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Our Big Summer 2025 Road Trip: Montana and Wyoming

Welcome to the final chapter of our big 2025 summer road trip! The route back home took us through Montana and Wyoming, with the highlights being our time spent in/around Big Sky and Jackson. We’ve visited Jackson multiple times and will likely continue to at least every summer. It’s such a fun town, and the Tetons are something else. This was our first time in the Big Sky area during the summer, and we enjoyed a beautiful hike and some time spent in the village. It was bittersweet to return to Denver, but the time had come.

Trip Diary Begins

July 16, 2025

We started our Missoula morning with an 8 am yoga class. This was my first yoga in a couple of weeks, and it was much needed. It felt so good to finally be back at it, after the dratted wound held me back for a little.

Later in the day, we went to Break Espresso. There, I ordered a Mountain Huckleberry decaf iced tea. I would describe this tea as Christmas in July, which is fitting since it was July when I was sipping on it. It had a cinnamon note, which created a comforting spice evocative of the holidays, paired with a fruity punch. It was simultaneously cozy and bright.

We dined at the Notorious P.I.G. for dinner, another awesome BBQ spot. The baked beans were some of the best I’ve had, with an almost spicy kick and a depth of flavor that truly stood out. The potato salad and brisket also slapped.

July 17, 2025

On our way to Big Sky, we stopped in Helena. Because Jon was super busy with work, we ended up booking a last-minute hotel there. We ended our day at Ten Mile Creek Brewery, munching on pesto cheese bread and pizza. There was even live music in the courtyard area, which added a nice sunny ambiance.

July 18, 2025

At the recommendation of a friend who had been to Big Sky about a week prior, we planned to hike to Lava Lake in the evening. It was a great hike! We love an alpine lake!

We went out in Big Sky for a little bit. Though we’ve skied at Big Sky multiple times, we hadn’t spent much time hanging out there, since we usually book our lodging in Bozeman. I thought it was nice enough, but Jon said it gave him Denver Tech Center vibes (derogatory). I can see where he was coming from, as it felt pretty manufactured and a little… soulless…style-wise.

We went to a Mexican spot for dinner, and then grabbed some beers at Tips Up to check out the scene a bit more. Initially, we planned to hit a brewery, but they were closed, despite their hours saying otherwise. We relaxed outside with our beers, sitting in chairs made of skis with binding cup holders. So classic for a ski area! Indoors, a band was playing live music, which we did take some time to enjoy as well.

Then, it was onward to Jackson, and we stopped along the way to find a place to camp. We were exhausted, so rather than set up the tent, we just slept in our seats in the car. I slept horribly.

July 19, 2025

We drove the rest of the way to Jackson in the morning. When we arrived, we went to Cafe Jackson Hole. I enjoyed a delightful matcha lemonade and a basic breakfast. Jon eventually got himself a basic breakfast, making it his second breakfast of the day. (He ate earlier, while I slept.) The boy loves breakfast!

Jon went for a ride, and I walked over to Cowboy Coffee. I ordered a smoothie that featured pineapple, banana, spinach, Greek yogurt, coconut milk, and ginger. It was delicious and felt healthy. After they closed at 6, I roamed around the awesome (and crowded) town before Jon returned.

Upon his return, we went to Snake River Brewing for dinner and local brews before going out on the town! Naturally, we hit Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a Jackson staple. We eventually decided to check out The Saddle Rock Saloon & Speakeasy for a nightcap. When we finally found it, we ordered our last cocktails of the night. We enjoyed refreshing drinks that included whisky (obviously), watermelon, lemon, cucumber, and fresh mint. They were so good and perfect for summer. But let’s be honest, I’d drink that anytime of year.

When we had had our fill, we went to a place to camp. In the middle of the night, Jon unzipped the door when nature called, and the crisp piney air filled the tent. Even when he returned and closed it back up, it was like he trapped that gorgeous smelling air in the tent with us.

July 20, 2025

That morning, we had breakfast at the Bunnery, where we each got a classic breakfast and some cocktails. Jon said his mimosa was really good, and my spicy Bloody was perfection! We also ordered a coffee cake, which was a little strange and didn’t quite feel like a proper coffee cake.

We returned to Cowboy Coffee after breakfast. I ordered the huckleberry lemonade matcha, which ended up being wayyy sweeter than I thought. I was honestly pretty bummed out, but you can’t win ’em all!

Our workout for the day was rock climbing and lifting at the rec center. Once we were all pumped up, we had dinner at Merry Piglets, another one of our go-tos in Jackson. We just have to get those spicy huckleberry margaritas. Sloshies, who? I want the huckleberry marg! They did not disappoint (unlike the matcha …I still shiver). I ordered a carne quesadilla, and Jon got a carne burrito. The meal was great!

We walked around for a hot second and then went to Cutty’s Bar & Grill. Cutty’s is a Philly spot in Jackson, and Jon’s a big fan of their authentic cheesesteaks. We didn’t get any of those on this particular night, but we wanted to check out their Guinness pours. The pour was ultimately not amazing, but you can’t be good at everything. We drank our beers and headed off to our campsite in Grand Teton National Park.

We stopped at the general store in the national park to stock up on more food and supplies before finding our camp spot. Jon even selected some huckleberry ice cream sandwiches, which he very much enjoyed. I was having a bit of a stomach ache, so I just had one tasty bite.

Soon, we got ready and snuggled up in bed, as we had a hike planned for early the next morning. Unfortunately, I had a hard time falling asleep. I was tossing and turning big time. Sometimes, when you most need a good night’s rest, you simply cannot fall asleep.

July 21, 2025

We woke up at 4:10 am and headed out to hike to Delta Lake. There’s something special about starting hikes before sunrise. Though I enjoy getting ample sleep, I also love an early morning hike. It’s wonderful to start the day by moving your body in a peaceful way, surrounded by nature.

The hike started pretty mellow, eventually gaining some elevation on switchbacks. It wasn’t crazy steep, which was nice, but it was a good workout. We were chugging along, with me leading the way for the most part on the maintained portion.

We soon reached the end of the maintained trail and arrived at the boulder fields, which required some scrambling. I was thrilled when we saw some pikas in these scrambly sections. I hadn’t yet seen any this year, so I was elated. We heard a little squeak that sounded like a dog toy before catching sight of the first little guy.

Multiple scramble sections later, we arrived at the lake. It. Was. Gorgeous. Delta Lake shone a glassy soft turquoise, and the spectacular Tetons served as its backdrop. It’s one of those scenes that is so bright, crisp, and dreamy that it almost looks fake. We reveled in the views before making our way back down.

As usual, we saw many people going up as we descended. A family we passed on the way down said they had seen a bear (potentially a grizzly, but unclear), but we never came across it. We briskly made our way back down to the car, finishing by around 8:30.

We went to Snake River Coffee for breakfast, and WOW, the breakfast sandwich was so good. I may or may not have had it before, I truly don’t recall, but I was blown away. I devoured the bison sausage sandwich, which includes Bison sausage, egg, muenster cheese, caramelized onions, and a green chili aioli, and is served on ciabatta bread. It was a big sandwich, but rather than being an annoying task to eat, as breakfast sandwiches often are for me (I don’t love a lot of breakfast foods, especially if they’re super eggy), it was a wonderful experience. Jon and I also split an apple fritter before leaving the cafe.

Unsurprisingly for a town like Jackson, the library is very nice. We spent time there and then moved on to Cowboy Coffee yet again. I spent most of my time writing personal pieces, which I may or may not publish on my Substack. Either way, it felt good to write.

Despite Cowboy Coffee having a perfectly fine, albeit single, bathroom, I decided to walk over to the welcome center to use theirs. It felt good to get out of the dark room, move my legs, and drink in some sun, although at this hour it was a bit too hot. As I reflected on how nice it was to move around and get some air, I realized it was funny because I spent my morning moving and being outside. It wasn’t like I’d been cooped up all day!

We visited Snake River Brewing once more, where we split a soft pretzel and drank some hop waters.

Jon found us a solid camp spot for the night. He cooked steak to use in burrito-wrap-type things, and we vibed in the camping chairs while he worked a bit longer. We also cracked into our Nightcap mocktail bottle (finally) that we got in Bellingham.

We settled in the tent before sunset and watched some programming. In the middle of the night, it was raining pretty hard, which was a bit annoying and disruptive. It almost sounded like hail.

July 22, 2025

I love unzipping the tent to mountain views. It’s one of the most special experiences ever. The world outside our mobile bedroom was wet and fresh after the night’s showers.

We rose around 8 am and headed back into town for our last (or so we thought) visit to Cowboy Coffee. We got nutrients and caffeine and spent about an hour there.

Next up on our itinerary was Jackson Hole Mountain Resort’s bike park. There, we ended up at Cowboy Coffee’s resort location, because, of course, they have one there too. Jon went with me initially before hitting the lifts. Over the next few hours, he went back and forth.

We ended our time in Jackson with another trip to Cutty’s so Jon could get his cheesesteak. He also ordered a pizza. I wasn’t super up for a cheesesteak, so I had a small Caesar salad. I also had a piece or two of pizza and a couple of small bites of the cheesesteak. Jon was super impressed with the pizza, saying it was classic East Coast style. I also thought it was quite good.

The time had finally come to hit the road back to Denver! We’d debated stopping along the way versus sending it all the way home, and Jon decided he wanted to try and make it back. After over seven hours in the car, we arrived home around 11:30 pm and did the bare minimum unpacking. We watched a few episodes of TV before falling asleep in our bed for the first time in over a month.

Trip Reflection

This trip was over double the length of our last long road trip, and it flew by! I’m so happy we got to spend all of this time together, exploring new places like Olympic National Park and Vancouver, along with classic favorites such as Jackson, just to name a few.

We camped significantly less this time, as certain circumstances (bike injuries, busy work schedules…) made hotels/Airbnbs more appealing. It was nice to have places to settle more and have a shower during those moments. We’ll be getting some more tent time in before camping season dies down as well, which I’m very happy about.

Next summer (and even next month, next week, tomorrow, an hour from now ) is sure to bring even more adventures! Glacier National Park and Banff are at the top of my bucket list, so we’re already considering planning that for next year, as well as a potential Tahoe trip. Wherever the 4Runner takes us, be it next summer or next week, it’s going to be special.

Our Big Summer 2025 Road Trip: Washington State Part 2

The second half of our time in Washington State was primarily spent in Olympic National Park. We enjoyed a trail run, beautiful hikes, PNW beaches, and hanging out in Port Angeles. When we left Olympic, we explored Leavenworth on the way to Montana.

Trip Diary Begins:

July 11, 2025

We headed to Coupeville in the morning, a town located on Whidbey Island. Upon our arrival, we started at a coffee shop called Sunshine Drip. We later migrated to Beaver Tales Coffee & Tea, a coffee shop and cultural gift shop that’s right on the wharf. It’s a woman- and native-owned business, and you can read more about it here. We sat on the porch by the water until it was time to catch our ferry. It was so lovely.

Fun Fact: Coupeville is the setting of the movie “Practical Magic”, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.

From there, we caught the ferry, which took us to Port Townsend. After driving onto the boat, we got out of the car and walked around, checking out the deck and taking in the #views before settling down inside the ferry. The whole ride took about 35 minutes. We then drove from Port Townsend to Port Angeles, where we kicked off our visit in Olympic National Park.

We embarked on a trail run near Devil’s Punchbowl. I hadn’t been super active in a while, and I definitely hadn’t jogged in a while, so it felt extra good. It was even more special to be doing a jogging at such a gorgeous destination.

5.75 miles later, we fueled up at Fish & Crab Shack. We ate fish and chips and washed it down with some beer. It hit the spot! I don’t know if it competes with Luna Sea Fish House, but it’s up there, alright. While digging into our meal, we ended up sharing a table with another couple, both of whom were originally from Pennsylvania.

We wrapped up our Port Angeles evening at Mighty Pine Brewing, where we each went with a flight, followed by hop water. We hung out there for a little while, and then set off to find somewhere to camp.

July 12, 2025

The trail we selected for the day was Mount Storm King, one of the more challenging hikes in the park. We began at 6 am, starting out in a lush forest. This was a pleasant surprise, as I didn’t know we’d have the forest experience on this particular adventure.

Eventually, we rose above the treeline and the hike became more open. Some time after that, there’s a section with ropes to aid in climbing the steeper terrain. We ascended a little bit further past the ropes, and made it to the picture-perfect view, the star of the hike.

From this main viewpoint, you’re treated to breathtaking scenery featuring tree-covered mountains and the expansive blue waters of Lake Crescent. It’s so surreal. The vibrant deep blue and rich green colors are a true representation of how beautiful this world is.

We realized this was not actually the top of Mount Storm King. We completed the main route from AllTrails, and hit the iconic viewpoint, but it’s not the top of Storm King. There’s another rope section and another 1,000ish feet of gain to reach that peak. We decided against it, since it wasn’t part of our original plan.

After our descent, we added Marymere Falls onto the journey. We’d already been on that trail as part of our route anyway, and just had to veer off a little to see the falls. During this section, we witnessed some tourons in the wild. A group of people snuck around a barrier that was clearly there for a reason, venturing to an area that was not meant for visitors. Jon ended up calling them out for it, and they actually came back! Not all hope is lost.

We secured our camping spot for the night at a campground in the park and drove into Port Angeles for breakfast. Then, we hit the farmers’ market! Yay for markets! At one booth, we sampled some drinks from a vendor who made beer and ginger sparkling water. As we were sampling, we were seated next to a friendly local couple.

I did some shopping, something I especially enjoy while traveling. Despite not usually buying anything, I get serotonin just from poking around. One boutique had an adorable hoodie that was one of the softest things I’ve ever felt. I debated purchasing it, but left empty handed.

We hopped over to Harbinger Wine Bar next, which had a fantastic ambience. We started by sharing a flight that had one red, one white, and one rosé, and posted up on the deck that overlooked the water. I was in heaven, sipping on wine and taking in the serene environment. Port Angeles was providing! This small port town is just so cute and has some real gems.

I kept thinking about the hoodie, and how I really wanted something to take home from this charming location. So, Jon took me back to the boutique and I made the purchase.

In the evening, we found ourselves back at Mighty Pine, where they had a food vendor serving up pizza. We opted for the pickle pizza, which was delicious.

July 13, 2025

In the morning we departed from Lake Crescent and made our way toward Forks. This part of the trip was designated for exploring the beachy areas and the Hoh Rainforest. We’d reserved camping at South Beach.

Fun Fact: “Twilight” fans will probably recognize the towns of Forks and Port Angeles. Although the story largely took place in Forks, the series was primarily filmed in Oregon and Canada.

We waited in a crazy line of cars to enter the Hoh Rainforest for about an hour and a half. When we finally got in, we began with the Hall of Mosses. This is a fairly short stroll and one of the highlights of the Hoh Rainforest. This meant it was crowded as heck! I have complicated feelings on this, which I’ve mentioned before. It’s awesome that so many people are fond of our National Parks, but the crowds can definitely be annoying and take you out of the experience a bit. It felt like Disney World. We also tacked on a portion of the Hoh River Trail, which was way less crowded. It seems like many people wait in that crazy line of cars simply to do the Hall of Mosses. Couldn’t be us!

Back in Forks, we stocked up on some supplies. Just before sunset, we stopped at Ruby Beach. Much like the beaches in Oregon and California, Ruby Beach is home to many sea stacks. I love these! We moseyed along the pebbly shore, and the rocks made a satisfying click-clack noise beneath our feet. The air smelled ever-so-delightful! We soaked in the refreshing atmosphere and cool breeze. It was a bit too cold to stay for long, but it was so pleasant. When the fog rolled in, the mystical magical vibes were enhanced. Yes, it felt like Twilight. Something about it also reminded me of Jak and Daxter.

The PNW beaches are so special, offering a cool and unique aesthetic. They’re different from beaches somewhere like Florida, and they don’t scream “beach vacation”. You wouldn’t necessarily go there to sunbathe, play volleyball, and cool off in the water. These coasts are colder and moodier, but they’re enticing in their own way. We also learned that surfing is quite popular on the beaches in Olympic.

July 14

The time had come for us to begin journeying back East toward Denver. Our first stop on the way was Leavenworth, WA, a mountain town with a Bavarian charm. En route, we stopped at Jitter House in Hoquiam. I slept for a couple hours in the car, before Jon woke me up and I joined him inside for some breakfast.

We left the coffee shop, and I was called upon to drive. This was the first time my driving was requested the whole trip, so I’m lucky for that. My shift went well, even though I don’t particularly love driving the 4Runner.

In Leavenworth, Jon cooked us up some tacos at a park. We fueled up and went to the Leavenworth Ski Hill, where Jon set out on a ride and I had myself a short hike. We returned to the main strip and ordered some local brews and a bowl of cornichons at Icicle Brewing Company.

For dinner, we grabbed pizza from Blewett Brewing Company and took it over to Bushell & Bee Taproom, a lounge-y bar, where we got kombucha.

That night, we camped at a pullout near a river. It’s always nice to hear river noises while camping. We skipped TV for the night and instead partook in some good conversation as we fell asleep.

July 15

Upon waking up, we visited the ski hill once more. I slept for another hour-ish while Jon rode. We ended up at Bavarian Bagel Co. for breakfast, which was super solid! Post-bagels, we roamed around a bit while Jon took a call, and I browsed some fun stores. We returned to Blewett Brewing for some hop teas.

It was time to hit the road toward Missoula. When we got there, we checked into the Airbnb and headed out for dinner. We went to a taproom called The Dram Shop and got kombucha on tap. They don’t serve food, so we grabbed burgers from Wally and Buck, which we ate at The Dram Shop.

We went “home” for the night, showered, watched our program, and got to bed. We talked about how much my road rash had improved, rejoicing I was no longer wearing the gauze. It was wonderful to no longer go through the torture of taking it off and ripping my skin constantly. Jon made a silly joke, saying “the gauze days are over,” to the tune of “Dog Days Are Over.”

Our Big Summer 2025 Road Trip: The Idaho Leg Pt. 2

During the second stretch of our Idaho leg, we stayed in and around Boise. We split our time back and forth between camping and Airbnb/hotel stays and were in the area for basically 5 full days. One odd thing I noticed in Boise, and this could be me being nitpicky, is that the drinking water wasn’t super cold. I encountered this at multiple establishments we visited. On a more positive note, the food in Boise is top-notch. Read on for more. 🙂

Trip Diary Begins

Thursday, June 26, 2025

We dipped from Stanley in the morning, and I got to sleep a little in the car. For breakfast, we stopped at Wild Bills Coffee and Bistro in Garden Valley, which was super solid. I ordered a Huckleberry Toast, which features avocado, fresh huckleberries, feta, slivered almonds, and hot honey. It was tasty and very unique. I also added two eggs. Jon opted for the Déjà Vu, which is essentially a classic breakfast plate, a go-to for Jon.

We filled up and continued our drive to Boise. Upon our arrival, we went to a coffee shop called Roast & Vine. Jon later went to pick up sandwiches for lunch from The Roosevelt Market. I enjoyed the Space Chicken, a sammy with sliced chicken, mozzarella, mama ‘lil pesto, and baby spinach. Now, I don’t know what the heck “mama ‘lil pesto” is, but it wasn’t ordinary pesto. It was more of a tomato-y or roasted peppery-type spread. Whatever the heck it was, it was delicious!

After checking into our Airbnb, I took a little walk to the bookstore. When I returned to the place, we got ready for a yoga class, and dropped off laundry on the way. This yoga was 100 DEGREES! The yoga classes we typically attend are hot, but not that hot. It was hitting me pretty hard, especially because I was almost certainly dehydrated. My bad!

Post-yog, we showered back at the Airbnb and got ready for dinner. We ended up at a pizza spot called The Wylder, where we tried a few different types of pizza and wrapped up the meal with cookies and ice cream.

It’s always nice to walk around for a bit after a meal to digest, so we explored the Boise River Greenbelt a bit before turning in for the night.

Friday, June 27, 2025

Boise had a mountain bike festival going on, which we had gotten tickets to. Friday marked day 1 of the festival, which took place at Eagle Bike Park.

We both got demo bikes (yes, even I), and did some easy trails. Despite the easy level of the trails, I was still super nervous, tense, and awkward. I only lasted 45 minutes, but hey, I gave it a whirl!

When Jon was finished riding, only about 15 minutes later, we departed the bike park and hit the town. We started at Lost Grove Brewing in Hyde Park. They had some great happy hour beer deals, which we took advantage of. While there, we ordered an app as well. We landed on the wings with the miso buffalo sauce, which were perfect! They had a perfect crispy coating, and the sauce was super yummy.

Before dinner, we walked back to the Airbnb to reset. We landed on St. Lawrence Gridiron for our final meal that day, and OMG, it was absolutely amazing. I specifically can’t get over how good the Dirty Bird was. It’s truly one of the best fried chicken sandwiches I’ve ever had. This sammy features Louisiana spices, chili oil, white BBQ sauce, house slaw, and house pickles. It was all really working for me. Jon and I split the sandwich, along with the Brisket Platter and potato salad. Everything was fantastic.

We then went to a whiskey bar for a little bit before walking back to the Airbnb and ending the night with the Gemstone family.

Saturday, June 28, 2025

We slowly started to get together and pack up in the morning, and made our way to Bogus Basin for day two of the mountain bike fest.

I spent most of my time relaxing, reading, and listening to my audiobook. In the evening, I ended up going on a 1.5 hr hike on Deer Point Trail. I was initially planning to hike for a shorter amount of time, but my legs just kept moving. It was a lovely hike, which included foresty vibes, views of the ski runs, sunshine, and wildflowers.

We found an awesome spot to camp for the night, not far from where we’d spent the day. Before bed, we watched the SEASON FINALE of Righteous Gemstones, which was crazy!

Sunday, June 29, 2025

We headed back to Boise from our camp spot, which took about 45 minutes. When we got back to town, we grabbed THE BEST BREAKFAST EVER at Goldy’s Breakfast Bistro. I love a good Chicken Fried Steak, and this one was really, really, really good. Jon got a classic breakfast-type dish, which he said was delicious. We both agreed it was the best breakfast we’d had on the trip so far.

After our meal, we walked around the block a couple of times to digest a bit. Then, it was bike time! I rented a bike so we could ride around town and explore, as I left my own road bike at home. It was so fun! We rode for around 1.5 hours, covering 17 miles. I had a great time until I washed out at the very end and got a bad case of road rash. Rats! I was so scared on the mountain bike, and yet when I did get hurt, it was from road biking. Figures! Lots of people saw it happen, too. 🙃 But they were so friendly about it.

We checked into a hotel yet again. Then we went to Mother Earth Brew Co. and got some cheese bread, pizza, and beer. The main reason we chose to visit this spot is because when we were at the bike shop returning my rental, which was across the street from Mother Earth, a kind stranger brought over a cup of water and some napkins to help Jon and me manage my fresh wound. As Jon dumped the water on my leg, I noticed it felt cool and refreshing. I requested that we visit the brewery that evening so we could get our hands on that cold water. (It didn’t feel quite as cold in the mouth as it did on the leg, but it was still an upgrade!)

Monday, June 30, 2025

I was quite sleepy and skipped the hotel breakfast. My injury was also very aggravating. Eventually, I ate a banana, and we went to a coffee shop for a short amount of time. I also went to Rite Aid and grabbed some gauze and other supplies to dress my wound. Thrilling!

Back at the hotel, Jon worked out in the gym and worked for a bit downstairs, while I relaxed and listened to my audiobook. I had gotten myself in a bit of a funk. Jon later went to yoga again at the super hot studio (I didn’t wanna risk all the sweat and stuff with my fresh road rash), which gave me some more time to blog and relax.

He returned and showered, and then we went out to grab a bite at Boise Brewery. Once again, we had some super solid food. We started with the hummus, which included kalamata olives mixed in, and was topped with a garlic confit. It also came with chili crisp, which we mixed in. For our main dishes, we ordered the Patty Melt and the Bulgogi Bahn Mi, both of which we split.

Then, it was back to Mother Earth to work and vibe. They were even streaming Love Island. At 9, we went back to the hotel.

Our Big Summer 2025 Road Trip: The Idaho Leg Pt. 1

The big summer road trip of 2025 continues in Idaho! We ended up spending a full week in the state, stopping at a few different locations. Because we were in Idaho for a bit of a longer stretch, I’m going to break up this leg of the trip into two parts. During this stretch, we spent time in Ketchum and Stanley.

Trip Diary Begins

Monday, June 23, 2025

We checked out of the hotel and spent our first full day in Idaho in Ketchum. There are two main things I’d like to share about this day.

The first is how awesome our camping spot was. It’s probably my favorite camp spot of the trip so far. We drove into a valley with beautiful green views, but it wasn’t very wooded. It was incredible, but after exploring a bit further down the road, we opted to set up camp at a spot that was a little more secluded and in the woods. It was perfectly tucked away, and the view was so lovely. On top of that, it smelled amazing. The aroma was delightfully fresh and piney. It was reminiscent of Christmas time. This location just oozed the camping vibes I seek. While we camp at various types of spots (including lackluster parking lots), this style is one of my favs.

The second thing worth noting is that we started watching The Righteous Gemstones that evening. Right off the bat, like from the very first scene, this show pulls you in. It’s wild, hilarious, absurd, kooky, and very well done. We were both immediately hooked.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

We slept in because it was so cold and we wanted to stay cozy in the tent a little while longer. Jon cooked us up breakfast at camp when we finally got out of bed, and then we headed into town to hit a coffee shop. We hung out at the coffee shop for a bit before continuing our productivity at the library.

My must-share moment from this day is the dinner we had at Rickshaw. It’s an Asian-fusion spot that the internet said was a must-try. We ordered a bunch of plates to share and had ourselves a little feast. We enjoyed the K.F.C. (Korean Fried Chicken), Vietnamese Caramel Pork Ribs, Andreas’ Pot-stickers, and the Chiang Mai Curry Noodles, as well as the daily special.

In the evening, Jon went for a bike ride while I went for a short hike in the same trail system.

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

It was time to say goodbye to Ketchum and head on toward Stanley, a super, super small town. We hung out at two different coffee shops (most likely the only two in town), one of which sat along the river. Then, we headed to a campground near Redfish Lake to secure a spot for the night.

We went into town again and spent some time sitting outside the library, where we met a sweet and gentle dog named Stanley. Stanley took quite a liking to Jon. He was very calm (I’m assuming he’s on the older side), but seemed very interested in hanging out with us. We’re also pretty sure he was an Aussie, which is the type of dog we’d love to have one day, if we’re ever ready for a dog.

Back at the campground, we ate lunch. Then, we headed to the Redfish Lake Marina to rent some kayaks and go out on the water. We had killer views of the Sawtooth Mountains, which felt rugged in a similar way to the Tetons in Wyoming or even certain mountains in Colorado. We kayaked for an hour and a half, covering 4 miles.

The bugs were going crazy when we returned to the campsite. It felt like we were both drenched in bug spray, and the bugs were simply not respecting that. Jon worked a bit longer, while I spent some time journaling and trying (and failing) to dodge the bugs. We went for a little stroll before Jon cooked us up some dinner. Then, it was time to crawl back into the tent and wind down.

Our Big Summer 2025 Road Trip: The Utah Leg

Jon and I are currently in the midst of another long road trip! I’m so excited we are getting to spend so much time exploring tons of cool places. I’m also excited to share my trip diary on the blog once again.

Two years ago, we traveled around for two weeks during our first rooftop tent adventure. This year, we’re back at it and traveling for double the time! I recently left my last job, which was pretty in-office heavy, so the world is my oyster this summer as I search for something new. (I also created a Substack newsletter, as part of my creative journey.)

We’ve already enjoyed time in various places. Each day has offered a new adventure, whether we’re spending time in coffee shops or going kayaking. In this post, I will be focusing on the Utah leg of our trip.

Trip Diary Begins

Friday, June 20, 2025

We left Denver around 4:15 am, and I was completely exhausted. Jon kindly let me sleep while he drove. I slept for hours in the car. Eventually, we found a place to pull off by a lake near Heber City, Utah, so Jon could take a call.

I got out of the car to stretch my legs and saw there was a path that led down to the lake. I strolled down the path and sat at the shore, where I quickly became very content. It was so lovely. There was a pleasant breeze, as the waves lapped against the small rocky shore, making for a wonderful scene to start my day. The breeze, the sunshine, and the occasional mist of the water made it ever so pleasant. I was so happy to be there, rather than back in Denver, where it was a sickening 95 degrees. It was peaceful and refreshing, and I loved it.

After departing from this stop, we continued making our way to Park City. When we got into town, we hit Atticus Coffee & Teahouse. I’m a sucker for a coffee shop that also sells books and other fun stuff, and this happened to be one of those places. They had tons of cool books, journals, candles, and much more. It was so fun to poke around! I ordered the Queen of Hearts, which is a matcha from their seasonal menu, and features their house-made strawberry puree, milk, and organic matcha. It was pretty sweet, but delightful. I don’t often opt for sweet drinks, but sometimes, it feels right.

We left the coffee shop and headed to Park City Mountain Resort. While Jon explored the bike trails, I went for a little trail run. I made it a mile up before deciding to turn back, as it was quite hot and I didn’t think I was very well nourished or hydrated.

For dinner, we headed to No Name Saloon, a place we had actually been before while on a ski trip. We ended up sharing our table with another couple, and they were super friendly. We even swapped numbers. There were also what seemed like two separate bachelorette parties and a 21st birthday celebration going on. Park City was poppin’!

After dinner, Jon and I hit Flanagan’s and enjoyed some creamers (Guiness). As we waited for the foam to settle, the bartender offered to fix the pour, which definitely could’ve been better. You love to see it! Jon also overheard some other guys talking about splitting the G, something he and our friends have been obsessed with lately. (I’m no good at it and would prefer to just enjoy my beer normally.)

We camped at a parking lot, which certainly wasn’t magical, but it did the job. It was so hot in the tent, but also super windy and noisy outside. That’s just the elements for ya! We watched a bit of Vice Principals before going to bed.

Saturday, June 21, 2025

We started the day at Salt Box for breakfast and then headed to Lucky Ones Coffee, where we hung out for a bit. We sat outside, where they had live music by a local teen who was raising money for his choir trip. After that, we headed back to Atticus.

For dinner that night, we took a recommendation from the friendly girl we had met the previous night and went to Sammy’s Bistro. The food was super solid, and the service was great.

After dinner, we checked out Alpine Distilling. While I felt super underdressed in my Melly and yoga pants, the vibe was great and no one gave me any trouble like I feared. The service here was also fantastic, and we tried two different flights. We also ended up purchasing a shot glass as a souvenir.

Then, we headed back to Flanagan’s for some more creamers. We met a sweet girly from Washington who seemed to be there for a bach party, and she gave us some good Washington recs

We went back to camp for the night. It was colder than the night before, and still super windy. The wind simply would not shut up. Rude!

Sunday, June 22, 2025

We started the day off with a much-needed yoga flow we found on ClassPass. It’s nice to be able to keep up with things like yoga while on the road. We then enjoyed breakfast at Five5eeds. The banana bread with espresso cream was amazing.

After morning yoga and breakfast, we checked out the Park Silly Sunday Market, which is basically a farmers’ market. Gotta love a market! We ended up buying a can of cold brew and some bread.

We headed back to the mountain, where Jon biked some more and I went on a hike. During my hike, I had bursts of running/jogging, and even some skipping and frolicking. It went much better than my trail run a couple of days before.

It was time to hit the road again and head to our next stop: Idaho. On the way there, we stopped at Texas Roadhouse for dinner. It was exactly what you’d expect. We are trying to hit a bunch of the big chain restaurants together at some point, so why not check it off the list? But I can’t say we’ll be back. (I’d currently rank Chili’s as the #1.)

The drive to Idaho was kind of boring and bland, but that’s just how it is sometimes. That night, we had our first hotel stay of the trip. It was nice to have a shower and reset for the night.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Wrapping Up Our Adventure (Days 15 & 16)

Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure series is coming to a close! We spent the final two days in Jackson, before bad weather led us to return home early. Despite the change of plans, we enjoyed ourselves as our trip was winding down.

Trip Diary Begins:

Wednesday, May 31

Once again, we slept in to get some extra snuggle time in. I was very sleepy. Then, we made our way to Jackson, Wyoming, encountering lovely mountain scenery on our drive. (The Tetons are spectacular.)

After a relatively uneventful day getting some work done, we went to dinner at Merry Piglets, a Tex-Mex restuarant. There, we had Spicy Huckleberry Margaritas, which were delightful. I love embracing huckleberry flavored things, which are quite popular in the Yellowstone area. (We just talked about the wontons with huckleberry dipping sauce at Slippery Otter Pub.) Our meal was pretty heavy, but boy did those margs hit the spot. We’ve since returned to Merry Piglets, and the margaritas were just as good as we remembered.

I noted in my notes app entry for the day that the town of Jackson is so cute. Once again, I stand by that (how couldn’t you though? If you’ve ever been to Jackson, you know). I’ve been back a couple of times since this first trip, and I love it there, especially in the summer.

Thursday, June 1

Switching things up from all our sleeping in, we woke up mad early. We arrived at Cowboy Coffee before it opened at 6 am. Once we were inside, I basically napped on Jon’s shoulder for awhile, before starting on my work around 7:30.

We made the tough decision to end our trip a little early because the weather got crappy. It was rainy and had even started storming. Though we wanted to spend more time exploring Yellowstone (I would have loved to see Grand Prismatic), it was the right call. It was cool that we even got to experience Yellowstone at all!

Scary Fact: Yellowstone’s geothermal features are beautiful, but incredibly dangerous. I remember falling asleep to a podcast once, and awakening to a horrifying discussion about encounters with these features that led to death or injury. The good news? Deaths and injuries are extremely rare. Just be smart and follow the instrcutions at the park! Don’t be a touron—for your own good.

We were pretty conflicted but both felt it would be good to just start heading home. Of course, we were still sad the trip was ending. It’s always bittersweet ya know? But in that moment, I belonged in the car eating White Cheddar PopCorners. There’s always next time—and we will be back!

Trip Reflection

So, that’ll do it with this series! Our first road trip with the rooftop tent was so amazing. We skied in Mammoth, which has become one of our favorite mountains, explored the Oregon Coast, went to a music festival, enjoyed an “average day“, and even saw a bit of Yellowstone.

Our rooftop tent has enhanced our adventures so much, and I can’t wait to do another 2-week+ road trip with it! We use it all the time in the summer and fall, and it will continue to be a staple of many journeys to come. I look forward to exploring more, experiencing more, and sharing more of these special moments.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Skiing at Mammoth Mountain (Days 3 & 4)

It’s time for another installment of Our First Rooftop Tent Adventure! On days 3 & 4 of our first rooftop tent road trip, we had so much fun skiing at Mammoth Mountain. With plenty of spring snow, sunshine, and amazing après vibes, it was an unforgettable stop. We were even spoiled with a couple of nights at a hotel.

Trip Diary Begins:

Friday, May 19th

After a good night’s sleep, we woke up, packed up camp, and set off for Mammoth Mountain, just a short drive from our campsite. After arriving at the resort, Jon slammed his finger in the car door. Not fun! Luckily, this didn’t require a trip to urgent care. When we effectively sought a friend’s opinion (it’s great having a Physician Assistant friend; you know who you are), we decided that he would be fine, bandaged the finger, and got on with our day.

We started skiing around noon, dressed in Hawaiian shirts and jean shorts. It was my first time skiing in shorts, and I loved it. The weather was amazing, and our outfits were perfect for it! The slushy spring snow was super fun, and Mammoth had a lot of snow, especially for mid-May. They had about 30 runs open at this point. Skiing there was a blast and a half. This was also my first day skiing a wiggle, which was fun, even though I didn’t ski the entirety of the wiggle.

After a bit of skiing, we stopped back at the car and had lunch. Once we had eaten, we headed to the (fantastic) après at the Yoddler. It was so much fun! We each got an Aperol Spritz—one of the perfect après drinks, IMO.

That night, we were living the life of hotel luxury at the Motel 6. We checked in, relaxed, and freshened up before heading to a brewery for dinner. At the brewery, we ate yummy nachos and buffalo chicken flatbread. We returned to the hotel and had a chill night watching a little HGTV before bed. Enjoying the comforts of the hotel, we decided to book a second night.

Writing this now makes me wish I was on vacation again. No worries, just vibes, HGTV, and a hotel bed.

Saturday, May 20th

The weather was lovely again! I wore a different pair of jean shorts and a crop top, while Jon wore a tank and jorts. I also had my Mellanzana with me for the chillier moments. We even ~sorta~ got to ski through some trees, which was nice for this late in the season.

It eventually started raining. There was even a lightning warning! Because of the brief moment of ~weather~, we had to stop skiing for a hot sec, but it didn’t last long. We skied a couple more laps, bought some merch (obviously), and hit après again. This day was even more lit since it was a Saturday. The party had it all: champagne spraying, a guy doing yo-yo tricks, an older lady dancing on the table, and even a few dogs. Such a vibe! After we were done there, we went back to the hotel. We sat outside for a bit before deciding on a new brewery to go to. After we enjoyed our beers, we went to Roberto’s Cafe for dinner. I had beef taquitos and Jon had a carne asada burrito. We caught a stunning sunset before going to bed.

Toyota 4Runner is parked in a pine forest with a rooftop tent set up. A mountain bike is attached to the back, and camping gear, including a storage bin, is on the ground beside the vehicle.

Selfie of Jon and Lai in ski gear and tropical shirts in front of a large woolly mammoth statue at Mammoth Mountain. They are smiling, wearing helmets and sunglasses.

Rooftop Tent Trip #1: Denver to Mammoth Lakes (Days 1 & 2)

Lovely red rock scenery in the Capitol Reef area of Utah.

The weather in Colorado has been pretty warm recently, and spring is right around the corner. While it is a little unsettling that the temps have been above 60°F in February and March, I can’t say the sunshine doesn’t feel good. We recently returned from an Aspen trip that was a blast, even though it was pretty dry. The snow conditions weren’t ideal, but the weather was absolutely beautiful.

Since it’s been feeling pretty springlike lately (and spring is quickly approaching), I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to look back at one of our most memorable trips: our first major outing with the rooftop tent in the spring of 2023. We explored many amazing destinations over our two-week road trip. While we had many memorable camping trips before, the addition of the rooftop tent marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our outdoor adventures.

Pieces of Our Adventure

I’ll be breaking the trip up into various posts, grouping a few days in each one. During the trip, I took daily notes—some just for myself and others in preparation for our blog, which at the time was only an idea. I won’t be detailing every single day—just the parts I want to share. Now, almost two years later, I’m revisiting these incredible memories on our blog—something I’m thrilled has finally become a reality! I hope you enjoy these stories from our trip. 😊

Note: For this series, I’m switching things up a bit from our usual blog posts. As readers of Half an Hour Away know, we typically highlight how far certain destinations are from Denver, providing those distance and time insights up front. However, since this trip was more about the journey than a single destination, the format will look a little different. I hope you enjoy this new approach!

Trip Diary Begins:

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

We left Denver in the evening. Packing seemed to take forever, but that’s how travel goes, at least in my experience. We eventually stopped somewhere in Utah to camp.

Thursday, May 18, 2023

We woke up and set off, driving through some cool scenery. Utah has that red rock/desert vibe, which is really pretty to drive through. We found a spot near a lake to cook breakfast, driving by Capitol Reef on the way. Jon made us fried eggs and sausage on the portable grill. Three cute dogs ran over to us to say hello, then ran off again back to their owners. It was a blissful way to start the day. Oh, life on the road truly is something special.

From there, we drove to a spot where Jon could go mountain biking and I could hike. I hiked about 3 miles, and Jon biked 8. Afterward, we made our way to our next stop—Vegas. As part of the route, we decided to visit Taco Bell Cantina. In fact, it was the only reason we went through Vegas. Of course, Vegas being Vegas, the traffic was awful. Once we finally found somewhere to park, we walked to Taco Bell. We both ordered Baja Blasts with double shots of Patron in big swirly cups. Unsurprisingly, it was a lot more expensive than your average Taco Bell trip. But was it worth it? Absolutely.

After walking around for a bit, we continued our journey. We eventually arrived in Mammoth Lakes, California. After our first attempt to find a camping spot didn’t pan out, we finally found the perfect place. We watched Better Call Saul at the folding table under the stars before getting too tired and calling it a night. We got in the tent and went to sleep.

Note on Solo Hiking:

I enjoy hiking alone, but it’s crucial to be cautious and prepared, especially as a woman. While some may caution against it, embracing these experiences helps me maintain my independence and enjoy the outdoors without limitation. If you choose to hike alone, make sure to carry pepper spray and/or bear spray, stay alert, and practice situational awareness.

A piece of scenery from our Utah hike/bike ride. It's very desert-like and you can see red dirt and trees.

Vegas from the car window. The Eiffel Tower replica is visible, among other buildings.