Several years ago, on our very first ever backpacking trip, we were disappointed to find the campgrounds at Great Basin National Park completely full. We drove to the tiny town just outside the park, Baker, and hoped to grab a room at the only motel. They were booked for the night, but we decided to […]

Read More Day 45: Stargazer Inn and Kerouac’s

There is little doubt that today was the most physically challenging of the trip so far, and possibly of all the adventures we’ve had. But, I would argue, it was the best too. We woke up at camp at 12:30 when someone’s car alarm was going off, and 2:30 when a group of early hikers […]

Read More Day 44: Mount Massive

Today was a rest day. We usually fill rest days with driving, household tasks like laundry, or smaller hikes. We couldn’t do any of those things today, but spent the day in Leadville. It’s the highest city in Colorado at 10,000 some feet and full of cute shops, outdoor gear suppliers, and some real good […]

Read More Day 43: Leadville

Five years ago we attempted to summit Mt. Elbert. We couldn’t. (Blog post from that day.) Today, five years later, we did. We woke up at 5 with chattering teeth and frozen toes. We had slept in our hiking clothes with the hope of saving as much time as possible in the morning. We quickly […]

Read More Day 42: Mount Elbert

We’re at the end of two consecutive rest days, days that were needed after four backpacking days and with what the next few days will present. Yesterday was our anniversary and we spent the day wondering Santa Fe, hanging out poolside, sipping margaritas, and going on a date night to a renowned New Mexican restaurant. […]

Read More Day 40 and 41: Santa Fe and Leadville

I fell in love with Bandelier this visit. I’m in awe of the ecotone, the combination of two eco systems. I admire the Ancestral Puebloans who called this area home and 1000 years ago. I loved the hiking here, challenging, but so rewarding. I live the other 9 months of the year for the adventure […]

Read More Day 39: Bandelier NM and Los Alamos

What a day. It’s almost nine. The sun just set and the sky above the canyon we’re camping in has turned to magnificent purples and pinks. Zak and I are perched on a boulder drinking whiskey from a plastic water bottle that has been chilling in the bubbling stream for the past two hours. This […]

Read More Day 38: Bandelier National Monument

We’re sitting in a quaint corntyard, waiting for our name to be called for a table at Rancho de Chimayo. The history of this dining experience seems vast and the James Beard award is a bit intimidating. Especially considering I’m wearing flip flops, have no makeup or bra on, and just threw my hair in […]

Read More Day 37: Wheeler and Walter Peaks

If you showed me a picture of the mountains surrounding us, the alpine lake we’re camping just above, the towering pines, and the mule deer who just stopped by our campsite for its dinner, I would never have predicted it was set in New Mexico. The morning started lazy, something I’m getting used to. We […]

Read More Day 36: Taos and Williams Lake

I’m so content now. I had the first green chile stew of the trip, over a glass on sangria, on the patio of the restaurant as the sun set. We laughed a lot at dinner as Ellie laid out her future plans of building a shack at COhome, eating our food, and never officially moving […]

Read More Day 35: Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu