Tide Pools, Sea Anemone, and Sunsets Around Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur
We are done wandering in eastern and central California. It's time to go to the coast. It's time to head to Big Sur and Highway 1.
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Read MoreTide Pools, Sea Anemone, and Sunsets Around Kirk Creek Campground, Big Sur
Recovery, Wine Tasting, And Wandering The Forest
After a few days to recover from our wintery detour, we are ready to go exploring. Our first priority is to enjoy the Amador County wine region. Could we go wine tasting in Napa? Sure. But that is crowded and overexposed. There is plenty of fine wine to be discovered across California. And our hosts are well versed in their local wineries.
Closed For Gusts, Open For Blizzards, A Scenic Detour Through Nevada
We had a simple and scenic plan when leaving the Alabama Hills. We would trace the eastern Sierras up to Lake Tahoe and then cross over to the Western Sierras where friends were ready to great us upon our arrival. However, before we could even reach Bishop, highway patrol waved us over. There were extreme gusts along our route, we had to take a scenic detour through Nevada.
A Cotton Candy Sunrise, Overlanding On Movie Road, And Campfire Cooking In The Alabama Hills
After tearing through the American west, it is a relief to finally take a bit of time to relax in the Alabama Hills. Those familiar with the location are envious. Those who are not familiar probably question what a place called “Alabama Hills” is doing outside of the state of Alabama. But, I assure you, you are familiar with these hills, even if you didn’t already know it.
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.
Jack Sisemore Traveland RV Museum
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.
Great American Eclipse
The moment of totality is profoundly transcendent. Amidst the stars and planets, hemmed in by a 360° sunset, is a vision of the sun, in profile. Trust me, I have seen many pictures and videos before. I'll post many myself of what has been dubbed the "Great American Eclipse." But neither a thousand words nor a picture can truly do justice to the emotional immersion into a world, like our own, but seen in a completely alien light.
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory
Como Park Zoo & Conservatory hosts a breathtaking collection of plants and animals from around the world. In visiting, we were immediately drawn to the Ape enclosure where one of the largest Gorillas in captivity reclined with an understated authority. That being said, it seems like the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory is a place to be seen, not described. So, here we go:
Hometown of Mark Twain
Before he adopted the pen name Mark Twain, Samuel Clemens grew up in Hannibal, Missouri—the template for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Fin's hometown. Today, the quiet town perched by the Mississippi is filled with callouts to Mark Twain and his famous creations. You can tour his home and learn about his complex relationship with the morals of his environment and the values he adopted later in life. In every quote, we are treated to the wit and wisdom of one of America's greatest storytellers.
Hometown of Superman
On January 21, 1972, DC comics declared the fictional town of Metropolis to be the "Hometown of Superman." On June 9, 1972, the state of Illinois declared the very real town of Metropolis, Illinois to be the "Hometown of Superman." What followed was the inevitable scheduling of Superman themed events, attractions, and a very large statue in the town square.