Wanderlust Wives: A Cross-Country Adventure

Having planned a wedding and honeymoon later postponed due to COVID, my wife and I knew what we needed to do! In this blog I will take you on a journey of a lifetime! From the sunny shores of Florida to the golden hills of California, and back. With our trusty hitch camper in tow and our fur babies by our side, we hit the open road and created memories to last a lifetime.

Day 1 through 4: Florida to Louisiana 

Our journey began in the Sunshine State, all the way from Fort Lauderdale to the Panhandle. We stayed at The Hideaway RV Retreat in Navarre, FL. and visited the following nearby cities: Navarre Beach, Shalimar, Fort Walton Beach, and Downtown Pensacola. The goal for the start of the trip was to become familiar with the long drives, while taking time to indulge in the activities and life of the local area. After four beach-filled days and adventures involving the pups, we bid farewell to the palm-fringed beaches of Florida and set our sights on the vibrant culture of New Orleans, Louisiana. As we drove through the rolling hills and moss-draped oaks of the Deep South, we couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement for the upcoming journey. However, due to Hurricane Ida our New Orleans plans took a shift.

Day 5: Louisiana to Texas 

After several hours of driving out of Florida, through Alabama and Mississippi, we arrived in New Orleans. The original plan was to spend 5 days and 4 nights in a unique (and booked out) campsite; however, Hurricane Ida had other plans. So, we found another cozy campground outside of New Orleans with electricity that could host us for just 20 hours. While our trip was short lived, we were happy we got to patronize a few local businesses and support the city during their recovery process. It was beautiful to see local troubadours serenading the crowds as city clean up took place. Of course, we had time for a seafood dinner and  beignet breakfast . Leaving the bayous behind, after visiting Scott, Louisiana for some boudin balls, we continued westward into the Lone Star State. 

Day 6-8: Texas to New Mexico 

Texas welcomed us with wide-open skies and endless stretches of highway, dotted with charming small towns and roadside attractions. Finding ourselves in Anahuac, Texas, we spent 2 nights in the lovely Frascone Winery and Venue. This was an amazing Harvest Host find and the perfect place to unwind. Everything about it was peaceful from sunrise to sunset, including the fishing area. Even our pups, Cmor and Krewe, got to enjoy having a vineyard as their backyard. The best part of the trip was being told about the Gator Fest which we had time to visit and enjoy all that the festival had to offer! Considering how BIG Texas is, we made our way to Medina River Winery in Castroville, Texas, for our last night to help break up the drive. This beautiful winery was just outside of San Antonio, Texas but was worth the stay as we spent the time wine tasting, eating cheese, catching sunsets, and grilling some brats. Crossing into New Mexico, we were greeted by the majestic beauty of the desert landscape. Yet, I will admit I was a bit nervous about the deserted drive and the lack of gas stations on the route.

Day 9-11: New Mexico to Arizona 

With 9 miles left in the gas tank my heart was pounding as Alisha drove us through a lonely highway with no other cars in sight. I was terrified thinking we would run out of gas in the desert around us. But to my surprise, we made it to our next destination with a gas station at its entrance: White’s City. With its historic appeal, we checked in for our campsite at the town store. After settling in we found ourselves heading to the Carlsbad Caverns: leisurely exploring the 3 mile hike underground. The next day we headed to the next stop in New Mexico: Alamogordo. We settled the camper, hopped in the truck, and headed straight to White Sands National Park with the pups. Alisha and I saw several pictures of people sledding the sand dunes with their dogs, and let's just say we had one expectation of what that would look like and our pups had another. Ultimately, the pups hung out for about an hour and a half before it was too hot for them. We got them back to the camper in the AC before returning for more fun on our own. Sledding down the white sand (gypsum) was a blast! To end the day, we had dinner at DH Lescombes Winery & Bistro; a 10 out of 10 experience. The next day we hitched the travel trailer and made our way to Las Cruces, NM for enchiladas at Andele’s. The food was great, but parking was limited and very tight! Thank goodness Alisha is a kickass driver because my nerves were all over the place. From there we started our 4 hour drive to Arizona. 

Day 12-15: Arizona to California

On our journey westward into the arid deserts of Arizona, we made our way to El Pais Motel & Campground, an eclectic vintage site. We quickly realized how intense the dry heat of Tucson, Arizona was and decided that for the first day we would stay in the camper (with AC) and do our exploring at night. That evening we made our way to IBT’s Bar & Food Gay Bar to check out the drag show. The very next day we visited Agua Caliente Park with the pups for a stroll and had lunch at Whataburger for the first time ever. As first timers, we agreed that it was a step up from other fast food places, but our stomachs were not fans! Later that day we had brunch for dinner at L Station Café & Bar followed by an evening of dancing at Mr. Heads Bar. Both locations were worth the time spent! The next day we spent the day in our home away from home (the heat was too intense) and only made our way out for dinner at El Charro Café. However, after having Mexican food for the past 3 states, we were pretty maxed out and ready for something a bit different. Once back on the road to the next state, we made sure to make a pitstop at Rudy’s Bar-B-Q for lunch! 

Day 16-23: California to Nevada 

Finally, we reached our destination: the golden shores of California. After settling into our campsite we experienced Joshua Tree National Park in Joshua Tree, California from two

perspectives—horseback riding and hiking! We started the morning with a private 2.5 hour horseback riding tour through the back trails of the park, with me riding young Shaq and Alisha on Astro. After riding, we enjoyed a lunch break at The Natural Sisters Café - delicious and chic Californian healthy eating. Once we were done with lunch, we returned to the park for a 5 mile hike in 90°, non-shaded, desert weather. After leaving the pups for almost 8 hours, we, of course, owed them some fun at the dog park! Our next stop in California was for 5 nights at our campsite in Los Angeles County. Let’s just say this place was NOTHING like the photos displayed on their website. As the owner escorted us to our site, we realized we were not in a place we were comfortable with! The owner realized our discomfort and offered another site, but we were still uneasy. With “broken down” trailers, overpacked sites, no lake (which was advertised), and limited access to Wi-Fi, we knew we had to get out of there. Alisha told him: “We will not be staying here. No offense but this is not how we camp.” His response was: “I figured. There’s another spot up the road that has teepees.” We went to the option suggested, but prematurely booked the 5 nights. To say that was a HUGE step up is not really saying much. The place was better for sure but it had no cell service or internet access. Our comfort level of leaving our home away from home, or leaving the pups “home” as we explored, was at an all time low. So, we stayed the night while we figured out next steps. And in the morning Alisha got us a refund for the remaining 4 nights using a little lawyer persuasion! That same day, after scoping out a new location, we were in an RV resort park near Six Flags, with 2 heated pools, a basketball court, Wi-Fi, phone service, a dog walk, etcetera! Within 19 hours, we had been in 3 RV Parks—ditching one, sleeping at one semi uncomfortably, and comfortably booking another. After getting situated at our new campsite,  it was time to explore! We had brunch at Waffle Love So Cal which were some of the best waffles we’ve ever had. We then got mani/pedis followed by 2 relaxing hours at The Ivy Day Spa, enjoying their steam room, jacuzzi, waterfall shower, and a couple’s massage. This was followed by dinner at L'antica Pizzeria Da Michele; everything was delicious from our cocktails to pasta dishes. California may not have great camping parks but they did not disappoint with the food!  We ended the night watching Hamilton-

an amazing show and a must see live-  at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre (Broadway in California). The next day Krewe had to go to the vet since she didn’t quite understand that vacation time is not the time to have an ear infection. Once she was taken care of, Alisha and I spent the evening walking through Hollywood’s Walk of Fame and seeing the stars. The next day was Friday, so we visited Craig’s house from the movie FRIDAY

where we got to take a photo in front of the home. Afterwards, we did a lot of walking—viewing Kobe and Nipsey’s murals, Staples Center, and more. The next day we made it over to Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles Kitchen (super healthy; drowned in butter and grease). From there we visited Santa Monica Pier, busted some AMC The Walking Dead walkers in the arcade, and enjoyed a Gator victory at a local bar! On our last day in California, we did a short hike up to the Hollywood sign but it was early and foggy so the pictures didn’t do it justice. As we bid farewell to California and began our journey back east, we were filled with gratitude for the memories we made and the adventures still to come. We were officially headed to Las Vegas!

Day 24-26: Nevada to Arizona

Arrival at our Nevada campsite was way more satisfying than the previous experiences in California. After getting settled at the site, we did some strip exploring and the city was wide awake for a Sunday night. On our first official full day we experienced biking on old railroad tracks with Rail Explorers USA in Boulder City (home of the Hoover Dam). This was such a unique and fun experience! Afterwards, we enjoyed some time gambling at Caesars Palace. The next day we had brunch at Mimosas Gourmet Vegas Durango (home of the super mimosa), with an overall 8 out of 10 experience. We then explored the wax museum at Madame Tussauds USA. Our $200+ dinner at SW Steakhouse didn’t live up to the hype but the drinks were good. Later that evening, we had a nice gondola ride at the Venetian—Italian style. Our original honeymoon plan was to visit Italy back in 2020 but you know… COVID. The next day we left Las Vegas for northern Arizona! 

Day 27-29: Arizona to Utah

Northern Arizona was freezing!!! As Floridians who had just experienced the dry heat of southern Arizona, the 30° was freezing! With our pups in tow, we hiked along the Grand Canyon’s southern rim. On the hike we soaked in the awe-inspiring views and felt humbled by the sheer magnitude of nature's grandeur. The next day we set out to hike without the pups, in order to go down into the rim. We hiked 8.5 total miles above and inside the Grand Canyon. Hiking into the Canyon is one thing. Hiking out of it, is another. The next day we decided to get some much deserved rest before packing up and making our way to Utah.

Day 30-33: Utah to Colorado

We left the Grand Canyon and arrived in Moab, Utah-a small town surrounded by enormous national parks. Our first full day in Moab was spent exploring Arches National Park, completing another 5 mile hike. The views were stunning but the journey to get to them was mostly terrifying. The day after we went river rafting down the Colorado River and had dinner on top of a mountain at Sunset Grill Moab. This unique town had so much to offer. It’s definitely worth visiting again! Following our wild adventures in Moab, we packed up and headed to Granby, Colorado—such a beautiful drive in the fall. 

Day 34-40: Colorado to Kansas 

This was our longest stay anywhere—a week at a lovely resort near the mountains. This place had everything from heated pools to an on-site bar. We had a blast. It even snowed on our last 2 days there which was both beautiful and scary (driving through it). This resort was worth the time spent. We even made friends with some of the families who vacation there often. With them, we learned the game “Left, Right, Center”. The day by day was spent riding around in our rented golf cart while enjoying the amenities offered. Our nights were spent huddled together, as temperatures dropped so low we had to invest in an additional space heater to keep the 4 of us warm. On our way out of Colorado, the snowy drive up the mountain was terrifying but the drive down the mountain was filled with sunny skies and clear roads. It was as if we entered an alternate reality. Kansas, although only for one night, was our next stop.

Day 41-42: Kansas to Missouri to Tennessee  

Alisha and I are part of a camping membership program called Harvest Hosts, which allows you overnight stays on the land of small businesses (wineries, breweries, farms, museums, etc.). This is especially helpful when you need an overnight stay during long drives, which is way better than staying in Walmart’s parking lot. Driving from Colorado to Tennessee is about 20 hours so we did a lot of driving! After 6 hours of driving, we did an overnight stay in WaKeeney, Kansas. There’s nothing in Kansas—like nothing at all! We did, however, spend the night at a beautiful winery, Shiloh Vineyard, listened to live music by @stefanedwardmusic and @madalynmartin_, and hung out with other campers around a campfire—drinking bourbon and listening to more live music. The next morning we drove some more and did another overnight stay. This time at a local brewery, Point Labaddie, in Labadie, Missouri. We got there late and left early; we didn’t stay long enough to explore the area but the brews were definitely worth the flight! After more driving, we finally arrived in Nashville, Tennessee.

Day 43-47: Tennessee to North Carolina 

Let’s just say Nashville had never heard of COVID because the streets were PACKED! Of course we started things off by trying some Nashville Hot Chicken at the famous Prince’s Hot Chicken. We had been warned about the HOT XXX. Alisha wanted something mild, but I had other plans. Let’s just say, the triple x will NEVER happen again! When in Tennessee, do as Tennesseans…purchase cowgirl boots! We definitely invested in a pair each and we looked damn good! Finally we said goodbye to the city and made our way to the mountains of Sevierville, Tennessee. In Sevierville we made sure to make our way to Ole Smoky Distillery to try out some MOOOOONSHINE! The next day we explored yet another national park—the Smoky Mountains. We completed a short 4 mile hike and enjoyed the beautiful waterfalls. Although our time in Tennessee had some interesting moments, we were glad to be making our way to North Carolina. 

Day 48-51: North Carolina to Georgia 

We finally made it to Burlington, North Carolina and it was time to hang with the besties at their new place of residence! Needless to say, this was our first time not sleeping in our camper in almost 2 months!! Not having to unhitch, settle in, and prep the camper required a bit of adjustment. Hanging with our friends is always a variation of wild memories that shift from hiking trails to dancing throughout the house.

Day 52-54: Georgia to Florida 

During the last leg of our trip, we made it to Hinesville, Georgia to see my sister-in-law and her family. We were so happy we were able to spend some quality time with the newest edition to the family while giving the new parents some rest. As our cross-country adventure came to a close, we couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of gratitude for the experiences we shared and the places we explored. From the bustling streets of New Orleans to the rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon, our journey had been nothing short of magical. And as we made our way back home to Florida, we carried with us the memories of a lifetime and a renewed sense of wonder for the world around us. 

Day 55: Florida 

On day 55 of our adventures we woke up in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We. Were. Officially. HOME! Although it’s always nice to be home, it was a bittersweet day. 

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.”

– Anthony Bourdain

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Tips for the Road…

• Pack for ALL Seasons 

• Weather varies state to state, even within states

• Hiking shoes are a MUST 

• Keep at least one fancy dinner outfit available 

• Map out all destinations 

• Seek waste disposal, water, and electrical connections 

• Boondocking is great, but only do so when absolutely necessary

• Distances should consider car mileage and gas stations on route 

• Know your mileage 

• Towing tends to burn more fuel so be mindful of distances

• Call a gas station, if needed (Hurricane Ida caused a gas shortage in LA and required us to call gas stations because of low fuel)

• Budget wisely - Consider the following:

• Fuel pay by state

• Toll roads 

• Emergency fees (AC repair, gas detector repair, vet bills…just to name  a few)

• Restaurant visits (eating out vs. grocery shopping)

• Excursion options 

• Invest in a National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - America the Beautiful

• Covers entrance fees and standard amenity fees (day-use fees) at Federal recreational sites, including national parks

• 1 year and lifetime options