Lost at Last

Lost at Last Follow us, Audrey & Alissa, as we venture about collecting National Parks and stories about nature and wildlife.

04/07/2026

Day 7 — Slow Mountain Day 🌲

We eased into the day in Cloudcroft with a slower start than usual—no alarms, no rush, just that crisp mountain air waiting outside.

We grabbed breakfast, then we hit the trail.

Osha Trail delivered exactly what we were hoping for—an easy, rolling hike with gentle ups and downs, winding through tall pines with that cool, shaded mountain air the whole way. It felt like the kind of trail you could stay on forever… unhurried, quiet, and just really, really pleasant.

Afterward, we wandered through Cloudcroft’s old-timey shops—wooden storefronts, little finds, and that small mountain town charm that makes you want to slow down even more.

In the afternoon, we hunkered down back at the lodge, caught up on some work, and let the day stay simple. No big plans, no big miles—just a quiet night in, wrapped in cool air and calm energy.

04/07/2026

Day 6 — Trading Heat for High Altitude 🌄

We packed up at Space Cowboys in Terlingua and pointed the van north, chasing cooler air and a change of scenery as we made our way toward Cloudcroft.

And wow… this drive had a whole mood.

For a long stretch, it felt like we had driven straight into an episode of Landman—endless oil fields, pump jacks working in rhythm, and those unmistakable West Texas man camps dotting the landscape. At one point, we realized we were the only car on the road that wasn’t a pickup or a semi. Just us, cutting through the heat.

It was windy. It was hot. And it felt like it went on forever.

Then—everything changed.

As we climbed into the Sacramento Mountains, the temperature dropped, the air softened, and we finally got that sweet, cool relief we had been chasing all day. You could feel it instantly—the kind of shift that makes you roll down the windows and just take it in.

We would’ve loved to camp once we got to Cloudcroft, NM —this is exactly the kind of place you want to wake up surrounded by trees and crisp mountain air. But we quickly learned that most of the campgrounds don’t open until May, so a lodge stay it was.

We ended the day pulling up to our lodge, first built in 1899, just in time for dinner reservations, and we were thrilled to trade the desert dust for cool mountain air…!

Remember when we said we ended up sleeping at a place called Space Cowboys…?Now we can explain.After a full day in Big B...
04/05/2026

Remember when we said we ended up sleeping at a place called Space Cowboys…?

Now we can explain.

After a full day in Big Bend National Park—and realizing 113° and camping don’t mix—we went looking for any place to stay with solid A/C and that would accept dogs.

Somehow… we found Space Cowboys, and were so glad we did!

A desert property dotted with geodesic domes—each one standing out against the landscape in the coolest way. The kind of place you don’t expect to find out here… but instantly know you picked right.

Inside the dome?
Incredible air-conditioning. Which, at that point, felt like luxury on another level.

The whole interior was actually really comfortable, too—set up with a refrigerator, a coffee machine, and a seriously comfortable bed. And the details were so clever. They had old airplane seats positioned to face out of the dome, perfectly lined up for stargazing. One of those small touches that made the whole place feel thoughtful and unique.

It ended up being the perfect version of glamping—still fully in the desert, still quiet and remote, but with enough comfort to make it work in extreme heat.

And the bathrooms… “Upscale rugged” is the only way to describe them!
Built of beautiful red cedar wood with an outdoor sink set against the desert backdrop, private stalls with running water—including real showers complete with shampoo, conditioner, and moisturizing body wash. Clean, simple and surprisingly elevated for being out in the middle of nowhere.

This stay is not what we planned… but exactly what we needed - thank you spacecowboystx

04/04/2026

Day 5… The plan was simple: go back into the park despite the heat and cross the Rio Grande River into Mexico at the Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry within Big Bend National Park to finally check it off the list. Except… we pulled up and realized it’s only open on weekends.

Cue immediate disappointment. So close—and still so far!

So instead, we decided it was still early enough for a hike. Santa Elena Canyon is way on the other side of the park—which normally might feel like a lot—but in 113-degree heat, it actually worked in our favor.

We leaned into it—taking the long scenic drive, stopping at places like Sam Nail Ranch, stretching our legs just long enough to explore the old homestead before heading back to the car.

By the time we reached the canyon, it felt like we had seen so much more of the park than we originally planned.

And honestly… the drive was worth it the second we got to Santa Elena Canyon. Towering canyon walls, the Rio Grande cutting right through, and just enough breeze to make it a manageable hike.

As it turns out, the trail follows the river, and before long we came to a shallow spot to cross. No signs. No passports. Just water.

So we looked at each other and went for it.

We waded through the thigh deep water and just like that…We were in Mexico!

With Coco’s first time in Mexico, she officially earned her new nickname: Mexicoco 🇲🇽🐾

Not how we planned it… but definitely an adventure we won’t forget!

04/03/2026

Day 4 Drumroll..!
Our primary destination this whole time?
Big Bend National Park.

The furthest point on our route—and the turning point before heading back toward San Diego.

We spent the day exploring the park by car—taking in as much as we could while chasing A/C and convincing ourselves we might still be able to camp in the heat.

We started at Panther Junction, getting our bearings and that “we made it” moment. From there, we drove deeper into the park, watching the landscape shift mile by mile—wide open desert, layered mountains in the distance, and those long, empty roads that make you feel like you’re on another planet.

To stay cool, we leaned into the drive—taking Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and soaking in the views from the car.

We even made a quick stop to check out the fossil exhibits along the way—one of those moments that reminds you just how much history is layered into this place.

The drive up into the Chisos Basin was unreal—winding roads, dramatic elevation changes, and views that just kept getting better around every turn. It looked like the perfect place to camp.

Then we made our way out toward Cottonwood Campground where we had a site booked for the night, still holding onto hope.

But Big Bend had other plans.

115 degrees.

At every stop, it was the same reality: the heat wasn’t just uncomfortable—it was unmanageable.
No shade, no relief—just that kind of heat that hits you the second you open the car door.

So… we pivoted.

Camping dreams paused (for now), we went searching for something—anything—that would give us a break from the heat. For dinner we landed at the Starlight Theatre! To say the night, we somehow, we ended up at a place called Space Cowboys.

Not your typical stay. Not even close.

More on that tomorrow… 👀

04/03/2026

Day 3 looked a little different…

Not every day on the road is all adventure—this one was a full workday, just with a constantly changing backdrop. While Alissa drove, I had my laptop open, Starlink on, and a full day of meetings, emails, and getting things done.

Huge credit to Alissa today—holding it down mile after mile so I could fully be in “office mode” from the passenger seat. By this point, we’ve found a rhythm that really works: Alissa tunes in to her earbuds and tunes me out during the drive, while I stay locked into work. By the time we arrive, we actually have to ask how the other’s day went—like we’ve been in completely separate worlds. It’s been the key to keeping my workday focused, productive, and confidential even on the road.

Around lunchtime, we made a stop at PistachioLand… Because you don’t pass a giant pistachio without pulling over.
Quick stretch, a photo with the world’s largest pistachio, and snacks secured:
• Pistachio ice cream (10/10 road trip energy boost)
• Garlic honey pistachios (unexpected… but so good)
• And next door—chocolate-covered pistachios that we had to sample

Then it was right back to work mode and miles and by the time we hit El Paso, it was time to officially clock out.

Dinner at L&J Cafe Lived up to every review—local vibe, no frills, and the kind of combo plate that just hits after a long day.

We wrapped the night in Alpine, Tx—no camping this time, just a reset at the Hampton Inn Alpine.

A different kind of day… but a good one.
Proof that with the right setup (and the right driver), you really can do both.

Watch till the end for a hint of our primary destination for the trip!!

04/02/2026

Day 2: We left Gilbert Ray Campground and kept heading east…

And it got us thinking—
have we even told you our final destination yet?
Any guesses?? 👀

The road pulled us into New Mexico, and somewhere along the way we hit that point where you’re not just traveling… you’ve officially shifted into vacation mode.

First stop: Mama Rosa’s Pizzeria.
The menu? Super simple. No frills, no overthinking it—just the basics done really, really well. And honestly… so good.

Then we hit the wide open road—clear skies, nothing but miles ahead. The kind of drive where you don’t even need music for a while. Somewhere along the way, we decided to make it another camping night at Elephant Butte Lake State Park. And wow… what a surprise that place turned out to be.

Pulling in, it’s all desert and dust—but then the lake opens up and everything softens. We wandered out to the water, found a quiet, tucked-away spot… and just took it in before heading to camp for the night. Alissa even got a little fishing in while we were there.

And in true road trip fashion… we called it an early night—because the next day still had a full day of work waiting for me.

Somewhere between simple pizza, open road, and a last-minute decision to camp…
this trip started to find its rhythm.

And then morning - Soft light stretching across the desert.
Rabbits moving through camp.
Quails darting between the brush.
That quiet, slow start you don’t realize you needed until you’re in it.

Still wondering if anyone can guess where we’re headed…

Stay tuned.

03/29/2026

Day 1 of spring break road trip… and it already had a plot twist.

The goal was simple: make it from San Diego to Gilbert Ray Campground.
Desert skies, saguaros, and our first night unplugged.

But the desert had other plans.

We rolled into Tucson and it was hot. Not cute, golden-hour warm—full sun, no shade, rethink-your-life hot. So we pivoted… found a brewery, grabbed a drink, and waited for the desert to exhale.

Eventually, we made it to camp.

This was also our big test: a brand new tent that attaches to the back of the van. We had high hopes. You’ll see it in the video—setting it up, figuring it out, imagining all the places it would take us.

And then… reality.

It almost worked. But not quite.
The fit wasn’t right, the setup wasn’t as seamless as we needed—and for a trip like this, “almost” doesn’t cut it.

So we made the call. Packed it back up. Returning it.

Not gonna lie… that one stung a little.

But this is part of it, right? The trial and error. The figuring it out as you go.

This morning made up for it.

We woke up surrounded by saguaros, soft desert light stretching across the hills. Took the drone up for a quick flight, and I got way too into photographing the tiny details—the needles, the textures, the quiet.

And of course, Coco was right there in the middle of it all 🐾

Not everything went according to plan…
but we’re here, we’re rolling, and we’re just getting started.

Stay tuned.

03/29/2026

Two weeks ago, I dropped a preamble to a quick weekend camping trip… and then disappeared.

A lot of you noticed 😅 — and yes, I definitely left you hanging. Sorry about that.

Here’s the missing piece—
I’m writing this from the passenger seat of the van as we kick off our spring break road trip.

But before we get there…

Two weeks ago we slipped out for a one-night reset at Lake Morena. Just an hour away, but it felt like a full exhale—sunshine, quiet water, a little fishing, and an easy hike along the lake. The next morning: a slow, ridiculously good camp brunch.

It wasn’t just a getaway—it was a test run. A shakedown trip to make sure everything’s dialed before we take on four states.

And now… we’re rolling.

Here’s a quick look at that warm-up trip—
Spring break adventure coming next. Stay tuned.

03/14/2026

Let’s goooo! This is what weekends are for!!
Give us a thumbs up if you agree!

01/05/2026

Sun slipping through the trees, slowing everything down.
Ten seconds of quiet that felt like a deep breath.

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