Although we saw Yosemite’s iconic Half Dome on our first visit to the valley, we didn’t really appreciate its grandeur until we trekked to Glacier Point. Arriving at the point, we were quickly overwhelmed by Half Dome’s immediacy and enormity. The imposing granite crest was offset by a cloud-filled blue sky above a carpet of…
Our first full day in Yosemite Valley brought with it the disappointment of overcast skies and low-hanging clouds, which had the unexpected benefit of creating an almost mystical appearance to some of the park’s most iconic rock formations, including El Capitan, Sentinel Rock and Half Dome. However, a quick hike near Bridalveil Fall and Cathedral…
After setting up the Airstream at our Oakhurst site, we immediately headed to Yosemite, undaunted by the cool weather and light rain. First stop, the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, located at the southern-most entrance to the park. The grove has more than 500 mature trees–among the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth. Some…
Situated near Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the U.S., roughly 60 miles in length with an average width of 6 miles. The canyon’s depth ranges from 800 to nearly 1,000 feet, displaying dramatic geologic features, multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls. It was the…
Anyone who has ever planned a 10-day road trip knows that the preparation can be daunting. After all, there are supplies and provisions to be obtained and stowed, reservations to be made and confirmed, lists to be compiled and checked, and itineraries to be planned and finalized. And, as Robert Burns reminded us, the best…
In one week, we plan to motor west on Route 66. Our destination is Yosemite, but we’ve arranged to see Amarillo, Gallup, Flagstaff, Winona, Kingman and Barstow along the way–cities made famous by the 1946 R&B classic. We spend some time after work each night and on the weekends preparing for this first long road trip in…
In the business world, this is known as being flexible and adaptable. In our world, it’s known as compensating for inadequate planning. We took delivery of our 2014 Airstream 22FB Sport on Saturday afternoon. We had concerns that it might not make it up the driveway and, even if it did, it might not have…
What better way to celebrate 10 years of marriage than with a traditional gift of aluminum! Ours is a 2014 Airstream 22FB Sport, the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream. Its maiden voyage will be to Yosemite, with a stop along the way at the Grand Canyon. We’ll get our kicks on Route 66 with overnight…
We’re spending the weekend at our favorite “backyard” state park, primarily because it is convenient and reliable. We know what to expect. Because this is “spring break” for many families, the park is “sold out,” although there are many unoccupied sites. The brilliant orange gerbera daisy, pictured here, adorns our table, a product of “Fresh…
To understand why we purchased, and then modified, a tufted-leather storage ottoman for our camper, you first must understand the importance of a tufted-leather ottoman in our daily life. We have an enormous tufted-leather ottoman in our den. It’s so big, in fact, that Cliff’s sister actually slept on it when her house lost power…
