Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today. Now that the tone is set (and you have the appropriate song in your head)...We were off! Our six week summer adventure had officially began. To contain our excitement would be impossible. We were beyond excited! A year of planning, researching, tweaking, purchasing, and dreaming. We were finally (thanks a lot, Covid) making our way to Europe! And there was only one city appropriate to kick start our trip: New York City!!!
Read MoreMy favorite kind of unforgettable moment is one that sneaks up on you when you least expect it and has you saying “holy smokes, did that actually just happen?” The day we hopped out of our taxi onto the dirt road of the small surf town of Troncones, we didn't know what was in store for us in this little village on the sea...
Read MoreThis was a “covid trip” that I wasn’t entirely sure would come to fruition. Delta cases were on the rise, the boys were in school five days a week which meant they were exposed to more germs, and talk of countries’ restrictions tightening were rumored. I started worrying again that we might get sick and not be able to go.
But the three weeks off had been requested for nearly a year and we had yet to decide on a place. We juggled different destinations for months. Spain, Iceland, Paris, Italy (Again. Our plan last year had failed thanks to covid). All these places seemed unattainable still. We couldn't agree on a place we really wanted to visit in the U.S. in the fall. So many variables. Too many variables. But our soul was craving something…different, semi-adventurous, somewhere with culture and language. Perhaps somewhere tropical?!
Read MoreNothing could have prepared for what lie ahead as we were cruising along highway BC 16 from Prince George towards Mt Robson, Jasper, and Icefields Parkway. In the moment, however, our minds were elsewhere. Our goal was to beat the rain that was projected to cover the whole area for several days. I was attempting to remain positive but my mind continued to weigh me down with negative thoughts. Was I going to see everything I wanted through the rain and cloud? Would we be stuck in the van all day miserable? My heart was conflicted and I wondered if we should skip the whole area and come back another year for fear of major disappointment. But, let me tell you, what was in store for us was so much better than I anticipated, even if we did have to suffer through a little rain (and other seasons!) along the way.
Read MoreWhenever people ask what the highlight of our entire ten-week trip was, our answers point straight to our time in Bella Coola along with our full-day ferry ride leading up to it. While there were many incredible places and moments of the trip, it seems this one always pops into our mind first. Maybe it was because it was brand new territory for us, or a new means of transportation for Loaf and our family, or perhaps because it was an entirely new adventure in terms of wildlife and landscape. Likely a mix of all three, but whatever it was, we were astounded at what we discovered between the tip top of Vancouver Island, through the inside passage via ferry boat, and along the valley floor of Bella Coola.
Read MoreWe felt the pull to divert from the mainland of Vancouver Island. We had been talking prior to our trip about hopping over and exploring one of the many islands of British Columbia. This one happened to fall perfectly in our laps. Back when we were in Port Townsend, Washington spending time at a small, local public library we ran into a woman named Wendy. She had overheard we were visiting and casually asked us where we were from. One thing led to another and after sharing that we were on a 10-week road trip she quickly began offering ideas and must-sees (which we love to accept). She also happily put us in contact with a family (and another thing we love to accept!) that lives on the small island of Quadra, found along the famous Inside Passage. We immediately got in touch with the family to learn more about them and this island.
Read MoreVancouver Island was unchartered territory for us. It was perfect timing because our bodies were aching for a new sense of adventure. Our plan for this section was to ferry from Port Angeles, Washington to the capital of BC, Victoria. Then we would slowly work our way up to the tippy top to Port Hardy to catch our ferry through the inside passage to Bella Coola (more on that REMARKABLE trip in a later post). For the "Island," we had no real camping plans lined out other than Tofino since it is most popular this time of year. Tofino was a major highlight for us. The beaches are unlike any other I've stepped foot on, and it was here that the boys first tried surfing! But what was also a surprise to us was just how memorable Canada's provincial parks would be. While the cities were much more populated on the island than we anticipated, we managed to find some wild, rugged, and stunning spots.
Read MoreAfter much preparation (and anticipation), we made it back on the road! We are feeling as good as ever and have settled in to our new van, Loaf, nicely. We quickly slipped back into the selves we remembered so well from being on the road for a year, and it feels familiar and like home. We are looking forward to this new chapter together and to get back to the core of what we miss most - quality family time, limited distractions, meeting old and new friends, simplified living, and of course, exploring corners of the world with eyes wide open. With a week under our belt, we have already blazed a solid trail starting at our home in Durango, Colorado then onto 600+ miles of the loneliest road in America through Utah, Nevada, and California. While this road was in fact fairly quiet (still in the off season), we ended up finding plenty of fun things to keep us busy! We think Loaf is having an equally good time during his first overseas trip. Just keep reading to see all the beautiful places he has taken us already!
Read MoreAloha! We had one incredible month in Hawaii and four videos to prove it! Each week we put together a fun video sharing what mischief we got into on Oahu. From beaches, to snorkeling with sea turtles and manta rays, to eating shave ice, to sailing with friends, to surfing North Shore. We managed squeezed it all in!
Read MoreWe made it! Well, almost. We are just days away from busting back into Durango, Colorado with sandal tans on our feet, smiles as wide as a crocodile, dirt under our fingernails, and countless stories and sights in the memory bank. Don’t get me wrong, while there were plenty of moments that tested our patience along the way, I think our family would agree that our ten weeks together and on the road was a huge success, especially since we all came back intact and in one piece (except for Chip's toe). With that, I've decided to mix it up on the blog and work my way counter clockwise. Our final region on our loop around the US and Canada happened to be one we had never been to but were thrilled to explore. Idaho!
Read MoreWe did it! We made a complete lap around Ireland in under two weeks and lived to tell the tales of our mother-daughter trip! I only had doubts because well, a rental car plus narrow roads plus driving on the opposite side plus foreign country (not to mention I had not driven at all in 10 months!) all could have equaled a number of different outcomes. But besides the minor bumps in the road, we came out victorious! The final two days we got to stow our car away and use public transpo in Dublin, the vibrant capital city of Ireland. We had a lot to squeeze in and as the title implies, a fair bit of it revolved around bars, beers, and books with visits to the famous Temple Bar, the Guinness Storehouse and Brewery, and Trinity College’s Book of Kells Exhibition & Old Library.But first, check out the ground we covered in the map below...
Read MoreHere we were, entrenched in our mother-daughter adventure through the small country of Ireland. On this particular day we were buzzing along a narrow, winding, and picturesque Irish road at 8:30 in the morning. The sun dazzled brightly in the blue sky, the weather was a hint warmer than the previous day, and our bodies sensed we were about to have a notable outing with each other. Today was Mother's day and we were driving towards one of our bucket list items. A place we had both longed to visit for several years. Little did we know we were about to treat ourselves to one of the best Mother’s Day experiences of our lives. And together. After parking our rental in a near-emtpy parking lot (visit in the off season, people!) and using the restrooms for a quick pit stop, we busted out in one of those "shopping mall lady" powerwalks to catch our first glimpse of the world famous, most outstanding coastal features in all of Ireland: The Cliffs of Moher!
Read MoreMy mother’s and my whirlwind (and very scenic) tour of Ireland seemed to be starting off on the right foot (okay, minus the couple “miscalculations” we had encountered while driving)! We were only 24 hours in and had already enjoyed each other’s company and the Emerald Isle immensely. But we were on the move in this next section. It is probably the chapter of our trip when I wish we could have slowed things down and had two extra days to explore everything you’re about to read and see. But heck if we were going to let time slow us down. We were determined to squeeze in every bit of scenery and Irish beer we could in ten days so buckle up as we travel through southern and southwestern Ireland, which includes the Dingle Peninsula...hence the title.
Read MoreHow many of you out there have a bucket list? I've personally kept a list since 2011 but admit I need to check in with myself to see how I'm doing. What about a bucket list with another person? I never had but realized that can be just as doable when one day out of the blue I flicked my mom a text. The question? "What's on your bucket list?" She replied with five places: New Zealand, Vietnam, Glacier National Park, Hawaii (one last time, but this time without her husband/my dad), and Ireland. If you know us at all, then you know that was the start of an elaborate plan...
Read MoreIf you've been following our journey, then you know I'm a sucker for stats and fun facts (the boys would chime in here: "did somebody say suckers?!"). On June 15, 2017 we jumped in Spud, our '86 Westfalia, drove through a start line made of toilet paper (thanks neighbors!), and peaced goodbye to the tenants that were going to be taking over our house for the year. Thus began our adventure that took us to many beautiful spots, reunited us with family and friends, and created long-lasting memories for our family. And let me tell you, the trip was so freaking fantastic I can't even find the right words other than that to describe it. So let's get to it - I've gone ahead and compiled a juicy stat and fact list rounding out our one year on the road. You're welcome!
Read MoreWhen I look back on our time in Page, Arizona, the deepest corner of my heart aches. It was in this spot that we spent the final leg of our year "hitting pause." Even now, as I write two months later I can't help but feel nostalgic. Feelings, memories, and gratefulness rush back to me like a tidal wave. I miss it. I realize I still really miss it.
Read MoreWe were reunited in Phoenix with Spud after five incredible weeks gallivanting around Ohio to see family (not to mention a side trip to Ireland to fulfill me and my mom’s mother-daughter bucket list). The feeling of jumping back into Spud after an extended lapse of time is a feeling we can never quite describe. We are always extra elated when we first turn the key and the engine fires up. The moments after pulling out onto the open road, unaware of what exactly we will experience next, is especially satisfying for us. We can’t help ourselves…we are addicted to new places, new people, new sights, and new places to camp! So upward and onward…we were off to Sedona!
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