2015 - In our rearview mirror

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.  We hope everyone is surviving the holidays. Though it has been colder than expected, we are really enjoying our time in Lake Tahoe. This New Year's Eve, we took a midday lake cruise on the M.S. Dixie II. While paddling through the icy waters and looking at the jagged landscape, we started talking about our year and came up with a list of superlatives for some of our most and least favorite places and parks we've visited this year. We've done most of our traveling in 2015 and have had some really amazing stops. I'm never sad to see a year end. A new year reminds us that it is exciting to look forward to tomorrow again, to start over, even if you're doing the same exact thing you did yesterday, there's anticipation in the air. And although I love the sentiment of this holiday, I'm definitely not big on the celebration. We are happy to be bringing 2016 in with take-out Thai, Trainwreck (Amy Schumer's movie) and a bottle of champagne (of course). We' may or may not make it to midnight..

Cheers to what once was and what soon will be

Love - B&D

The Best of 2015

Greatest Adventure - Big Bend National Park, Texas

Our crazy backcountry camping trip on the rough dirt road in the untamed desert

Best Hike - Guadalupe Peak, Texas

Loved the view from the highest peak in Texas

Favorite City - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Great art, food and beer

Favorite National Park - Crater Lake, Oregon

Total "wow factor", absolutely stunning

Least Favorite National Park - Pinnacles, California

Not that we didn't like the park, just simply wasn't our favorite

Best Beach - Gulf Shores National Seashore, Pensacola, Florida

Hidden gem with perfect white sand

Most Romantic - Napa Valley, California

We were here for our 4 year anniversary, so I suppose we made it especially romantic

Best Food - New Orleans, Louisiana 

Poor boys, oysters, crawfish, need I say more? 

Wildcard - Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Unique, beautiful and totally wild

Most Interesting - Mesa Verde National Park Colorado

Mysterious and amazing history and Native American culture

Best Caves - Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

A truly spectacular underworld 

Best Beer - San Diego, California

Hops, hops, hops and more hops

Best Wine - Paso Robles, California

Free tastings for everyone!

Favorite State - Colorado

The terrain, the people, the Rockies, Coors, we couldn't love Colorado more

Least Favorite State - Alabama

Not much to say for 'Bama' but hey this beach looks nice

Best Stop Overall (as in, we could live/own property here)

Brian's pick - Lake Tahoe

Danielle's pick - Ashland, Oregon

With all the amazing places we've been, there is only more to look forward to. Thanks for reading and keeping up with us through our domestic journey. More on Lake Tahoe next year!

On the road again! (Ashland re-cap)

Seasons Greetings! Brian had a successful tour at sea and returned home safely late last week. We spent a long weekend in Ashland and now we are en route to Lake Tahoe as I type. We'll be spending Christmas week on the south end of the Lake and exploring the local ski mountains. Shortly after the holidays, we are taking a two week trip to Hawaii (Santa came a little early for the Watsons). We are vacationing on the Big Island for one week and another on Maui. These islands are home to the three National Parks in the state. We're bringing all our camping gear so we can experience the south Pacific islands under the stars, in the rain, on the beach, on the side of a volcano or wherever else the wilderness may call to us.

Before completely moving on, I just want to express my sincere love for Ashland, Oregon. I had such an enjoyable time laying over in this Rogue Valley town. The vibe is earthy and of a waste not, want not attitude. The people are made up of outdoor enthusiasts, artists, wealthy, poor, stoners, modern day hippies and college kids and all move to a beat of their own. I got to spend time with girlfriends that I may never have otherwise had the chance to. We had so much fun exploring all the hiking trails in the area, tasting all the amazing local wine and beer and meeting new friends. I attended the Rasa Yoga Center daily and gained so much in mind and spirit with the great variety of classes and instructors. I would also like to comment on the fact that Oregon is one of the only states that still enforces full service at the pump. It is quite the treat to have someone pump your gas and wash your windshield. The service in general deserves a standing ovation. Between the Chevy dealership, RV repair shop, tire store and gas stations, each one was a pleasant visit, affordable and good quality service. I will miss the Shop-N-Kart grocery store, the witty signs transients hold on street corners, the wine, Grizzly Peak, Puck's Donuts, Growler Guys, Paddington's (snooty accent required), First Fridays, skiing Mt. Ashland, Jackson County Public Radio and so much more. But, as the urban legend goes, once you drink the fizzy water packed with sulfur, bicarbonate and lithium from the fountains in Ashland's downtown plaza, you will always come back.


Here are a few of my favorite shots...

View of a smokey Rogue Valley and Mt. Ashland from atop Grizzly Peak

Mt. McLoughlin

Motley crew hiking Roxxy Ann Peak

My homegirls - Sam and Emily

Emily and Laney Bird

Cascade Range

Pilot Rock

Autumn's turn on Grizzly Peak

 Dead Indian Memorial Road

Warbler and a Rainbow

Lower Table Rock

Double rainbows end in Medford

Sam and Spencer

Lower Table Rock looking to Mt. McLoughlin

Next Stop: Lake Tahoe, Nevada