Campground List ~ Winter 2018-2019

64. That is the number of different campsites we experienced between October 14, 2018, and April 7, 2019. If you’re doing the math you’ll notice we moved on an average of every 2.8 days. When you consider we spent nearly two full months lazing in Los Barriles the numbers are too exhausting to calculate. A truly crazy busy last six months saw us traveling through eight states (two of them twice) and up and down Baja twice. It was also an amazing winter filled with friends both old and new, many places both old and new, and grand adventures. However, we are, needless to say, road weary by now.

Here is our annual, and this year exhaustive, list of where we stayed from the day we left Coeur d’Alene to our arrival at our new camp in the Sierra Nevada’s. Because of the number of stops I’m breaking this down into more than one blog post. We begin with the fall adventures from our departure in CDA to our arrival in Los Barriles.

Continue reading

Cloud Chasing

As we made the long trip from Camp to Utah and Nevada towards Oregon we were greeted with some of the most astonishing cloud formations we had ever seen. The skies daily offered up a stunning mix of clouds and sun brightening everything around us. Reminding us that life has ups and downs and sunshine and rain but is ever resilient.

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky” ~ Rabindranath Tagore

At Bryce National Park a cloudy day rendered just enough sun and contrast to further enhance this awe-inspiring natural beauty.

Continue reading

Hipmunk Hotels: Great Bed and Breakfasts in Missoula, Rapid City, and more

Written in cooperation with Hipmunk. Originally published by Way of Wanderers on April 18, 2016

A bed and breakfast is an appealing accommodation option for travelers visiting just about any city in the world. Offering intimate ambiance, plenty of local charm, and homey guest rooms, bed and breakfasts generally offer a more personalized experience than the average hotel. Here are a few B&Bs to consider for your next trip to the western United States.

 

Missoula, Montana

Photo by Adventurous Amber via Trover.com

Photo by Adventurous Amber via Trover.com

Missoula is a beautiful city set in a valley along the Clark Fork River, that offers a mild climate and a small downtown filled with interesting historic buildings. Home to the University of Montana, as well as a number of well-known Western writers, the city exudes a cultured ambiance. Like much of Montana, outdoor pursuits are a highlight here with excellent hiking in the Selway-Bitterroot and great skiing at Snowbowl.

Goldsmith’s Bed and Breakfast Inn is a wonderful option for travelers visiting Missoula. The B&B is set in a handsome red brick building that was constructed in 1911 for the first president of the University of Montana. The B&B’s wraparound porch offers picturesque views over the Clark Fork River, and several guest rooms feature gas fireplaces.

Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City is nicknamed the “City of Presidents” for the life-sized statues of U.S. presidents found on many of its downtown street corners. Often thought of as a jumping-off point for exploring South Dakota’s national parks, Rapid City’s grand brick buildings, excellent restaurants, and interesting shops make it worth exploring.

Visitors to Rapid City should consider the Sweetgrass Inn B&B. Loft Suites at this charming B&B have vaulted ceilings and balconies, while Deluxe Suites have jetted spa tubs. Breakfast is served at the on-site restaurant, Shipwreck Lee’s, which is also an inviting spot to enjoy an evning meal or drinks.

Moab, Utah

Photo by Brendan Caffrey via Trover.com

Photo by Brendan Caffrey via Trover.com

Moab is a popular base camp for hikers, mountain bikers, rafters, and other outdoor enthusiasts venturing into the surrounding red-rock canyon country. It’s a small town with only around 5,000 permanent residents, but it’s one of the only places in the region where travelers can enjoy a warm meal or stock up on supplies. Set in a valley fringed by eye-catching red sandstone cliffs, Moab is a favorite setting for films and commercials.

Consider staying at Cali Cochitta Bed & Breakfast, a quaint B&B set in a 19th-century residence. Guest rooms and cottages are furnished with beautiful antiques and offer features such as French doors or views of the La Sal Mountains. The B&B also provides free bike rentals for guests to explore Moab.

Bellingham, Washington

Bellingham offers an engaging mix of natural scenery and urban culture. Home to Western Washington University, the city’s downtown area offers galleries, microbreweries, independent food co-ops, and cafes in addition to the elegant Fairhaven historic district. Bellingham is also home to a number of parks with connecting trails, as well as a bay front and several scenic lakes.

Axton Road Bed & Breakfast is one of the loveliest B&Bs in Bellingham. The property is set on 20 acres of land, comprised of a tree nursey, vineyard, orchard, goat pasture, and veggie garden. Rooms are decorated with warm woods, and offer striking views of the American Cascades, the Canadian Cascades, and the Coastal Range of British Columbia.

About Jessica

Jessica Dawdy is a Canadian freelance writer who is slowly working her way around the world. She has lived in seven different countries across Europe and Asia, feeding her ever-expanding appetite for food, culture and languages.

Seeking Central Salt Lake City

Written in cooperation with Hipmunks boutique hotels 2016 campaign.

Utah’s high-elevation capital beckons visitors from around the world. Whether you seek hitting the slopes of the nearby Wasatch Mountains, or sailing on the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City has enough diverse activities to suit any tastes. To truly appreciate this lovely city, a central location is key, and Hipmunk has much to offer in terms of lodging choices for any taste and budget.

Continue reading

The Joy of Impromptu Decisions

Funny, isn’t it, how once you just STOP over-thinking, and take the time to listen to your instincts, the day just gets better? We hadn’t planned on spending the night in Monument Valley. We had booked through Sunday night at Overland Expo and planned a long driving day to Moab. Instead, by Sunday noon, feeling disappointed with our Expo experience, and fed up with the unrelenting dust and wind, we made a snap decision to just pack it up and move on.

DSCN1110_742

Continue reading

Facts from the Road

Three weeks back from vacation, my mind is still swirling with all the stories I need to write. Although our road trip was a mere 17 days, we experienced such extraordinary diversity, it’s been challenging to put it all into words. First, a few facts:

Miles Driven: 3055

DSCN1361_974

Continue reading

Bryce Canyon National Park – a Photo Essay

While driving around the United States we camped in many different National Parks, but Bryce is one of our favorites. Set in one of the most amazing natural settings in the world, Bryce Canyon is an outdoormans dream come true. The camping and hiking are out of this world and evenings in camp, watching the astonishing sky show of stars, is a memory we will never forget.

Located in southern Utah, Bryce became a national park in 1928. Taking up only 56.2 square miles, nearly the entire park is actually the canyon. Words can’t fully explain the wonder of the the region and so, without further ado, a photo essay.

Continue reading