FROM START TO FINISH it was a magical time, Key West, thank you for your island hospitality. Participating again this year in the annual 1/2 Marathon/5K (my run), is always an uplifting event which puts a smile on my face. Along the way I cheered on the seven-year-old running like a champ with her mom; and gave a thumb’s up to the octogenarian, who was enjoying the festivities taking swift strides with a smile.
Comprised of part serious but mostly fun runners, where else do you get the opportunity to run, in January, in perfect tropical temps along the ocean with roosters seemingly cheering (or is that jeering!) you on? Registration is now open for 2025 race with a 10K added to the event. Feelin’ good? You can sign up for the 5K & 10K on Saturday; and the 1/2 marathon on Sunday. Who’s in?
Full disclosure…living full-time in a 30′ Airstream is not for everyone! I know I have a few friends who think I’m absolutely crazy to move from a bricks & mortar country home in Ojai, California where we lived for two decades into a 220′ square foot home on wheels, with two large dawgs in tow! Little did we know in February 2006 when we purchased our very first Airstream (now on #6) that we would eventually be living the full-time dream exploring the United States and Canada in our aluminum adventure pod.
Now, with almost three years of rolling in the rear view mirror, and more adventures than we can count, our hearts are filled with gratitude for the time we have had exploring this beautiful country. From Alaska to Key West, San Diego to Maine, this vagabond lifestyle definitely agrees with us.
A just-released film which shares the history of Airstreams, ‘Alumination’, shines a spotlight on Wally Byam who created Airstreams in the 1930s. In the film you’ll see that we are definitely not the most adventurous ‘Streamers (can you say Capetown to Cairo?), but rather we are just two people who are passionate about the brand, meeting new people, savoring life experiences and exploring just about every inch of this country.
Grab your popcorn and enjoy the film, for a nominal fee. We feel Director Eric Bricker did an outstanding job in putting together so many moveable parts, brilliantly! The essence of Airstreams, the history, the open road, the friendships…all of this we are fortunate enough to experience daily. Narrated by Kate Pierson of the B52s, keep an eye out and you’ll see our 1954 Airstream, Pearl, in the opening/closing scenes.
YOUR BEAUTIFUL RED ROCKS embracing the verdant Verde Valley evoke the natural beauty found in the Utah National Parks, but on a smaller, spiritual level. Our time spent along soothing Oak Creek in the shade of the towering Arizona Sycamore trees at Rancho Sedona RV Resort was too short yet filled with so many warm memories. From rallying with 25 Airstreams and the Greater Los Angeles Airstream Club; to the Verde Valley Train’s historical excursion with history tied to our much-loved California via copper mining; along with artisans, wineries, restaurants and shops galore!
One perk I always enjoy when camping in an urban location is discovering amazing restaurants, and Sedona did not disappoint. Local chef, Lisa Dahl, has created five distinct culinary experiences in Sedona, two of which we checked off the list. Pisa Lisa is some of the best crafted pizzas we’ve had on the road. Of course, Jim and my tastes run different with pizzas but that’s a plus because it gave us the opportunity to try two! The next night it was off to Cucina Rustica, Chef Dahl’s Italian restaurant which offered the feel of dining in Tuscany, combined with amazing appetizers, wines and entrees with impeccable service. I ordered the Melanzane Parmigiana (eggplant) and enjoyed every bite while Jim enjoyed Lisa’s Luscious Lasagna. Bon appetit was truly an understatement at Cucina Rustica.
Following a morning red dirt hike with the dawgs, we made our way to the very popular Coffee Pot Restaurant which features 101 omelettes to choose from. Pulling into the parking lot we found a lengthy wait on a Saturday morning. This, we feel, is always a good sign and sure enough, we hit the jackpot with this down home breakfast venue as here we experienced great service and amazing omelettes.
Piper, 12 years; Boone, 13; Jim, undisclosed 🙂
The best way to wrap up the day? The highly recommended Elote Cafe was a real winner for an upscale Mexican culinary experience. Impossible to get reservations unless booked a month or more out, we opted for take out and were very pleased with the Baja fish tacos in a light tequila & beer batter and the corn crusted scallops with white truffle crema. Heading to Sedona? Be sure to put Elote Cafe and Chef Lisa Dahl’s restaurants on your list! Thank you to Airstream friends Jot & Linda for a wonderful dinner together and for the Elote Cafe recommendation!
Overall we found Sedona more than Pink Jeep tours and with the season starting up, crowds were noticeably heavy. Be sure to book ahead for Rancho Sedona RV and enjoy a fabulous time in Sedona. We’ll be back!
Well color me happy as I spent a heavenly week ‘Up North’ Minnesota with three resilient, funny, brave, strong, bold and beautiful, women! After a stop for lunch in Two Harbors at Betty’s Pies, we drove north to Ely and the historic Burntside Lodge to reconnect and simply enjoy some highly anticipated giddy girl time together, which of course included a pajama party.
The Girls – Debbie, Kim, Nina & Pixi
With our high school saga (yearbook) as a compass, we were transported a half century back in time as we shared stories of our collective 170 years of friendship. Over bottles of wine, great food and laughter, sweet memories were shared – and being made – with glasses raised high. We talked of the loves and the losses; the children and grandchildren who now illuminate our lives. All these are beautiful markers of time and a journey well traveled.
Throughout life friendships are made, lost, celebrated and mourned. These ladies, however, are another amazing level of incredibleness and I am happy and so very fortunate to have them in my life. Cheers to the girlfriends in our lives!
ps – we tried but couldn’t get Nina to recreate her high school jumps!
‘DON’T LOOK UP BECAUSE ALL YOU’LL SEE IS A BIG NOSTRIL’.
These words were definitely a first for me. The only place you will likely hear these words are right here in the Black Hills of South Dakota at a magnificent dream carved into a granite mountain to honor the warrior chief, Crazy Horse (unknown 1840/45 -1877).
As my guide, Gwen, and I walked out along the crushed dirt walkway/left forearm, I kept my head down and heeded her request for at least forty feet when I turned, looked up and heard her say, ‘Lynda, I would like to introduce you to Chief Crazy Horse’. I cannot put into words the elation, wonder and thrill I felt as I stood so close to this granite tribute. Standing there, in such an incredible spot, my soul was so touched that tears filled my eyes and my hands covered my gaping mouth. To stand before, and in awe, of this 86’ tall granite face was truly a profound and palpable experience for me.
As a a young child of the 1960s in the Midwest, and very thankful for a gypsy mom who would throw her kids into a small station wagon with ‘I Got You Babe’ on the radio, I was introduced to canvas tent camping in South Dakota and Colorado. This is also my first recollection of stories about the Crazy Horse monument. It wasn’t until decades later that I made my first visit as an adult.
Unlike nearby federally funded Mount Rushmore, this monument is a non-profit which exists solely on charitable donations, therefore, it is taking much more time to complete. There is, in fact, no defined completion date for the monument. American sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, did the initial blast in 1948 yet never had the opportunity to see the monument progress as he passed away in 1982. It was 1998 before the head of Crazy Horse was unveiled at the 50th anniversary, while the left hand was unveiled at the 75th anniversary, just weeks before my visit. It is estimated that in five to nine years the forearm where I stood will be completed and will no longer be accessible on tours. To walk these grounds was inspiring and somewhat breathtaking so high up. Warm memories came flooding back to me and I could almost hear my mom’s voice as she shared what some day would be.
The detail! Standing at the left thumb nail which even included a cuticle.
Left hand pointed to what is today the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation (1889)
Work continues on the left fingers, unseen from monument viewing on the ground
Controversial in nature, I personally found the monument a beautiful tribute. The surrounding area today includes the Native American Museum of North America, a Native American Cultural Center and the Indian University of North America. If you travel the area, take time to visit, donate and grab an up-close tour, if you can. My late-in-the-day excursion found me on a private tour with a knowledgable guide.
Filled with gratitude I left the mountain top with a couple slightly polished granite rocks showing signs of cutting from the left hand of Crazy Horse. These rocks are now in the possession of my grandkids who hopefully will visit to see more progress than I ever will of this great Chief with his finger pointed to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, “My lands are where my people lie buried”.
For almost 60 years I have been visiting this monument. While the monument remains the same as when sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and upon his death, his son, Lincoln, presented it to our nation in 1941, the monument experience has changed in a positive way. Gone is the simple parking lot and kitschy, but fun-to-roam-as-a-young-kid tiny gift shop of the 1960s, all replaced by a larger parking lot, gift shops and book store which comfortably accommodates more visitors. The state flags complete with date of statehood that line the mall have been an excellent addition!
This year, a first for us was to view the lighting of the monument at night, and did I mention all this and the annual Sturgis Bike Rally?
INDEPENDENCE PASS at an elevation of 12,095’ feet connects two of my Colorado happy places. The chic ski town of Aspen and the laid-back desert locale of Twin Lakes and Buena Vista, Colorado. After settling into one of our favorite dry camp locations in the tiny hamlet of Twin Lakes, we headed to the Twin Lakes Inn and bellied up to the small, 5-seat wood bar for cocktails and dinner. Nothing fancy here at this down-home inn with upstairs rooms frequented by those hardy hikers traversing the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail, but we always feel welcome and enjoyed our time over a plate of pasta and a cool beverage.
Next day, it was a stop at Coffee, a converted VW bus near the Twin Lakes Inn where I picked up a latte and hit the road. It’s always exhilarating to take a spin over Independence Pass to Aspen. This 30-mile drive is stunningly scenic and thrilling to drive, yes, even in our Sexy Beast, the F250. With its 10 mph hairpin curves, 6% grades, steep drop-offs and picturesque pull overs to stop and soak in the beauty, it’s an amazing drive filled with history. This trip, however, I was competing with a 60-70 car crazy-fast Lamborghini Countach Road Rally which caused me to keep my eyes peeled for more than the occasional critter crossing the road. It was beautiful and exciting to see the cars, but whoosh!! they are fast! I shared my adventure with a shopkeeper who said, “It’s just another day in Aspen!”
Early days on the Independence Pass
Founded in 1879, the town of Aspen has retained several of its early buildings, however, the shops have changed and include all the high end boutiques which are frequented by locals and tourists alike. The sunny day was perfect to grab an ice cream and people-watch before I made my way back over the pass.
The town which really surprised me was Buena Vista, 25 miles south of our Twin Lakes campsite. Over the years this blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town has evolved into an up and coming destination with a great walkable downtown area filled with a city park, restaurants, shops, breweries, and more to come based on the construction going on.
When you camp ON the Twin Lakes in the town of Twin Lakes, you gotta head down to Johnny Canoe on the shore and take a kayak for a paddle. On the water we reminisced about the years we’ve been coming here including several with our Goldens, Tyler & Tucker when we rented a cabin; and now with our mutties, Boone & Piper. Good memories, while new ones continue to be made. Life is good in an Airstream!
EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE the Airstream gods smile down and surprise you with not only a serene mountain lake at 8,000 feet, but the best campsite in the park!
When we began our full time journey a couple years back we landed at a sweet campground in Oregon where we met an interesting young man, a smokejumper, from Colorado. He’s got to know the best campsites, right! When I asked his favorite place to camp in Colorado, he immediately said, “Pearl Lake”. The name stuck with me and over two years later it was now on our radar. However, we didn’t know how popular this state park was, nor how small, with only 38 sites. After a few weeks of trying to grab a site that worked for our 30′ Silver Palace, one became available, I quickly grabbed it and we set our direction south.
We rolled north out of Steamboat Springs about 40 minutes to just a few miles before the blacktop ends (literally!) and a dirt road brings you into Wyoming. Here, Pearl Lake State Park with it’s dirt road and sites tucked into the trees, was absolutely what my soul needed, but to then find our spacious site was right on the lake was over-the-top! We set up dry camp for the week in our self-contained Airstream with 54 gallons of fresh water and enough solar on top to keep to keep the lights on. My motto has always been, ‘When the site is perfect, showers are definitely overrated!’, and this one did not disappoint.
Over the week we visited south of Pearl Lake and the Clark Store which is a combo community gathering spot/restaurant/post office/liquor store with a hand scooped ice cream shop and wood-fired pizza pies on the weekend. What more could you need? Well, there was a stand up paddleboard/kayak vendor on the shores of Pearl Lake which gave us an opportunity to float as often as we wanted. Our site, just steps from the lake, is perfect for those traveling with water toys.
Hahn’s Peak off the bow
A Saturday visit into Steamboat Springs and I enjoyed the weekly Farmer’s Market where I ran out of energy before making my way around the entire market, it was that big. The town of Steamboat Springs has retained a bit of its western feel, but has definitely grown since Jim and I skied the mountain in 1996. What was once a sleepy western ski town has swelled into quite a summer destination and it was easy to see why with its shops, restaurants, breweries and outdoor activities galore. Colorado is always on our radar and someday we may return to Pearl Lake, but the memory of that beautiful campsite will keep us going until then.
SKI TOWNS IN THE SUMMER are some of my favorite places to visit! While we hung up our skis over a decade ago, I never miss an opportunity to enjoy the summer beauty of these magical mountain towns and Jackson, Wyoming never fails to make me smile.
After settling in I drove to Teton Village and up the aerial tram to take in the view atop Rendezvous Mountain. Memories returned to me of my visit in 1981 when I rode the original 1966-era 50-person tram up and walked the seven miles downhill to add to my adventure. To this day I recall stiff knees for a week and I was a whole lot younger! This time it was to take in the mountain top and savor a waffle at 10,450 feet high in the sky at Corbet’s Cabin.
A 12-minute ride back down on the new-ish 1985 100-person tram and I jumped on the nearby Bridger Gondola and enjoyed a stunning two-mile hike with a celebratory cold brew before riding down to the village and returning home. The views were absolutely amazing with stunning summer skies!
During our last visit to Jackson we enjoyed the Jackson Hole Playhouse and returned again this year to see a lively performance of, ‘Annie Get Your Gun’. The Playhouse is in a building built in 1916 and has housed various businesses over the years including a livery, stage coach company, the Model T Ford dealership, a bowling alley and finally in 1935, the Jackson Hole Playhouse. Dinner prior to the show is always fun as the servers, who are actually the actors, break into song to kick the evening off.
Our visit to Jackson was made even merrier, and was actually the icing on the (cup)cake, when we attended the wedding of my bestie, Mona, at the historic Wort Hotel. Mona & Tim looked positively radiant and surrounded by friends, they shared their beautifully written vows which brought laughter and a few tears. We wish them much love and continued miles of happiness ahead and are thrilled they found each other within this amazing Airstream community.
Camp Dawg 