Leucadia: A Surfer's Paradise 🏄‍♂️ /  by Tom Giles

Leucadia is one of my favorite places.

As small neighborhood in Encinitas, California, this area has a unique charm that attracts surfers and beach lovers from all over. Its laid-back, relaxed atmosphere makes Leucadia an ideal destination for everyone looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

In early 2023 we spent two months here, and it quickly became a favorite.

Often, I would begin my day with a baja fish burrito from nearby Fish 101, and then walk up to Beacon's Beach — my favorite spot in all of Leucadia — to watch the waves break as surfers caught their morning rides. The sound of waves crashing against the shore and the cool ocean breeze made for a serene start to every day.

Neptune, a one-way street lined with beach bungalows, is another gem in this neighborhood. I would often take long walks up and down the street, admiring the charming homes, imagining what it’d be like to live in one of them. This quiet street perfectly captures the laid-back vibes of Leucadia.

Surfing at Moonlight Beach 🏄‍♂️

Moonlight Beach, down in nearby Encinitas, was another spot I enjoyed visiting. It’s also where I often went surfing.

Having not surfed for a while, I struggled for a while to pop up properly. Yes, I was rusty, but mostly, my arthritic left hip just did not cooperate. After some lessons with a local surfer, however, I found a non-traditional way to stand up that allowed me to surf without being limited by my hip issues.

Apart from surfing, I also really enjoyed trying out all the different restaurants in the area. The Taco Stand, which serves fresh fish tacos on handmade corn tortillas, was a go-to spot for me. But I also discovered a newer place called Corner Pizza, which serves delicious hand-tossed pizzas. And let's not forget the Leucadia Donuts Shoppe, a small, family-run donut shop with the most incredible, cheapest, and biggest donuts ever!

Overall, Leucadia is a hidden gem that's absolutely worth exploring.

Its relaxed, surf town atmosphere and charming streets make it an ideal destination for anyone looking for a peaceful escape.

I already miss Leucadia’s vibe and expect to visit as often as possible, especially during winter!

Beacon’s Beach in Leucadia is my favorite spot in all of California. Located just off Neptune, a one-way street lined with beach bungalows, this quiet surf spot is magical 🏄‍♂️

Going SoCal 🌞 /  by Tom Giles

Continuing our way down the coast of California, we next took in coastal views while exploring Muir Beach, hung with seals along our drive down the coast, and spent Christmas walking the Carlsbad beach.

Though I ended up getting sick around Thanksgiving, we were able to escape for a beautiful day of hiking in Muir Beach. Nearby Slide Ranch was an unexpected, but wonderful addition to the day’s adventure.

A colony at Elephant Seal Vista Point

We took the long route to our next stop, San Luis Obispo.

Passing through Monterey, Carmel by the sea, and Big Sur, this stretch of the infamous PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) was a highlight for me. What an absolutely incredible way drive!

Along the way, we also took a moment to stop and marvel at the gathering of elephant seals, and kept our eyes peeled for zebras as we passed near Hearst Castle.

After a short respite, we continued on our way to Topanga where we enjoyed reflective Fall hikes around the hills, and fell asleep to the meditative sound of rain on our rental’s metal roof.

Carlsbad was our final stop along this stretch. Though “Christmas at the beach” was an unusual experience for me, it made for a relaxing Holiday.

If you ever find yourself in Carlsbad, I highly recommend the sandwiches from Board & Brew.

Next up, two plus months in Leucadia — my favorite spot in all of California! 🏄‍♂️

Not all those who wander are lost — we spent the weekend in a Hobbit Hole. /  by Tom Giles

After an amazing month in Bend, it was time to begin Phase 2 of our adventure. Our first stop was the Burrowdale Inn, a bright & cheery Hobbit Hole. Complete with Second Breakfast!

Located in Bella Vista, a northern suburb of Redding, CA, this bed & breakfast is clearly a labor of love. Lael, our wonderful host, was also an absolutely incredible cook. We were sad to leave, but glad for the experience.

I especially enjoyed our first night. We stayed up late, roasted marshmallows, and stared at the stars while Lael told stories about how and why he built the place.

It felt as if we were almost actually in The Shire, resting our weary feet before heading off on yet another adventure.

The entrance to each Hobbit Hole was through a heavy, round door. Opening into an expansive front sitting space, the rooms felt considerably larger than you’d expect. I guess that’s what eleven foot tall ceilings do to a space.

When we first arrived, we were welcomed with High Elvish written into our bedspread. This was just the first of many LOTR and Hobbit inspired, whimsical details we enjoyed throughout our stay. Yes, the thematic decorations were expected, but still an absolute delight!

As fun and cozy as the rooms were, Second Breakfast was the showstopper. Made from scratch by Lael and his wife, each breakfast was a work of art. Fine dining delivered in a wicker basket? Yes please!

For our first Second Breakfast, we enjoyed baked oats and Shire potatoes. Sounds simple, but oh my was it delicious. And what a presentation! On our second morning, we indulged in Swedish pancakes with caramelized pears, and savory egg & cheese waffles with hollandaise sauce 🤤

Though we only stayed the weekend, our time at Burrowdale Inn was a memorable and lovely experience!

If you ever find yourself near Redding in Northern California, I highly recommend booking a stay, even if for only one night. Second Breakfast alone is worth it!

Phase 2: The CA Coast 🏄‍♂️ /  by Tom Giles

This Saturday, November 19, we begin Phase 2 of our nomadic adventure.

The goal for Phase 1 was to explore as many of the northern areas on our list as we could before Winter set in. That meant long and frequent drives. And far too much packing and unpacking…

But it was worth it. We were able to experience most of Montana, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, Washington, and Oregon. All in roughly five months. What an incredible experience!

Now, after an amazing month in Bend, we’re about to hit the road again, kicking off the next phase of our adventures 🥳

Phase 2 features us exploring the Pacific Coast Highway (affectionately known as the “PCH”). From Bend, we head all the way down to Leucadia, my favorite spot in all of Southern California.

In addition to eating fresh fish tacos every day, and surfing the secluded beaches of Leucadia, I’m especially excited to see the Redwoods of Northern California again (specifically, Muir Woods). The waves at Big Sur. The sunsets in Malibu. And to soak in the charm of San Luis Obispo and chill surf vibes so stereotypical to all of SoCal.

Our Phase 2 route.

From mid November 2022 through early March 2023, Phase 2 of our adventures has us leaving Bend to explore northern California and the coast as we make our way down south to spend the winter in Leucadia.

Phase 2 features us exploring a variety of areas throughout California. Though many of the neighborhoods we’re staying in aren’t well known, they offer convenient access to the highlights.

Bend ➡️ Redding ➡️ Vallejo (e.g. Napa) ➡️ Paso Robles (e.g. SLO CAL) ➡️ Topanga (e.g. Malibu) ➡️ Carlsbad ➡️ Leucadia (e.g. Encinatas / San Diego)

Redding, our first stop, is an ideal waypoint on our drive south from Bend, Oregon. If the weather holds, we’ll stop at Crater Lake and Klamath Falls on our way. I’m also hoping to take some time to explore Mendocino and the Humboldt Redwoods State Park while we’re here.

Next, we head to Vallejo, where we’ll be just south of Napa and near-ish Muir Woods. Then we’re off to Paso Robles, which is part of the beautifully branded “SLO CAL” area. I’m excited to explore nearby San Luis Obispo and Pismo Beach, and though it’ll be a few hours drive, I can’t wait to see Big Sur and Monterey (and the Hearst Castle!).

After a week in SLO CAL, we head to Topanga where we’ll spend the week mainlining sunsets. Every photo of our Airbnb for here is dripping with atmosphere. I can already feel the vibes! 😛

From Topanga we head to Carlsbad for two weeks before settling in to our final destination. While we aren’t making it to Baja California (as had been an idea we once entertained), we’re excited to spend three months this winter in Leucadia!

Bend. /  by Tom Giles

We arrived into Bend at the peak of Fall. Just as the trees were changing color. What an incredible time to explore this beautiful area!

At times Bend felt like a Disney World theme park. Perfectly manicured green spaces, wide side walks, beautifully maintained biking lanes, and incredible Craftsman style neighborhoods where every single home was unique.

The Northwest Crossing neighborhood, were we stayed for the month, was an absolute delight. My favorite thing about the area was its walkability. We were able to easily access all of the great food and shopping options in the area, including the famous Sparrow Bakery, known for its delicious Ocean Rolls. I overindulged in these rolls more than a few times, and have no regrets 😛

An architectural gem we found in the nearby Tetherow neighborhood.

In addition to NW Crossing, we also took every opportunity to explore the nearby Tetherow neighborhood. Boasting beautiful homes and breathtaking views, this area wasn’t as walkable, but is definitely on our short list of home-worthy-locations. Overall, the combination of these two neighborhoods made our time in Bend truly amazing. They’re now both featured as permanent Zillow searches that we check on with weekly digest emails.

Our home in Bend was as amazing as its surroundings. We definitely lucked out with that place! In fact, when we first stumbled across its Airbnb listing, we thought it was fake. It was just too good, and definitely too cheap, to be real. On the day we arrived, I had Airbnb on speed-dial. Fully prepared to request a refund. But my fears were all for nothing! The listing was real, and absolutely amazing!

We all loved the charming, two story Craftsman, especially Mogli. He spent every day racing up and down its extra wide, carpeted stairs. Lazily dozing in its cozy living room, soaking up all the nearby fireplace’s warmth. And happily standing guard, peering out the windows at its beautifully landscaped views, with the occasional deer visitor.

We appreciated its comfortable setup, charming decor, and well appointed kitchen. Staying in such comfort made our stay in Bend an absolute delight!

One of Bend’s standout features are the giant ponderosa pines scattered throughout the neighborhoods. These towering trees added a sense of majesty and beauty to our surroundings, and made for some incredible hiking opportunities.

We had the chance to go on a variety of hikes during our month-long stay, including the picturesque Aspen Meadows and nearby Lava Lands. The lava fields were especially memorable because they were blanketed in snow when we went, creating a truly unique and picturesque experience.

We had such a great time exploring Bend, we're already planning our next visit. I’m personally very excited to go mountain biking, and try my hand fly fishing on the Deschutes River.

There's no shortage of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Bend, and we can't wait to explore more of what the area has to offer!

Bend, Oregon is a wonderful place for those looking to explore the great outdoors and experience all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Though we were sad to leave, we were equally excited to explore the coast of California. And especially to spend the winter in Leucadia 🏄‍♂️

The Coast of Oregon. /  by Tom Giles

For the past handful of years, the coast of Oregon has fascinated me. On paper, it looks amazing. Idyllic ocean beaches, rocky cliffs, and incredible views. Just like you expect from the postcard-popular, Californian coast. Yet, quiet, calming, and still reasonably priced.

The only thing I’d clearly identified as a negative was the temperature. That is to say, a negative for most people. Me? I like colder temps, so the coast of Oregon has always seemed ideal.

But reading about an area online is far from experiencing it in person. That’s why a major focus for our nomadic adventure has been exploring the coast of Oregon.

Now, having spent a month doing so, I can confidently say I get it. I get the Oregon coast. And it really, truly is glorious. Everything I read was spot on. Slightly cooler temps, incredible views, beautiful beaches, and far far fewer people than one would expect for somewhere as idyllic as this. Beyond the weather (which, again, I enjoy), the only significant downside I’ve identified is access to infrastructure.

The majority of Oregon’s major cities and associated infrastructure (e.g. hospitals, airports, etc.) are all at least an hour or two away. And that’s if you’re near one of the few major roadways. If you’re not, you might be three to four hours (or more) away from any major infrastructure.

Coming from Gig Harbor, WA, our first stop on the Oregon coast was Rockaway Beach. Conveniently located just south of Astoria & Cannon Beach (of Goonies fame), this small town has incredible, sandy beaches.

It was also our first experience with using Starlink for Internet access. While Starlink worked great, handling my daily video calls without issue, it was a reminder of the limited infrastructure along the coast.

Staying so close to Cannon Beach, we took the opportunity to head up and explore this touristy, but very charming town on multiple occasions. And I’ve got to say, it’s easy to understand why Cannon Beach is so popular!

At only an hour and a half from Portland (ignoring traffic, which I’ve heard can be brutal), Cannon Beach is clearly a convenient weekend & summer vacation destination. And as such, it’s no surprise that it is a beautiful town with all the amenities you’d expect. Spectacular food & coffee (Sleepy Monk is a personal favorite). And countless rental homes & hotels.

But even if Cannon Beach was hard to get to, I imagine it’d still be popular. Its beach is unmistakably special. Especially Haystack Rock, which has a presence that’s memorable, but hard to describe. While I’m not sure I’d want to live in Cannon Beach, I’ll definitely be coming back to enjoy its charms 🥰

Just south of Cannon Beach is Cove Beach. This small, hidden beach is only accessible during low-tide, which we were lucky skilled enough to have timed perfectly. Featuring caves, spectacular rock formations, and a small waterfall, Cove Beach is a beautiful experience. It’s easy to understand why it’s considered one of the best-kept secrets in Oregon.

Halfway between Cannon Beach and Rockaway is Manzanita. Another sleepy, surf town with (yet again) quiet, but gorgeous, sandy beaches. We enjoyed giant burritos at Left Coast Siesta before exploring this quaint community.

Back at our bungalow in Rockaway Beach, which had a gigantic, fully enclosed, private back patio, we regularly enjoyed some of the most incredible sunsets I’ve seen since the performance enhancing smog of LA.

Our next stop was Pacific City. Conveniently located near where a friend of Jessica’s was celebrating her wedding, we only stayed here for a long weekend. Though this town was far too touristy for our liking, it had some of the most incredible sandy beaches, walking paths, and giant sand dunes of our time along the coast.

On the way to Pacific City, we stopped at the Tilamook Creamery, a brand new and absolutely gorgeous monument to cheese. In addition to the self-guided tour, where we learned all about the cheese making process, we enjoyed some of the gooiest, most perfectly breaded cheese curds I’ve had since Wisconsin. Well done Tilamook. Well done!

We also stopped at Oceanside Beach. Yet another beautiful, sandy beach along the Oregon coast. Despite all our best efforts and bribes, however, Mogli did not enjoy this spectacular spot. If memory serves, it was too windy. Or too sunny. Or too hot. Or something 🤷‍♂️

The drive to our next stop, Yachats, was one of the most incredible stretches we experienced along the entire Oregon coast. If you ever have the chance, driving Otter Crest Loop is a must-do!

This narrow, winding road features towering, cliff-side views. Amazing rock formations. And bridges so beautiful they almost distract from the views. And at its end, the Devils Punchbowl.

Though Otter Crest Loop is relatively short, we stopped frequently to take in the breathtaking views. At one wayside, we were lucky enough to spot two whales swimming in the ocean below us!

Our home in Yachats was a charming, two-story nestled amongst a handful of what appeared to be handmade homes that could have come straight from the set of The Essex Serpent. Situated a stones throw from a sandy beach (that stretched as far as you could see), we loved this quiet coastal spot.

Yachats itself was also absolutely lovely. “Keep Yachats Eccentric” is the town’s motto… and an absolutely perfect description. Though we didn’t frequent the local establishments, the menu at the Green Salmon is both incredible and a fitting analogue for Yachats as a whole.

Just south of Yachats is Thor’s Well. After a week of overcast, drizzly days (which I unsurprisingly loved), we spent a day exploring this seemingly bottomless sinkhole and the surrounding tide pools. (It’s actually only 20 feet deep.)

Next to Thor’s Well is another natural wonder — the Spouting Horn. Every time a wave crashes into its sea cave, the connected blowhole sprays giant spouts of water into the air. It was super awesome!

As is often the case in adrenaline inducing situations, I may have ventured a bit too close to both the Spouting Horn and Thor’s Well, and stayed just a tad too long as the rising tides & crashing waves sprayed me with ocean water 😛 What a glorious day!

For more photos (and videos!) of Thor’s Well peek my Instagram.

Our last stop along the coast of Oregon was Bandon, a small & charming beach town with a nearby, regional airport (that only had one gate) and the Bandon Dunes golf course (which is consistently ranked as one of nation’s best).

We stayed in a whimsical A-frame filled with nautical knickknacks overlooking the coast. It was absolutely lovely. Upstairs, in addition to a roomy primary bedroom and multiple day beds (which Mogli immediately commandeered), was a work space that I still miss.

As I’ve been working full-time while on this adventure, I quickly grew to love sitting upstairs at the home’s antique desk in front of the home’s yellow tinted windows, overlooking the ocean. Nearly every morning, hummingbirds would appear, zooming past my view. It really was a wonderful place!

In many ways, Bandon is the reason we began this nomadic adventure. In the summer of 2019, after years of dreaming and Zillow stalking, I stumbled upon an incredible property. High up on rocky cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the home was located on Agate Lane, just north of Bandon.

At the time, I knew nothing about the Oregon coast. But the more I researched, the more enamored (and confused) I became. Not just with Bandon, but the entire coast. How could I have heard so little about such a quintessentially beautiful place?

By late 2019, I had scheduled a fifteen day long trip for the following March. To say I was excited would be an understatement! Starting in Bandon, with a tour of the Agate Lane property already on the books, we were set to explore the entire coast, all the way up to Cannon Beach. Just weeks before our flight, however, COVID-19 hit the United States. Yep.

Though the pandemic derailed our original plans, the dream of exploring the Oregon coast stuck, and led to the expanded, nomadic adventure we’re currently on.

And what a beautiful adventure that was! 🥰

Bellingham & Gig Harbor. /  by Tom Giles

After a month in Canada, we crossed back into the States and spent a week exploring Bellingham.

Though I’ve always known of Bellingham as a “college town,” its accessible outdoors and proximity to nature defined our experience. Watcom Falls Park was an easy favorite. With 5.5 acres of wooded, hiking trails and waterfalls, we spent hours wandering around this park.

But it was scenic Chuckanut Drive that really stole the show. This twisting, narrow road hangs cliffside over the ocean, and is absolutely mesmerizing. As much as I loved driving Chuckanut, my favorite part wasn’t just navigating the twists & turns, or the incredible views… it was the stops along the way.

Clayton Beach is a hidden gem just off Chuckanut. It took a few tries, but we eventually found the (unmarked?) trailhead that takes you down, through the woods and over an active railroad track to this quiet, hidden beach.

And though schedules & limited parking kept us from stopping, Taylor Shellfish Farms’ Samish Bay Farm and Oyster Market looks like an amazing experience. Fresh seafood, picnic style on the beach? Yes please!

Downtown Bellingham also had some great food. Favorites included Fiamma Burger, Mallard Ice Cream (the Ghost Pepper & Honey ice cream was weird, but amaaaazing), and La Fiamma Wood Fire Pizza.

Unfortunately, as great as Bellingham was, a few days into our stay Mogli got sick. Like, very sick 🤒 Like, everyone-say-goodbye-before-Mogli-goes-to-overnight-emergency-care sick 😔

Thankfully, after some fluids, food, and proper rest, he seemed to recover 🤷‍♂️

Just in time for us to leave Bellingham and head to Gig Harbor.

Where we stayed on an actual working farm! 🐓 🐐 🐑 🐷 🥳

Chickens, sheep, goats, and pigs, oh my!

The goats were super friendly. We fed them once, and immediately became fast friends. Every time we walked by, they’d come running. Always expecting food. Or head rubs.

We also got to feed the pigs 🐷

By the end of our time in Gig Harbor, Mogli had bounced back.

Whether it was having his own upstairs loft, or taking long walks around the yard, or befriending the goats, Mogli really seemed to thrive on the farm.

Next up, Oregon!

Vancouver Island: Featuring Ukee & Tofino 🏄‍♂️ /  by Tom Giles

After an incredible two weeks in Pemby, we were off to Vancouver Island. But first, like all good travelers, we stopped for food. This time, a late lunch at the Copper Coil in Squamish, which has one of the hands-down-absolute-best brisket au jus sandwiches around 🤤

Gary Robbins, of Barkley Marathons fame, was the race director (blue hat with the microphone).

Of note, while in Squamish, we were also unexpectedly entertained by racers finishing the marquee event of the Squamish50, a crazy hard and unbelievably tough, but also super amazing looking “mountain running experience.”

Described as a “50 mile race boasting over 85% singletrack and more than 11,000 feet of climbing & descent, topped off by stunning sweeping vistas across glaciated snow capped peaks that jut straight out of the Pacific Ocean, these courses are sure to take your breath away.”

I’m tired just thinking about it 😳

After Squamish we continued on to Horseshoe Bay where we boarded the Queen of Cowichan ferry for an evening crossing of the Salish Sea.

90 minutes later, we landed in Nanaimo, which was so developed it reminded me a Chicago suburb. We then made our way to Qualicum Beach, where we hunkered down for a few days. This quiet, beach town had a charming downtown and rocky, but lovely beaches.

We were especially impressed with the hedges surrounding many of the homes. The Knights of Ni would have been most pleased!

From Qualicum Beach we drove across the island to Ucluelet and Tofino, our primary destination for this part of the “trip.”

Along the way there was one stop we had to make… MacMillan Provincial Park & Cathedral Grove. Yay for old growth forests!!

The day was so hot we didn’t feel comfortable leaving Mogli in the car. So, we tried putting him in a backpack. Hah. That went about as well as you’d expect 😬

But it was worth it in the end. Afterwards he told us, “Hey, sorry about all the scratches and meowing. That was, like, totally super awesome. I’ve never seen such giant, old trees!”

Ucluelet (Ukee) and Tofino were everything we’d hoped for.

Imagine the most postcard worthy, sleepy, surf town you can, with rocky, picturesque coastlines surrounded by densely forested cliffs. That’s exactly what it’s like.

We stayed at a recently built, absolutely wonderful Airbnb in Ukee called “The Sitka Suite.” Mogli especially enjoyed it, spending hours every day racing up & down the carpeted stairs. He loved those stairs!

We, on the other hand, loved being able to walk to the majestic Wild Pacific Trail, and both Little Beach & Big Beach. Most mornings & evenings were spent at one beach or the other, checking out tide pools and taking in the day’s sunrise / sunset.

Our Airbnb was also walking distance to downtown Ukee, which had a variety of fantastic eateries. My personal favorite was Jiggers Fish & Chips, a permanent food truck that served some of the crispiest, freshest, most delicious deep fried fish & chips I’ve had since living in London.

From Ukee, Tofino was a quick, 30 minute drive. Along the way, we often stopped at Ukee Poke, and the various beaches & trails.

A favorite was the Rainforest trail, a dense forest of moss covered trees with a handmade, wooden boardwalk that has a real vibe. It’s hard to explain, but the area just felt moody.

Though we preferred Ukee (it felt less touristy & built-up) Tofino is the definition of “Amazing” 🤩 With its charming downtown and incredible coastlines, Tofino felt like it was pulled straight out of a movie.

I could absolutely see us visiting Ukee & Tofino on a regular basis 🏄‍♂️

P.S. Though the lines at Tacofino were long, the food was absolutely worth it 🌮

From Ukee we headed to North Saanich, where we posted up at a quaint cottage in Deep Cove.

Having tuckered ourselves out hard the past week, we took the opportunity to lean back and enjoy this quiet, northern suburb of Victoria.

I especially enjoyed meeting the neighborhood’s pileated woodpecker. Though I didn’t get the best photos, I’m sharing them because of just how cool & rare these birds are.

On Sunday, September 4th we took the Coastal Celebration ferry from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, and then crossed back into the States.

Next up Bellingham & Gig Harbor!

Pemby 🥰 /  by Tom Giles

30 minutes north of Whistler is the sleepy, end-of-the-road village of Pemberton. Dripping with community, the area radiates a nostalgic, small-town feel that envelopes you like a heavy, weighted blanket.

Imagine jaw-dropping mountain vistas, looming over idyllic farm fields, and incredible, turquoise colored, glacier milk rivers that lazily drift nearby. That’s Pemberton.

As we entered the valley, a sense of calmness seeped into our chests. And remained until we left.

Pemberton (or Pemby, as it’s affectionately known) is truly a special place 🥰

The best part about Pemberton isn’t just the quiet, small-town charm. Or the incredibly tight-knit, family-focused community. Or the mind-boggling views. (Or the delicious, home made foods!)

In Pemberton, you feel as if you’re living in nature.

Every day we hiked (or biked) a new trail. Saw bears, or bald eagles. And explored another park. (We especially enjoyed the boardwalk around highly reflective One Mile Lake.)

Despite feeling a world away from the hustle & bustle of modern life, Pemberton is only a short drive from Whistler’s world-class infrastructure & amenities. And has fiber Internet throughout the entire area.

The beauty of being at the literal end-of-the-road, is that everyone who comes here consciously chose to continue past Squamish and Whistler. Both of which are idyllic in their own right.

That deliberate decision is what makes Pemby so awesome 🤩

Pemberton feels like an incredible, hidden secret. A place that far exceeds expectations. Somewhere that never ceases to surprise.

Even the food in Pemberton is first class!

We especially enjoyed the sandwiches at Mile One Eating House and The Pony, the fried chicken at Town Square, and the sushi at Fish & Rice.

We also fell in love with The Beer Farmers, a charming, 4th generation, organic family farm & brewery.

Pemberton really is a special place.

A place that was hard to leave.

Somewhere that could definitely feel like home… 🥰

Next we’re off to Vancouver Island to marvel at old growth forests and explore the picturesque surfs of Ukee and Tofino 🏄‍♂️

Crescent Beach. /  by Tom Giles

Crescent Beach, a sleepy beach town in Surrey, BC 🇨🇦 was originally selected for our adventure simply because of its location between Fall City, WA and Pemberton (our next destination).

Having never driven across the USA — Canadian border before, we were unsure what to expect. Located only ten to fifteen minutes past, Crescent Beach was, simply, a convenient option.

Or so we thought…

What we didn’t anticipate was just how lovely it would be 🥰

Crescent Beach may go down as the sleeper surprise of this entire adventure! And not just because the Bungalow we stayed at was absolutely incredible.

Living directed across the street from three insanely good food spots is also just really hard to beat!

  1. Dude’s Coffee may be my favorite coffee shop ever!! No joke. It also serves amazing food. Dim Sum Saturday?! Yes please 😋

  2. Fieldstone Bread is one of the best bakeries I’ve ever enjoyed. It quickly reminded me just how good bread can be 🥖

  3. Beast and Brine is an absolutely charming deli. In addition to its fantastic, locally sourced meats and meals, their freshly made pot pies should legit win awards 🥧

The best part? All that was just a minute walk from our bungalow 😛 It was supremely hard to leave.

Walking a bit further down the road, we were also able to enjoy quiet, calming strolls on the beach, gnosh on fantastic, locally caught fish & chips, and cool down with delicious gelato.

The only downsides we could find with Crescent Beach were its density and how Crescent Road is the only way in and out of the area. Neither of which, however, would stop us from enjoying the area full-time!

Glacier. /  by Tom Giles

Whitefish did not disappoint.

Flathead County, Montana has been at the tip top of our “Places to Explore” list for along while. Mainly because of the area’s proximity to Glacier National Park, but also because of it’s beautiful mountain and lake views, large expanses of land, international airport, and the resources and infrastructure of Kalispell and nearby ski resort town, Whitefish.

After a week exploring, I can confidently say it is staying on our short list 🤓

Though Kalispell is too developed for what we’re looking for, Whitefish is absolutely amazing. Fantastic restaurants, incredible mountain and lake views, and a wealth of small town charm… all within 15 minutes of an international airport. And only 45 minutes to Glacier National Park, which is just incredible.

The surrounding areas (within 30-45 minutes of Whitefish) are all equally impressive.

Nearby, up-and-coming Columbia Falls was a surprise, with its impressive downtown and beautiful park system. Just south of Columbia Falls (the land nestled between the Flathead River and Highway 206) is prime for development, with significant acreage still available despite the incredible views and close proximity to all that Whitefish and Kalispell have to offer.

While we’re still very early in our journey to find a new place to call “Home,” Whitefish and the nearby areas could absolutely be the one 🥰

Sunset in Whitefish, Montana

Sunsets in Whitefish, Montana were consistently beautiful.

Paradise Valley & the Montana College Towns. /  by Tom Giles

The first major target for our adventure was to explore the broader Bozeman area, which (in my mind) includes everything from Livingston to Gallatin Gateway and Three Forks. Just south of Livingston, Montana, is an area I had not anticipated — Paradise Valley.

Flanked by the Absaroka and Gallatin mountains, the aptly named valley follows the Yellowstone River all the way down to Yellowstone National Park. It is an absolutely incredible drive. From awe-inspiring to majestic and calming, Paradise Valley is truly a thing of beauty!

Though a destination isn’t necessary to justify exploring Paradise Valley, we found the Stone Creek Falls hike to be a worthwhile adventure. And the sandy beaches along the river were both unexpected and perfect for picnicking (our favorite was the Loch Leven day use picnic area).

We also really enjoyed Livingston, which has a charming downtown and wealth of fantastic food options. It’s easy to understand why Livingston was one of Anthony Bourdain’s favorites.

As great as Livingston is, it’s easy to understand why so many people are flocking to Bozeman. Interestingly, downtown Bozeman reminded me of Madison, WI’s downtown. Which is a good thing! Countless Foodie worthy options, numerous walking & biking paths, and a generally laid back, welcoming environment. The juxtaposition of nature to city is well balanced.

One of our favorite areas was South Bozeman. In part because that’s where we found Alpacas of Montana, an incredible alpaca and llama farm (and textile business) that has recently started giving tours. But also because despite only being ten to fifteen minutes from downtown, you feel like you’re in the countryside. Surrounded by mountains!

We had a wonderful time at Alpacas of Montana learning about and, yes, hugging these incredible animals 🦙 Big shout out to Annie, who gave us a personalized tour that went above and beyond 🥰 This was an absolute highlight of our time in Bozeman!

In addition to Paradise Valley and the South Side of Bozeman, we found some specific spots that we’ll want to explore more,

  • The various Hyalite areas (Foothills, Meadows, Canyon Estates, etc.)

  • Gardner Park

While checking out the various Hyalite areas, we took some time to drive through scenic Gallatin Canyon and hike Palisade Falls. If you’re ever in Bozeman, this drive and hike are highly recommended!

Nearby Belgrade, Manhattan, and Three Forks are also fascinating spots. Still close to Bozeman and its infrastructure, but less developed with more acreage available.

Next we ventured to Missoula where I fell in love with Notorious PIG’s signature sandwich, the Ultimate Reuben. Made with beef and pork belly pastrami on marble rye, this sandwich was AWESOME 🤩 I’m still having meat sweat dreams about it! Between that delicious lunch, and all the incredible biking and walking paths, Missoula has a lot of potential… but between Bozeman and Missoula, we feel we’re more Bobcat than Grizzlie.

Next up is Whitefish and the surrounding Flathead valley 🚙

Leg 1: On the Road /  by Tom Giles

A key strategy to our route planning has been to make it through “snow country” before Winter hits. Since Montana, British Columbia, Washington, and even parts of Oregon and Northern California can see road closures during winter storms, our goal is to be in SoCal by December.

To do that, and still experience everything on our list, the first leg of our adventure was all about getting from Chicago to Montana as quickly as possible.

But goodness. That was a lot of driving!

And after 16.5 hours over three days, it’s no surprise we tired 🥱

… or that the car’s covered in bugs 😳

On the 5 hour leg from Waukesha to Minneapolis, we drove through a thunderstorm best described as apocalyptic. The 6 hours to Bismarck was so windy, the car kept trying to jump lanes as if in a game of Frogger. And during the 5.5 hours to Billings, the blistering heat kept us appreciating the Badlands from the confines of our car’s recycled air conditioning.

But despite the heavy driving, and sub-optimal conditions, we still enjoyed ourselves!

Now, after a few days of rest in Billings, Montana, we’re in Livingston / Bozeman (a quick 2 quick hour jaunt) where we’ll be posting up for the next week or so.

In addition to being a quick and easy drive, the views were incredible. Big Sky indeed!

Here We Go Exploring Again... 🤓 /  by Tom Giles

On Friday, July 8th, I pack up and hit the road. Bouncing from AirBnB to AirBnB. A modern day nomad of sorts.

As much as I like to talk about my “trip,” it really isn’t that. A trip has an end. This will, but it doesn’t today.

While Phase 1 of our adventure is set (see below), our plans are, ultimately, open ended. We have some ideas, but after this first stretch of exploring, we’ll be making things up as we go 😬

A primary goal for this “trip” is to find a new place to call home. Or at very least, to cross places off the list! But as Adult as that sounds, the truth is we really just want to get out and explore.

I’m especially excited to see the expanses of Montana. The natural wonders of Pemberton. The coastlines of Vancouver Island and Oregon!

Our Phase 1 route.

From early July through mid November 2022, Phase 1 of our adventures has us leaving Chicago to explore Montana, Washington, British Columbia, Vancouver Island, and Oregon.

Phase 1 features us exploring,

  1. Montana — Bozeman and Whitefish

  2. Washington — Snoqualmie, Bellingham, and Gig Harbor

  3. British Columbia — Vancouver and Pemberton

  4. Vancouver Island — Qualicum Beach, Ucluelet & Tofino, and Victoria

  5. Oregon — Cannon Beach, Yachats, Bandon, and Bend


While Phase 2 hasn’t been officially planned yet, it’ll likely feature us spending the winter exploring the California coast (Leucadia’s a personal favorite) and Baja California.

Planning, and then actually following through on all of this has been… complicated (to say the least) 😐 Figuring out mail, insurance, etc., is “fun” when you don’t have a permanent address. And packing is always an exercise in frustration. You want to be prepared for all seasons and situations, but the car only fits so much.

(Humblebrag: while not quite as optimized or impressive as Vitalik’s 40-liter backpack, I’ve successfully consolidated all my stuff to three carry-on sized bags. One has most everything I need on a day to day basis. The other two are cold winter clothes and back-up supplies.)

But the real challenge has been doing all this with a cat companion in mind 🐈 Camping with a cat? Not ideal. Twelve hours in the car with a cat? No thanks. I’ve also learned that of the few AirBnBs that “allow pets,” most actually only allow dogs 😑

While I intend to update this blog on a semi-regular basis, I make no promises. But I will do my best! Not just because I want to document our adventure so we can look back and reminisce. It’s also just the easiest way to keep all my family and friends (like you!) updated on how things are going.

P.S. For shorter updates look to my Twitter and Instagram. And if you happen to live in any of the places we’ll be exploring, please say “Hi 👋” on Twitter. I always enjoy meeting new people!