From Florida to California and Back: 6,169 Miles of Adventure in Our Jeep Gladiator
Join us on a 15-day, 6,169-mile cross-country road trip from Florida to California and back in our Jeep Gladiator. From relaxing on Biloxi Beach and visiting the towering cross in Groom to exploring the Grand Canyon National Park, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas, California wine …
Catches Waterfront Grille, Port Richey, FL
We enjoyed a relaxing lunch at Catches Waterfront Grille in Port Richey, Florida, with crab cakes and remoulade sauce, a Mahi Mahi BLT, and fries.
California Road Trip: Crossing State Lines
From Florida to California and back, we crossed nine states and photographed the welcome signs along the way. Join us for a look at the state lines that marked our 6,169-mile journey.
California Road Trip: The Souvenirs We Brought Home
After 15 days and 6,169 miles, we brought home souvenirs from New Orleans, Las Vegas, Route 66, the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam and many memorable stops along the way.
California Road Trip: Our Final Morning in New Orleans
Before leaving New Orleans and continuing our long road trip home, I headed out on my own for souvenirs and some last-minute photos. From the French Quarter and Jackson Square to St. Louis Cathedral, historic monuments, and the Mississippi River, it was the perfect fina…
California Road Trip: A Visit to St. Louis Cathedral
During our final morning in New Orleans, I visited St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square and explored its beautiful artwork, religious history, statues, and historic details.
California Road Trip: Exploring St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans
Explore St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans during a guided walking tour from Basin Street Station. Discover the historic above-ground tombs, Marie Laveau’s tomb, Nicolas Cage’s future white pyramid tomb, Pope Leo XIV’s family connection, and the cemetery’s …
California Road Trip: Hop On, Hop Off New Orleans Bus Tour
Explore New Orleans aboard an open-air, double-decker hop-on, hop-off bus, starting at Jackson Square and traveling through the French Quarter, Tremé, Garden District, Magazine Street, the Arts District, and along the Mississippi River. Discover 19 stops, historic land…
California Road Trip: Starting Our New Orleans Morning
Enjoy a delicious New Orleans tradition with fresh, powdered-sugar-covered beignets at Café Beignet on Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter. See why beignets are a must-try treat when visiting New Orleans.
California Road Trip: French Quarter, First Night in New Orleans
Experience the charm of the French Quarter with an overnight stay at Hotel St. Marie, where convenient valet service and a private garage make arriving by car easy. Enjoy a memorable dinner at Oceana Grill featuring charbroiled oysters, a fried oyster po’boy, and authen…
California Road Trip: Columbus, Texas
Travel across the heart of Texas on an unforgettable drive from El Paso to Columbus, featuring a memorable stop at Pecos West Truck Stop, where an unexpected act of kindness made the journey even more special. Pass through San Antonio before ending the day with an overn…
California Road Trip: Dragoon and El Paso
From Arizona’s Texas Canyon to an Overnight Stop in El Paso Leaving California and continuing east on Interstate 10, one of our favorite scenic stops of the day was the Texas Canyon Rest Area near Dragoon. The rest area is surrounded by enormous granite boulders…
California Road Trip: Funny Jeep Gladiator Road Trip
What’s a cross-country road trip without a little harmless fun? During our hotel stays, our blue Jeep Gladiator had an unusual overnight “driver”—a mannequin made from a pillow in a red hoodie, topped with a white mask featuring reflective foil behind the eyes. The re…
California Road Trip: Blythe, CA
Travel from Campbell through Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World, before enjoying scenic views of San Luis Reservoir and the fertile farmlands along Interstate 5. After driving through the Los Angeles region via Pasadena and San Bernardino, the day ends with a comfo…
California Trip: St. Lucy Parish, Campbell, CA
Before beginning the long drive back to Florida, we attended Sunday Mass at St. Lucy Parish in Campbell, California. The welcoming parish, beautiful sanctuary, and reverent celebration of the Eucharist provided a peaceful and meaningful start to our journey home. It was…
California Road Trip: Testarossa Winery
Celebrate a special family occasion at Testarossa Winery, a historic winery nestled in the foothills of Los Gatos, California. Housed in the original 1888 Novitiate Winery built by Jesuit Fathers and Brothers, Testarossa blends California’s rich winemaking heritage with…
California Road Trip: Lighthouse Field State Beach and Santa Cruz
Experience one of Northern California’s most scenic coastal drives as you travel from Shark Fin Cove to Lighthouse Field State Beach. Watch surfers ride the Pacific waves, enjoy panoramic ocean views from the coastal bluffs, and take in the iconic Santa Cruz Wharf stret…
California Road Trip: Shark Fin Cove
Discover the breathtaking beauty of Shark Fin Cove, a scenic coastal gem just a short drive from Campbell and San Jose. Located along California’s iconic Highway 1 near Davenport, this picturesque overlook features dramatic ocean cliffs, a shark fin-shaped sea stack, cr…
California Road Trip: Campbell, CA
Travel from the historic Gold Rush town of Nevada City to the heart of Silicon Valley with an overnight stay at Residence Inn San Jose Campbell. After cleaning off days of road-trip bugs at Alvarado Coin-Op Car Wash, relax with a delicious Veggie Pizza from Mountain Mik…
California Road Trip: Nevada City, CA
Follow a scenic drive across the snow-covered Sierra Nevada Mountains and Donner Pass before arriving in the charming Gold Rush town of Nevada City. Fans of Hallmark’s The Christmas Card will enjoy visiting filming locations including the historic National Exchange Hote…
California Road Trip: Leaving Las Vegas
Leaving Las Vegas for the Open Desert and Snow-Covered Mountains of Nevada Leaving Las Vegas and heading north on US-95 brought an entirely different side of Nevada into view compared to the bright lights and nonstop activity of the Las Vegas Strip. As the city slowly…