american west, breakfast, Brunch, Camping, coffee, Dessert, dinner, Family, Food, Hiking, national parks, outdoors, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Gateway to Adventure: Moab, Utah

The second and main stop in our summer road trip brought us to the town of Moab, Utah. Moab is a gateway to adventure with Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in close driving distance, and was our home base for our Utah adventures.

Asia and the Middle East, breakfast, coffee, Dessert, Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Food, Historical sites, history, Museums, Shopping, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Tale of Two Continents: A Whirlwind Adventure Through Istanbul

The Cranky Camper family takes a whirlwind tour through Istanbul, Turkey, driving across the Bosphorus Bridge into Asia and stopping at sties of historic and cultural significance.

Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Historical sites, history, outdoors, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

The Healing Waters of Karlovy Vary

It has long been said that drinking the waters from the hot springs of youth will bring life and vigor back to your bones, curing all sorts of ailments. As such, Karlovy Vary has been a popular destination and spa town for past several centuries, with nobility, politicians, and other people of influence and fame coming to partake in its healing waters.

Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Historical sites, history, outdoors, Style, traditions, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation

Český Krumlov

rom the moment we stepped off the bus at the station in Český Krumlov, it felt as though we were stepping into a fairy tale. The sweeping views of a medieval town nestled into rolling hills with the vibrant colors of autumn were like those one could find in a story book. And of course, no fairy tale would be complete without a castle, and the Krumlov Castle does not disappoint. It even has a moat filled not with water, but with bears.

california, Camping, Museums, national parks, outdoors, Travel, Uncategorized

Into the Yosemite Valley

"It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter." - John Muir Yosemite Valley is the most visited area of the park, and for good reason.  Powerful granite walls and evergreen dominate the valley landscape, with massive waterfalls cascading down imposing cliffs. Many of Yosemite's most famous landmarks are found in the Valley.  Even the tunnels on Wawona Road leading in are iconic.  In every direction, there is great beauty- and much exploration fun.