“The world is before us, and we are still on our way. The Oregon Trail is an adventure that must be lived, not just dreamed.”
-Anonymous Pioneer
So I didn’t really hike any part of the official “Oregon trail”, but a trail that’s in Oregon counts just the same right? On a portion of our road trip we were visiting family there (one of whom is an avid hiker), and one day we visited Silver Falls State Park.
Continue reading“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore
and tell the world the glories of our journey.”
-John Hope Franklin
A National Monument, a National Historic Site, and a National Park, 2 states and 500 miles, all in 3 days? Just another week in the life of a vagabond!
Continue reading“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous,
leading to the most amazing view.”
-Edward Abbey
We counted Chattanooga as the beginning of our road trip, but in reality, leaving my sister’s house in Indiana felt more like the launching point for me. Now we were traveling unfamiliar roads, exploring new cities and seeking out adventures, and boldly going where we had never been before…
And on this leg of the trip, we saw giants…
We are logging endless miles in the Jeep as we drive cross country, and amongst the monuments and quirky roadside attractions, we are also taking time to find a few hikes along the way, and add some miles to our sneakers as well.
First up – Wisconsin…
Continue reading“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin.”
Tony Robbins
This is the story of our Vagabond Summer road trip. Just me and the hubby, a few suitcases, a Jeep, and hearts full of hope! 😉 If you are interested in what we’re doing and why, read my post: The Vagabond Summer | The Sunnydaze Diaries. For now, all you need to know is that we are planning a giant road trip across the USA, spending several weeks visiting loved ones, and exploring this vast country of ours. These journal entries will document our adventures (for better or worse!😂) and the lessons learned along the way.
Our journey began August 22nd, and the first leg of the trip was from Chattanooga, TN to Noblesville, IN. Here we are spending 5 days visiting family and enjoying small town life in the heartland of America.
The Pocket Wilderness
Location: Soddy-Daisy TN
Length: varies – we did about 2 miles
Elevation Gain: also varies – my watch said I did 5 flights of stairs (of rocks), plus some serious hills.
Pros: pretty water views, picnic tables and parking, newly upgraded parts of trail, spring flowers, summer greenery & wild mushrooms, autumnal color.
Cons: trails can be confusing, lots of rock scrambling (wear good shoes!)
Vagabond: [vag-uh-bond] adj. 1. wandering from place to place without any settled home; nomadic. 2. leading an unsettled or carefree life.
The definition for vagabond can really go two ways. On one hand, it can be viewed negatively with words like vagrant, or tramp, or drifter. On the other hand, it can be described as someone who embraces a life of travel and exploration, rejecting a fixed, conventional lifestyle for a more nomadic and free-spirited existence. This perspective highlights the adventurous, independent, and self-reliant aspects of a vagabond’s life.
Let’s go with that last definition, shall we? 😉 Because if last winter was “The Winter of Waiting”, then currently the Gibsons are in “The Vagabond Summer”.
Upstate New York was to be our home for the next two years. We anticipated finding a church, getting to know our neighbors, and having out-of-town guests visit us for a change. Plans were in place to go to festivals and hockey games, to explore wineries in the Finger Lakes and take the train to New York City. Given our nomadic lifestyle, being planted in one location for an extended time felt like a dandelion wish come true, a chance to settle in, to put down a few roots, shallow though they need be.
And then… PLOT TWIST!
This recipe came from a cookbook I received 34 years ago. I have no idea the name of the cookbook, or the author of the recipe, but whoever you are,
you have my eternal thanks.
A classic apple pie is just that – classic. It is Americana at its best. Whether enjoyed at a 4th of July summer picnic or the yearly Thanksgiving feast, it always imparts a sense of comfort, of nostalgia, of cheer. Recipe first! You can read the rest while the pie is baking. 🥧😉
Continue readingA Bolognese is a type of ragu (a meat sauce) from the Bologna region of Italy. It tends to be more meat-centric than traditional spaghetti sauce and incorporates a broader base of vegetables. It simmers longer – I use a crock pot – and broth, wine, or cream are added for a rich, complex taste. I modified this recipe to make it Whole30 friendly, and to boost the flavor profile just a bit. When my husband requested it and our best friends raved about it, I knew it was a keeper!
Continue readingYears ago, a rabbit trail of internet recipe searching brought this meal to my attention. I tried it out, and it quickly became a favorite. It’s loaded with veggies and classic buffalo flavor, and it’s completely crave-worthy even if you’re not trying the Whole 30 eating plan. The sweetness of the potatoes and the heat of the chicken bring balance to the Force! 😉
Football season is upon us, and this makes for some great gameday food. Hmmm, that’s a good idea for a post… healthy football and party snacks… we’ll see what I come up with!
I have to review several sites to find this recipe every time I go to make it, so I’m posting it here… just to make life a little easier.
