United States Archives - Joys On A Journey

November 10, 2020August 9, 2022

WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE TO TRAVEL DURING COVID

Travel has been at an almost standstill since things were locked down last spring due to the Pandemic of 2020. But as time goes on so does the Pandemic. Many have locked down, stayed home, followed guidelines, missed graduations, birthdays, and seeing family. But as the Pandemic continues, the numbers keep climbing. But we know that wearing a mask and socially distancing works! We have learned that we don’t have to stay at home constantly, as long as we use this knowledge, take precautions (safety measures) and continue to be mindful. So many travelers in need of a mental health break are starting to consider the option of traveling safely and cautiously. There are several things to take into account; the airline’s commitment to safer travel, hotel chains and their commitment to their cleanliness guarantee, and Rapid Covid testing for travel to certain destinations that require a covid negative test to visit.

Being that travel is such an important part of our life, we have cautiously traveled during the past few months (not for the first 5 months of lockdown) with many safety measures put into practice. With the holidays approaching, some folks are debating the following options: Here’s what we have to report…What it’s really like to Travel during Covid.

TRAVELING BY RV:

We rented a brand new RV to travel to the National Parks. Our hotel on wheels.

Earlier in the summer, we decided to try out RV travel. 2020 has been a good year for RV sales and rentals. We had never experienced it and wanted to give it a try. With all the risks, taking our hotel on the road seemed to be the safest bet! So we rented a brand new RV and had our groceries delivered. We loaded up with gloves, masks, and hand sanitizer and hit the road to visit some of this country’s best National Parks. Wide-open Spaces are all we wanted where we wouldn’t be at risk or risk to others. The U.S. National Park’s attendance numbers have been at an all-time low. Since vacationers from outside of the country were not able to travel to the US and those within the country weren’t traveling at all. There were many parks we almost had all to ourselves. It was a great once in a lifetime experience. We hiked in some of this country’s most beautiful parks without a crowd. If you would like to read more about this adventure be sure to read more on the blog. One was about Utah’s Mighty 5, http://box5321.temp.domains/~joysonaj/utahs-mighty-5-in-50-hours/ and another post over in beautiful California, http://box5321.temp.domains/~joysonaj/wp-admin/post.php?post=1987&action=editWe had an RV adventure of a lifetime! Please check https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm for your park’s reservations info before heading out. Some do require reservations and Shuttle passes.

TRAVELING BY TRAIN:

We recently traveled by Amtrak train within North Carolina. It seems that they are not able to clean each train car at each stop. But they are doing enhanced cleanings in the morning and an evening deep clean, along with en route cleanings of the bathrooms and other high contact areas. Of course, they have the same mandatory masks and social distancing rules as most places these days. Since many aren’t traveling during this time is it easy to space out and social distance yourself. Booking a ticket in Business Class also offers a little more space and fewer people.

TRAVELING BY AIR:

While it’s best to check with your airlines before booking, as of the time of writing of this piece, The LA Times was reporting that Southwest, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, and Jet Blue were still offering limited seating or blocked middle seats on many of their flights until December and January. Masks are a requirement for all. Those who refuse can be banned from flying in the future. Due to the airplane’s special Hepa filters and the cleanings in between each flight, it has helped keep the risk to a minimum. We felt comfortable trying it with the numbers being so low for airline passengers at our point of travel. On our flight, which was American, they were mostly full flights. Even the middle seat was full. When possible we try to get the seats on the last row. We double mask, wipe down everything, and try to have limited interaction with others. When boarding they only let a certain number of people board at the time, and the same was true at arrival. There is no food or drink service but we were given a bag with water, cookie, and hand sanitizer. It did seem that the airline’s crew were a bit more peppy and kind than in the past. So that was a treat. I think they were happy to see people flying!

HOTEL STAYS

So far we have only stayed with Hilton properties. They are doing a great job of making their guests feel safe. After the rooms are cleaned and sanitized, the doors are labeled with a sticker sealing the doors that no one can enter after it has been sanitized. The remote is sanitized and then wrapped in a plastic bag. The free breakfast is a bit limited but they do a nice job. They serve your food so that only one person is touching the utensil. There are also prepackaged breakfast boxes for those who just want to take and go. We felt safe with their service. We take a lot of day trips but when we do have to stay overnight this is our choice.

OUR FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRIP OF 2020

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA-A SECLUDED PARADISE

Everyone who travels to Antigua from the United States must have a Covid Negative PCR test within 7 days of travel. We felt pretty safe on the airplane heading to this destination because everyone had to have this test to fly there. Upon arrival, we had to submit the documentation proving that along with temperature checks through several lines entering their immigration dept. They also had a camera with temperature readings. Everyone wears masks and respects distances. When we arrived at our Hotel, it was the same process, we had to verify negative Covid test, temperature checks, and wear masks. We were some of the few Americans there. Many of the tourists there were British. But since Europe just closed back down I guess that will change. There are probably going to be some great deals for Americans with Negative Covid tests. If you would like to hear more about our beautiful escape to Antiqua and Barbuda it will be coming soon on the blog. This was another place we literally had to ourselves. Imagine a whole beach to yourself! It was like a dream.

Since travel is slowly seeing a trickle of activity, I suspect more folks are going to be putting airline safety to the test with Holiday travel. I hope this bit of information about what airlines are doing to assure travelers will be helpful. An additional tip, if you have a membership to your airline club, as we do with American Airlines. they are doing a great job with keeping that area sanitized and socially distanced. There are fewer people there and it’s a great place to wait until it’s time to board the flight. For those needing rapid covid testing, the following airports are now offering that: JFK, EWR, BOS, TPA, SFO, DFW, MIA (LIMITED) LAX and Alaska Airports check for which type of test is offered, turn around time, and pricing. Some of the first to open to Americans were down in the Caribbean with a Negative Covid Test.

This is our experience of what it’s really like to travel during Covid. Please know, that we take Covid very seriously. We research the numbers and risks and take it very cautiously. We don’t want to put others or our own family at risk. For as much as we can control we make every effort to do so. The numbers and travel risks change daily. We are not promoting travel during this time but if you chose to do so, we hope this information may be helpful in making your own travel decisions for your family. We have not been paid to share these experiences. They are just that, our experiences. You may experience something different when you travel. Therefore, Travel at your own risk. Stay well!

Joys On A Journey

September 25, 2020August 9, 2022

HIKING AND FLY FISHING IN THE BEAUTIFUL MCKENZIE RIVER VALLEY

Rivers flow not past, but through us; tingling, vibrating, exciting every cell and fiber in our bodies, making them sing and glide–John Muir

McKenzie River Valley Fly Fishing

The sun was shining down on the crystal clear stream of the McKenzie River Valley as the day began. The excitement was building. This was going to be the first time our boys were going to go fly fishing. After a trip to Crater Lake National Park we headed over to the McKenzie River Valley. Hiking and Fly Fishing are very popular in the McKenzie River Valley. It was there that our Guide, Clay of Holloway Bros Fishing, met us to take the boys out fly fishing. It was a beautiful day to be on the water. My Mother in Law grew up on a river and we always joke that she has this crazy fishing touch. All she has to do is put her pole in the water and the fish always come jumping. I’m wondering if our boys may also have inherited that skill from her or they had some great Beginners luck. But within an hour they already had 6 fish. For lunch, Clay cooked up a few right there beside the river! Now that’s some Fresh fish! The boys loved it! They spent the full day on the water and said it only felt like they were out there for a few hours. What a great experience and memory of our trip to Oregon. They will never forget it.

This fly fishing expedition was to celebrate Eli’s 16th birthday. Nothing like lunch by the river on the food that you just caught. What a cool memory!

Hiking to SAHALIE FALLS AND KOOSHAH FALLS (Heaven and Sky)

While the boys were out on their fishing adventure, Saj and I ventured out to chase some waterfalls. One of our new favorite things to do during COVID. We inquired with some locals about a good spot to go and were directed to check out Sahalie Falls and Kooshah Falls. (Hwy 126 near milepost 5 McKenzie Bridge OR. Waterfall Loop Trail) We got a 2 for 1 deal here. The Waterfall Loop Trail is an easy 2.6-mile trail. The tree canopy covered the trail so it never gets too hot. The lull of the McKenzie River crashes and surges by you on the side. The story about the falls is that they were formed over 3,000 years ago by lava that dammed Clear lake which made the water flow into the McKenzie River causing these waterfalls. The falls were named by the Chinook people that inhabited the area and used this area as a trade route. Sahalie means Heaven and Kooshah means Sky. As soon as you park you can hear the crashing of the falls. It’s a beautiful cascade and tumbling body of water that beckons you to come to see her. It does not disappoint. If you arrive there at the right time of the day you can capture a rainbow as the water spray catches the sunrays in action. It is a bit Heavenly. Yes, we found our rainbow.

As we continued down the loop you can see little alcoves where you can get down closer to the water. Be warned it’s ICE-cold blue water. We did have to put our feet in just to see HOW cold it was. Pretty Cold but refreshing! As we finally rounded the ben, we arrived at Kooshah Falls. It is less crowded and has a nice little sitting area where you can sit and take in the sights and sound of the river.

It doesn’t look so scary but this was a bit of a climb up this wet mossy hill to get to the top!

This is a great little area to take a little picnic and enjoy on the side banks by the river. Just be sure you take your trash back out with you. It’s a great little hike with big rewards. We highly suggest this hike if you are in the area. That afternoon as we were heading back to Portland, the smoke from the wildfires started moving in. Before we knew it the smoke was so thick on the highway we could barely see the cars in front of us. It’s hard to believe just a few hours before we were hiking in the woods and seeing rainbows. We escaped just in time. We are so sad to hear of the destruction and devastation that has happened there. All in all, this may not be the best time to travel there but you should add it to your list in the future for hiking and fly fishing. It’s a gem not to be missed.

Joys On A Journey

August 9, 2020September 13, 2020

THE GREATEST NATIONAL PARKS RV ROAD TRIP 2020 -JOSHUA TREE, SEQUOIA, YOSEMITE & DEATH VALLEY

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares, drop away from you like autumn leaves. -John Muir.

After completing THE MIGHTY FIVE IN UTAH, National Parks , ( see the link) we set out on our next Journey to Californ-ia. As we made our way, our first stop was Route 66! I heard about getting your kicks on Route 66 but I didn’t realize we would use it to get to Joshua Tree and the Mojave Desert. I got so excited when I saw the signs for it. We had been on the road for quite some time, so we got out there and had a little fun taking pictures. Next stop the National parks!

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARKhttps://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm

As we got closer to the Mojave Desert, you could spot the Joshua Trees starting to pop up along the road. Supposedly, the Yucca Species, Brevifolia, got its name from Mormon Pioneers who thought the limbs of the Joshua Tree’s resemble the upstretched arms of Joshua leading them through the Promised Land. Joshua Tree has several entrances and Visitor Centers. Due to Covid-19, some are closed. So plan your route before you go. The drive through Joshua Tree takes you through the dry hot sun-soaked Mojave Desert that eventually leads you to the Colorado Desert. The Joshua Trees decorate the road along your way, welcoming you to their land. They are almost fake-looking, Dr. Suess’s appearance. Our youngest Joy is named Joshua. So of course, he wanted to stop for a picture here.

We thought we were HOT in Utah. Here, you could literally feel your skin boil. We did the Scenic Drive to see the changes in the two desert landscapes. It takes almost an hour to drive from one to the other. Mojave had the Joshua Trees and the Colorado side had these Cacti garden called the Cholla Cactus Garden. Be careful here, there are lots of little balls of thorns and they will stick in your feet, shoes and clothes and they are not easy to get out. I still have some in my hiking shoes as a little souvenir. We did stop and hike the Barker Dam trail. Bring plenty of water! We would have enjoyed staying a little longer and hiking more but the July heat in the desert was pretty exhausting!

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK–

Due to park restrictions, there are some areas of Sequoia National Park that you can not go with a 33 ft RV. So we rented a car for a few days so we wouldn’t have to miss anything. Also, be sure to gas up before heading in. We didn’t find any gas in that area. RV’s can park at various locations around the visitor center. Due to COVID, this visitor center was closed but the bathrooms and water filling stations were open. (Be sure to check for updates on the website before heading there.) Also, there were many picnic tables around for dining. But be sure to remember there are bears all around this area so don’t leave food in your car or you might be sorry.

As we got closer to Sequoia, the roads got a little more winding and curvy. You could feel the air get a little lighter and cooler. The trees and vegetation were such a change from all the Dry, Hot rocky land formations of Utah. We were limited on time but wanted to hit the Highlights. There are several ways to enter the park. So study the map to decide on which entrance is the best from your location. We entered from the Three Rivers’ side. We decided to take Generals Drive to get to General Shermans Tree. Somehow we were misinformed and thought this drive would take us about an hour. It took us 3 hours total up and down and we were not wasting any time. If you have time to check it all out it’s going to take much longer. So be prepared. Generals drive is a twisting, winding road. If you have any folks with motion sickness in your group you may want to prepare.

One of the most famous stops at Sequoia is the General Sherman tree. The largest living tree in the world!. Dating back over 3,000 years old. It is a short trail being approx. 1/2 mile walk to the tree but due to elevation, it will have you huffing and puffing a bit on the way back. I will say, one of the kid’s favorite adventures included driving through The Tunnel Log. We did a little Tree Bathing on the Tree Bay trail. The boys were having a little fun being tree huggers. The massive size of these trees is just mind-blowing even when you are staring right up at it. The last stop for us was Moro Rock! It’s a 400 stone step climb for some of the best views around. Be careful with small kids here. It was pretty scary in spots. I would have loved to do a few more hikes around here but the RV was loading up and trying to get to Yosemite for Sunset. On the road again……

YOSEMITE

Catching my photographer in the act. What scenery!

Sunset was on the agenda but we arrived just a little after the setting. Either way, we saw some glimpses of what the next day would hold.

As we drove in the next morning, the trees, the mountains, the rocks, the running streams, everything was so magnificent and beautiful. it was just glistening in the sunshine. Like an amusement park for Nature Lovers. It has it all! The views are like heaven on earth. I guess that why Ansel Adams and John Muir got their inspiration here. As I watched the roaring stream flowing over the rocks, I felt as if I could have stayed there forever.

Our first hike of the day was an easy one to Yosemite falls. We got some great shots here, strolled through the shady tree forest, and then took the Glacier point drive up to the top. Glacier point (no RV’s over 28ft here). If you are wanting a family shot, this is the spot. We ended the day hiking the Mist Trail. It was pretty tough and more of a workout than we expected. All in all, I could have stayed in Yosemite for days and days. I hope to visit again one day. Since we had been booking it non-stop for days….our trip took a little detour to Paso Robles Wine Country for a little relaxation and some time checking out the Pacific Coast Highway. More on that will come in the next blog post! But in keeping in the National Parks Theme we will jump ahead to out last park on this journey…. But enjoy a few more shots of Yosemite. The pictures can’t even describe the breathtaking beauty you witness in person. *TIP-Due to Covid-19 you need a reservation to go to Yosemite. Plan ahead and book your reservation on www.nps.gov. This is a great time to visit Yosemite! Some spots you have all to yourself.

Death Valley

Now on the to the last National Park stop, Death Valley. Now I know I keep describing how hot we have been on the trip. Ha! I had no idea. NOW, THIS WAS HOT. I was a bit nervous here. The stories of people breaking down and getting stranded in the heat was always in the back of my mind. They say temps can get up to like 130 here. Our Winnie Minnie RV did just fine. We made a few stops and took a few pics. The boys did a short hike. But nothing major here as far as hiking. It was just too Hot! My kids might have tried to fry an egg on the pavement or might not have. That is a mystery. We can say we went here but I can’t say it was one I care to go back to. *Tip: make sure to gas up before hitting this area. Take lots of water and make sure your car doesn’t have any issues. It gets so hot here that cars overheat and tires melt. You do not want to break down here.

This wraps our Ultimate National Park Tour part 2. I will never forget the majestic views of Zion and the cool hike in the Narrows. Bryce and its hoodoos, sunrise, and double rainbows. The Mesa Arch sunrise in Canyonlands. The very hot hike to Delicate Arch. Seeing the funny little Joshua Trees with my Joshua Joy. The tree-hugging in Sequoia, and the massive views in Yosemite. We packed it in but we lived and we did it all. All we could for this trip anyway!

Joys On A Journey

*Travel at your own risk. These are just suggestions and highlights in hopes that it will help you plan your next journey. Due to Covid-19 status of some of these parks opening/closings change constantly. Please see www.nps.gov for updates.

July 25, 2020July 25, 2020

UTAH’S MIGHTY 5 in 50 HOURS

Since COVID 19 put a halt to our traveling adventures in 2020 we were getting a bit restless being at home for so many months. We were a bit bummed because we had to cancel 4 different trips. We certainly know that COVID is no joke and take it very seriously. So we started thinking for various ways we could still travel with the least amount of interaction with others to keep ourselves and the others safe. Many of our National Parks have some of the lowest numbers of visitors ever. This would be the perfect time to go. With less people, we could see more and be safer with our distancing. So we decided to rent an RV! We devised a plan. We found a brand new RV, loaded up our gloves and masks, and hit the road. Don’t forget your America The Beautiful Pass! It saved us a ton of money!

Utah’s Mighty Five in 50 Hours!

Okay, start in Las Vegas and don’t stop until you are done…. Sure you need an RV, places to stop and fill up with gas, get in a hike or two but you want to cram it all in and know it can be done! If you want a little sip of all these wonderful stops, a taste, you can do it in 50 hours. We didn’t stop after the Mighty Five so stayed tuned for more….but here is our rundown of the 5 most famous stops in Utah. Buckle up!

Our Brand New 33ft Rental Winnie Minnie. She was like a bus.

ZION-(Requires a shuttle pass that you have to apply for online- so plan ahead) The first of Utah’s Mighty Five.

SEE LINK: Zion

9AM We left Vegas after getting the RV stocked with our groceries… we had a 12-1 PM shuttle access time reserved at the closest of the parks – Zion NP. If you miss that time, you are out of luck. They also check your reservation tickets to get a ride back on the shuttle too – in case you considered walking in and wanted a ride back out….So make sure you have a shuttle ticket and don’t be late. This is your only way in. To get a ticket you must go to.https://www.recreation.gov

Take the farthest shuttle stop, and hike the Narrows…. You get to hike on the paved road for a mile, then meet the friendly squirrels wanting to be fed before you approach the natural water & stone trail of the Narrows.

The day we were there was of course the Hottest Day of the year so far. 104-degree temps that felt like 114!. The minute we put our feet in the water it was FREEZING COLD! It was quite refreshing considering how hot we were. That was our first challenge. Next, was trying to balance on the slippery rocks. You have to move very slow and work against the current to stay upright. We had poles (but saw others with walking sticks) and I recommend that more than anything else. That is the ticket to a successful hike. After a while, this slow fight to stay balanced and on top of the water start to make your arms and legs a little shaky. I haven’t even mentioned the Views here. The views are so breathtaking that you want to stop looking down at the rocks you are trying to balance on and enjoy the view. But if you enjoy the view and stop watching the rocks you are going to fall in. So stop, sit on a rock and enjoy the view here and there. There is nothing like it. As you proceed the water level changes. At first, it was around our ankles, then knees, at one point it got to my chest. Here the cold water takes your breath away. As you keep going the levels do fluctuate. This is important to be aware of the weather forecast. If the rain comes the water levels can change drastically and can become more dangerous.

We read a lot about special socks and boots for this hike. You can rent them at Zion if needed. But we decided to do it without them and just go in our hiking boots. We had no problems. It was so hot that they dried in no time after the hike. My only suggestion would be to change into dry socks afterward so you don’t get blisters. You can go as far as you like and turn around when you need to. But I will warn you, at every turn you want to keep going because each new turn offers you another amazing view. Either way, it’s a great experience and one I’m so glad we did.

After the Narrows we headed back to the shuttle to catch the Grotto stop where you can either go on the Upper Emerald Pool trail or the more strenuous rim trail that includes Walter Wiggles and provides you the view of Angel’s Landing (FYI – section up to Angel’s landing CLOSED DUE TO COVID 19 where you have to use chains)…. Given the group, we chose the moderate Upper emerald pool trail, that was quite demanding in its own right…. But, so worth it – see the vista we were provided….

We did it! We hiked the Narrows. Bucket List Item Checked off!

The last shuttle out is 8:15 PM, we caught the 7:30 shuttle to stop by the Zion Lodge gift shop for souvenirs as the visitor center was closed already.. (Surprised by deer amongst the families picnicking in the field and playing catch with the baseball – nature at it’s finest). Get on the 2^nd to last shuttle back to the entrance… The fun was just beginning – the drive through the Carmel Tunnel https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/the-zion-mount-carmel-tunnel.htm– scary because it was both dark and no guide directing traffic at that hour, but we had to get to Patiuch, UT (our RV campground)! What made it more “fun” was that the sides of the tunnel were at 10’2” and our vehicle height was 12” – so don’t edge over too far, especially when cars were coming from the other side – ugh!!!

Still, the fun wasn’t done – did we tell you that we’ve NEVER rented or driven an RV and getting to the RV campground at 10:30 PM, besides just pulling into our spot correctly, we had to plug in the power, hook up the water and make sure we did the commode/waste “dump” correctly. Have you seen the movie, RV with Robin Williams? – you can only imagine the trouble we could get into! We did it, ate hot dogs, drank a couple of beers, and passed out around 11:30 or midnight! The next morning was going to be an early one.

Bryce Canyon

5AM – disconnected everything and went on our way to Bryce Canyon the second of Utah’s Mighty Five… Not that many people up at that time of day – including our family – as Saj drove and woke us up as we arrived at Sunrise Point in Bryce an hour later…. Also, timed perfectly, 5-10 minutes before sunrise…. (see pictures and experience)

The colors from the Hoodoo’s change before your eyes as the morning light rises in the sky! Whites, reds, orange amongst the bright yellow of the sun provide moments of darkness and magnificence as it’s not just the colors but the landscape that overpowers you! We got to have breakfast in the RV – grits, oatmeal, a loaf of bread, sweet mangoes, and coffee – not a bad first breakfast on the RV!

After Breakfast, we started our hike. Navajo Loop (Wall Street) It’s one of the most unique hikes we’ve ever been on. You make these steep descent down into the canyon. There are many steep switchbacks with cool breezes that blow through even on a hot July day. It’s best to do this trail in the early morning. It does heat up with the day and gets very hot. Don’t forget you do have to make your way back up. So take your time, stop, and rest. You will pass the slot canyons, the colors, views, and the unique hoodoos. You will be huffing and puffing on your way back up the canyon but it is worth it. I consider this to be a moderate hike. But if you take your time and enjoy the view along the way it’s so doable. We took the two bridges part of the hike back up because we heard that the views of the amphitheater were better on this route. If you want to, you can take Queens Garden back up to Sunrise Point but since we had already been to sunrise point for Sunrise we settled for two bridges. Either way, you will have amazing views.

Next stop, of Utah’s Mighty Five, is Capitol Reef but take my word of warning GET GAS BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT from Bryce.. Once you get on the road to Capital Reef, though only approx 2.5 hrs away, the roads are long, lonely, desolate. Do you know that song wide open spaces? It’s wide-open spaces with no places to stop along the way. We barely passed another car for hours. We were desperate for gas but none to be found. There was no cell service. After a lot of praying and running on fumes, we finally came to a Mercantile, Grass Valley, in Koosharem Utah. Never have we been SO Happy to find such an old-time gas station. Once we filled up with gas and were able to breathe again, the Mercantile was quiet a unique stop. They had baby CHICKS for sale. I’m sure they were not amused that I was so enamored that you could buy chicks in the store! How cool is that? They were very cute. I could have taken a few with me. While we were there we picked up some soft serve ice cream and bad for you nachos. But they were the best we ever had! It was such a unique and THANKFUL stop we also bought a T-shirt there to remember the day of the nail-biting drive with no gas!

Next stop: 2:27pm

CAPTIOL REEF

Once we arrived at Capitol Reef it was an amazing sight to behold. We did the scenic drive to take in its massive beauty. This was one of our lesser researched stops so we were shocked to learn from our 14-year-old, who did do his research that the Mormons settled there because of its Lush Vegetation and water supply along the Freemont River. There is an area called Fruita Historic district, where you will find fruit orchards of many varieties. There is an area where you can go to actually pick fruit. But, if you want to go straight to the good stuff, there is a restored schoolhouse called Gifford House that has freshly baked pies, pastries, and jams for sale. You don’t want to miss this!

On your way out, you can stop by to see the Petroglyphs, created by the Native Americans. They were a bit hard to see and we were a little underwhelmed with this stop. But for you History Buffs, you might want to add it to your list.

Next stop, 7:08 Arches National Park Balanced Rock

Storms were coming, as we slid into the Balanced Rock viewing area. The sandstone boulder on top of Balanced Rock weighs 3577 tons. I hope the balanced rock doesn’t become unbalanced! We hoped to get to Delicate Arch after this but since the storms were coming quickly and we decided to stop for the day and head to our RV park. Silver lining to getting to the RV park….there was a double rainbow there waiting for us. I guess we made the right decision to head back early. Also, we were able to rest up a bit since Saj had us heading out again before the sun.

CANYONLANDS

4:45am headed to Canyonlands for Sunrise. Arrived at 5:45. We found our perfect spot for the perfect shot. Mesa Arch-Yes, there were those who show up late and try to jump in the middle of your shot so put on your patience, team up with others who are nice and willing, take turns. Let others get their shot. If you are nice to them they will be nice to you. In the end, we took turns taking family pics for each other. We got some of our best shots at this stop! The early bird gets the worm….. Imagine seeing this in person! So breathtaking. Check it out. Once the sun comes up the crowd disperses and you will have some time to get some additional shots. Soon we headed out to Arches.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

First Stop Delicate Arch. 3 miles round trip. This is that Famous shot that you probably think of when you hear Arches. We were hoping to get there and started before the heat got too bad but it was pretty hot by the time we go there and got going. Take LOTS of water. The bathrooms in this area also are not the bes and no water fillup available. Holes in the ground. That is all I’m going to say. So I was very Thankful we had an RV to head back to! This hike is labeled difficult. We saw people of all ages there. It’s not a terrible climb. But it’s not the most fun hike either! It’s the increasing elevation & heat that wears you out. When you think you’ve made it you haven’t. Keep following the crowd around the back and when you see it you will know you made it. It’s hard to get a shot without people in the way so go early or late. We had heard the best shot was of Sunset but we were not able to stick around that late. We were able to get some fun family shots here and then headed back down. It was a lot easier than going up that’s for sure!

Arches is the last of Utah’s Mighty Five. It is a very interesting place with over 2000 arches. You could stay there all day. We stopped to check out two more arches before heading out. We checked out Double Arch and Turret Arch. These were shorter easier hikes but with some cool views. We had debated trying to do the Corona arch to go with our Pandemic times but the drive was too far and who needs more Corona anyway!

This wraps up Utah’s Mighty Five. We didn’t stop there! Our Journey continues on to Joshua Tree National park, a famous Route 66 stop for fun, long drives through the Mojave Desert to the Colorado Desert. Then follow us on over to California where we check out Sequoia National Park and it’s HUGE trees and the Bucket List beauty of Yosemite National park. We stopped off in the Pasa Robles Wine country and took a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway. So stay tuned for more coming up in the coming days. It’s a 3,000 mile RV journey you don’t want to miss.

JOYS ON A JOURNEY

March 3, 2020March 3, 2020

The Perfect Girls Weekend in Nashville with Special Guest: Dolly Parton

**This morning we heard the sad news about the Tornados that went through Nashville last night. We were just there enjoying all it had to offer. WE BELIEVE IN NASHVILLE and know they will come back Better and Stronger. Support Nashville and go there and see what makes Nashville so special.

STAY STRONG NASHVILLE….WE BELIEVE IN YOU! **PHOTO BY SHERRI FISHER**

“You will always be……the sister of my soul, the friend of my heart.” Anonymous

This was a girls trip for a bunch that have known each other for over 30 years. We have been through good times, bad times, growing up times, practically ALL the times. The kind of times that changed us forever. There have been seasons of life where we may not see each other over months or even for years. But when we get back together, it all falls back into the place. Right where we left off. My friend Sherri, came up with the cool idea that we should all go to Nashville and see Dolly Parton at the Grand ole Opry. Now I haven’t always been the biggest country music fan but I am a huge fan of mostly ALL music. So I thought, why not! A legend like Dolly, playing at the Grand Ole Opry. I couldn’t miss it! We planned it for almost a year. It was Dolly’s 50th anniversary. It was going to be Epic. Watch out Nashville! Here’s our 3-day adventure. I will list all the addresses and stops listed in this post at the bottom. So keep reading! (Don’t forget to subscribe if you would like the complete list!)

DAY ONE-BROADWAY

We made it to BROADWAY! Just not the one in the Big Apple! This was the Broadway in Nashville, known as the Honky Tonk Highway. The minute we hit Broadway, we could suddenly hear the strum and the twang of the guitar luring us in. You could just feel the Nashville magic in the air. The beautiful sunny day was drawing us up to the Rooftop of the old ACME FEED AND SEED. What a view! Up there you can capture an entire view of the downtown area, Riverfront Park and the Cumberland River. Since, Nashville is now famous for Bachelorette parties the ACME serves a special drink called….the bridesmaid’s tear. It was a hot sunny day so we just settled on a good old BPR. (Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer) $3! You can’t beat that!

Once we got the lay of the land, we decided to go find Legends Corner for a picture. There we were, right there with all the Legends!

As the smell of food filled the air, we moseyed on down to the famous, Robert’s Western World. I know it sounds like a clothing store but that it is not! It’s another Honkey Tonk known to have hosted many famous country artists of the past. But what it’s also known for it it’s Fried Bologna sandwiches. So of course, we had to try one out.! “When in Rome”…. But let me just warn you, Robert’s is always packed. They don’t take reservations and it is a hot place to go. When we arrived it was only 2 pm! The band was playing and the people were all singing “Delta Dawn what’s that flower you have on?” Pitchers of beer all around and yes, the fried bologna sandwiches. I will have to say, Not Bad at all. Thinking back on it now, I wish I had one of those grilled white bread sandwiches filled with lots of thick smokey melt in your mouth meat. Not a healthy choice…. but it sure was hitting the spot. That ice-cold beer washed it down nicely if I do say so myself! We stayed and enjoyed the music before walking to our next destination.

Later, we headed on down to a hotel that we kept hearing about…..The Bobby Hotel Even if you aren’t staying there, you should stop in! They have a beautiful lobby that looks like something out of a magazine. And the Bathrooms…. Just go check them out! They are So Cool! I don’t want to ruin it for you, so stop by and see for yourself. You will want to take pictures!! After making a stop at the bathroom, make your way to the roof. You won’t believe your eyes but there is a GREYHOUND BUS up on the roof! Such a cool place to hang out, have a drink and catch up with your friends. If you don’t find enough music at ground level, I heard they have live music up on the roof certain days/nights of the week.

Very close by, was the Ryman Auditorium. This place is History, -hallowed ground! It’s where country music first got its start. I wish now that we had scheduled a tour there. We knew we were going to see Dolly Parton at the Grand ole Opry, so we weren’t thinking we would need this tour also. If I had it to do over again, I would totally add this to my list. Don’t be like me, don’t skip the Ryman tour! Let me know how it is. I guess this is another good reason I need to go back!

As the rain was starting to set in, we had a tour planned called the Hick Chick Tour. It was so much fun y’all. We met up with our Guide Christy (She’s the Best) at Dick’s last resort. The Hick Chick tour is a Honky Tonk Pub crawl. They take you around to some of the latest and greatest cool bars. Christy gave a lot of history about the area. We heard some great music and enjoyed some drink specials along the way. (Be sure to show the bartender your wrist band that says Hick Chick Tours or you won’t get the discount.) Watch out for those shot skis! They can be too much fun. We sang some of our old favorite songs from the past and then we hopped on …..The Joy Ride. It’s free. You know this JOY just had to take a pic!

DAY TWO-DOLLY DAY!

It was the day we had been waiting for! The day to see Dolly play at the Grand Ole Opry! We were so excited. One of girls on the trip arranged for us to stay at The Gaylord Hotel Grand Ole Opry, Thanks Sasha! It’s an amazing hotel that is like a land of its own. Food, shopping, spas. Everything you need is right there. This made getting over to the Opry super easy. Since we knew we had time to kill, we decided to go find one of Nashville’s most famous Murals, “Wings”. It was so cute. There is a long line so go early. This area called The Gulch. It has many neat shops and eateries, so we enjoyed most of the morning there. We then ventured around and checked out a few festivals before heading back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and then Dolly. For convenience, We had dinner at the hotel just so we wouldn’t get stuck in the traffic going to the Opry . The food at the hotel is NOT CHEAP. So keep that in mind if you stay there. On a positive note, The Gaylord has shuttles that will take you over to the Grand ole Opry. This was a great perk. (more on the shuttle ride in a bit!)

Ready to go see Dolly Parton at the Grand Ole Opry

We arrived at the Grand Ole Opry with a whole crazy crowd of people. There were people from all over, young, old, gay, straight……all there, for one thing, Dolly Parton. As I mentioned in the beginning, I wasn’t really a major Dolly fan before going. But this little 74-year-old lady came out on the stage with her majorly high heels and glittering jumpsuit. She looked beautiful, she sounded great and she really knew how to put on a show. I was hooked. Everyone was buzzing with excitement. It’s like she has this way with people that just emits Joy. This was our Trouvaille Moment. I really wasn’t expecting it to be So Good or that she would be so lovely. We need more DOLLY in the world. She was just so genuine and nice. Dolly for president! It was a great show. The shuttle ride back to the hotel was a bunch of very excited ladies. We had so much fun! Several ladies on the shuttle started singing “working 9-5, what a way to make a living”, before you knew it the WHOLE bus was singing it together. Like we had planned it! We couldn’t stop laughing and singing. Dolly did not disappoint!

DAY 3: 12 SOUTH

On our last full day in Nashville, we wanted to go check out the 12 South area of town. It’s a trendy little area with hip clothing stores, outdoor booths with people selling jewelry and art. There were also many good restaurants. So we scheduled a Secret Food Tour. Since the Food Tour was later in the day, we decided to stop off for the famous Beer flights with Donuts at Donuts and Dogs! They pair the most unique flavors of doughnuts such as; “South Beach”, it has a raspberry/mint glaze, with dehydrated raspberry lime wheel garnish and a pipet of 4 years aged rum with the select craft beer to accompany it. While we were at it, who could pass up a dog called “The Elote Loco, which is a chorizo dog with Mexican street corn. It was SO DELISH. We also had to try the Reuben Dog. This was a HUGE mistake. We shouldn’t have eaten before going on a food tour. Ugh, we were stuffed and had no idea just how STUFFED we were going to be later in the day!

From the minute we met our tour guide Shawn, we knew we were in for a treat. He is quite the Historian. He took us all around the 12 South Area. We walked the private neighborhoods where some of Country Music’s greats live and work. He showed us a famous spot where many of country music’s legends have recorded some of the best songs of all time. I’m not going to give you a lot of details because if you do the tour I don’t want to ruin it for you. We also check out Reese Witherspoon’s store, Draper James. This is where our t-shirts came from, Women Better Together. There are several murals in the area you aren’t going to want to miss. But the Food was the Star of this show, and boy did we have some good food. You will not regret doing the tour, unless you were like us and went and had donuts and Beer prior. Yes, HOT Chicken is on the list! Yes…..this Hot Chicken was AMAZING!

There is so much more we wanted to do. These are just a few of the highlights. Below I will list the addresses and info on the places I wrote about here in the blog. But there is SO MUCH MORE…… I compiled a complete list ( by neighborhoods) of some of the best Happy Hours in Nashville, a guide to all the Murals and many other not to miss highlights. If you are heading to Nashville soon, you are going to NEED this list. By subscribing to my blog, I will send it to you FREE for a limited time. So please be sure to sign up!

There is one little side story about our shirts. It’s a Draper James shirt (Reece Witherspoon’s store) that says, Women BETTER TOGETHER. We have a little mantra that we tell each other all the time,” Women who don’t support other women are going to Hell!” It’s our little saying we use when we’ve been done wrong or kicked when down by other women. Let’s build each other up. Not tear each other down.

30 years of friendship….Women are better together! Build each other up.

I hope you find these tips helpful if you are heading to Nashville. Let me know if you tried any of these tours or found something new. I would love to keep the list up to date. There are three things I really regret not doing. One I mentioned before The Ryman Auditorium tour, going to a show at the Listening Place, and seeing a show at the Bluebird Cafe. Reservations have to made well in advance for these, so if you are a good planner go ahead and do that right away.

THE DETAILS YOU NEED from this post: If you like this list please subscribe to my blog. I will giving away a more detailed list of cool places, Happy Hours and Murals broken down by Neighborhoods you won’t want to miss. Don’t go to Nashville without it! Subscribe now for your FREE List.

THE LINKS AND NUMBERS FOUND IN THIS POST

Hotel: GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT-2800 OPRYLAND DRIVE

1-844-631-0595

*ACME FEED AND SEED (HONKY TONK FOOD ROOFTOP)

101 BROADWAY ( famous for the drink called a bridesmaid’s tear)

LEGENDS CORNER: MURAL 428 BROADWAY

ROBERT’S WESTERN WORLD (HONKY TONK, FRIED BOLOGNA)

416B BROADWAY

*BOBBY’S HOTEL. (ROOFTOP/GREYHOUND BUS)

230 4TH AVE NORTH

HICK CHICKS TOUR ask for Christy! www.hickchicktours.com

THE JOY RIDE golf cart free 615-285-9835

The Green Bus free

THE GULCH-

*Mural *WINGS-on side of Taziki’s 230 11th Ave (lines are long)

DONUTS AND DOGS

2127 BELCOUT AVE

The Secret Food Tour: www.secretfoodtour.com

Ask for Shawn. He is the Best!

Use Code: SFT15 for 15% off.

Thanks for joining us on the Journey !

January 31, 2020May 19, 2020

20 SMART TIPS YOU NEED FOR YOUR CRUISE

So you’ve booked the cruise! You are going to love it. Here are some of my favorite tips for cruising that I wish someone had told me!

Hide a foldable duffle bag in the bottom of your suitcase. When you hit the ports and start buying gifts, you are going to be glad you have it for your return trip home. There have been times we had to search around for a reasonable priced suitcase to bring our souvenirs home.
Take a small travel power strip (preferably one that has a few USB slots also) so you can charge your phones, tablets, cameras etc. . https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D25RSWX/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_i_TYhnEbK8QNYM7
Waterproof phone bag that floats. You can wear it around your neck but if it happens to fall in the water during one of your activities it will be safe and float. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075CGYP46/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_i_CWhnEbMR9RTG2
Pack a large brightly colored T-shirt. Why you say? When you are at sea, no one tells you how windy it is on the deck! . My towel kept blowing off of my lounge chair when I would get up to go grab a snack or drink.. So I took my husband’s t-shirt and put it over the towel and the back of the chair. The t-shirt holds the towel down and it makes it easier to identify your chair with the other hundred chairs. I received many compliments on what a great idea that was. Now you could always take those towel clips but that is just one or two more things to keep up with. A large t-shirt make a great coverup too. So it’s a win!
Don’t forget a refillable bottle. Come on, do your part to cut down on waste. This is great to have on the excursion days also. The juices are free in the dining room of the ship, so my kids like to fill up with juices before we take off for morning activities.
Do the BEHIND THE SCENES KITCHEN TOUR! It is so amazing how many meals are prepared on the ship each day. They have crew working around the clock in preparation.
An Over the Door hanging organizer for your toiletries and makeup is a Must. It saves a ton of space.
Magnets-most ships have a lot of metal, like the walls and doors. So if you get the hook magnet you can hang your lanyards, sunglasses, goggles right by the door. Each day you will get a paper schedule of the daily activities so we like to put it up on the wall where we can all keep track of the fun events happening.
Highlighter. Great for highlighting your schedule on the wall with the magnets.
Packing Cubes. They are a lifesaver for me and my family. You can squeeze in a lot. You can line the bottom of your closet with the cubes. Tip for kids. I pack my kids stuff in ziplock type bags (that we reuse over and over). They are labeled Day 1, Day 2 ….So each morning I can grab the say DAY 3 bag. It has their outfit for the day, undies and socks. I also have a bathing suit bag that has swimsuit, googles and sunscreen. Also you can ask your steward to bring you extra hangers if you want to hang your formal outfits up. Did you know you can put your suitcases under the bed? This is a great space saver.
Sunscreen! Don’t wait to buy that stuff on the ship or at the island. You will pay out the Wazzu! Many destinations are not allowing you to bring regular sunscreen to their locations because it is destroying the Coral Reefs, wildlife etc. So be sure to buy the kind that is Reef Safe.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y9TT1K8/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_i_U0hnEbMVSCKX7
Carry a lightweight drawstring back pack. It’s perfect for lugging around sunscreen, water bottles, books etc. This will just help keep your hands free. But I wouldn’t put anything important or valuable in there. They can be easily snatched if the wrong person wanted to take it.
Don’t worry about packing beach towels. The ship will have towels around the pool and by the exit door when you are leaving the ship to the ports. Just keep up with them. They will charge you if you don’t turn them back in.
Before you leave for your trip, buy some blow up floats at the dollar store. When you arrive at your island stop, there will be a tremendously long line to RENT these. Keep in mind, You will just need to blow it up so don’t get a huge one. Then you can deflate it before getting back on the ship or you can throw it away if you had a $1 worth of fun with it and want to be done.
Costco and Amazon have those snorkeling masks that you can rent to go snorkel. It may be worth it to you in investing in one before the trip if you see yourself cruising more. I wasn’t sure I wanted to put my head in something other people have been breathing, spitting and sweating in all day before me. There is a long line to get these also when you arrive at your island stops with swimming.
Tour packages…..This is a tough one. Do you buy the ships tour package or book one on your own? If you aren’t an experienced traveler I would stay with the ships tour package. It’s just safer. The best ones fill up fast so if there is something you are dying to do, book now. If not, wait. Sometimes if they don’t fill up they will offer discounts. If you are experienced traveler, and you will know how to book tours on your own, do the research on good tour groups in area. Make sure the tour group knows (before you leave on the tour) what time you have to be back at the ship. Pad this time. If you are late, the ship will not wait for you. It will leave you and take all your stuff still on the ship with them! . One trip we bought the ships tour, not for the tour but to get to our desired location without wasting all of our time. When we cruised to Santorini, we had a very limited amount of time there. If we took the ships tour bus, it drove us all the way up the mountain. If we didn’t we had to WALK it. It was going to take a good amount of time. By the time we would walk it, it would be time to leave! So we bought the tour-just for the bus ride. When we arrived the top, we then left the tour, and ran ahead on our own so we could get pictures before the CROWD from all the ships arrived. We also found a nice bar with a view so we had a seat for the sunset. We saw much more on our own than if we had stayed with the group. As I mentioned before, we have done a lot of traveling so we have well researched the areas that we go, how to get around and stay mindful of the time and our safety.
If you are going to a port that has a View like the Sunset in Santorini, research some restaurants before your trip and make a reservation! Depending on the destination, (like Santorini) you may need to make the reservation months in advance.
If you need internet just buy ONE cell package for one phone. It’s usually a sign in type of internet access so my husband uses it. Signs in and out. Then I use it on my phone sign in and out with his password. We don’t mind taking turns and sharing. From the moment you get on the ship to the time you get back to port make sure your phone is in AIRPLANE mode or you will Pay.
Dinners on the ship. Did you know in the main dining room you can order more than one entree? Also, since there are so many nationalities who work on the ship, many times you can access Indian dishes, Thai food, etc. I also just learned that you can have continental breakfast delivered to your room for FREE! (BUT DON’T FORGET TO TIP)
Check the wine policy but on some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, you are allowed to carry on 2 bottles of wine on per room. But don’t forget your bottle opener. The cruise will charge you a corking fee if they have to open it for you. (check your ships policy before you go.)

Now go pack your bags and have a Great cruise! Bon Voyage!

Joys On A Journey

The perfect dinner spot we found by getting ahead of the crowd.

Behind the scenes food tour on our last cruise.

*All of these tips and tricks may only work for some cruise ships and not all . So do your research before you go. I was not paid to mention these products. These are things that I have found to be helpful and that I use on when I travel.

October 6, 2019November 8, 2019

Messing around in the BIG D

EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS~

Everything is So Big in Texas Ya’ll! We had such a good time exploring around Dallas. Big Tex greeted us at the entrance of the Texas State Fair.

Let me just say if these pictures had smellovison your mouth would be watering! The minute you open the door to this place the aromas are so enticing you just want to sit down with a stranger and eat their food!! The Noodle gods were on our side because right after we arrived and put our name on the list-they put a sign on the front door saying SOLD OUT! They were not seating anymore customers. We were so Thankful we arrived just in time. Recently, Bon Appetite just selected them as one of top new restaurants. Actually, they were named the #2 best new restaurant in the country. I now understand why. We even got to meet Chef Danny Sirisavath who was kind enough to let us take a picture and explain some of his amazing dishes. If you are ever traveling to Dallas be sure to add this one to your list!!

TROUVAILLE Moment (something lovely happened by chance) from our adventure in Dallas….We heard Eric Clapton was staying in our hotel!! The Four Seasons Hotel Las Colinas. So that got us thinking…he must be playing there! 2 nights to be exact with a long list of other guitar greats like: Bonnie Raitt, Peter Frampton, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons, Citizen Pope, Jimmie Vaughn, James Burton and many more. (Even Johnny Depp and Bill Murray.)The Crossroads Guitar Festival. Just Eric Clapton himself would have been a great Show! But with this one we hit the jackpot! I never in a million years expected that kind of concert was in my future! Saj got to sport his boots! Great night of unexpected great music!

So you can’t go to Texas and not have the BBQ Brisket. We decided to try Hard Eight BBQ. What a delicious FEAST it was! You pick all the meat you want and they weigh it and pay by the pound. That’s $60 worth of good ole meat!

If you are going to be in the Dallas area, The Dallas State Fair is going on from September 27-Oct 20, 2019. The have some Great Bundle Deals going on online so you can plan your fair experience the way YOU want to do it. They have some interesting new foods to try out such as : RUTH’S STUFFED FRIED TACO CONE a taco that looks like a cone, BIG RED® CHICKEN BREAD (my sons are BIG RED lovers) a BIG RED doughnut with a crispy piece of friend chicken, FERNIE’S FRIED BURNT END BURRITO-The pinnacle of barbecue combined with everyone’s favorite spicy appetizer! A large flour tortilla is filled with a jalapeno popper spread of cream cheese, savory bacon, Mexican blend cheese, mildly spicy diced jalapenos, pepper jack and smoky nuggets of barbecue burnt ends. Quick fried to a golden brown crispy and served with a sweet tangy, spicy barbecue sauce. Give me One of EVERYTHING PLEASE!

EXTRA SPECIAL….Every Wednesday the fair will host Sensory-Friendly mornings where from 10am-1pm the sounds and lights were be softer for those needing a more relaxed feel. Throughout the Fairgrounds you can find Quiet Zones.

Favorite Souvenir- my do not disturb sign from my hotel room at the Four Seasons.

And that’s a Wrap! Thanks for joining us on our journey in Texas. I did take a little day trip over to Waco to visit Magnolia Market. Be sure to Hop on over to read about the excitement I had there.

-Joys on a Journey

October 2, 2019November 8, 2019

Magnolia Market just a Jaunt away from Dallas

“There is gold in Every piece of your story.” Found in Magnolia Market

Jaunt- a short excursion or journey for pleasure.

When I found out that we were heading to Dallas for a meeting, I immediately started calculating how far Dallas was from Waco. I’ve always wanted to go to Magnolia Market. To my excitement it was only 1.5 hr drive away. So when we arrived to Dallas I headed out to Waco the next morning. I’ve heard the stories of how big the crowds and the lines can be. But I arrived around 11:30am on a Thursday and I walked right in. A Magnolia staffer greeted me at the door and complimented me on my dress. I know it sounds silly for me to mention that part but that fact that anyone connected to Magnolia liked something of Mine was a big compliment! As I imagined, everything had been thought out down to every little beautiful detail. I wanted one of everything but clearly that wasn’t going to fit in my suitcase. So I settled for a Magnolia Silos T-shirt and a few little Knick Knacks.

After I had drooled over ever inch of the inside I decided to head outside. Imagine the most beautiful lush green lawn to sit and have a picnic or a place for the kids to run and play. In the background you can view the famous Silos. Lining the sidewalks were plenty of food trucks for many different tastes, including one from Magnolia Table! So if you don’t want to go wait in the line for the restaurant, you could have a little sample of what is served there. I made my way around and found the Magnolia Seed and Supply. A little garden area with a cute little mushroom table and chairs, covered swings, and flowers of all colors every color and shape.

As the Waco Sun was starting to heat up, I decided to retreat to the Silos Baking Company. The refreshing air conditioning greeted me as did the smell of fresh baked cookies. The the line short. So my timing was perfect. I had to try Silos Cookie and the Lemon Lavender cupcake. Both were DEVINE! Unfortunately, I ate them so fast I forgot to take a picture. So you MUST head there to try one for yourself!

I had a great visit checking out everything Magnolia. If I ever go again, I would want to stay at one homes Chip and Joanna remodeled. Many of the new owners are now offering them Airbnb’s. There is a lot of Gold in Chip and Joanna’s story. It’s All over Waco. I think they turned Waco Gold.

Wait! Just Announced This Morning, Chip and Joanna are opening a HOTEL!!!! So next time I go I will have to check that out! More Gold in Waco.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

Go during the week. The crowds are not as crazy.
Go early! The bakery opens at 7:30am
Getting around:there is ON street parking and a Free Trolly to take you around.
Take a hat and Plenty of water. It’s HOT!🔥
Check Airbnb for a possible Fixer Upper home to stay overnight in.
The Magnolia Hotel is coming!
Be sure to check out some other cool shops while in Waco- The Foundry, Junky Monkey (really cool if you are into digging for treasures) and Spice Village (90 different vendors) were some of my favorites.
Hours change closer to Thanksgiving and the Holidays so be sure to check before making a trip there.
How to get there…head to Waco. Take Exit 335A. Turn on 4th street. Left on Webster.
Get lost and you may find your something lovely found by chance-Trouvaille!

-Joys On A Journey

July 22, 2019October 3, 2019

SWEET SUMMERTIME IN WINSTON-SALEM

My Double Jolt of Joy took me on a SWEET Artful tour around Winston-Salem. First Stop was a Southerners dream come true. Sweet Potatoes. When you walk in, you are hit with some of the greatest smells of home cooked food that draws you in drooling for more. Picture this….Sweet Potato biscuits with Ham, bacon and brie. Now that’s not your typical Southern mix but Man was it delightful!! Next we dove into some fried green tomatoes and Okra. YUM! Nothing better to wash it down with than some Good Ole Sweet Tea.

Next stop, Black Mountain Chocolate Factory for some CHEER WINE CHOCOLATES. It’s a small little factory but they had plenty to sample and satisfy your sweet tooth. It smells of warm hot chocolate.

So this is where it all started….The Original Krispy Kreme. It just so happened that it was KK’s Birthday. We couldn’t pass off the chance to Celebrate. If you aren’t from this area and if you possibly missed what a Krispy Kreme doughnut taste like….You haven’t LIVED! It’s not Cake like Dunkin Donuts. It’s just melt in your mouth SWEET goodness. Talk about Sugar High!

After a nice long stroll in the North Carolina Summer heat, we decided to stop off at The Mast General Store for an ice cold Butter Beer. Mast General Store. The Original Mast is a unique Old Fashion General Store (in Valle Crucis) that back in the day was known for having everything from Candles to Caskets. I don’t believe they still offer caskets but you can find about anything else. The candy section is a kids favorite. Barrel after Barrel of every candy you can imagine. Watch out. It adds up fast. But a great memory of mine growing up and one I am now sharing with my own children.

Next Stop, DADA. Downtown Arts District. We love murals so we love to search out the local mural scene when we visit a new place. Winston is full of them. There is a fun little path you can follow. We had a lot of fun checking it out.

The last stop was Dewey’s Bakery. This was one of my childhood favorites. They have the best Moravian Sugar cake and Moravian Spice cookies. If you haven’t ever tried these, you must add them to your list. We did not go to Old Salem on this trip but if you are planning a trip to Winston-Salem you should plan a visit Old Salem. Especially during the Holidays. The decorations are just beautiful.

What a Fun day making SWEET memories! Making a trip to Winston-Salem anytime soon? Be sure to check out some of these SWEET places! Let us know which one is your favorite.

Travel Tips:

Eat at Sweet Potatoes.

Stop by the Black Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Stroll down the DADA.

Shop at Mast General Store.

Don’t forget Dewey’s Bakery you won’t regret it.

Joys on a Journey

February 1, 2019January 17, 2020

Winter Wonderland: Breckenridge and Denver

Sapphire Point (near Breck) had an amazing view you won’t want to miss. Even at 4 degrees!

Heaven is a little closer in the mountains! Golden Horseshoe Sleigh Rides so magical.

Our first journey of 2019 took us on an adventure to Colorado. We haven’t been to Breckenridge before so we decided it was time to check it out. It did not disappoint. Talk about a cute little mountain town….lots of character, good food, great skiing, and all the winter wonderland outings you can pack in. Being from North Carolina, we get an inch of snow and the whole city shuts down. But it’s usually just a lot of ice and not a lot of Snow or fun. This was REAL snow with all kinds of fun adventures to enjoy in it. Sleigh Rides, Snowshoeing, shopping, eating and of course, Skiing.

Our first stop was Denver. Talk about a Rocky Mountain High! Denver has that Big City feel with a lot of ART and Culture mixed in. First stop…..UNION STATION. If you are coming in from the airport you can hop on light rail that will take you into town and drop you at the real train stop in Union Station. You should make a stop here even if you aren’t taking the train in from the airport. It was recently renovated in 2017 to resemble the train stations of old. Very elegant with an Art Deco feel. We dropped by the Mercantile and watched as some of the days pasta special was being made. If only we could have stayed long enough to sample it. Its a neat little hub of action for Breakfast and Happy Hour. Be sure to check it out if you are there.

Next we ventured out for some of the Best Sushi ever–at Uchi. Uchi Link If you are a sushi lover you need to add this to your list. Talk about melt in your mouth. My husband and son shared the Chef’s 10 course tasting. The oooed and aaahhhhed over every course. Each piece was a piece of art. My other son tried the Wagyu beef hot rock. It was such a fun experience of cooking these tender slices of melt in your mouth steak on these sizzling hot rocks. As repeated many times….the sauce which accompanied it was to Die For! Our taste buds will never be the same.

As we made our way from Denver to Breckenridge. There was quite a bit of traffic. Everyone trying to get to the same areas with limited roads to carry everyone to their resort destination. So put on your package of patience. Though we got a great deal on a rental car we didn’t know until we got the the rental car dealership that if you are going to be driving to this area you have to have an SUV or chains on your car or there is like a $1000 fine. So we had to upgrade our rental. No choice. No longer a Great deal. It added another $200 to our total rental price. So be aware of this when booking your rental car. I will remind you later, in my tips and tricks.

Now to the Winter Wonderland part…….skiing is not one of my favorite things. I don’t enjoy it but the rest of my crowd does. Since they were going to be skiing the next few days, I scheduled something for us to do as a family when we arrived. Golden Horseshoe Sleigh rides set us up for a beautiful afternoon adventure. When we arrived we were able to meet our strong, stoic, almost royal looking black horse, Ashley. She took us on a ride through the forest as the snow glistened on the trees, the sleigh bells rang and the crisp air chilled our cheeks. It was like something from a dream. They furnished us with blankets and hot cocoa. It was all very cozy and romantic. As we rode we just took in the stillness of the forest and the breathtaking moment. It was for sure the highlight of our trip. After riding a bit, we were able to stop for the kids to take pictures and to make snow angels –something we don’t get to do in the snow back in NC. We also got to meet some of Ashley’s friends, Smith and Wesson, Salt and pepper and Mary Kate, Ashley’s sister. They were all handsome horses and they looked very happy and well cared for. Thanks for Golden Horseshoe Sleighrides for providing us with such a sweet memory. Check below in our tips and tricks for Golden Horseshoe Sleighrides location and info so you can check it out when you go. http://coloradosleighrides.com

Ashley our horse for the Sleigh Ride (Her sister is Mary Kate)

Finally, the boys got what they were waiting for Skiing! Over 12,000 feet!

While the boys took on their skiing challenge I wandered around Main street in Breckenridge. They have cute little shops for souvenirs. I stopped off at the Crepe Al La Cart for one of their famous crepes. It was good but not sure it was worth the hour wait. I heard there is also a restaurant location so I would suggest checking that out if you go. It just so happened that there was an International Snow Sculpting Championship going on the week we were there. It was amazing to see the masterpieces they created out of a single huge block of snow. It was totally worth seeing.

On our way back to Denver, we stopped off for a little Breakfast treat for the boys…..The Cereal Box in Arvada, Colorado. Imagine every old school/new school version of cereal plus toppings. A kids Saturday morning dream come true.

A SUGAR High to take us back home to North Carolina……

Tips and Tricks you don’t want to Miss…..

Check the Colorado Chain Law before picking up your rental car. The representative at our rental car place made it sound like were had no choice but to upgrade an extra $200 or be fined. After returning home and reading some forums on Trip Advisor it seems that this might just be a money making ploy. Now I can tell you once we got to the resort area with all of the snow, I am happy that we had the SUV. But I don’t like being taken advantage of and will research this in more detail. I will update this post if I find out something different.

Golden Horseshoe Tours 6061 Tiger Road Breckenridge CO 80424 (970)453-2005

They have private Sleigh rides and Group Dinner rides. Call to set up a reservation.

International Snow Sculpture Championships Breckenridge snow sculpting championship Mid January Check for Dates for 2020.

The Cereal Box – 5709 Olde Wadsworth Blvd Arvada, CO 80002 (720)746-9762

thecerealboxinc.com

UCHI-2500 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO (303) 444-1922

Be Sure to ask a Local where Sapphire Point is. It’s worth the drive.

Let us know if you visit any of our stops. We would love to hear your feedback! Until the next Journey…..

Joys On A Journey