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  1. I Could Give Her A Good Home

    November 26, 2011 by Lindsey

    I saw this little gal posted on tin can tourist.  I am already picturing next summer’s National Park adventure. What do you think?

    Category Cute Trailers | Tags: | No Comments

  2. A Grand Entrance And Exit

    October 11, 2011 by Lindsey

    Entering Yosemite felt like the grand finale of our journey.  We entered the park around sunset with a gentle rain shower, which made a magical combination of rainbow mist and pink clouds.  My body felt warm and welcomed as if there was a magnetic shift in my body that happened as we crossed the border into California.  We had made it to our end destination, the place where Stephen and I had fallen in love a few years earlier, and our first National Park as a couple.

    I wanted to be more in the moment and to savor every last second of the trip, but the truth was that we both were yearning for some near and dear creature comforts.  Although we stayed busy exploring the park, our enthusiasm felt a bit dampened.  We went on several small hikes, investigated the parks galleries, and even dined at the renowned Awahnee Lodge. I will confess, the food was a spectacular treat. Stephen splurged on the New York strip steak while I ordered my first short rib meal and pronounced it heavenly.  All this loveliness was shared over a bottle of wine that took the edge off of missing home. Looking around, everyone was dressed in formal attire and seemed to be guests of the lodge.  Stephen and I were wearing barely acceptable attire and would end our evening by zipping into our sleeping bags.  We decided to order the cheesecake for dessert and it came with a candle to celebrate our one year anniversary.  I smiled at Stephen thinking of all that happened on this trip and how we had supported each other through the thin and thick, the sweet and the sour.  I’m not sure what next year will bring or the many years to come, but I know I have picked the right partner for any and every occasion.

    Before leaving Yosemite, we wanted to check-out the world famous glacier point.  You know, the old black and white images where people are dancing on a cliff with a gazillion foot drop off?  We had to drive 45 minutes out of the way to get there.  The drive was quiet and I could sense a sadness coming from Stephen.  A few minutes from our destination, Stephen slowed the car and pointed out a dark image scurrying across the road.  I was holding my breath.  Off in the distance, two young bears waddled across the road and disappeared into the forrest.  I couldn’t believe it.  After two months on the road and six national parks, in the last hour of the trip, we finally had our coveted bear sighting.

    Category Yosemite | Tags: | No Comments

  3. An Island In The Desert

    September 21, 2011 by Lindsey

    I will admit that visiting Great Basin was Stephen’s idea. He suggested we make it a weekend stop-off after reading a magazine article about the less frequented National Parks. I instantly understood the validity of the article when I tried to research campsites or lodges and came up with next to nothing. We couldn’t reserve a campsite and there wasn’t a lodge within the park’s border. I felt a little skeptical about this leg of the trip and knew that it would require a spontaneous spirit and a flexible nature.

    Our original plan was to enter the park Friday evening to snatch one of the first-come first-serve campsites, however, the last string of turbulent storms was forecasted to continue into the late evening. We booked an additional night at a motel and rose early in the hopes of securing a suitable campsite. Stephen had his heart set on the Wheeler Peak campground because it had the highest elevation and was positioned alongside a majority of the trailheads. While the lower campgrounds were fully occupied, our campground of choice, which towered at an impressive 10,000’ elevation, was virtually deserted. We had our pick of spectacular mountain views and settled on a campsite in an Aspen lined meadow. Finally, after almost two months on the road, there was only unpolluted sound: a loquacious creek, flittering leaves, and a whispering breeze. We often found ourselves sitting quietly in order to listen and relish our new found treasure.

    If you’re anything like me, then you might be wondering what impressive natural wonder sells Great Basin as a National Park? Although one could argue its many splendors, its most unique and alluring feature is its large population of the rare and primitive Bristlecone Pine. These grotesque beauties are the oldest living organisms in the world, with upwards of a 5000 year life span. These trees are pretty amazing and each one has an over-the-top character. Looking at all the haunting detail, I began to imagine how this forrest would’ve been a brilliant backdrop for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

    The Great Basin is also home to the Lehman Caves, a bewitching spectacle, and the Wheeler Peak Glacier, one of the southernmost glaciers in the Northern Hemisphere. Although earlier in the trip we stayed in Glacier National Park and were anticipating a virtual glacier playground, we still hadn’t seen one of these large bodies of ice. Of course, we hiked the six mile trek to pay homage and I was surprised that I couldn’t tell the difference between a large pile of snow and a glacier. Maybe I just don’t have the discerning eye to recognize the subtleties, but either way, the hike was well worth it.

    Apparently we needn’t worry about bears in this particular forrest because the park is akin to an island. However, instead of being surrounded by water, it is enclosed with a vast dessert. Bears have never made the trek across the dry landscape in order to reap the benefits of inhabiting the park. In fact, The Great Basin is home to several endemic animals including the Pygmy Rabbit.

    Our days were lovely and bordered on an idyllic camping excursion, but the evenings were quite a different story. I quickly understood why our picturesque campground was virtually abandoned: TEMPERATURE. While the lower campsites enjoyed their 40 degree lows, we struggled to cope with a debilitating 26 degrees. It didn’t help that Stephen insisted on sleeping without the rain fly in order to star gaze. This activity was lost on me as I was cocooned within my sleeping bag, allowing for only a small and calculated hole to breathe from.

    Overall, our expectations were greatly exceeded and Stephen has declared The Great Basin as one of his favorite National Park to date. Because this park was the most remote of our travels, I have begun considering the more secluded National Parks on our still to see list. I’ve been telling Stephen that one of my biggest goals is to see the Aurora Borealis. Often times visitors to Alaska’s parks hire a small aircraft to assist in entering and exiting the landscape. If someone was looking for more quiet and solitude, it might be the most appropriate destination. My mind is beginning to wander to future adventures because unfortunately, The Great Basin marks the end of our out-of-state excursions. Our next and last stop is Yosemite National Park, and a return to CA brings with it a sense of relief and sadness. We are both looking forward to reuniting with friends and family but have become intent on finding a way to maintain our new found way of life.

    Category Great Basin | Tags: | No Comments

  4. We Struck Garnet!

    September 17, 2011 by Lindsey


    Our first stop off was Ely, NV. We thought it would be fun to explore Garnet Hill, a geological site where people go to search for garnets. Stephen found the activity just a bit too stimulating.

    Category Great Basin | Tags: | No Comments

  5. Narrows Minded

    September 15, 2011 by Lindsey

    Ever since we left Yellowstone, it is apparent that Fall is in the air. Unfortunately, the transition of season has not been the gentle passing of the torch that I am used to in Northern California, but rather like a bull stampede that tramples the last spark of summer.

    Our drive from the Tetons into Salt Lake City started off with a bang: an uncomfortably bright lightening storm with thunder so loud I could feel the car vibrate with fear. I became the the obnoxious backseat driver protesting the speed of the car or periodically shouting when to pull over for the abominable truck driver. I still don’t understand how these massive rigs can surpass the speed limit at night, on a country road, in the middle of an ominous storm. The drive was incredibly stressful and Stephen was pleading with me to close my eyes or listen to head phones to occupy my worried mind. Instead, I decided to google lightening storms and to note all safety precautions one should take in a worst case scenario. We both felt miserable and the thought of pitching a tent at the Salt Lake City KOA was more than we could take. We opted to spend the extra buck for a motel and recalculate a plan in the morning.

    The next day we checked the weather report for Zion National Park and learned that lightening and thunder storms were predicted for our entire stay and the proceeding week. I have only heard people refer to Zion as a hot and arid dessert. Our only heeded warning was to be wary of overheating. I read that the annual precipitation is less than 15 inches-per-year. So how was it possible for rain, thunder, and lightening to be forecasted for the next ten days?

    We discussed skipping Zion all together and heading to The Great Basin National Park, however, the weather forecast for Nevada was no more appealing. I was beginning to wonder if the exertion and effort to keep the trip afloat was outweighing the payoff. I knew that our days and nights in the park would be damp, uncomfortable, and test our resolve. Stephen left the decision to me whether or not to go home or continue. I felt that we had been through so much already but quitting would be an unbearable let down. In the end the choice was obvious, rain or shine, we would experience Zion National Park.

    The dark rain clouds were ever-present, but we managed to enter Zion without the wrath of the weather gods. The canyons were a magnificent red and layered with varying sediment that created uneven vertical lines that stretched across the towering landscape. Often times I found myself thinking of the terrain as a contemporary painting created by the likes of Mark Rothko. I began squinting my eyes so I could view the scenery as a blurred and abstract color-block. This park is definitely worth every ounce of trouble we encountered just to have that particular moment.

    We were able to pitch our tent, make dinner, and attend a ranger talk about the endangered Mexican Spotted Owl (a bird that has taken refuge within the narrow caverns of Zion) before calling it a night. We camped at the Watchman campground right across from the Virgin river and it felt like we were sleeping inside the mouth of the grandest Canyon.

    The evening thunder storms did arrive as predicted and I was startled by how loud and unnerving the event was. I’m sure that neither of us slept for more than few hours. Nonetheless, morning brought the warmth of the sun, blue skies, a miraculously dry landscape, and numerous sunbathing lizards. Our window for hiking was limited, so we downed a few breakfast bars and took an early shuttle to the Zion lodge to begin our trek to the Emerald Pool trail. One of my first observations: the park was absolutely packed and the walking paths felt like rush hour in Los Angeles. There is a large international presence in Zion and more often then not, I heard passers by speaking a foreign tongue. If I had to guess, the language was most often German or Czech. The Emerald Pool trail is one of the park’s signature hot spots and for good reason. With waterfalls, colorful pools, and a beguiling display of monoliths, who wouldn’t want to be witness to the splendor. All that being said, Stephen was itching for something off the beaten path and we agreed that the next morning we would hike the more strenuous and less populated Hidden Canyon trail.

    When a hike is described as strenuous, I assume that it refers to the physical excursion required to complete it. Imagine my surprise when I learned that it also includes incredibly high cliffs, drop offs, narrow paths, and chains attached to rock, which encourages the beginning stages of rock climbing. I will admit, the hike was exciting but there were several portions that took numerous unsuccessful attempts before mustering the courage to continue. Most often it was sections of the hike where the path was narrow, the drop off was high, and there was no railing to balance myself. I was proud that I tackled the challenge and I could taste the peak of the mountain top just beyond the bend. Sadly, that is when the weather turned from a light sprinkle to an unmerciful pour. My concern shifted from finishing the hike to slipping off a cliff. We opted to slowly and carefully turn around and make our way back to the valley.

    Considering the uncompromising weather, I think we managed a fair introduction to the park, and the spectacular views and thrilling hikes only wetted our appetites enough to ensure a return visit. My one regret is that we didn’t hike “The Narrows”. It is that one trail that draws the dauntless hiking enthusiast to Zion. It is touted to be one of the most breathtaking adventures that America has to offer. One can expect to encounter hanging gardens, moss covered boulders, towering ponderosas, twisting channels, all while hiking through the river into an ever narrowing canyon. There are even parts where one must swim to continue the trail. I know that I am nowhere near prepared for a hike of that magnitude but I whole heartedly wish that I was. As Stephen and I hiked a mile or so of the River Walk, which brings you to the entrance of the narrows trailhead, we vowed to return in superior shape, better equipped, and armed with the fearless determination it would take to tackle this new bucket-list item.

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  6. The Whole of Jackson

    September 13, 2011 by Lindsey

    I wasn’t expecting Jackson, WY to be such a happening town. This location is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies. The National Park and surrounding areas have oversized inviting bike lanes and a plethora of trails that snake the enveloping landscape. Every other store caters to the adventurer and I have begun to reevaluate my preconceived notions about rock climbing and white water rafting to further explore my thrill seeking side. If that wasn’t enough, the city actually boasts an after hours pulse and (gasp) is oozing with delicious coffee and mouthwatering pastries. I also had no problem finding organic everything and saw numerous yoga and art classes advertised. Even though I did spot the occasional cowboy roaming the outskirts of Jackson in boots, belt buckle, and flannel, the town doesn’t really cater to them as expected.

    Apparently the locals are well aware of their enticing microcosm because the real estate prices in this city rival the overinflated Bay Area in CA. But come on? I don’t care how awesome this place is in the summer, i’m pretty sure that in the winter it is covered in snow and shoveling it becomes your past time.

    With only two days to explore the Grand Tetons, we opted to rise with the first hint of daylight and tackle the Jenny Lake loop. We believed the hike was going to be a gentle 4.5 mile stroll. However, once reaching the midway point, it was obvious that this hike was going to surpass 7 miles. My carefree go-with-the-flow attitude melted into a quiet yet palpable disdain. My feet and leg muscles had already begun a faint protest, which would multiply considerably with every labor intensive step. Up until this moment, I was starting to consider myself an experienced hiker, but ill preparations and miscalculations quickly reminded me of my novice title. Although the goal was to explore as much of the Tetons as possible, the hike completely wiped us out, and rather than exploring the northern side of the park, we opted to nap in our car. Even making lunch and picnicking by the lake was an over exertion of energy, although we half-heartedly managed.

    I feel like now is when I should write about the majestic nature of the Teton mountain or describe the enchanting landscape, but to be honest, after seeing Mt Rainier, Glacier, and Yellowstone, the landscape wasn’t really capturing me. This park was enticing because of the adventure seekers, artists, and community (and maybe the delicious coffee).

    We did manage the willpower to ride a Gondola to a neighboring mountaintop complete with a restaurant serving happy hour. On our way to the top we had our one and only moose encounter and were lucky enough to capture it on video. I believe it was a mom with calf but unfortunately, the Gondola did not lend itself to lingering. With the higher elevation and the evening approaching, the temperature was steadily dropping. This was the opportune time to order an indulgent Irish cream coffee with a whip cream hat while Stephen chose the spiked huckleberry lemonade. Sitting outdoors and taking in the view, we laid back and let the drinks do their job. We decided to split an order of fries and agreed that this was the most appropriate way for a couple of novice hikers to end their day in the Grand Tetons.

    Category Grand Tetons | Tags: | 1 Comment

  7. Moved to the Geothermal Core

    September 7, 2011 by Lindsey

    If you haven’t been to Yellowstone, I highly recommend that you not waste another moment and plan an extended vacation for next Summer. The park is a wonderland of colorful ecosystems, a geothermal playground, and a wildlife extravaganza. There is so much beauty and mystery lurking in every exposed and hidden crevice. Even with twelve hour days in the park, I wasn’t ready to go back to the hotel. Even in sleep, my dreams were saturated with color and simmering with smoke.

    One aspect that I tremendously enjoyed was searching for wildlife. Our larger animal encounters were considerable and I am pleased to list the following sightings: elk, bison, fox, and coyotes. While in the park, we heard of several grizzly sightings, however, we were not the lucky witness. Around dusk, there was always a cluster of photographers lining the outskirts of Lamar Valley, hoping to snap that National Geographic shot of a bear or wolf on the prowl. If there had been more time, I’m sure I would have set up shop and joined them in their quest.

    It seems that while other National Parks sport the cascading mountain range, the meadow of wildflowers, or the pristine lake views, Yellowstone’s intrigue comes from within. The grounds encompass nature’s experimental kitchen, and what laid before me was both enticing and eerie, “In these natural laboratories one needs stout faith to feel at ease. The ground sounds hollow underfoot, and the awful subterranean thunder shakes one’s mind as the ground is shaken, especially at night in the pale moonlight, or when the sky is overcast with storm-clouds. In the solemn gloom, the geysers, dimly visible, look like monstrous dancing ghosts, and their wild songs and the earthquake thunder replying to the storms overhead seem doubly terrible, as if divine government were at an end” (John Muir). I believe it is this combination of hell and heaven that draw visitors in so close, that one can feel the park’s gentle burn.

    I was incredibly grateful that Stephen and I could share this experience with my Mom and I believe she was moved to her geothermal core.

    Although it saddened me to do so, I asked my Mom if Sabine could accompany her home to Sacramento. I was worried that tent camping could be dangerous and I felt she would enjoy living under a solid roof. Of course, my Mom agreed, but saying goodbye was overwhelmingly emotional and for the first few hours, I felt another palpable loss. Sabine isn’t always the easiest dog to have on a trip. In my opinion, she is exceptionally cute, but won’t let strangers within ten feet of her. She is abnormally possessive and barks at every inconspicuous sound. Stephen and I are already shy people, but Sabine’s unwelcoming attitude only magnifies our social shortcomings.

    All this being said, Sabine is our girl, and we love the whole of her – the heaven and hell of her.

    Category Yellowstone | Tags: | No Comments

  8. Hell’s Half Acre

    September 6, 2011 by Lindsey

    Stephen and I followed the tow truck carrying Bug-a-Blue to the junk yard. We were told that we could assess the damage and retrieve whatever belongings we could salvage. I knew it was a long shot, but I was hopeful that we could find a quick fix solution, equivalent to mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, to get our girl back on the road. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to realize that we would not be returning to California with a trailer. The entire interior had collapsed and everything was a pile of debris. It became more of a search and rescue to find whatever valuable items we could, and declare the rest of it, a very sad loss. To make matters worse, the junk yard was a virtual breeding ground for ticks, and we had to work quick to keep them from invading the trailer, our car, Sabine, and ourselves.

    Our car, amazingly enough, only had a six inch scratch and a small dent on the bumper. This was a large saving grace and something to be thankful for. The three of us were leaving the scene of an accident injury free and with the ability and means to get home. And going home was definitely the main topic of conversation. We were emotionally and physically exhausted and ready to wave a white flag. Staying on the trip meant buying another trailer or purchasing a tent. Leaving meant that we were giving up on an adventure that meant so much to both of us. I know it may be a surprise, but despite all the hardships and lessons, this has been the adventure of a life time. We both loved being on the road, getting in touch with nature, learning about our surroundings, and most importantly, working through the trials and tribulations as a team. This adventure brought us closer.

    We decided to drive to Missoula, our next stop, and requested a small cabin in lieu of our trailer campsite. The drive was fairly quiet with the exceptions of some tears and the occasional work phone call that Stephen had to take. He never mentioned a word to his job about the accident. Stephen felt it would jeopardize future travel plans if they thought that working on the road was too dangerous or full of unexpected occurrences. We arrived at the KOA and for the next few hours, slept and ate to regain some strength to make all the difficult phone calls, decisions, and preparations.

    The next day we stopped by REI and seriously examined the pros and cons of tent camping. Evening temperatures were now below freezing in Yellowstone and neither of us were planning on roughing it. We weren’t ready to purchase another trailer just yet, so tent camping was becoming our only option for continuing. Despite our circumstances, we weren’t ready to return home. We purchased a few sleeping bags, an air mattress, and a tent and rearranged the remainder of our stops to be tent friendly camp sites. Although the feeling of an overwhelming loss was still present, we adopted the attitude that this new challenge only added a new and more interesting chapter to our story.

    One thing was for sure, we still wanted to go to Yellowstone. We had made earlier arrangements to meet up with my Mother and explore the park together. She had secured a hotel that allowed for pets and requested a room with two queen size beds just incase we decided to stay over. We cancelled our KOA accommodations in West Yellowstone and opted to stay in the hotel with Mom. This was a gift and a perfect opportunity to relax, recuperate, and heal from some of the trauma.

    Arriving in West Yellowstone was a tremendous sigh of relief. We all (including Sabine) were so ecstatic to see a familiar and loving face. After several weeks on the road, we could express, without a filter, all of the unexpected ups and downs that had come along with our travels. I think we chatted her sympathetic ear numb over wine and pizza in a cowboy style bar.

    The next day Stephen had to work, so Mom and I had a lovely mother/daughter day exploring the geothermal activity that makes up the peculiar and wondrous Yellowstone. One of my favorite stops was Midway Basin, home of the Grand Prismatic Spring, the third largest hot spring in the world. Rudyard Kipling, who visited Yellowstone in 1889, immortalized this basin by referring to it as “Hell’s Half Acre.” Despite its amazing beauty, I could see how religious mountaineers could view this steaming landscape as a glimpse into some kind of underworld that spewed fire and brimstone. The deep aqua blues, burnt oranges, smoky ground, and boiling mud made me feel as though I was visiting another planet. It seemed that around every corner was something new to discover and I felt a distant but familiar childlike curiosity bubble to the surface.

    Heard of Bison

    Opal Pool

    Burnt Orange Beauty

    Midway Geyser Basin

    Midway Geyser Basin

    Aqua Blue Beauty

    Beehive Geyser

    Mom and I

    Elk

    Category Yellowstone | Tags: | No Comments

  9. A Quick Update

    September 3, 2011 by Lindsey

    Hi everyone,

    I don’t have much time to write a blog entry, however, I want to thank everyone for all the concerned calls, emails, and texts. Stephen and I are recovering from the shock of the accident and are currently in Yellowstone National Park. Although we discussed the possibility of ending our trip and returning to CA, we have decided to continue the adventure. Since we currently do not have a trailer, we went to REI and purchased a tent for the duration of this journey. Car camping here we come!

    I promise to elaborate about the details in a future blog entry.

    P.S. If anyone finds any sweet deals on vintage trailers under 2000 pounds, let me know.

    Thank you for all your support,

    Lindsey

    Our New Home

    Category Yellowstone | Tags: | 2 Comments

  10. R.I.P Bug-a-Blue 1966-2011

    August 31, 2011 by Lindsey

    We left Glacier National Park at 5:30am and were headed towards our next stop, Missoula, MT. I was relieved that this was going to be an easier drive, and we expected to arrive in the late morning.

    The sun had just inched its way into the sky but there were ominous rain clouds above. We were traveling on the 206; a straight two lane road with no high inclines, twists, or turns to speak of. I was in the driver’s seat and Stephen was periodically reading directions allowed.

    There is no time to think, plan, or strategize in an emergency. Sometimes you have to act off pure gut instinct, and sometimes your instinct is wrong.

    Of course, there was no warning. We were traveling around 50 miles per hour when I saw a large skunk waddle onto the road only twenty-five feet in front of us. It was close enough and slow enough that we were absolutely sure to hit it. Without understanding the consequences, I sharply swerved to the right, back to the left, and tried to throw on the breaks. It was instantly apparent that I no longer had control of the car. The trailer was off balance and tipping from side to side. We were were quickly heading off road and into a ditch. As soon as the car left the pavement, the trailer disconnected. I heard it collide with the pavement, followed by a series of breaking glass and crushing metal. This was one of our greatest fears and it had manifested. For me, the tears came fast and hard. Stephen’s eyes were wide and I could see that he was scared and panicking. We reached or one another and clung tight. I stretched with my other arm to find Sabine. I felt her, and then looked back. She was still sitting in her car seat, eyes wide, but quietly watching for our reactions.

    I couldn’t stop sobbing and Stephen kept repeating no, no, no, no, no. It wasn’t just our trailer lying on the road; it was our home, our new way of life, and the means for completing this journey.

    Several cars pulled to the side of the road and a kind woman rushed at me with open arms, as if she was a member of my own family. I’m not always the quickest to warm to a stranger, but this time I was far from home, and didn’t have the strength to keep up a wall for any longer.




    Category Glacier | Tags: | 3 Comments

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