We left Durango and, with a bit of discussion, axed off our detour to Monument Valley. It would have added three plus hours onto our trip that day, and thus take away from our time in Arches and/or Canyonlands. So Utah it would now be for the next week or so, and is where I … More Intro to Utah: Mars or Moab?
Durango! I’ll do my best to keep this short and sweet. Prior to our arrival there, we side-tripped to Mesa Verde Park, where Native Americans formerly dwelled. And during a relatively small part of their time there, they moved their living quarters under the rock cliffs that most of us have probably seen in a … More Colorado’s Last, Steamy Blast
Heading UP to the High Country – that’s no joke. It’s ear-popping fun shooting over Monarch Pass at 11300 feet, or thereabout, and then ending up in a vast “valley” that probably runs at around 10000 feet, at least until the next peaks point into sight. But it’s late September, so it’s not just the … More High Country Hues
**Please excuse typos — time is limited!** — This is becoming a trend, my failure to post a blog in the early part of our adventures. I’d like to tell you I have a great excuse, but as usual I can only muster a busy schedule, fatigue due to lack of sleep, and the general … More Flights, Fizz and Foliage
The week has arrived: that of packing panic, last minute errands, advising the housesitter(s), worrying about the cats, etc. etc. OH, and that of the beginning of our two week vacation to a large swath of the Southwestern US! With much going on, and much more interesting things to post about once we hit the road, … More Southwest Itinerary (pre-departure rerun!)
It’s here: the final countdown to our trip across the US Southwest. Before the month ends, we’ll be on the other side of the country, road-trippin’ and hiking our way through golden aspens, other-worldly rock formations, and the grandest of all canyons. You can definitely call me excited, but am I prepared? I’ve been pecking … More Vacation Time: Forethought & Planning vs. The Free Spirit
Patience: it’s on my mind this week. “The best things come to those who wait.” “You don’t know patience until you have kids.” I’ve heard these themes from time to time, and throughout my life. It seems odd to discuss it in the travel realm, though, when parents have already given themselves the top award … More Notched, Part 4: Patience is a Traveler’s Virtue
Remember that post about how difficult it is to plan a travel itinerary that includes everything fantastic within a limited timeframe? And how we had scrapped ending our trip in Albuquerque, visiting the Balloon Fiesta, because the logistics were too difficult? Well, throw that out of the suitcase, because even a “final” itinerary can change for the right … More Itinerary Revision (Albuquerque, after all)!
I dedicated my first two “Notched” write-ups to food, and how travel has influenced my willingness to both try new foods and then prepare them when I return home. But as a person who seeks balance, it’s important that I utilize those calories, lest I become gluttonously chair-bound and unable to travel again. So I’ll devote … More Notched, Part 3: Walking Off Those Food Calories
As we were traveling to NC for a family event, we naturally had to consider exploring someplace new. Enter a long detour (through beautiful, mountainous scenery) to Asheville, NC, which is well known as the South’s craft beer and outdoor recreation capital. Although we only had one afternoon and night in the small city, it took only … More One Lively Day in Asheville, NC
Travel Notch 