Never heard of Lee Vining? I hadn't either before we set out to explore all aspects of the Eastern Sierras! This summer, we were fortunate to discover so many cool aspects of this relatively small, high elevation mountain town. It's only 30 minutes north of Mammoth Lakes, and 30 minutes south of Bridgeport, making it a worthwhile stop as you explore along the scenic Hwy 395.
Why You Need to Visit Bridgeport, California
There are some places that just take your breath away. For us, that special place has always been Bridgeport, California. For the past five years, we've been coming here to unplug, recharge in nature, and soak in that fresh mountain air. So when we decided to transition from van life to Airstream living, we felt the best basecamp to get grounded and explore from what this charming small town in the Eastern Sierras.
Nevada’s Best Kept Secret: Cathedral Gorge State Park
Editor’s Note: I was perusing Instagram awhile back, and saw the coolest stories from one of my favorites on the platform, @ChrisMeGoodbye aka Christine Blake. She’s a California native and mom to three living in Las Vegas. Her photos are incredible! Christine had discovered what can arguably might be the coolest hidden gem in Nevada. I reached out immediately — “Where is this? Please tell me more!” This natural attraction is SO cool that I asked Christine if she would be willing to share allllll of the details with you guys here. Happy Reading! I have been living in Las Vegas for over 15 years, and I only just recently…
The Healing Power of Nature — The Ultimate Self-Care
I’m always amazed at the healing power of nature. It doesn’t matter what kind of day I’m having, or what mood I’m in — nature can pull me out of any funk. I suppose that’s why I’ve gravitated to hiking so much. To walk amongst so much life and beauty one can’t help but feel grateful. To me, it’s the simplest way to restore my mind, body and soul. I love the feeling of the ground beneath my feet, breathing the fresh air and marveling at the world around me. Spending time daily in nature reminds me that there are still good things in this life. We’re living in a…
5 Tips For Taking Care of Hiking Trails
It’s no secret that hiking has become a pretty big part of our Great Big Adventure. We’re always scoping out what’s nearby, and find that you can see some of the most beautiful views at the end of the trail. ?
Arctix Kids Rain Jacket Review
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that we’re pretty picky about the gear we bring into the van. First, we don’t have a lot of space since we live in an 86-square-foot home on wheels. And secondly, we need apparel that’s going to stand the test of time… because we’re literally wearing it on the daily.
10 Best Hikes in Joshua Tree for Families with Young Kids
We recently spent an entire month in the Joshua Tree National Park, soaking in this desert wonderland. There are hundreds of miles of trails begging to be explored! Here's a list of our ten favorite hikes in Joshua Tree for families with kids.
Everything You Need to Know about Visiting Joshua Tree National Park
This past winter we toyed with the idea of staying in a mountain cabin with snow, or somewhere relatively warm. Being from the Central Valley of California, we’re not necessarily sticklers for a white Christmas. We’re used to the sunshine and crisp weather in December! Comfort took precedence in our decision, so we opted for a place that’s been on our national park bucket list for a while: Joshua Tree National Park.
Explore the Quaint Coastal Town of Morro Bay!
Two years ago, we set off in the van to camp at the Morro Bay State Park and celebrate Steven's birthday. It was the first overnight trip with our new platform bed, which Steven had spent a couple of weekends building. We were beyond excited, and that trip sparked something in the four of us that we couldn't explain. It felt right. It felt like home. Whether or not that trip was the catalyst for Our Great Big Adventure, we knew we wanted to do more traveling. More overnights in the van. More traveling! Two years later, here we are -- back in the same place where it all started.
The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Traveling Kids!
Whether you're a traveling family or just trying to live a bit more minimalistic this holiday season, the boys and I put together a list of some of their favorites -- and this year's wishes!