Summer of 2019

Go West Young Bear!

Port Townsend, WA

Several years ago we found our way to Port Townsend when we first visited this part of Washington. Now we look for reasons to return and ways to stay longer each time. We’ve stayed at the same Airbnb with the cute gardens the last two visits. Port Townsend has everything we need, except for jobs and sunlight during the winter.

Great views, and a slow pace in Port Townsend.

Adventure Bear enjoys a picnic lunch at Fort Worden, a state park just out of town.

Good live music at the Port Townsend Brewery on a Saturday night.

We love staying here.

Cool buildings downtown.

Olympic National Park (North Coast), WA

Friends, strangers, and park rangers kept telling us we should go to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery. In the far northwest corner of the 48 states, Neah Bay is the last town on the northern edge, and home to the Makah Cultural and Research Center Museum. It ranks up with the best smaller museums I’ve ever visited.
https://makahmuseum.com/

Getting to Cape Flattery means going to the literal end of the road, and then hiking the rest of the way (not that far). We heard that it is often shrouded in fog and hauntingly beautiful. As you can see, we hit on a gorgeous day, where the blues and greens and the waves left us speechless. On the hike back to the car, I said something stupidly obvious, like, “Well that was scenic.” So if you are ever in the area… Go!

The last few pictures are from when we were back in Olympic National Park, at Crescent Lake and Sol Duc Falls. Also scenic.

A.B. at Cape Flattery.
A.B. at Lake Crescent.

Olympic National Park (West Coast), WA

Olympic National Park in Washington is huge, with mountain ranges, rain forests, and rocky beaches that stretch on for miles. As much as I like going back to places we have seen and loved before, being someplace for the first time, and having it be awe-inspiring is really special. 
The last two pictures are of my view coming out of the tent on our last morning while camped at Kalaloch, in the National Park.

The Hoh Rain Forest.
Carrie and Adventure Bear bundle up for a sunset stroll on the beach.
Little sea creatures in a tide pool at low tide.

Nice way to start the day when camping.

Carrie sleeps in, so this is her first time to see the view!

Portland, OR

We all had a great time in Portland visiting with Steven Partain and Cheri Hills Partain (not pictured, because she works a lot), and their family. Their kids are delightful, and the cat is not nearly as intimidating as he appears in the photo. Good food, ice cream, and of course very good beer, with great friends. Thanks for everything!

Columbia River Gorge, OR

The drive from Hood River to Portland brings waterfalls and stunning views from Crown Point. More reasons to get off the big highways.

Adventure Bear at Wahkeena Falls.
Jay at Bridal Veil Falls.
A.B. told you there would be more pictures of the Columbia River Gorge!

Hood River, OR

We had a good couple of days camping in the Hood River and Mount Hood area of Oregon. Adventure Bear loves the mountains and blooming flowers. Happy Travels!

The Hood River library had great views, and a nice place to rest outside with other bears.

At the Discovery Center of the Columbia River Gorge.
This hawk was pretty intimidating, so Adventure Bear stayed safely in his trailer.

Boise, ID

We were surprised at how much we enjoyed our short time in Boise, Idaho. We had dinner in the Hyde Park neighborhood, which was like being in a parallel universe of our neighborhood in Austin. Before we left town, Adventure Bear met no resistance when he insisted on seeing the state capitol there.

Please note A.B.’s hover-capability…does all his own stunts!
Adventure Bear is so demanding about his locations….Take me to the Capitol!

Salt Lake City, UT — Part 2

A destination wedding was in the cards for Adventure Bear near Salt Lake City. Kate and Jesus make such a beautiful couple, and we were thrilled to witness their happy day. And A.B. got included as a plus one for a photo.

For the record, Adventure Bear is single, but has very little time for dating. Any inquiries related to dating must be screened through his Agent.

Salt Lake City, UT

In Salt Lake City, we found another cool bookstore, and a very salty lake. Adventure Bear did not want to swim, but he liked that people take their boats out.

A.B. also enjoyed a trip to Maria’s Bookshop in Durango, CO and Dolly’s Bookstore in Park City, UT.

Park City, UT

On the long drive from Durango to Park City, Utah, we did not go to Arches National Park, but there was an arch to see.

You can just find this sort of thing on the side of the road out here!


Our “room” in Park City was just what we needed after our cold nights camping. The one bedroom unit was nearly as big as our house. Adventure Bear liked the ski fence and the tulips for photo opportunities.

Durango, CO

One reason we travel in the summer is to escape the Texas heat. One of our regular camping spots on the route is in Durango, Colorado, where we got more than we bargained for when it came to cooler temperatures. Two nights below freezing, and day times in one of our favorite mountain towns.

First night in the tent.
Adventure Bear supervises the camping set up.

30 degrees when we broke camp. Everybody bundled up.

Adventure Bear loves the views at the Durango library, while Carrie works on Adventurebearindepth.com
Plenty of snow still on the mountains. The nearby ski resort was open on Memorial Day.
Adventure Bear was interested in being a river raft guide, but those paddles are really big

You can tell the Irish pub in Durango is authentic by the giant bags of potatoes in the kitchen

Albuquerque

The Denton Family in New Mexico pulled out all the hospitality stops. Foster kitties and a welcome sign on the front door set just the right tone for a day of visiting with good friends. We are so glad that Albuquerque is one of Adventure Bear’s regular stops.

Adventure Bear is 100% a TCU Horned Frog fan, but he wanted to give a shout out to his Texas Tech peeps as we passed through Lubbock. He knows there are many Red Raiders who follow along. 

The home of Buddy Holly and prairie dogs.

Adventure Bear was impressed with the giant armadillo at Perini’s Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap, TX. The burger and the visit with Jay’s dad were also excellent.

Adventure Bear picks Perini’s!
(Product placement opportunities are still available…)

Depending on your point of view, this picture may be iconic, cliche, or new. Whichever it is, it can only mean one thing. Adventure Bear is hitting the road again for the summer.

Follow along as we head to the northwest!