There’s a certain rhythm to life on the road. One day you’re enjoying a nicely grilled steak including all the fixins’ with old friends (thanks Ben and Mo!), the next you’re wedging your 25-foot Airstream into a driveway-sized RV park where the check-in process involves reversing through a hedgerow and whispering prayers to the patron saint of tight corners.

Let’s rewind a bit.

🏄‍♂️ San Clemente: BBQ, Breezes & Besties

We kicked things off staying near the beach in sunny San Clemente. We met up with our dear friends Ben and Maureen for a soul-warming evening of BBQ, conversation, and that perfect cool summer evening breeze. There’s something about good food, a rousing game of Liverpool and familiar faces that makes even a nomadic life feel like home.

🏖️ Santa Barbara: Where the Ball is Life (and Possession is Nine-Tenths of the Dog)

From there, we headed to Santa Barbara, which—plot twist—hosts what must be the smallest RV park in the Northern hemisphere. Our entrance involved navigating a tiny residential street that looked more like an alley from a Wes Anderson film. Let’s just say if you sneezed, you’d miss the turn.

Millie, however, was thriving. On the beach, she launched into a next-level game of fetch that could only be described as “demon possessed.” There was running, barking, spinning in circles, and sand flying like she was training for a canine CrossFit competition. No idea what triggered the frenzy. Was it joy? Salt air? Ghosts of tennis balls past?

We may never know.

🍇 Wine Country (and Drive-Through Dreams)

Next came a beautiful cruise up the 101 through the Santa Ynez Valley, aka California’s wine country. Rolling hills, vineyards, and that sweet summer light that makes everything look like it’s been filtered by a Hallmark Channel cinematographer.

We soaked in the views, made notes for a future, slower visit (with more time to dine), and stopped for a night in Sacramento. Sometimes you need to put the adventure in park, rest your tires, and eat a salad to prove you still can.

🔍 But Wait… Something Mysterious is Brewing

Somewhere between the Santa Barbara beaches and vineyard vistas, we started scheming. A little thank-you to YOU—our wonderful travel tribe, blog readers, road warriors, wanderlusters, and weekend-dreamers.

And so, coming very, very soon…

✨A mystery giveaway to celebrate all things travel, joy, and curiosity.✨

We’re not spilling the whole story just yet—but here’s what we can tell you:

• It’s small enough to mail, but big enough to make you smile.

• It might smell like the road. Or taste like it.

• It could be from us. It could be from the coast. It could be both.

• And yes, there will be a way to win.

All will be revealed next week.

So whether you’re following along for the Airstream antics, Millie’s beachside ball therapy, or just because you like weird roadside stories—we’re so glad you’re here.

Stay tuned, friends. The road has more stories to tell, and this next one might just end up in your mailbox.

⸻

P.S. Any guesses what the giveaway might be? Leave a comment on the blog. Spoiler: wild guesses earn extra imaginary points.