Category Road Tripping

Painted Desert, Petroglyphs, And An Ancient Rainforest In Petrified Forest National Park

When we pull off I-40 for Petrified Forest National Park, I expect to be looking at rocks. Yet, it takes us a while to get to the rocks. We are so distracted by the breathtaking views! The Painted Desert is result of the Chinle Formation. It is a mineral deposit from river beds over 200 million years ago, during the Late Triassic Period.

Read MorePainted Desert, Petroglyphs, And An Ancient Rainforest In Petrified Forest National Park

Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum

Visiting the Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum in Amarillo, Texas

A lot of our route is flexible, given the winter weather. But the Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum has been on our list of stops ever since we discovered that they also have an 1970 Avion truck camper on display—the same year as ours! Unlike ours, it has been maintained in its original condition. This includes the original and rather strange three jack point formation and period interior.

Read MoreJack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum

Little Missouri Falls

The Little Missouri Falls

Seven miles down a moderately managed dirt road in the Ouachita National Forest is the Little Missouri Falls. The drive is pretty doable for any car in the proper conditions—there is a creek crossing that could cause trouble after a heavy rain—but the reason to drive this road is the swimming hole at the end.

Read MoreLittle Missouri Falls

Sutro Heights And Baths

Sutro is a name that can be found across San Francisco but it is most notable in the sunset district where Ozymandias-like ruins of the mining tycoon are now overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the Pacific Coast.

Sutro is a name that permeates San Francisco. Roads and civic works were named in commemoration of this mining engineer turned Mayor. But of all of these commemorative locations, there is a set that was our favorite place to take visitors when we lived in San Francisco and continues to be one of my go-to stops whenever I'm in town: Sutro Heights And Sutro Baths.

Read MoreSutro Heights And Baths

Mount Tamalpais

Mount Tamalpais towers over the north bay, with vistas of both the Pacific Ocean and the Bay. Along with hiking, it is an ideal stop for sunset.

While we were on the other side of the bay, another box on my "to do" list was to hike Mount Tamalpais. The mountain towers over the bay with breathtaking panoramic views. Tamalpais towers 2,576 ft from sea level. It's summit is part of Mount Tamalpais State Park.

Read MoreMount Tamalpais

50s Train Diner

Part of a tourist trap, it may be, but how often can you enjoy a burger and slice of strawberry rhubarb pie on a vintage 1950s train? The lunch counter is classic and the burgers, unlike most stops of late, are actually good! The pie connoisseur may be disappointed by the thick crust and exceptionally sweet pie but, hey, you can't win every time.

Read More50s Train Diner