers of the trade whose souls are as rich as their brews.

At times I wonder if our journey across America and all its natural glory is but a coast to coast brewery tour in disguise! A nationwide beer tasting journey of epic discovery. Many of these breweries have been on our bucket list, but we’ve also stumbled upon some previously unknown gems.

Of course, it’s impossible to boil down all the craft breweries in the country into a “Top 10” or even a “Top 100” list. But for all the beer aficionados out there, we thought we’d share a few of our favorites hop stops on our road trip (so far) and why. If you happen to find yourself in these states or towns you can be assured we put our seal of approval on these worthy servers of liquid gold libations.

So pour yourself a pint and pull up a chair as we list off our top ten favorite breweries from our cross country road trip in no particular order.

Ninkasi Brewing Company, Eugene, Oregon
Oh, Oregon…the beer capital of the West Coast, or so anyone there would tell you. Ninkasi is a lot bigger than we had realized, occupying several blocks. There was a building marked “Beer Lab” where we imagined many mad scientist type concoctions are given life. They don’t serve food, but have a few food trucks on standby outside serving mobile deliciousness. Who cares? It’s the beer you’re here for anyway, right?! The people are friendly, and the atmosphere is chill-meets-funky-punk. We recommend you try the Total Domination IPA.

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Kristin always favors the stouts and Matt’s a true IPA fan, but at the end of the day, all of the Ninkasi brews were delicious.

Liquid Riot, Portland, Maine
Sipping suds by the sea!! What could be better? Liquid Riot is a cool, dockside brewery and also a distillery. The setting is in the old, downtown historic district, right by the water. The salty air outside collides beautifully with the mighty mash inside for a tantalizing combination. A heavy wood and metal reclaimed décor offers beer and spirit loving patrons a long wooden welcoming bar that faces the brewery so one can watch the magic being made while they enjoy a pint. The people serving seem to be trendy hipsters and the guests are super talkative. We recommend you try the delicious White Chocolate Stout. (The only light colored stout we’ve ever seen!)

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Cute little tasters like this require Pinkie’s Up at Liquid Riot in Portland, Maine.

Allagash Brewing Company, Portland, Maine

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This huge, rustic sign makes quite a statement upon entry to the brewery and tasting room at Allagash Brewing Company.

An off-the-beaten-path warehouse is our favorite kind of brewery locale. This gem is full of surprises. It’s bright, big and clean with windows into the brewery next to the bar. Allagash is a proprietor of pallet loving perfection. You can’t buy a pint while you’re here, but you can buy all you want to-go. However, upon entry, you’ll receive a wooden token that gets you plenty of generous sample pours of their beers, including many that can’t be found anywhere outside of their brewery. We recommend you try one of their experimental, small-batch brews, in addition to their famous, flagship White Ale.

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The Allagash White was classically delicious, but the experimental brews were the highlight here.

The House of Pendragon (HOP) Brewing Company, Clovis, California
Don’t let the setting inside a strip mall fool you. House of Pendragon is refreshingly different. Yet another very cool taproom, with reclaimed decor throughout, this place is ideal for Kings and Dragons alike to toast with one another. With a wide range of IPA’s and Old Ale’s served in unique glassware, the setting is a great place to play cards and talk among friends at the round tables. Oh, and when you get hungry, don’t despair, because you can order authentic Vietnamese Pho fit for a king or queen from right next door, through the looking-glass wall, and they’ll deliver your piping hot bowl of goodness right to your knights table! As for the brews, we recommend you try their Empire Strikes Back IPA.

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Pull up a chair! Grab a sampler! And throw down some Skip-Bo domination! HOP – House of Pendragon

The Great Northern Brewing Company, Whitefish, Montana
You couldn’t ask for a better setting. Great Northern offers a vast assortment of tasty beverages on tap, served at both a cozy fireplace room downstairs as well as a taproom with a view upstairs. We recommend you fancy a pint in both settings. Try the Stout by the fireside downstairs, and then head up for an Amber Ale on the second floor balcony overlooking the Farmer’s Market across the street with incredible mountains lining the horizon. Build up an appetite to eat right there or at one of the many vendors down in the market. We recommend you take a stroll through the Farmer’s Market after a few pints and see all the cool, unique, local Montana offerings. If you’re lucky, a local band will be playing some Dave Brubeck.

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Yahoo! From The Great Northern Brewing Company in Whitefish, Montana. We felt our brews were well deserved after our epic mountain hike that same afternoon. P.S. Montana is AMAZING…if you need convincing just check out the pics on our MT blog post…

Maine Beer Company, Freeport, Maine
Beer, beer, and beer. No food, just damn good beer. Though they had a great mobile crepe stand (they must have known Kristin was coming) right outside to appease your appetite after you quench your thirst. This place is entirely solar powered and maintains high standards for quality and cleanliness. What more could you ask for: it’s green and it’s clean. As we understand, some of their beers have gained national recognition for must-try bucket list brews. Good for them! We recommend you try their “Lunch” beer at lunch time, or their also famous “Dinner” beer.

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Not much more you can ask for in a brewery…clean, green, friendly and delicious. And they’re do-gooders. All their tips go to charity and their mission is “Do What’s Right.” We love that. So drink up and tip big.
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Imagine if all companies, large and small, operated with a philosophy as powerful as this one. We think the world would be a pretty damn fine place. Maine Beer Company has their priorities straight.

Arch Rock Brewing Company, Gold Beach, Oregon
Ok, we have to admit it, you may never go to this brewery, because you may never find it! It is tucked away in the misty (or rainy) mountain base on the ever-so-swollen Hunter Creek, in the small town of Gold Beach, Oregon. It’s right across from our “home base” where we resided for six weeks during the Destination Tree Holiday Order Rush. I have to tell you, creating orders downwind from the smell of their mash was bliss. Arch Rock is a converted barn/garage that provides a simple list of fresh beer on demand. We recommend you fill a growler of Pistol River Pale Ale and go for a walk down the road to where the river meets the ocean and do a little gold hunting while the tide is low. Hoppy Hunting!

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The peace and beauty of Hunter Creek with the smell of fresh mash wafting through the air was the perfect setting for the creation of hundreds of Destination Tree Designs during our 6 weeks in Oregon.

Russian River Brewing, Santa Rosa, California
You knew it was coming. It’s a bucket list kind of place, just like most of our adventures in California. So, Russian River made the list by reputation and the sheer craziness to get into it on a Tuesday evening. Dueling lines of people, waiting outside the door is your first greeting. Then a friendly, but serious, bouncer filtering people in and out. One line to buy beer-to-go, another line to eat and drink in the brewery itself. After twenty minutes of waiting in the restaurant line, we decided to switch over to the grab-and-go line (although we hear their food is really yummy). Most people come here for their notoriously hard to find Pliny series (Both Elder and Younger). We bought a case of Pliny the Elder, and were a few weeks too early to score any Pliny the Younger. Surprisingly, they have a large array of sour beers which we tried and liked as well. We recommend you get in line early. Grab yourself a fresh Pliny and drink it right away. Don’t wait, as they like to say.

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Giddy for DAYS after scoring a case of Pliny the Elder from Russian River Brewing Co.

Chetco Brewing Company, Brookings, Oregon
Sometimes a place just seems REAL. Because it is. Authenticity isn’t something you can fake. Chetco was probably one of the friendliest breweries we frequented. We became temporary locals while we were stationed on the coast of Oregon for several weeks and this was our “Cheers” where everybody knew our name. Sit next to a stranger, make a new friend. It’s just that kind of place. Our very first visit we were welcomed by Rita, a pint-sized, bubbly, breath of fresh air who gave us a hug from there on out every time we saw her. One night we chatted with Mike, the owner and brewer, for at least an hour and learned all about his passion and knowledge of the craft. We decided Chetco needs a sign above the door: “Enter as strangers, leave as friends.” Oh, and we couldn’t help but love the “Gift Pint” board… you can buy a pint for a future visitor…i.e. Free Pint for the next Michigan Fan, Free Pint for the next firefighter. So, grab a pint (you can’t go wrong…all the beer is delicious!) while you make some new friends or play a pub game (Beer Trivia! Dominos!). Chetco will be your new local favorite.

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Smiles, pints and Dominos at Chetco Brewing Company in Brookings, Oregon.

Middleton Brewing, San Marcos, TX
This small brewery in Texas Hill Country was an awesome little find. There are actually several breweries in Hill Country, but we happened to be passing through on a day when most were closed. Fortunately for us, Middleton was open and welcoming. They greeted us with warm smiles and a small army of dogs…they took pet friendly to a new level and between the resident brew dogs, the visitor dogs and our own dogs, we felt like it was part Doggie Daycare! With a wide array of choices on tap, they’re quick to provide suggestions or offer tastings to help you choose. We snagged a few pints and headed up the spiral staircase to the rooftop patio with cool breezes, shady canopies, and vast, sweeping views of Texas Hill Country. It was the perfect place to sit and relax and also do some brainstorming on the biz. We recommend spending as much time as you can on the rooftop with a pint, a pooch and some popcorn.

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At Middleton Brewing Company you can enjoy treetop views of the Texas Hill Country while cute doggies eye up your pints and popcorn.

The Top Ten’s will continue…stay tuned for more highlights from our cross country adventures.

Cheers!
Matt

P.S. Wondering where these places are? Zoom in or move around the map to check out each of these craft brewery locations.

Inspiration Around the World

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We’re thrilled to celebrate Number Eight Hundred!! That’s right. A total of 800 pieces of Destination Tree artwork including centerpieces, driftwood signs and driftwood collages are displayed all around the world.

Number Eight Hundred
Each piece of Destination Tree artwork is labeled with a unique artwork number on the back. And we could hardly believe it when we reached EIGHT HUNDRED!!

And to commemorate this milestone, we’d like to share a fun little poem highlighting some of the special places this artwork now calls “home”.

Hanging from porches and pool-side torches, breweries and vineyards alike,
Beach retreats and mountain peaks, and on trails where people hike.

Shipped to celebrity hosts, and hunters of ghosts,
And weddings where people cheers and toast.

Gracing vacation homes, military bases, and fancy hotel lobbies,
Chicken coops, island mansions and rooms for people’s hobbies.

Brides & grooms, living rooms, hospitals where patients wait,
Designer stores, cabin doors, we’re in almost every state.

Studios, corner offices, and places where leaders meet,
Ice cream shops, house boats, and mailboxes by the street.

Our clients are a diverse group, but all share in the same great taste,
With a passion for quality and a love for the planet, we let nothing go to waste.

Our artwork hangs, stands or leans, and can be found places worldwide,
Wherever it goes, we aim to inspire, our journey’s been one wild ride!

Cheers to our clients, friends, family and supporters who have encouraged us and all been a part of the journey of Destination Tree.

Matt

Here are the “destinations” of our Destination Tree artwork…feel free to zoom in and move around. We look forward to adding a pin on the map for you!

What’s it look like creating hundreds of pieces of driftwood artwork while traveling the country on a year long road trip? Take a look!

Driftwood Artwork Creation
Custom coordinates have become one of our most popular pieces of artwork for housewarming and wedding gifts.
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Sanding and sorting driftwood, packaging and engraving…all in a days work. Makers gonna make!
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The holidays are especially busy, and this was one half of a day’s outgoing orders. Destination Tree – WORLDWIDE!
DT Stamping Party
It’s a Stamping Party! We manage business on the road by being super organized, utilizing every speck of space, and doing tasks in batches.
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The mobile Destination Tree headquarters. Where artwork is created and then shipped anywhere in the world.

 

The Apache Trail

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Come Take a Drive With Me

About an hour east of Phoenix, Arizona tower the Superstition Mountains, aptly named so because of the numerous legends (i.e. that of lost treasure, strange creatures, and even UFOs) surrounding this area. You may have read the overview of our Desert Adventures, but come take a drive with me as we explore this roughly 120 mile scenic drive that loops in and around the Superstitions as well through the canyons, lakes, mines and ghost towns within. The next time you are headed to or through Phoenix, do your absolute best to take an extra day for an adventurous drive a lifetime.

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Starting at the base of the Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction, follow Route 88 east…and notice where the road changes color…that’s where pavement turns to dirt…and adventure begins.

Part of the 120 mile loop is a 28 mile stretch of unpaved adventure that lies deep within the mountains and is quite simply an epic drive for the bravest and craziest of souls with four wheel drive. It’s name… The Apache Trail.

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Things start off pretty flat and scenic, with blue skies telling nothing of the treacherous terrain on the way.

It is insane white-knuckle terrain that has been cleaved out of the steep mountain sides. Do not, I repeat do not take this journey, if one lane, twisted, washboard, unpaved, guardrail-less, sun-in-your-eye, thousand-foot-drop-off paths are not your thing.

The trail started where the pavement met the dirt high up in the mountains after we had already driven at least an hour (with several stops for gawking, pictures and a picnic lunch), and it is the turning around point for the timid. With the scent of crisp, dry, desert cacti filtered air wafting through our open windows, the road seemed unassuming to us at first.

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Mountains, prickly pear and Arizona blue skies…right before the pavement ends.

The sandy gravel path began a slight decline as our hot rubber tread dug in deep, much like my fingers would dig into the handlebar on the front cart at the summit of a monstrous roller coaster who teases its riders right before the spine straightening plummet.

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That road sign signaled the beginning of the end…and 10 MPH is pretty generous on the hairpins and washboard…

Quickly the dirt road narrowed to the thickness of one lane as the high mountain desert roadside began to drop off significantly. Maybe it was the heat of the high altitude, or that of the sun shining directly through the windshield into our faces that caused sweat to pool up on my forehead, but more than likely it’s because we were feverishly looking for the slightest hint of advance notice for an oncoming vehicle. Our heads whipped around side to side as we glanced to see how much room we had to navigate our tires. Too close to the right side and we could easily have painted reddish colored racing pinstripes along our white truck, courtesy of the jagged rock wall face. While too close to the left and the thought of recreational base jumping began to dance our minds as the valley floor became quite visible a few thousand feet beneath us.

Despite the challenging drive, Kristin did an awesome job calmly helping me navigate while her head was on a swivel soaking up the scenery. I was able to catch snippets of the all-encompassing beauty of the landscape below while darting glances between it and the shoulder-less road ahead.

We descended further. As we descended, we joked. Can you imagine riding a bike on this road? It wasn’t but 20 minutes later when the first group of oncoming furiously pedaling cyclists passed by us. Determined or psychotic, we couldn’t decide.

There were no guard rails, only an occasional extra wide spot where two cars had an opportunity to pass one another. Passing outside of this small area would mean almost certain doom for the vehicle on the outside lane. Luckily we were on the inside. We were convinced that a smaller four wheel drive vehicle would have been best for this trip (i.e. Jeep vs Truck…keep this in mind if you decide to partake on this adventure), but there we were…too late now.

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The road winds like a serpent, disappearing from view between each hairpin turn.

The vast sweeping views of red and yellow glistening valley rock, the hawks soaring through the wind at our eye level, and the many giant saguaro cacti looking like an army of tiny fist-pumping soldiers covering the desert below made the trek absolutely worth it; especially knowing that much of it has been unexplored by humans due to its rugged inaccessibility. Truly it was an awe inspiring landscape, creating a strong distraction from the focus needed for the treacherous path that lay ahead.

Down, down, still further down we made our way, one foot on the brake to slow our descent almost the entire time until a bridge way at the bottom came into view. There’s no turning back, so we continued to push on. We knew it was inevitable, and then suddenly we saw it. A vehicle coming up the path directly towards us. We sure as hell weren’t going to reverse it up the mountain and to avoid having these poor souls back down the road, my eyes happened upon a wide spot around the next curve about 200 feet ahead us. Off with the brake and on with the gas we raced to the only area wide enough for two vehicles to squeak past. Once there, we waited, waved, and each continued on our treacherous paths.

Nearing the bottom of the trail we glimpsed huge cavernous rock formations and vertical rifts in the mountain where I can only imagine cascading waterfalls once carved their way through the rock on their several thousand foot drop now above us. A crazy, but insanely beautiful drive…even as the road disappears and reappears like a snake, coiling around the vertical cliff side.

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The real challenge is how to fully appreciate this amazing view, while also hauling ass to get to the bottom before encountering oncoming vehicles. Note: The teeny tiny car at the bottom in a sole turnaround spot.

Finally, after what seemed like an hour later (but was maybe 20 minutes), the bridge at the bottom greeted us like a marathon finish-line tape. We made it! Once over it, we were rewarded with an unbelievable 360 degree view which I can only describe as feeling like a pair of victorious Roman gladiators gazing up into the stands of the magnanimous stone Colosseum now surrounding us. We decided, it was the perfect spot to take a selfie proving we had conquered the mighty challenge.

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Our “Success Selfie”! We made it through the tough part! (Notice the straight line across the cliff, just above Matt’s hat. That was the road we just drove!

From there the dirt section of the Apache Trail continued, but with fewer hairpin turns, before connecting to paved road again at the Roosevelt Dam.

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Nothing but blue skies and washboard ahead!
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Such a beautiful contradiction to see lakes alongside the desert terrain…
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The Roosevelt Dam marks the end of the 28 miles of dirt road…you can turn back around and do it all over again (on the outside edge!) or keep going and finish the full loop like we did.

All in all, it was completely worth the gallon of sweat lost and heart palpitations we endured. The Apache Trail and it’s subsequent loop is a must-do for adventure seekers looking for bragging rights as they brave their way through the drive of a lifetime. Another must-see along the way is the Tonto National Monument which is a perfect, shady afternoon hike to an amazing, ancient cliff dwelling.

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Relax your nerves after a treacherous drive with a scenic climb and see how these ancient cliff dwellers lived their lives on the mountain side at Tonto National Monument.

And if you time it right, as you loop back to Phoenix after a long, incredible day, you’ll be blinded by an incredibly gorgeous sunset as you recount the adventures of the day and leave the Superstition Mountains behind.

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Blinding, but beautiful. Time to head home.

So if you have a spare day to spend in and around the Phoenix area this is how we recommend you fill it. And if you don’t have one…..make one!

Cheers to the adventurous souls,

Matt

A Walk Through a Redwood Forest

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How does it feel to stand among the tallest living trees? To be present with these time travelers of enormous proportions? To gaze up hundreds of feet to their towering canopy and to spread your arms around a fraction of their 90+ foot circumference? I had always wanted to know what it was like and for those that would share the same desire, I’ll describe it to you as best I can. So, come take a walk with me through a Redwood Forest.

A walk among the Redwoods is a magical and soul stirring experience.
A walk among the Redwoods is a magical and soul stirring experience.

Kristin and I were fortunate to spend several weeks exploring and hiking among these gentle giants on our year long journey across the country and never lost our sense of wonder at the magnificence of these forests.

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Just when we think we’ve seen the biggest Redwood there is, we find another, and another. (Although, we’re pretty sure this one was the record holder on our hikes) And ultimately, each and every one is awe-inspiring.

The first sense to awaken when I encounter them is my vision. My eyes explode open to the site of a darkly enchanting greenish hued city of living sky scrapers. It really stuns you. You want to say something, but all that comes out is the faint sound of awe, escaping your lungs through your mouth.

Weaving between each Redwood takes your senses into overload.
Weaving between each Redwood takes your senses into overload.

No forest you’ve ever been to, nor movie you’ve ever watched, can even come close to preparing you for the moment. It’s not just the towering trees, but everything around you that your eyes absorb. Carpets of emerald and lavender colored clover greet you from below.

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The clover lined trail is like stepping into a fairy tale, and each clover leaf hid a purple hue on the other side.

Every step is cushioned with a springy softness from rust-colored needles. Nurse logs sheltering tiny insects and animals turn into dark, rich, living soil with ferns and new life bursting from their trunks. Soft green lichens coat the sides of auburn-brown trunks as your eyes take in this foreign environment.

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A glimpse at a fallen giant, who’s life renews as it nurses new growth and allows new light to the forest below.

Then comes the smell. The scent in the air is next to overwhelm you. Earthy and grounding, yet freshly enlightening, with a slight feeling of a chill that surrounds you. In essence, the smell of life untainted by human influence. The thick bark smells of an unyielding strength, the kind of strength that has outlasted fires, floods, droughts and animals. The earthiness of your path is like nature’s perfume from the near constant falling of needles and twigs that rains down from the forest above. All of these important characters play a role in a collective aroma that breathes new life into you as you inhale the forest atmosphere.

Lastly, I find myself immersed in the sound of the trees. Or lack thereof. We don’t think of the trees as talking to one another, probably because their language is foreign to us. But they do. Like the birds in the air or the whales in the sea, I fully believe all life forms have their way of communicating. Trees are no exception to that. With no pocket translator to decipher, I attempt to hear what they are saying. Are they trying to teach me something? Are they simply talking amongst themselves? I don’t know for certain, but I’m intrigued.

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These giants have a language…in silence, in soft breezes and in creaking settling, as one with the earth.

At other times, I hear nothing. A nothingness so quiet, absent of all sound that the only sound I hear is that of my heart beating in my ear. I feel the giant sentinels are looking down on me with curious thoughts of my intentions. Unlike the loggers of a past era, I stand now in their midst with an appreciation of them, and somehow I think they know that. And then seemingly all at once, the sound of 300 pipe organs erupts, all playing on their deepest key as the trees begin talking to one another through the breeze now setting in. The swaying and creaking and shaking and bending produce an unreal bellowing sound that can be felt all through the ground, up into my feet, and clear through to my spine.

And with the breeze, comes yet another round of tiny detached pieces of these living specimens fluttering down from high up in the canopy above. For hundreds of feet there are no branches on these auburn pillars to catch the plummeting, tiny particles raining down.

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Your path is soft and springy, strewn with needles, branches, leaves and soil. Making each step feel like you’re being lifted by the Redwood Forest.

We remove our hats and attempt to catch falling needles for good luck, before they fall to the forest floor, and indeed we do. Fortune favors us today. With my senses clearly overwhelmed, I have a love for this ancient landscape.

So what is it like to stand in the presence of a giant redwood forest? In a word, to me anyways, it’s like heaven. Forget puffy clouds and pearly gates, and putting aside the numerous religions and their afterlife, if heaven truly exists, this is how I would imagine it to be.

Cheers to the tall ones,

Matt

Unexpected Inspiration – A Vision for the Year Ahead

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Welcome to 2016. The best year of your life!

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The beginning of a new year…with new choices on which direction we want to take our life.

It’s a clean slate. A fresh start. A blank canvas. A time for planning out the year ahead. Well, with 2015 now having come to its close, there is much for me to ponder over. In particular, the things I want to accomplish this year, but more importantly the man I want to become. That is to say, the version of me I will grow into in the year ahead, Matt Rogers Version 37.0. The biggest question I get to answer is: How? How after 3+ decades of living do I evolve into a better version of myself? After all, if I’m not GROWING and CHANGING for the better, then I’m DYING and STAGNATING for the worse.

You see, somewhere around the age of 19, I began physically writing down goals for who and what I wanted to become in the year ahead. I hesitate to use the word ‘resolution’ instead of ‘goals’, as it seems that New Year’s Resolutions have taken on the reputation of being shallow promises made by not-so-serious people attempting to hop on the good-intention-bandwagon. Despite the bad rap, New Year’s Resolutions are certainly better than nothing at all. And ultimately, identifying goals and writing them down is the best way to make them a reality.

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Rain out the window of the Destination Tree Headquarters…it followed us from Oregon to California.

So, as I sit here and ponder, looking through the window of the mobile Destination Tree Headquarters, currently here in Fresno, CA I can’t help but find myself distracted by a small boy, around the age of four or five running around to and fro in the distance. He’s splashing through puddles wearing a light blue jacket, striped pants, yellow rain boots, and topped off with a red cap as well as yellow and green mismatched mittens. A mismatched outfit not unlike one I would have worn as a kid. The more I watch him living out the exploration of his surroundings, in the fine mid-morning rain, the more I grow inspired thinking about my future self and the year ahead. Inspired to be alive, and excited just like him. Or rather I should say, a 37-year-young version of him.

That’s it! My goal for the year ahead is to LIVE! Not just exist, but to live with the all-encompassing senses of an adventuresome kid again. Eager to explore the world around us. To see past the “grown-up” blinders, and into the truly amazing world that exists beyond them. Who would have thought this pint sized fellow was a little walking (and splashing) epiphany?

He doesn’t care about the name of the brand embossed on his clothes. Or that he’s wearing a full spectrum of mismatched colors. He’s not attempting to impress others with the way he looks or fancy material possessions. His focus is on happily living in the moment. Making the most of what he has, while he has it, and sharing the concept with those he cares about.

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One of our favorite custom driftwood sign collages…perspective, attitude and gratitude are everything.

This little guy isn’t thinking up convincing stories to justify or lie or deflect responsibility for why he’s covered in puddle water. The thought doesn’t even enter his head as he proudly takes ownership over his actions. He’s not sitting on the curb dwelling over all that did or didn’t go as planned for him this past year, instead he’s focused on seizing the day and that of the world around him. There’s no negativity or ungratefulness in the way he carries himself. On the contrary, he’s actually filling me with a positive outlook. I’m gaining a feeling of grateful inspiration, with ideas of hope for an even brighter year ahead!

To my knowledge, watching him swat a branch through the air in front of him isn’t out of hate, spite, nor to get even with another kid. He’s doing what he’s doing out of curiosity for the unknown and to test the boundaries of what he knows or thinks he knows. Every rock he overturns is a different treasure hunt. Each tree he stands under looking up into is a new challenge. Around the fence behind him he knows a new journey awaits. Where many adults struggle and see only fear or obstacles, he helps remind me to see opportunities for the year ahead. He reminds me that I don’t have all the answers, and that I have to keep questioning what I think I know. If I am to keep learning and growing myself, then I have to keep questioning. Who, what, when, where, why and how are the six most important questions ever invented in my opinion.

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We all have a goofy, fun-loving kid inside of us. Let yours run free now and then.

And then it happens. Just like that, he’s gone. The pint sized version of me has vanished. And I realize I have no way to thank him. Perhaps he’s off to a new adventure, or simply off to lunch. I’ll never know. But he helped remind me to be a boy at heart, so that I too can live by example. It was an unexpected reminder from an unexpected person. A reminder that to really be a grownup is to know that we never truly “grow up”. That we all have a curious kid inside who waits for the chance to guide us along the path of positivity, wonder and exploration.

So, cheers to you little man, wherever you are, and thank you for helping guide me with my new goals for the year ahead. To exist is not to live, to live is to live. So here’s to making 2016 a better version of ourselves, a year of living, of enjoying every moment. May this be the best year of your life.

Cheers!

Matt

Histories, Mysteries and a Sasquatch Hunt

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Behind every intriguing location in our country, there lies a story within. From ghost towns to battle grounds, and pyramids to whispering woods. Sometimes those stories are old, real old…as in ancient. While others are still unfolding as they’re being told today. These places can be so rich with history that they don’t require a whole lot of imagination. Still, some others require us to open our minds up with the magic of believing.

So, on our trek to explore this mystery packed country, we’ve made it a point to explore the hidden truths behind some very cool paranormal places. In order from east to west, we thought we’d shed some light on some of the unusual locations we’ve explored, and I’ve added a recommendation for what you might want to do at each place if you find yourself with an extra half an hour to spare while there.

TAPS Headquarters, Warwick, RI (The Atlantic Paranormal Society)

Even though the location isn’t haunted (that we know of) it was still way-cool to visit the place where some of my heroes in the world of paranormal investigation started it all. Though I think their headquarters has moved due to the popularity, they seem to have left this original (seemingly abandoned) headquarters for posterity. If you have 30 minutes to spare, checkout the tattoo parlor next door and meet the locals who have plenty of stories to tell from while the crew worked here.

TAPS Headquarters
TAPS Headquarters

White Horse Tavern, Newport, RI

Claimed to be America’s oldest tavern, dating back to 1673, I went for a walk inside, while Kristin stayed outside on the patio with the dogs. While I was in there, I was greeted by a server who asked me if I needed anything. It was a hot day and so I asked for an iced tea, after which he then proceeded to get me one and seemingly disappeared. True story. After several minutes I didn’t want to keep Kristin waiting, so I just left. However, this tavern is high on my want-to-go-back-to list as many of the locals claim it is full of spirits. The upstairs level is legit as many workers said they refused to go up there alone!!! Did I encounter a spirit? Or just a really busy server during a non-busy afternoon? I’ll have to go back to find out… Spend 30 minutes with a cold beer at the original bar in-front of the original stone fireplace paying attention to everything around you.

That ghost never did bring me an iced tea...
That ghost never did bring me an iced tea…

Gettysburg, PA

A truly sobering place, overflowing with history and energy. One can’t help but be saddened when walking the fields and battlegrounds. Over 40,000 lives lost. I couldn’t help feeling like we were never really alone there. Not in a creepy way. But more of a crowded yet comforting way. Many people have seen, heard, and even video recorded spirits roaming these fields. I wish we had more evenings and mornings roaming the lands there. When you have thousands of people perish in some of the worst conditions imaginable, there’s going to be loads of residual energy left there. If you have 30 minutes, check out the Circular diorama room. It’s an artwork wrapped wall and presentation like you’ve never seen inside the museum that does an incredible job telling an abbreviated story of this historic place.

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The museum and the grounds are a must-visit destination regardless of your interest in history.

Serpent Mound, OH

It was huge! The biggest snake we’ve ever seen! Even though this one didn’t move, it sure was a moving experience to be walking around it. It’s the largest known serpent effigy in the world. From the ground it was unrecognizable, but from the air above (in this case a tower built next to it for viewing) the serpent took its shape. The real question I have is: Who was flying above Southern Ohio several thousand years ago to see it when it was created? Little known side fact: it is built on the rim of a large ancient crater.

And also peculiar is the astronomical significance of its construction – the serpent’s head points to the summer solstice sunset and the serpent coils point to the winter solstice sunrise and the equinox sunrise. With only a speculated age to go off of (from 1,000 to many thousand years old….) who were these ancient people that were capable of creating such a perfect construction, size, shape, height, and pointing to astronomical events?

The serpent from the viewing tower...
The serpent from the viewing tower…look at those tiny people on the pathway for some perspective!

Definitely worth seeing, in addition to the numerous other mounds built all around the area. Sadly, it is believed that less than 1% of all the mounds built by an ancient race are still in existence in the Midwest today. This is due largely in part to modern agriculture leveling these relics out to grow crops. What a shame. It would be nice to excavate in a way that didn’t destroy them, but allowed us to uncover more about the history, purpose and science behind these relics. Spend thirty minutes enlightening yourself with a book in the small shop there that shows in detail where all the other mounds and animal aerial shapes have been discovered in the Mid-West over our history and you will grasp just how far the reaches of this elder race was spread out.

The Ridges, Athens, OH

A massive and old lunatic asylum turned art museum on the grounds of Ohio University. This place went on and on. In the daytime we walked around it and did a little observing through the doors and up the stairwells of the off limits parts with our eyes. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get into any of the locked and off limits parts where a lot of the ghost stories originated. There are supposedly some disturbing legends that have occurred in here. We only saw artwork on the walls. Regardless this is one place at night even I admit that I wouldn’t want to be roaming around the corridors by myself if I didn’t have to. And Kristin wouldn’t be caught dead here after dusk. Fun fact, they had crocodiles in the front water fountain back in the early days when people thought that sort of thing was a good idea. Spend 30 minutes walking around the building looking inside windows and doors….you may just see someone looking back out at you.

The Ridges...not just one but several buildings, all in different states of repair and ill-repair.
The Ridges…not just one but several buildings, all in different states of repair and ill-repair.

Moonville Tunnel, OH

The ghost town of Moonville in southern Ohio is an old mining community with an abandoned railroad tunnel. With the goal of exploring the Moonville Tunnel and its supposed ghost stories, we never got the chance to see the actual tunnel. Our directions were way off. We ended up in a different part of the woods entirely. One thing’s for sure, these forests absolutely didn’t want us there. Down a winding dirt road, through a thin, poison-ivy and spider flanked trail, we made it about ¾ of a mile into the woods, when a fierce wind picked up out of nowhere. The day darkened, the trees threw down branches, sticks and leaves. We hauled ourselves out of there as fast as we could and made it back to the truck just as the rain started pouring down. If forests could talk, this one was saying GET OUT. If you make it here, get better directions than we did and spend 30 minutes taking a side tour of the old giant stone furnaces hidden in the woods where steel used to be smelted. I wouldn’t have guessed such an abandoned structure even existed.

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Giant furnace not too far from the Moonville Tunnel.

Cahokia Mounds, IL

Visiting a location like this only solidifies the fact that our history books are full of missing chapters. Christopher Columbus wasn’t the founder of America. In fact, this ginormous site is proof to me that chapters 1-17 are missing from what is taught to kids in American History class these days. Nobody truly knows what went on here, who built it, how it was built, when it was built, and why it was abandoned. Even the so-called “experts” admit they can only make guesses. There’s an entire museum that we nicknamed the “museum of speculation” because there is no evidence, no conclusive proof, and almost every plaque says things like, “we think”, “we believe” and essentially weaves a lot of assumptions to build a story about the lives and purpose of the mounds and the area.

It’s basically a city of pyramids of all shapes and sizes covered over by soil and trees from many centuries (or longer possibly) of abandonment. The craziest thing is its spread out over an area the size of a small city and its right under our noses. One can literally see downtown St. Louis from of top of the structures. Tell people America has massive pyramids and most of them will look at you dumbfounded and think you’re a crackpot. This is one place I would love to help excavate (though how convenient, excavations are not permitted here). So, exactly what is it we don’t want to uncover about our own history? Spend 30 minutes not in the museum but on top of one of the many pyramids trying to imagine living in this prehistoric metropolis.

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That’s just the first stairway to the first platform of Monks Mound. From the top you could see St. Louis and also the Woodhenge circle calendar marking sunrise on solstices and equinoxes (sound familiar?!)
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Sobering reminders along the highways of South Dakota.

South Dakota Road Markers

Little did we know that South Dakota places signs on the side of the road at the scene of every automobile accident where there was a fatality. It is a chilling reminder about how life is precious and can be taken at a moment’s notice. It was both sad and creepy as we passed hundreds of these signs and the invisible faces next to them as we crossed the state. A good reminder for everyone to pay attention while driving for sure. Spend all 30 extra minutes focusing on driving so you don’t become a roadside statistic.

Minuteman Missile Silo and Delta-01 Underground Command Center, National Historic Site

Way off the beaten path, down a dirt road, in the middle of nowhere, next to Badlands and Ranchlands, lies a small, unassuming building, behind a tall barbed wire fence. The mystery of this place however lies deep underground. After a ride in a tiny elevator down many floors, we stepped into a tunnel that led to a command center. The underground command center had a three foot thick rebar door, and was suspended in a huge hydraulic chamber designed to take a direct hit from a nuclear blast.

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That is one freakin’ thick door!

Completely self-sustainable with its own food, water, electricity, and “old-school” computer system…i.e. un-hackable. Maybe not “para” but this place is definitely way outside the “normal” that one would ever visit. In the room was everything needed to begin and end World War III.

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Deliver a pizza, or a missile, in 30 minutes or less!
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The Command Center…seems pretty old-fashioned, but un-hackable, indestructible, and capable of launching a missile to start and end WWIII.

The Delta-09 missile site was just down the road in another underground chamber and the fact that we were even able to explore both of these places was awesome.

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The Delta-09 Missile Site

A very limited number of people are given access to it every year and it’s the only one of its kind (that still has a missile in the silo) that offers public tours. Spend 30 minutes (or at least 5 since the officers in charge of showing you around keep to a strict time table) sitting in the living quarters picturing yourself existing here day and night constantly on immediate standby to launch Armageddon.

Vore Buffalo Jump, WY

A natural rock-shaped punchbowl, so to speak, where Native American’s corralled the buffalo herds over the edge when hunting and preparing for winter. Thousands of hairy horned beasts lay down in the bottom for their final sleep. Kind of sad, but at least the beasts weren’t wasted by their hunters. Spend 30 minutes eating lunch there as it is in the middle of nowhere and makes a scenic picnic spot while viewing the vast prairies.

Devil’s Tower, WY

Even the locals and Native Americans believe this to be a beacon for the unexplained. It truly is nature’s skyscraper. One feels very small standing near it.

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Standing near Devil’s Tower makes you stop and stare in awe. It’s a bit hypnotizing.

Theories abound about this place being a mecca for spirits, UFO’s, giant bears, and even portals to other dimensions, though none of which we saw while we were there. Oh, and it’s in the middle of nowhere by the way. Make sure you have a full tank of gas before going out there.

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Sunset at Devil’s Tower, simply breathtaking.

On your way you will be greeted by an army of prairie dogs fearlessly checking to see what you are up to. Spend 30 minutes taking in the towering majestic structure and stop and chat with the prairie dogs on your way out.

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Hello, Prairie Dog! He looks like he gets enough to eat.

Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, WA

Battery Kinzie is the concrete juggernaut that ominously watches over the coastline at Fort Worden State Park. It dares brave souls to enter in by day, and even braver ones on stormy nights. We happened to be there at dusk, as a storm rolled in.

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Battery Kinzie was an awesome place to explore at dusk…and it just got creepier and creepier as the storms rolled in.

The narrow hallways, heavy doors, graffiti-lined walls and abandoned munitions rooms – out of all those things it was the bloody (?) hand print on the wall that had our hair standing on end. Spend 30 minutes (or however long you think you can last) inside the walls at night in the deep dark recesses as you listen for voices of the past.

Welcome to Sasquatch Country

From Northern California to the top of Washington, we wandered the majestic forests in search of our furry giant friends. Outside of the occasional reminder (by Kristin) that I am part Sasquatch at 6’ 6”, we didn’t see any of the monsters. While in Northern California, in a random, untraveled creek bed during one of our day hikes, we did come across some tracks that were MUCH bigger than a man’s. Was it Bigfoot? I can’t prove that it was or wasn’t, but it sure was awesome to stumble upon.

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Look closely…it does look like a very large footprint, but hard to make any real determination…
This was the only Sasquatch we found...
This was the only Sasquatch we found…

That being said…it was on our quest deep in the woods of Wynoochee, WA (aka ground zero for Bigfoot in America), that we felt the closest to spotting one. This place was eerily beautiful and quiet, and gave us the impression that we were not alone. We walked the old logger roads for several hours when it dawned on us that strangely there wasn’t any wildlife out in these woods, not even a bird or chipmunk. I would have loved to have spent the night here, listening to the creatures communicate to each other by howls and tree knocks, but seeing as it took us several hours on winding dirt roads and old logging trails in 4×4 mode just to get there, that was as far as I could get Kristin to commit to. No chance in hell she’d spend the night here.

Bigfoot: 1
Matt & Kristin: 0

But we live to search again. Spend 30 minutes without saying a word or looking at your phone (there’s no reception out here anyway). Just listen to the woods talk while you walk under the old trees.

Gold Mining Ghost Towns of California

We had the opportunity to visit two ghost towns. Weaverville, still populated, and Shasta, very much abandoned. They were both full of history. We took a self-guided historical walk through Weaverville and imagined life here in the 1800s. One thing we know for sure: gold miners were reckless with fire, as their town burned down and was rebuilt several times.

In Shasta, you may want to watch where you step as you look for spirits of the past, as there are many more rattle snakes than specters that have since taken over management here.

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No ghosts or specters here, but it was fascinating to walk among the rubble left from the Gold Rush town of Shasta.

With an extra half hour, walk around the area off the beaten path and see if you can find any gold nuggets laying around on the ground. These places were loaded with it at one point and some of it was bound to be dropped while running from burning building to burning building!

Adventure Awaits

Overall, we’ve found that this country is full of awesome places just waiting to be explored – both well-known and off the beaten path. Whether for fun, for a history lesson, or for a good scare, there is always more to the story than meets the eye. Sometimes the darker, more mysterious parts are left out of the travel brochures. For good reason…perhaps. Or perhaps the other side of this truth is just too weird, disturbing, inconvenient, or just plain unknown to even mention. And of course, like the Boy Scouts, it’s always good to be prepared. Bear spray and a good IPA will usually do the trick.

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Bear spray? Check. Hoppy IPA? Check. Ready for adventure!

Stay tuned for more adventures as we continue our travels around the country. Cheers to adventure and the spirit of exploration!

Matt

Consciously Being Grateful

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Grateful Driftwood at Gold Beach, OR

As Thanksgiving Day nears I find myself thinking about life… it’s taken me many years to understand how my everyday choices have molded me into who I am. And the more thought I give to it, the more appreciation I feel for the things that make it so.

I once had someone tell me that, “The things we take for granted, will one day be taken from us.” I’ve digested that statement over and over again for years now and it’s led me this holiday season to ask myself the question of ‘Does one really have to lose something before they can have a true appreciation for it?’ In short… my answer today would be NO. One doesn’t have to lose something to fully appreciate it, if they do it right along their way. That being said, I am incredibly appreciative for the life I get to live right now. At the same time however I can’t help but feel the desire to be even more self-aware and grateful on a daily basis. Being thankful for what we have should never be condensed down into just one calendar day of the year.

So, as I sit here and write out my strategy to find a better way to treat every day like it was Thanksgiving (no, not eating until I pass out, but rather committing to spending time daily to be grateful), something begins to dawn on me. The more we experience the things that we have, from the miraculous to the simplest, the more they become invisible to us. We become so familiar with having these things in our daily lives that we lose sight of our appreciation for them and inevitably take them for granted.

So back to that statement I once heard of the things we take for granted, will one day be taken from us. Whether or not we make it true, imagine if everything you took for granted was gone tomorrow. This inspired me to write out a list of what I am most grateful for, yet I tend to often overlook and under-appreciate. I plan to review this list once a day while adding to it over time.

It is certainly an incomplete list, as I have more to be thankful for than I could ever list off, but here are the things that at the time of writing this, mean the most to me. The things I am choosing to be consciously grateful for every single day moving forward.

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Pacific Coast Gratefulness on the Beach

I’m grateful for:

  • The love and respect that my wife and I share for each other
  • My two wonderful parents who brought me up in a loving home
  • The bond that I share with my two brothers
  • A brain and body that allows me to see, hear, taste, smell and feel the world around me
  • My two ever faithful dogs

I’m grateful everyday for the choice I have:

  • To be optimistic
  • To maintain my dignity and respect for myself
  • To learn from my mistakes and try again when I fail
  • To choose the attitude I take with me everywhere, everyday
  • To have trust and hope
  • To see the good in others
  • To ask for help myself and not let my ego get in the way
  • To be a good listener
  • To be an original version of me, and not a replica of someone else
  • To be a gentleman
  • To teach and develop myself
  • To have a sense of humor
  • To see problems as possibilities
  • To not let vanity overtake me
  • To not let money or greed or power be the driver of me
  • To not let possessions define me
  • To appreciate differences in opinions
  • To realize that I’m not always right
  • To appreciate nature and its role in our world
  • To communicate effectively
  • To be open and willing to change
  • And lastly, I’m grateful for the choice I have to show my appreciation for how very fortunate I am to be alive and healthy to write this today.

For all these things, and many more, I am truly grateful. Each of these things are priceless to me. I couldn’t buy any of them with all the money in the world, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for it either. The more I look at this list, the more I realize how much gratitude is a choice and how much of a difference it makes in our lives.

So, thank you Thanksgiving, for reminding me yet again, why one day of self-awareness is simply not enough to show the appreciation for everything we ought to be grateful for. And thank you in advance to anyone willing to remind me to live by my list.

Cheers & Happy Thanksgiving!

Matt

Happy-Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from Destination Tree!

Here’s to the Wide Ones, the Heavy Ones, and the Slow Ones

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mr TAt some point, we’ve all impatiently driven next to a longer, larger vehicle in need of a little extra room to drive. Whether it be an 18 wheeler, a bus, an RV, a truck pulling a horse trailer, a landscaper towing their living, or your local garbage man making his rounds. I like to think of these guys and gals as “pace setters”, because more often than not, they are setting a careful pace for themselves and others on America’s highways and streets. Although what’s careful to them, usually seems annoying and far too slow to those around them.

I used to be just as guilty as anyone when it came to occasionally not giving them enough respect on the road. Whether it be when merging on a highway, changing lanes right in front of them, ignoring their blind spots, not giving them enough room to make a turn or any number of infractions. Sure, maybe I was distracted, or running behind, but really, I was just being impatient. And a bit oblivious. And ultimately, I just simply wasn’t paying enough attention to give them the appreciated respect they deserve.

Destination Tree - Montana
In the mountains of Montana.

Fast forward to today: It’s crazy, but I am now a pace setter! I have been for the last several months while venturing across America with our travel trailer, and I’m more aware than EVER. I’m well aware of the wide ones, the heavy ones and the slow ones, because I’m part of the club. And I also keep my eye out for the fast ones, the impatient ones, and the clueless ones (the way I used to be!). Wishing only that I could turn back the hands of time and give a few more large-load drivers some larger respect earlier on in my driving years.

mergingWith a 52 foot long truck and RV combo now, I really have to be on my game ALL of the time. If I miss a turn, I can’t just turn around anywhere. It could be miles before I get another chance. If I need gas, I have to visually evaluate each gas station before deciding if I can navigate in and out of it without running something or someone over. Every highway on-ramp magnetically pulls my eyes to see who is carelessly merging and forcing me to floor the gas pedal or slam on my brakes. With a payload of over 15,000 pounds, slowing down or stopping unexpectedly can be a mobile game of rolling the dice for us. I don’t like dice.

Destination Tree truck and trailer
The 52′ long Destination Tree truck and trailer, pulled over at a Wyoming Visitors Center.

And on a windy day on the highway, riding alongside pace setters can be like line dancing in a narrow hallway with a couple of baby elephants. One bump and you’re done. And the baby elephants will always win. Quick piece of advice for any driver…if you need to pass a large, heavy, over-sized vehicle: do it quickly! Because having someone ride along in your blind spot is really fun! Said no one, ever. Oh, and to the drivers who speed up and cut over at the last minute before a lane closure in an upcoming construction zone…there’s a special place in hell for you.

jaywalkMy all-time, least-favorite experiences have not been from motorists, but from crossing pedestrians. That’s right, pedestrians have the right of way: IN A CROSSWALK! Don’t get me wrong, I’m always cautious of pedestrians, but the big guys don’t stop quick, even when they’re going slow. So give them their dues, and give them seven more seconds before crossing the street. On a personal note, I don’t think I’ll ever be jay walking outside of a crosswalk anymore.

Okay, okay. I’ll step down from my high horse now and just say that it pays to put the impatience, frustration, and immortal feelings aside, when we’re in the presence of pace setters. We’ll all eventually get to where we’re going, just give them a break from time to time. For anyone who’s ever had a large load, you know what I’m talking about. And to anyone who hasn’t, just learn from my mistakes and keep this little story in mind. Because one day you just might.

Destination Tree on the road, Hoh Rainforest
On the Road in the Hoh Rainforest, Forks, Washington.

All in all, despite the learning lessons of being a pace setter, and the white-knuckled moments of towing a trailer across the country, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Cheers to sharing the roads with each other, and safe travels to you!

Matt

One Year Later.

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There’s a lot of truth behind the statement that we overestimate what we can do in a day and underestimate what we can do in a year.

One year later...looking back...And, while it’s easy to measure the results of a 24 hour period, measuring a full year can be a good deal trickier. I say ‘tricky’ because not everything that can be measured matters and not everything that matters can be measured.

So, exactly how does one go about measuring a year? (On a side note, Kristin just started singing a song from Rent to demonstrate how to measure a year… “five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred miiiiinnnnutes…” and now we all have that Broadway classic stuck in our heads).

But, back to our discussion of measurement. I could outline the number of tasks completed, revenue generated, web trends or any other number of statistics to try and measure this past year. However, while those numbers and trends are useful in their own right, I believe the system of measuring that matters most is the one that lets us know the resulting positive impact we’ve had on the world around us and the people in it.

About one year ago, I had just finished making a significant change in my life after departing what was a great company, filled with truly amazing people. I set sail leaving behind a corporate career for a challenging, new and exciting lifestyle in the uncharted waters of the world of entrepreneurship. Thus, Destination Tree was founded. Our mission: to inspire each other to enjoy and appreciate life’s events, challenges and destinations through the joy of custom crafted, meaningful artwork.

IMG_1479Now, that being said, in looking back and measuring the last year, I can honestly say it has been a success!

  • With a lot of hard work, TONS of trial and error, and long brainstorming evenings, we’ve been fortunate enough to build on our idea and grow our inspirational presence to a global level.
  • Originally, Kristin was helping both with Destination Tree and succeeding greatly to help grow a different, awesome company, but has since joined in the full time development of Destination Tree.
  • We’ve had the pleasure of working with some truly wonderful clients who have let us in on their lives so we could help them tell their stories through our artwork.
  • Through the process we found renewed inspiration in our own lives and kicked off an adventure traveling the US while we pursue our entrepreneurial dreams and inspire others to follow theirs (whatever they may be).
  • One of our greatest successes, is that we no longer wait for the time left at the end of the day or the end of the week…we now spend more quality time together than ever before.

The funny thing is, once we made the decision to create, build and then transition this business (and our life) on the road, it helped us reaffirm that we truly can accomplish any challenge we place before us. One thing’s for sure, it takes hard work…and perseverance…and flexibility…and patience…and persistence…and the willingness to keep learning. Just like so many things worth doing require. There have been and will continue to be challenges, but it’s worth it. And we haven’t had a single moment of regret.

IMG_2744 What’s next for the business? One thing’s for certain, we have no plans to become a mass produced chain store novelty. Our plan is to grow, but grow on our terms, in accordance with the original mission in mind: Custom, hand-crafted inspiration!

So, thank you to everyone who has supported us, helped us, guided us, partnered with us, purchased from us, spread the word about us, and even doubted us. Your fuel has played a role in driving our cause.

With one year now come and gone, we are very excited about year number two and the future beyond. Looking back, perhaps we are a little crazy… but we are definitely inspired!

So here’s to our supporters and cheers to the future!

Matt

An Intruder in Montana

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bear-countryI bolted upright. What was that!?!? Where the hell was that commotion coming from? I heard a terribly unsettling noise. Flashes of the posters we’ve seen warning of bears raced across my mind. I didn’t know what day it was, so many have passed that they have begun to blend together since setting off on our journey. What I did know, was that this sound was close. So close, it jolted me up from the comforts of my sleep. Wait. There it was again. It was louder now, and seemingly more menacing than before.

I was awake now and sitting straight up. Motionless. Not a muscle twitching. This time the noises were so loud that I realized it wasn’t coming from outside the RV, but from INSIDE. A hair raising feeling inside began to overtake me. Fearing not only for my safety, but also for the others in this tiny space with me, I decided I had to take action. This vile creature, whatever it was, was moving rapidly closer now, from what appeared to be everywhere. It lurched from one wall to the other. Occasionally, bumping its head across our 7’2” ceiling.

Glancing around me I saw the bear spray hanging by the door, but it was out of reach. I looked at the pocket knife across the room on the table, no good to me. Like a wild animal being hunted, it was time to turn the tables and make the predator my prey. My lips curling back now and hair standing on end, I realized my only available option…I would have to use my wolf-like teeth to bite into it.

I remained completely still and then lunged at it. Snap! Snap! Snap! I commenced the thrashing of my teeth at it. Missing each time, but relentless and not giving up, I continued the attack.

And then…I heard a voice say to me, “Did you get it, Lucy?” I paused and turned to my dad, Matt, who was sitting on the corner of the bed watching me. “Did you get that nasty fly? It was a big one, wasn’t it?” I thought to myself. “No, dad, I missed it,” as I walked over to him to get my consoling head rub. Next time, I won’t fail you, I thought. Next time that fly is mine. “Good girl, Lucy.”

Tales of Fly Hunting: By Lucy the Great.

About Us

At Destination Tree we create handcrafted driftwood signs, collages and centerpieces. Each piece of artwork is completely unique and inspired by your story.

Our Mission

To create handcrafted, meaningful artwork that helps tell the story of your journey, one destination at a time.

Connect With Us

PO Box 156, Petoskey, MI 49770
info@destinationtree.com