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Our Route Across the Country – Part 8

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We often come up with a rough plan of our route as we travel the country on our year long adventure, but weather often plays a stronger role than any destinations we attempt to outline. So, flexibility, acceptance and patience are all well practiced and frequent reminders on our journey especially during Part 8 of our route map below. And of course, here are links to catch up on any earlier segments of our route and travel highlights:

Next up…Sweet Home Aaaalabaaaama…(we’re singing too)

Part VIII
March 8 – March 15, 2016

After enjoying the incredible beauty of Big Bend National Park as well as BBQ, Beer and the Gulf Coast of Texas, we stopped in Livingston, TX (our official residence while on the road) where our RV Club Headquarters is located. We needed to pick up mail and packages and take care of a few odds and ends.

Our plan from there was to spend some time in the south, including Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. However, weather once again factored into our timing and direction. With a huge storm coming in, we cut our time short in Livingston, and got on the road sooner than planned to try and outrun the storm by heading east as quickly as we could. Threats of severe storms, damaging hail and winds and flooding made us skip right outta Texas, straight through Louisiana and Mississippi until we crossed into Alabama which seemed to be the cutoff for the storms.

We were disappointed we had to bypass part of the south so quickly, however we thoroughly enjoyed AL-a-BAMA (say it like Forrest Gump). We splurged on southern cuisine, explored the U.S.S. Alabama and the Gulf Shores, and just happened to get on the evening news while enjoying a pint at Fairhope Brewery!

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The U.S.S. Alabama
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Don’t mess with a man, his dog, and their tank.

Came across the Alabama War Dogs Memorial the other day and took a moment to let these words sink in: “AN UNHERALDED BREED OF SOLDIER LET ALL WHO READ THESE WORDS OF GRATITUDE AND PRAISE KNOW THAT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICA’S FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN OWE THEIR LIVES TO THE DEEDS AND COURAGE OF WAR DOGS AND THEIR HANDLERS, FURTHER, LET IT BE KNOWN THAT MANY BREEDS OF DOGS, LARGE AND SMALL, SERVED OUR NATION IN TIMES OF WAR, ALL GOING INTO HARM’S WAY WITH DISTINCTION AND VALOR – UNHESITATING. LET US NOT FORGET THESE UNSUNG HEROES ARE SOLDIERS, TOO! THESE VALIANT DOGS PROTECT OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN THROUGH COUNTLESS PERILS, GIVE COMFORT IN UNCERTAINTY, AND SHARE THE SUFFERING AND THE RISKS IN THE TIME OF WAR. OVER THE DECADES, MANY OF THESE DOGS HAVE MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE, GIVING THEIR OWN LIVES TO SHIELD OUR ARMED FORCES AND MILITARY ASSETS FROM HOSTILE ACTS. CANINES IN THE ARMED FORCES CONTINUE THAT NOBLE TRADITION AROUND THE WORLD TODAY. THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED BY THE PATRIOTIC PEOPLE OF ALABAMA FOR ALL TO BEAR WITNESS IN REMEMBRANCE TO THESE FAITHFUL WAR DOGS AND THEIR ALABAMA HANDLERS. THOSE WHO LEAVE THIS PLACE SHOULD REMEMBER THE DEEDS AND SACRIFICES OF THESE FOUR-LEGGED SOLDIERS. FURTHERMORE, SEE IN EVERY DOG, THE UNCONDITIONAL LOYALTY INHERENT IN WAR DOGS AND GLIMPSE A REFECTION OF THEIR SHOULDER-BROTHERS’ HEROIC ACTIONS. THESE TEAMS UNHESITATNGLY FIGHT FOR RIGHT AND FOR OUR NATION’S FREEDOMS. LEST WE FORGET, WE SHOULD HOLD THEM DEAR IN OUR HEARTS AND HONOR THEIR COURAGE.” #destinationtreeontheroad #wardogs #k9veteransday #dogsofinstagram #alabama #ussalabamabattleshipmemorialpark

A photo posted by Destination Tree (@destinationtree) on

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With the south getting pounded with rain, all the waterways were at capacity, which meant at high tide, the bay was washing on to the freeway in Mobile…we were pretty thankful we traveled as far as we did to avoid the severe storms!
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While exploring the Gulf Shores, we had our first warning of alligators. But they didn’t make an appearance until Florida…

We also caught up on artwork orders and made our plans for the next leg of our journey to Florida. Our driving route from Texas to Alabama is below…stay tuned for Florida!

Tips: Zoom in and out on the map, and move the map around to get a better look at the route. Or click “View Larger Map” below to get an even better view.

Don’t Mess With Texas – Part 2

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Hey, y’all! Don’t mess with Texas! As you may have already read, I proclaimed that the number one, best thing about Texas is Big Bend National Park. And I stand by that claim. However, on this adventurous year-long road trip we discovered there are a lot of other fantastic things to love about Texas. Hopefully, you followed along and saw all the pictures and commentary about why Big Bend is so great, but I promised Big Bend and Beyond…so, beyond Big Bend, here’s a peek into the rest of our journey through Texas…

Beer & BBQ

Anyone who knows Matt, knows that Matt loves meat. This is a man who only BBQ’s over smoked wood and charcoal, who would never consider using a gas grill. He is also a man who doesn’t simply smoke enough for a single meal. He goes for quality AND quantity and quite ridiculously usually BBQ’s enough food for three square meals of meat for a week. So, when we arrived at The Salt Lick, he was literally happier than a kid at Disney meeting Mickey Mouse. Just look at all that smoked meat and the smile on his face. Texas knows BBQ. This is true without a doubt. And we confirmed this by eating massive quantities at The Salt Lick, and promptly licking our fingers clean.

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Famous, and famous for good reason, The Salt Lick is a must-eat-at kinda place. Start salivating the moment you pull in the parking lot and good luck deciding which smoked delicacy you’ll order when you walk by the hot smoked meats. Carnivores rejoice!
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Although we arrived over an hour before they opened, the line out the door, around the block, and down the street reinforced that Franklin BBQ is a Texas institution. Admittedly, we did not wait in line for several hours, instead we snapped a pic, inhaled some sweet smells, and will imagine that the food is as good as the legend.

And really, what pairs best with Texas BBQ? Texas Beer. We stopped for tastings at several Hill Country breweries and confirmed the craft beer scene in Texas is delicious. We loved the warehouse vibe and Texas pride of Real Ale Brewing, the tex-mex attitude and Chupahopra at Twisted X Brewing, and one Hill Country brewery even made our top ten brewery list.

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Enjoyed a tasting flight and a pint at Real Ale Brewing on the second floor tasting room overlooking the brewing equipment. We also couldn’t help but love their Texas pride and love of the craft: Unfiltered. Unpasteurized. Unavailable in 49 states. Gotta get to Texas to try these tasty pints!

San Antonio Riverwalk

We were surprisingly charmed by the San Antonio Riverwalk. Yes, it was touristy, as it’s the hub of the hotels, restaurants and conference center in the middle of downtown, but it’s still an iconic piece of San Antonio. And if you venture north beyond the main loop, you’ll step into San Antonio neighborhoods and find the Riverwalk is beautifully maintained with artwork beneath each overpass and plenty of people enjoying and exercising along the waterfront. Take a nice long walk and go all the way to the Pearl Brewery district for a bite or a pint.

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Even in the heart of the touristy section of restaurants and hotels, the San Antonio Riverwalk is charming and a great place to take a stroll.
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One of the many artwork displays beneath an overpass crossing the river. They all seem to change depending on the time of day, and the light shining on these little fishies, reflecting in the water, and with a river taxi passing through made a great shot capturing the character of the Riverwalk.

Remember the Alamo

The Alamo is considered hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty. This iconic site in San Antonio is a contradiction to the surrounding modern buildings, but the old architecture is alluring and the history undeniable. Although, it is troubling to imagine the number of lives lost here. We walked through the main building, the exhibits in the surrounding buildings (it was much larger than either of us realized it would be) and inspected an incredibly detailed tiny model of the battle of The Alamo. Despite Matt’s high hopes, we didn’t see any ghosts.

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A selfie at the Alamo. No ghosts on the roof.
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Inside the courtyard, between buildings and exhibits on the grounds of The Alamo.

Austin

There’s no denying, Austin has a lot of character. It’s a big city, that feels much smaller, and while we spent most of our time in the surrounding Hill Country, we did have part of an afternoon and evening to explore downtown. We couldn’t resist taking a long walk to check out a few authentic Austin neighborhoods. We loved Rainy Street Historic District, which is basically the coolest, cutest stretch of bungalows transformed into lounge-y, hipster cocktail bars and patios with giant trees, complete with a food truck court (see Lucy’s food truck below). And we walked across the Colorado River and down to SOCO (Southern Congress), another hipster-y neighborhood with eclectic shops, restaurants, and overall interesting people watching.  And don’t go to Austin without stopping at The Picnic. An outdoor food court of amazing food trucks and shaded picnic tables. My only regret is I didn’t have enough room for a sweet treat from Hey, Cupcake! Cuz how can you go wrong with homemade cupcakes served out of an Airstream?! You can’t.

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Even in the heart of a downtown city, we can’t help but be drawn to the natural beauty of a sunset over the water. (I didn’t even KNOW the Colorado River snaked through Austin!) We’re pretty certain those paddlers had a stellar vantage point.
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I’m easily amused. Finding out my Little Lucy had a mini donut food truck on Rainey Street made my day. Sneaky little entrepreneur.

The Gulf Coast

You may be surprised to hear that this year long road trip isn’t all about sightseeing and eating and beer tasting. We’re also working our tails off balancing all this fun with growing our biz and making beautiful driftwood artwork. However, if you’re following our route, you probably realize we’ve been in the desert for quite awhile, which meant our driftwood stock was getting low. So, we took a trip to the gulf coast to source new artwork canvases…amid blue skies, along off-road beaches and sunny skies.

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Driving along the gulf coast, right on the beach!
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Do what you love, love what you do.
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Some beaches were a little more accessible than others. This 4×4 only path got into some deeper sand that made us a little nervous…but that didn’t stop us, we’ve got artwork to create and ship all over the world!

Hope you enjoyed following along on our Texas adventures. Stay tuned as we continue through the South!

Cheers y’all,

Kristin

Don’t Mess With Texas

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Yeah, don’t mess with Texas. Why? Cuz it’s a pretty cool place. The saying may be a decades old ad slogan (an anti-littering campaign as a matter of fact), but it’s still representative of the attitude and size and greatness of Texas. Why is Texas so great? Um, BBQ for one. But I’m going to go out on a limb here and say the number one, best thing about Texas is Big Bend National Park. Argue with me all you want, or politely disagree and proclaim your own reason, but Big Bend is still #1 for me. And before this epic year-long road trip, we’d never even BEEN to Texas. (Airports don’t count by the way.) So whether or not you’ve been to Texas, or you’re just itching to see what we may have explored while we were there, scroll on through and check out all the highlights from Big Bend and Beyond. (Trust me, it’s way better than Bed Bath and Beyond…)

Big Bend National Park

It’s definitely an underhyped place. Possibly because it’s waaaaay off the beaten path in southwest Texas.

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Not sure if you can tell, but I was kind of excited to get here.

At first glance, Big Bend can look like a whole lot of nothing. But there are a lot of hidden gems here. Our appreciation of desert terrain continued, and also a great respect for the heat of the day. We strategically planned a lot of our hiking and sightseeing in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat of midday. And while there are paved roads throughout the park, we really enjoyed taking the Old Maverick Road on our trek out to Santa Elena Canyon. We kicked it into four-wheel drive (and reminisced a bit about the Apache Trail), braved the washboard and soaked in the solitude of the desert.

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Old Maverick Road was an unpaved, scenic path that took us on a desert adventure on our way to Santa Elena Canyon.

Santa Elena Canyon

As Old Maverick Road connected back with the park loop road, we approached Santa Elena Canyon. Just to preface, the Rio Grande cuts through and not only gives “Big Bend” it’s name, but carves some impressively huge and beautiful canyons in the mountains, while also creating a natural border between Texas and Mexico. The late afternoon sun was just starting to fall back behind the canyon and took our breath away as we neared.

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Approaching Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park…a HUGE crack between the mountain opens up a canyon between the US and Mexico where the Rio Grande winds through.

This was the perfect time of day to hike the trail that winds up and alongside the canyon, then back down to the river bank. The canyon towered thousands of feet above us on both sides and as we sweated from the heat and the climb, it suddenly felt like we walked into another world when we crossed a thermocline. The temperature dropped and instead of hot and 82 it was cool and breezy.

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By late afternoon, most people were heading back as we were heading out on the trail along Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.
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Just soaking in the view of the Rio Grande and Santa Elena Canyon walls.
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Need some perspective to grasp how high those cliff walls are? How about that teeny tiny kayak for two?

And a quick little video to give you a 360 degree view. Don’t get dizzy, we moved a little fast.

After an incredible hike, we took the paved Ross Maxwell Scenic loop road back…our reward for a late afternoon hike? A freaking amazing sunset. Seriously. As we looped in and around beautiful rock formations and mountains the setting sun and reflecting colors confirmed Big Bend is a very magical place.

The Chisos Mountains

If someone had told me there are bear and mountain lions in Texas, I would have severely doubted the accuracy of the statement, and probably googled it to prove them wrong. Well, when the National Park posts several signs and includes it in the informational brochures, it’s true. No googling required (which is good, because there isn’t cell service in the park anyway).

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No foolin’. It’s always important to be respectful and aware of wildlife, but even more so when they’re bigger than you and you’re on their turf.

So, we kept an eager eye out for potential wildlife at all times when driving through the park, and especially as we drove the road through the Chisos Mountains toward the Chisos Basin. The best way to describe the drive through the Chisos? A video.

The drive is spectacular and continues to climb in elevation and snake around some hairpin turns before heading down into the Chisos Basin, literally a large circular area surrounded by mountains. Turns out it was a volcano millions of years ago, and the basin is the center of the volcano. A gap between the mountains on one edge creates a “window” to view the horizon and far off mountains in the distance. And one helluva “window” to watch the sunset.

The silhouettes of the Chisos surrounded us, and the “window” framed the colors of the sunset and the endless shades of blue of the far off mountains in the distance. Our pictures and videos failed to capture even a fraction of the color spectrum. Really. So, just take my word for it and go see this in person.

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I hate saying it, but it was so much prettier in person! We just can’t capture the true colors of a sunset…we’re going to keep trying though.

After another exceptional Big Bend sunset, we decided to drive out of the mountains before it got too dark. And just when we least expected it WE SAW A BEAR!!!

Boquillas Canyon

Our second canyon adventure was on the other side of the park at Boquillas Canyon. Not as tall as Santa Elena Canyon, but wider and just as beautiful. Just as before, we hiked up to a beautiful view of the Rio Grande, before we hiked down alongside the river at the base of the canyon.

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Capturing a shot of Matt capturing a shot of the Rio Grande from a high point on the short hike to Boquillas Canyon.
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Because when you stop and look around, this planet is pretty amazing.
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We enjoyed a shady morning hike alongside the Rio Grande in the Boquillas Canyon.

And just for good measure, a video to help share the majesty of this special place. Yes, those are donkeys across the Rio Grande in Mexico!

Nature’s Hot Tub

Another memorable adventure in Big Bend National Park were the hot springs. Not knowing how crowded they might get, we got up SUPER early and took a SUPER narrow and bumpy dirt trail back to the trail head for the springs.

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Oh, hey there! Fortunately, the narrowest parts were one-way only, which is good because there wasn’t anywhere to pull over…

We walked a short and easy trail past some old historic buildings and some tall cliffs alongside the Rio Grande to the Hot Springs.

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On our way to the Hot Springs in Big Bend National Park…

And then we arrived! It was nature’s hot tub! Steaming and hot, right next to the cold, gurgling Rio Grande! Crazy. We unzipped our pant legs, took off our hiking boots and socks and sat on the edge up to our knees in the 104 degree water. We really wanted to sit and soak all morning, but the thought of wearing wet swimsuits on our next hike changed our minds. In the chilly morning air, with the sun rising over the horizon, the hot water felt great.

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Nature’s hot tub is also nature’s infinity pool…at the right angle the edges melted and merged with the Rio Grande as the sun’s reflections peeked over the horizon.

Now, I hope you can see why Big Bend ranks as the number one best thing about Texas. Canyons, cliffs, sunsets, mountains, bears, hot springs, petroglyphs and more won us over. And if you’re still not convinced, maybe this exceptional Big Bend sunrise will help close the deal.

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We woke up before dawn on our departure day and as we drove through the park the most spectacular sunrise bid us farewell and reminded us to come back again soon. Good-bye, Big Bend!

So, that’s Big Bend. But I promised you Big Bend and Beyond. Well, Texas is soooo big I had to break that into Part 2…

Cheers! And don’t mess with Texas, y’all!

Kristin

Our Route Across the Country – Part 7

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We’ve celebrated some big milestones on our year long adventure. Over 25,000 miles  traveled. Over 800 pieces of artwork created. But more importantly, finding peace, joy and gratitude each and every single day. We’re up to Part 7 of our route map now, but if you missed any earlier segments or highlight blogs (lots of pictures!), catch up with any of the links here:

And now…on to TEXAS!

Part VII
February 9 – March 7, 2016

Our desert exploration continued as we left Arizona and headed to Texas, through El Paso and on to Marfa, TX. We actually wanted to spend some time in New Mexico, but due to freezing temperatures (weather is always a factor for our travel trailer), we decided we would circle back to NM at a later point.

Marfa, TX was our stopping point from Arizona to Big Bend National Park, and home to “The Marfa Lights”. A strange and unexplained phenomena of bouncing lights on the horizon, although to us, they looked like they could very likely be headlights in the distance. Regardless, Texas is home to possibly the darkest skies we’ve seen yet. You haven’t seen the stars or the milky way until you’ve seen them on a clear night in the middle of nowhere Texas.

From there we continued on to Big Bend National Park. Located in southwest Texas, Big Bend was a biggie on our bucket list. It’s a long way from anything but it’s absolutely beautiful. Our awe of desert beauty continued here and included exploration of ancient petroglyphs and major gawking at the impressive canyons the Rio Grande carves into the mountains.

We left the bright lights of the stars in Big Bend for the bright lights of some city life in San Antonio and Austin. (Texas BBQ? Yes, please!) And took care of some “work” (it’s not really work when you love what you do!) by visiting the Texas Gulf Coast for some driftwood sourcing! Because no matter where we go, we’re creating and shipping driftwood artwork, and the driftwood supply in the desert is hard to come by…

Our driving route is below, and of course you can check out highlights and pictures from Big Bend National Park, The Alamo and the Texas Gulf Coast in our detailed blog posts. Thanks for following along!

Tips: Zoom in and out on the map, and move the map around to get a better look at the route. Or click “View Larger Map” below to get an even better view.

 

 

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.

What Does 25,000 Miles Look Like?

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25,000 miles. Twenty five thousand miles.

That’s a lot of driving. We’ve been called crazy. And inspiring. We’ve visited some amazing destinations on our year-long road trip, but you gotta get there somehow. So, we’ve done a LOT of driving. We paused to think about all the states we’ve driven through (THIRTY!!! Scroll all the way to the bottom to check out the map!) and all the landscapes we’ve seen along the way when our odometer recently read 25,000 miles.

We’ve taken plenty of great pictures of a hard earned view from a tough hike, or from an isolated mountain top, but there’s no denying we’ve seen some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country without the need to even step outside our vehicle. The miles and moments in between the destinations have filled the pages of our journey.

Are you ready for a view from the front seat? Great. Here’s what 25,000 miles looks like.

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Calm, tranquil, peaceful heaven. Lake Abanakee, Adirondack Park, New York
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Out the passenger window, I-91, Vermont. They don’t call it the Green Mountain State for nothin’.
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One of the many bays on the coast of Maine.
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A storm rolling in across the corn fields in Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg.
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Sometimes the clouds, architecture, and angle at which you hang out the side window, make for the perfect shot. Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge, St. Louis, MO
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Early sunrise on the road in South Dakota.
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Near Mount Rushmore we drove through this sweet, little tunnel…can’t go around, can’t go over, so let’s go right through. The trees on top don’t even mind.
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As far as the eye can see in Wyoming…
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After an endless flat horizon through most of Wyoming, it makes Devil’s Tower even more of a mystery in the middle of this flat land…and this stunning sunset as we drove away closed out a beautiful day.
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The winding, scenic road weaving through the National Bison Range, wildlife refuge, Missoula, MT
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The incomparable Glacier National Park, MT.
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It was a quick pass through Idaho as we had our eyes set on the Pacific Northwest. Hi and Bye!
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Driving along Upper Hoh Road, towards Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, WA
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Along the same road, we sited several Elk across the Hoh River!
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We witnessed very sobering sights as well. Logging is a big industry and while there are controls in place and re-plantings, it is still sad to see the remains. Olympic Peninsula, WA.
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Witness every sunset you possibly can. Especially over the water. Olympic National Park, WA.
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We called Oregon home for seven weeks and while the rain provided some challenges, we NEVER got tired of this coastline.
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This is one of the reasons Oregon is so special…the mist, the fog, the coastline, and then when the sun comes out it shines magical rays right through the trees.
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We feature lots of famous, mammoth Redwoods of Northern California in other posts, but not too far away is the surprising Lost Coast, where cows graze alongside the Pacific Ocean!
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Mountains, palm trees and orange trees, all in the same shot. Only in California!
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Winding our way up the mountains of Sequoia National Park.
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The indescribable winter wonderland of snowy King’s Canyon National Park.
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Harnessing the power of the wind in California, and seriously the most wind turbines we’ve ever seen. It felt like a weird dream as they went on for miles and miles.
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Dusk and dawn in Joshua Tree National Park are an otherworldly experience.
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We loved the beauty and peace within the red rocks of Sedona, AZ.
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Along the Apache Trail in Arizona…scenic and smooth to start, and then an awesome off-road adventure (with scenery as the second priority behind safe driving).
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A refreshing sight to see a body of water along the dry, cacti covered Apache Trail in Arizona.
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Arriving at Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park, TX.


We hope you enjoyed a brief highlight tour capturing a glimpse of 25,000 miles on the road. Check out more of our life on the road via our blog or Instagram and stay tuned for more sights and adventures.

Cheers!
Kristin

Below is a map of all the states (in brown) that we’ve been through so far…still more to go!

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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

Desert Drifters

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Drifters. Gypsies. Adventurers. Roaming Entrepreneurs.

Call us what you want, but full-time life on the road is pretty awesome, regardless of semantics. We have each other, our two crazy pups, our tiny home, our growing business, and an endless horizon of new places to explore and share.

We checked off a lot of “bucket list” destinations like Napa, Yosemite and Sequoia on the last segment of our trip. However, we were looking forward to warmer temperatures as we continued on and prepared for a drastic change in scenery. Good-bye, Giant Sequoias. Hello, Southwest Saguaros.

We were a little worried to leave giant trees and forests, turns out we just traded them for giant cacti. Matt's always useful for showing scale, since he's 6'6", this is obviously a big Saguaro.
We were a little sad to leave giant trees and forests, turns out we just traded them for giant cacti. Matt’s always useful for showing scale, since he’s 6’6″, this is obviously a gi-nor-mous Saguaro.

Joshua Tree National Park

First up, Joshua Tree National Park. I’m going to come right out and say that just because it’s not one of the most hyped, or well-known national parks, doesn’t mean it’s not spectacular. I’m ashamed to admit we probably wouldn’t have planned a visit here if we hadn’t already been on a road trip through the area with a strong interest in visiting as many national parks along our way as possible. It would have been our loss. Each of our national parks are preserved and protected for very good reason, and Joshua Tree is no exception.

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Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park…the chollas spanned as far as you could see in this area. And with zero self control, (look don’t touch!) I proved they’re pokey and not fuzzy.

Three Reasons to Love Joshua Tree National Park

REASON 1 – SUNRISES. Let’s be real, sunrises are pretty hard to mess up. Whether your horizon is the coast, forest, mountains or desert, chances are the sunrise will be beautiful. However, sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park were extra special. Now, I’m not the kind of gal who pops outta bed when it’s still dark outside with an eager smile and instant go-get-em attitude. Not even when the reward is a stunningly beautiful sunrise to kick start the day. I usually require at least 30 minutes and 2 ½ cups of coffee to really admit I’m ready to kick ass and take names. So, if I of all people recommend getting up in the pre-dawn hours to experience a desert sunrise, trust me, you should do it.

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See?! I told you it was worth it. The low clouds, pitch black mountains and Joshua Tree silhouette make for a stunning sunrise canvas.
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As the sun continues to rise, the desert changes from dark to pastel colors and all the Cholla Cacti and Joshua Trees seem to glow in soft light. (P.S. Don’t touch that Cholla.)
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Get that sunrise shot! I promise, we did put down the cameras and actually sit and enjoy the sunrise each day. We were just a little camera-happy the first morning.

REASON 2 – ROCKS. Yes, rocks. I wasn’t overly excited either, until I saw them in person. Unless you’re an avid rock climber, you’re probably like me and wonder what all the fuss is about. Just wait ’til you see them. Mounds of rocks all around the park beckon to be explored. Walk around them, scramble up them, play king of the mountain and enjoy the view.

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I’m not sure why I’m dressed like a ninja, but it’s rather fitting considering I’m holding up Split Rock with one finger. Such a badass. Or a dork. Take your pick.
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Once again Matt does a spectacular job providing scale to demonstrate how huge these boulders are! We can’t claim to have the gear or skills to call ourselves rock climbers, but it’s fun as hell to scramble up and around and then enjoy the view.
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This is a rock scramblin’ sunrise selfie. Say that ten times fast.

REASON 3 – JOSHUA TREES. Pretty obvious, as the park’s namesake, but really they are amazing. Each one a different shape, size and configuration. Oh, and the apt comparison to a Dr. Seuss creation is 100% accurate.

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Joshua meet Matt. Matt meet Joshua.

Our drifting continued as we moved on to Arizona…

Falling in Love With Red Rocks

Matt had always wanted to go to Sedona. However, I didn’t know much about it. I must have been living under a rock. A red rock. Of course, as soon as I started researching, I had a lengthy list of all the must-do sights and hikes and couldn’t wait to go. Sedona is gorgeous. I can understand why Native Americans and many others consider it a spiritual and healing place. We were in awe as soon as we saw the red striped giant formations dotted with green pines and shrubbery set against the blue backdrop of the Arizona sky.

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Oh, you know, just a little snapshot out of the truck window.

We couldn’t wait to hit the trails and started with a 4 mile round trip hike to Devil’s Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in Sedona. What started as a fairly flat desert hike soon gained in elevation and our terrain transitioned from red dirt, to red mud, to red snow to icy red rocks.

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Lucy got a first class ticket across this small stream in an effort to keep her paws, legs and belly white instead of red. Fairly funny considering I gave her a makeshift bath in this stream on the way back to wash red mud off her entire underside. Dogs, paws and boots all got up close and personal with Sedona Red Soil. (Totally worth it, mind you).
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This is where the transition started…our red dirt trail slowly turned into red mud..
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…and some red mud/ice/snow mix which took a little extra time to navigate while staying upright..especially while staring at the surrounding stunning views.
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The snow as we gained elevation…and no solid explanation why I decided to strike a post like that. The ninja is long gone.
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That’s it! Devil’s Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in Sedona.
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I immediately regretted telling Matt to go stand on the bridge so I could take a picture. That’s a sheet of ice to his right, and a several hundred foot drop below. Not my proudest moment.

Doe Mountain trail was another favorite hike with a series of switchbacks up the side of the mountain to the flat top mesa with some of the most spectacular panoramic views.

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Matt was starting to get a little tired here…and almost ten-year-old Dobie proved to be part mountain goat as he deftly hiked and hopped his way up the side of this mountain. Age is just a number, baby! And they are both quite handsome, if I do say so myself.
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Moutain-top selfie with panoramic views! Hope you’re not too tired of our close up mugs.
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This was a much safer lookout than Devil’s Bridge. And seriously, the top of Doe Mountain has the best 360 degree views of Sedona. We didn’t actually compare it to every other mountain, so the claim is limited but seems accurate.
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Tired of looking at the gorgeous views of Sedona? Good, me either.
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We added a topper to this little trail marker before heading back down. Helluva good hike.

If you make it to Sedona, you won’t be disappointed…hike, bike or hop a jeep tour to experience this stunning, red striped piece of heaven.

History Lessons

It can’t be ALL hiking and beautiful scenery, right? So, we hit up some historic and educational Arizona destinations along the way including The Apache Trail (which you can experience first-hand with Matt), Tombstone, Bisbee, Pima Air & Space Museum and Kartchner Caverns State Park. (No pictures of Karchner Caverns because they don’t allow photography, but if you find yourself near Tucson, Arizona these beautifully preserved caverns are ABSOLUTELY worth a visit).

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Hold out for Matt’s next paranormal blog to hear about any spookiness in Tombstone. As for recommendations, the town is pretty touristy, but the Tombstone Courthouse turned museum is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the area. Now, whaddya want on your Tombstone?!
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The Bisbee Queen Mine tour was SO MUCH FUN! We got gear, helmets, lights and hopped on the train into the mine. The guides were retired miners and full of great knowledge. A Bisbee Must.
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With over three hundred aircraft in hangars and on the grounds, Matt was in heaven at the Pima Air and Space Museum. I thought it was pretty cool too, but was more impressed it was pet friendly and included soaking up some sunshine.

Our desert drifting continues to Texas next…so stay tuned, and Don’t Mess With Texas!

Cheers,

Kristin

Our Route Across the Country – Part 6

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We’ve reached the half way point…SIX months into our year long adventure traversing the country. We’re full-time RV-er’s with our truck, travel trailer and mobile business, creating and shipping driftwood artwork everywhere we go. We’re up to Part 6 of our route map now, but feel free to check out previous segments. Here’s a breakdown of each leg of our journey:

And now…

Part VI
January 15 – February 8, 2016

We had a harrowing experience on our way from Southern California towards Twenty Nine Palms, CA. I hate to tease and not elaborate, but I’ll leave the details to an upcoming blog post from Matt. Just know that some SEVERE winds threatened to blow us away, and through the kindness of a Good Samaritan, we found a safe spot to wait out better driving conditions.

Despite that delay, we made it safely to Twenty Nine Palms, CA which was our base for exploring Joshua Tree National Park.  Predawn sunrises and early morning hikes (before the heat of midday) were our favorite times of day to experience the park. The Joshua Trees, cholla cacti and huge rocks are the icons of this park and gave us a true appreciation for the desert.

From there we continued on to Arizona. We soaked in the beauty and peace of the red rocks in Sedona, 4×4’d the Apache Trail outside of Phoenix, and took several day trips exploring extended areas around Tucson, including Kartchner Caverns, Tombstone, Bisbee, Pima Air & Space Museum and Chiricahua National Monument.

Any worries about leaving the coastline and forests behind were unnecessary…the cacti and mountains proved themselves worthy of admiration.

This is just the route overview, so check out our next blog post with highlights and pictures from Joshua Tree National Park and Arizona. Thanks for following along!

Tips: Zoom in and out on the map, and move the map around to get a better look at the route. Or click “View Larger Map” below to get an even better view.

Those Things You’ve Always Wanted to Do

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You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do? You should go do them.

I love this saying for so many reasons, but two especially. 1) Because if you delay your dreams, you may never have a chance to make them a reality. And 2) Well, I guess you could say that this has been an overarching theme of our year-long road trip since we’re following two big dreams…growing our business and traveling the country and it’s many National and State Parks.

Coffee shop inspiration...and Matt, the guy that helps inspire me to tackle our dreams together.
Coffee shop inspiration…and Matt, the guy that helps inspire me to tackle our dreams together.

So, it was especially appropriate to see this coffee shop quote as we re-initiated our travels again after our mind blowing, busy holiday season for Destination Tree. We had stationed ourselves in Oregon for the holidays, and the day after Christmas we were ready to find some sunny California skies and to check off some big destinations on our “always wanted to do” list.

Napa Valley

First up, Napa Valley. I can’t say I’m a wine connoisseur, but I do know I like to drink it, and that’s what’s important right?! Anyhow, Napa’s been on my bucket list for a while, and especially after seeing the movie “Bottle Shock”, I wanted to visit Chateau Montelena and explore this legendary wine growing region (although you don’t “grow” wine, so technically, shouldn’t it be the world famous GRAPE growing region?!).

I personally think you can't visit Napa Valley without getting a picture by this sign. Touristy or not. It's a must.
I personally think you can’t visit Napa Valley without getting a picture by this sign. Touristy or not. It’s a must.
Chateau Montelena! I was so excited!! And if you haven't seen the movie Bottle Shock, go watch it right now. Then you'll want to come here too.
Chateau Montelena! I was so excited!! And if you haven’t seen the movie Bottle Shock, go watch it right now. Then you’ll want to come here too.

After recommendations from several friends, we decided on a self-guided bike tour through the grape-growing countryside to do some wine tasting. It was perfect because we set our own pace and got some exercise while we went from tasting to tasting to tasting. I’d say that we, at the very least, broke even on calories burned vs calories consumed. Maybe. Well, at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Just getting the hang of my bike in Calistoga before we take off.
Just getting the hang of my bike in Calistoga before we take off.

Anyhow, some might say late December is not the best time to visit Napa because the vines are bare and the temps are chilly.

The vines in Napa are beautiful no matter what...acres and acres, row after row...they even sparkled with frost one morning.
The vines in Napa are beautiful no matter what…acres and acres, row after row…they even sparkled with frost one morning.

Hogwash. (I don’t know why I just used that particular word, but I did, so there.) Yes, the vines are bare. And yes the temps are chilly, BUT the rows and rows of vines are beautiful even when bare. And we bundled up against the cold and pedaled to stay warm. We breathed the fresh air and gazed at the blue skies skimming acres and acres of California vines. Napa in December is perfect. I highly recommend it.

Purple teeth kind of go with the territory. Along with winter hats, bike helmets, and our trusty Vinnebago, which carried water on this particular day. (Thanks cuz KG!)
Purple teeth kind of go with the territory. Along with winter hats, bike helmets, and our trusty Vinnebago, which carried water on this particular day. (Thanks cuz KG!)

And perhaps the best reason of all…minimal crowds. We weren’t jammed shoulder to shoulder in tasting rooms, we didn’t battle traffic on the roads with our bikes and it felt like a stroll through the country. Probably not the case in peak season.

We enjoyed a leisurely game of Bocce Ball during one of our tastings. I think Matt won. He always wins.
We enjoyed a leisurely game of Bocce Ball during one of our tastings.

Family Time

There was not a chance I was going to pass up the opportunity to spend time with my cousins while in California. I love my cousins! So, why haven’t I seen my California cousins in TWO YEARS?! Great question. No good answer. And no time like the present. The highlights? Uphill hikes, waterfalls, FOOD (duh), Skip-Bo, hugs, and endless laughs with Heads Up and Charades on NYE. Ringing in the New Year with west coast family and laughter = Perfection.

Top: 2 Years ago when I last saw these smiling faces! Left: Karla & Kristin on an uphill hike. Right: Throwback pic of Kristin & Kali because we talked so much and for so long we didn't even snap one picture!
Top: 2 Years ago when I last saw these smiling faces! Left: Karla & Kristin on an uphill hike. Right: Throwback pic of Kristin & Kali because we talked so much and for so long we didn’t even snap one picture!

Winchester Mystery House

I have to be honest, this was on Matt’s “always wanted to do” list. I had never even heard of it before. However, as usual, I ended up enjoying yet another one of his paranormal picks.

I didn't even know this place existed. And Matt was thrilled beyond belief to visit.
I didn’t even know this place existed. And Matt was thrilled beyond belief to visit.

I’ll leave the detailed description to Matt’s next paranormal blog post, however I will say, if you are ever in the Bay Area, stop and check this place out. Disregard the super touristy gift shop and walk the impeccably maintained grounds, along with a guided mansion tour through over 110 of the 160 rooms.

The Winchester Mystery House: A weird, cool, unusual, historical must-see. With a tour group? Excellent. By myself? No way.

The old widow maintained constant construction for 38 years as an attempt to keep the millions of souls killed by Winchester guns at bay. Staircases to nowhere, windows in the floor, and secret one-way doors…it’s the most bizarre mansion you’ll ever experience.

Yosemite National Park

One of the most beautiful places on earth…Yosemite National Park.

The famous Tunnel View of El Capitan and Half Dome
The famous Tunnel View of El Capitan and Half Dome
Snow and ice draped the tunnel that led to Tunnel View of El Capitan and Half Dome.
Snow and ice draped the tunnel that led to Tunnel View of El Capitan and Half Dome.

Famous for jaw dropping scenery, there is no denying this is true. While I would have loved to hike back-country trails, and gotten an up-close view of Half Dome, we were somewhat limited to the main thoroughfares and shorter hiking options due to the winter weather. However, a recurring theme here is the minimal crowds.

En route to Yosemite Falls...a little icy but definitely beautiful.
En route to Yosemite Falls…a little icy but definitely beautiful.

Yosemite has a bad rep for being overcrowded in the summer. Solution? Go in the winter. There were definitely tourists in the Yosemite Valley, but not bumper to bumper by any means. We had winter waterfalls almost to ourselves and admired the snow and ice draping El Capitan and Half Dome.

Just a little selfie on the hike to Yosemite Falls.
Just a little selfie on the hike to Yosemite Falls.
All the snow, and all the rain, that travels from the mountains and gathers to create a pounding watefall. Gets me every time.
All the snow, and all the rain, that travels from the mountains and gathers to create a pounding watefall. Gets me every time.

Winter in Yosemite? Check.

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Matt likes the mantra, “Do something every day that scares you.” He likes it more than I do, mostly because I can be a big fat scairdy cat. I was the one who lost a bit of logic and did the egging on when we climbed higher and higher in elevation driving to King’s Canyon National Park. We had purchased snow chains for the truck, which were required in the park (Up to $5,000 citation if caught without them…or the more likely result, dropping thousands of feet to your death off the side of the cliff because you have no traction. No, thank you.)

The snow was coming down RELENTLESSLY. Remember all that rain in Oregon? Turns out it followed us to California. (We were kind of happy to help out the drought ridden farmers by providing some much needed rain). However, rain in California, means snow in the mountains. LOTS of snow! Already covered in snow, with more coming down, Matt suggested it might be better to come back another time. But I was insistent. We have snow chains! We can do this! So, after a self-tutorial on installation of our new chains, we continued on.

Tire chains (or tire cables, I really don't know the difference) installation in-progress. Matt smiled for the camera, but I'm pretty sure he was silently cursing me.
Tire chains (or tire cables, I really don’t know the difference) installation in-progress. Matt smiled for the camera, but I’m pretty sure he was silently cursing me.
We arrived! This is where I said, "I told you so", snow chains and increasing ice and snow will be worth it when we get there!
We arrived! This is where I said, “I told you so”, snow chains and increasing ice and snow will be worth it when we get there! By the way, this was only a few more miles further from where we installed the chains. But obviously, much higher elevation.

Our white knuckles matched the white snow, but it was absolutely worth it.

I’ve been asked several times, what my favorite place has been on our road trip across the country. It’s impossible to pick just one favorite. And there’s different reasons for loving all the different places we’ve been. King’s Canyon however, will always stand out in my mind as one of the most magical places I’ve ever been. The weather had a lot to do with it, because the snow covered every tiny branch and needle in glistening white.

It truly felt like a dream. A winter wonderland dream of white.
King’s Canyon truly felt like a dream. A winter wonderland dream of white.

And there was a soul stirring silence standing in the midst of Giant (absolutely GIANT) Sequoias with the snow blanketing everything around us.

Sometimes you just need a moment to praise the beauty of nature and majesty of Giant Sequoias.
Sometimes you just need a moment to praise the beauty of nature and majesty of Giant Sequoias.

There were only a few other brave souls who ventured into the park in this weather and we were all rewarded.

The snow covered Sequoia's towered over us at Grant's Grove.
The snow covered Sequoia’s towered over us at Grant’s Grove. P.S. This photo might look like it was distorted disproportionately, but I promise it is completely unaltered. It is not stretched to look taller or color enhanced. The sky is physically that blue, and those trees are TRULY that TALL!! Yowzer.

My words fail me to truly describe the scenery here, so instead of rambling on, go ahead and scroll through about a hundred pictures. Okay, maybe not a hundred, but far too many for a blog post because I just couldn’t narrow them down. And probably not surprising, this is only a fraction of the photos we took.

Another picture of King's Canyon, as we tried not to drive off the road. It was so pretty. And slippery.
Another view of King’s Canyon, as we tried not to drive off the road it was so pretty. And slippery.
National Park Snow Plower. I'm not sure if this falls under one of the world's best or worst jobs in the world. I'm leaning towards best. Especially if you like snow and have no fear.
National Park Snow Plower. I’m not sure if this falls under one of the world’s best or worst jobs in the world. I’m leaning towards best. Especially if you like snow and have no fear.
Lucy was in heaven. Actually, I think she thought she was back in Chardon, OH. She bounded and bounced through the snow like a little bunny. Only faster. Much faster.
Lucy was in heaven. Actually, I think she thought she was back in Chardon, OH. She bounded and bounced through the snow like a little bunny. Only faster. Much faster.
Sometimes you need a picture to remind you just how deep the snow actually was.
Sometimes you need a picture to remind you just how deep the snow actually was.
Walking in a winter wonderland...never felt more true.
Walking in a winter wonderland…never felt more true.

We checked off some big destinations. And created some unforgettable memories. So, whether we call it a “bucket list” or the pursuit of our “destination tree” destinations, or just following our passions, I hope our adventures inspire you to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Or at the very least, I hope you enjoyed the pictures!

And, in the wise words of a coffee shop sign:

“You know all those things you’ve always wanted to do? You should go do them.”

Cheers!
Kristin

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.

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