Yesterday we saw the desert and the river, today we get mountains. It started with an alarm at 5:45 and bacon and eggs for breakfast. We were on the road by 7 headed to the Chisos Mountains. The drive coming…
2021.04.09 Ross Maxwell, Santa Elena, and Boquillas
Up at 7:45 this morning, we made scrambled bell peppers and eggs with chicken maple sausage on the side in our propane camp stove for breakfast. We rolled out at 9:15 and got to the park entrance around 10. During…
2020.06.25 Clingmans Dome, Little River tubing, and Cades Cove
Clingmans Dome! This morning, we are off to Clingmans Dome for the third day in a row. This place is 90 minutes from our campsite! First attempt: 60 degrees and rainy; Second attempt: crazy traffic with cars parking nearly half…
2020.06.24 Alum Cave Trail
We had another early departure in mind today, but 7:30 goals turned into 9:00 reality. The highlight of the day was the Alum Cave hike. Another “moderate” rated hike, but only 4.5 miles. We have driven past this trailhead several…
2020.06.23 Appalachian Trail and Charlies Bunion
At around 5:45 this morning, Stephanie rolls over and asks, “Is that your alarm?” “No, that’s a bird.” There was a very musical bird outside our tent making the same sound over and over and over again. I understand why…
2020.06.22 Visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and Setting Up Camp
We all turned in pretty early last night. The girls went swimming and showered before bed. When I got up to shower this morning, I found they had left Stephanie and I collectively one clean towel to use. I definitely…
2019.07.15 Crater Lake National Park
During last night’s dinner, KK expressed an interest in watching the sunrise at Crater Lake National Park. Twilight starts at 5:09 and sunrise at 5:41, so we left shortly after 4:00. The sunrise crew was KK, Scott, Mallory and I. …
2019.07.12 Rose Garden & Mount St. Helens
Today was out last full day in Portland and apparently we felt pretty content with our accomplishments so far, as we did very little touristing today. One of the joys of spending time with a 3-year-old is all the unexpected…
2019.07.09 Olympic National Park
Wake Up To Adventure Olympic National Park coffee mug In the Olympic National Park Visitor Center gift shop this morning, Mallory pointed out a coffee mug inscribed with “Wake Up To Adventure” and said that would be a good blog…
2019.07.06 Spokane to Seattle
The canyon beckoned. In the distance, the howl of a dog reminded us that this place is all too real. Did we imagine the dog? No, we didn’t. Because at the time, KK said “You should write about that dog…