Our visit to Death Valley got off to an auspicious start with the most spectacular moon rise I have ever […]
Three Hikes and a Couple of Strolls
Is it really hiking if you aren’t dripping sweat and gasping for air? Hiking in Colorado leads to spectacular destinations […]
Morro Bay: The Rock and Beyond
Why did we decide to hang out in Morro Bay, California for an entire month toward the end of our […]
Lighthouses, Coastal Dunes, and Monarch Butterflies
All three are found along the California coast, but what else do they have in common? Answer: unique and profound […]
An American Castle and 400 Scarecrows
80,000 square feet. 58 bedrooms. 60 bathrooms. 41 fireplaces. 127 acres of landscaped gardens. Designed and built for the wealthy […]
A Short Trip to Sideways Country
It was in 2004 that the movie Sideways put pinot noir on the wine map as the new cool varietal […]
Five Days and 464 Miles on California Highway 1
Just thinking about driving the Pacific Coast Highway conjures up sweeping ocean views and rugged cliffs while riding in a […]
The Incredible California Redwoods
In casual conversation, “awesome” means pretty darn good and perhaps even somewhat special, but most likely not particularly memorable. As […]
The Curious Disappearance of Crater Lake
The weather forecast was not promising – unseasonably cold and windy with up to 3″ of snow, but with reservations […]
Day Trips from Portland: Rivers, Volcanoes, Wineries, and Bob’s
Exploring a new city is exciting, but now and again we need a serious nature fix. Not a problem, because […]
Portland Visit Part 3: Sellwood
If you aspire to live in a neighborhood far from the city center where houses are situated on large lots, […]
Portland Excursions: Gardens, Concerts, Zoos and Museums
The Portland Japanese Garden “is a place to discard worldly thoughts and concerns and see oneself as a small but […]
Just Passing Through 