Lost at Last

Directions

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

10/04/2026

Weekends lately have been for wandering.

We’ve been using our free days to scout out dispersed camping spots around San Diego County—looking for those tucked-away places where we can get outside the campground, set up our gear, and stay awhile.

Today started with a delightful lunch, and then we pointed the van toward a winding mountain road to see what we could find. A few promising spots, some seriously beautiful views, a little drone time, and another stretch of San Diego backcountry added to the list.

Sometimes the scouting is half the adventure.

Getting a little more Lost at Last every weekend. 🏕️

Today’s Lost at Last mission: scouting new dispersed camping spots right here in San Diego County!We’re looking for some...
09/20/2026

Today’s Lost at Last mission: scouting new dispersed camping spots right here in San Diego County!

We’re looking for some new places to put our camping skills and gear to the test outside of a traditional campground, so we spent the day wandering the backroads around Mt. Laguna. After a great tip from the Visitor Center, we headed down a few roads less traveled and found some VERY promising and remote spots. 👀

I think we found the setting for our next adventure… more to come!

We hope everyone is finding themselves a little bit Lost at Last for Labor Day weekend! 🏕️
09/05/2026

We hope everyone is finding themselves a little bit Lost at Last for Labor Day weekend! 🏕️

After an amazing family vacation on Maui, we hopped over to the Big Island, rented a Jeep, and set out in search of lava...
07/17/2026

After an amazing family vacation on Maui, we hopped over to the Big Island, rented a Jeep, and set out in search of lava.

We drove for what felt like forever through heavy rain, winding roads, lava fields, and rainforest before the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park sign suddenly appeared out of nowhere. After the quick sign photo and an incredible stop at a remote brewery for local b**r and Asian fusion food (Lanikai Brewery), we decided to try our luck at the volcano.

The eruption had stopped the day before, and it was pouring rain, windy, cold, and Grand Canyon dark—but we grabbed the camera gear and headed along the crater rim anyway. Alissa went ahead to scout and soon came jogging back, saying she had found a better view.

She was right! We didn’t see a full eruption, but we could see glowing lava dripping in the crater. Standing there in the dark and rain, thrilled that we had actually found lava, was absolutely unforgettable.

We ended the night tucked into a cozy bed-and-breakfast deep in the rainforest—the perfect ending to our rainy adventure. 🌋🌧️🌿

(Lava pics coming soon, having technical difficulties with getting them off the camera!)

Day???I have discovered that I am absolutely terrible at sticking to a plan when I don’t have my navigator (Audrey) keep...
06/24/2026

Day???

I have discovered that I am absolutely terrible at sticking to a plan when I don’t have my navigator (Audrey) keeping me on track.

Yesterday’s agenda looked pretty straightforward. Drive. See a few things. Keep moving.

Instead, Coco and I somehow ended up stopping at Lassen National Forest, Lassen Volcanic National Park, a handful of mountain lakes, and eventually Trumbull Lake because apparently neither of us has the ability to drive past a brown recreation sign without wondering what’s down the road.

Several unplanned stops, a few extra miles, zero regrets.

We found lakes so clear they looked photoshopped, mountains still holding onto snow, and fishing spots that made me think, “Just one more cast…” about 37 times.

Coco’s contribution to the day was supervising, inspecting every shoreline, and reminding me that lunch is apparently more important than scenery.

By the end of the day, I wasn’t talking about the places I intended to visit. I was talking about the places I never knew I was going to find.

Maybe that’s why I love road trips so much. The destination gets you out the door, but the detours are usually what you remember.

Be honest… do you stick to your itinerary, or are you the person taking random turns just to see what’s there?

Lost at Last – Days 5, 6 & 7This weekend reminded me that family isn’t always the people you’re related to.Sometimes it’...
06/22/2026

Lost at Last – Days 5, 6 & 7

This weekend reminded me that family isn’t always the people you’re related to.

Sometimes it’s the people who choose you.

Coco and I rolled into Eugene after leaving Diamond Lake, making a stop at Hayward Field to catch some of the U20 Track & Field Championships before settling into a place that’s definitely not my usual style of camping. But after days on the road, a hot shower felt pretty luxurious.

The real reason for the trip was an engagement party for a young woman who has called me “Auntie” for years, despite us sharing no DNA. Her mom is one of my oldest friends from San Diego, and spending the evening surrounded by their family and friends was a reminder that some of the strongest connections in life are the ones we build ourselves.

The next day was spent doing something I don’t do enough of—simply slowing down. Sitting by the pond, enjoying Oregon’s perfect weather, catching up with friends, and watching the world move at a much more reasonable pace.

Sunday brought more time with my adopted Oregon family. The dogs ran, people laughed, stories were shared, and in what may have been the most unexpected event of the weekend… Coco made friends with a cat.

Then it was time to hit the road again.

The original plan was to spend the night at Ellery Creek Campground near Mount Shasta. That plan fell apart.

But that’s road-trip life.

Reservations change. Weather changes. Plans change.

So we pivot.

Because the adventure was never really about getting everything right. It’s about what happens along the way.

This weekend was a reminder that life is often about perspective. You can look at a cloudy day and wish for sunshine, or you can appreciate the shade. Same sky. Different outlook.

What is something in your life right now that turned out better than you originally planned?

06/20/2026

Today, I’ll let the video speak for itself..

Day 4: Chasing Water, Forests, and New Horizons 🌲🎣🚐Some days on the road are about checking off destinations. Yesterday ...
06/20/2026

Day 4: Chasing Water, Forests, and New Horizons 🌲🎣🚐

Some days on the road are about checking off destinations. Yesterday was about enjoying everything in between.

Coco and I woke up beneath the towering redwoods of Panther Flat Campground, tea in hand and no real schedule beyond following our curiosity north into Oregon. We crossed the state line, explored crystal-clear rivers that looked almost too beautiful to be real, wandered through forests that seemed to stretch forever, and stopped at Natural Bridge where the Rogue River disappears underground before reappearing downstream.

There was fishing, hiking, plenty of windshield time, and the kind of quiet moments that remind you why you hit the road in the first place. One minute we were relaxing in the shade with a map and a cup of coffee, the next we were standing beside rushing mountain rivers and watching the landscape change mile by mile.

By evening, we rolled into Diamond Lake just in time for one of those Oregon sunsets that makes you stop whatever you’re doing and simply stare. Not a bad way to end a day.

The best part of slow travel? Realizing that sometimes the journey between destinations becomes the destination itself.

Have you ever taken a road trip where the unexpected stops ended up being the highlight of the day?

Day 3: Fog, Ferns, Giant Trees & the Best Tacos of My LifeIf you’ve ever wondered what a perfect Northern California roa...
06/18/2026

Day 3: Fog, Ferns, Giant Trees & the Best Tacos of My Life

If you’ve ever wondered what a perfect Northern California road trip day looks like, it might be this.

The day started in a mist-covered Van Damme State Park with Coco ready for adventure. Together we explored the Pygmy Forest and Fern Canyon trails, winding through towering redwoods, lush ferns, and landscapes that looked like they belonged in another world.

Then came the road.

The kind of road trip day where you pull over for anything interesting. Giant trees? Stop. Scenic overlook? Stop. Weird roadside attraction? Definitely stop. We spent the day exploring the Avenue of the Giants and countless unexpected discoveries that reminded me why the best road trips happen when you leave room for spontaneity.

Somewhere along the way, I had what may have been the best tacos I’ve ever eaten at El Cora. No exaggeration. Every road trip needs that one meal you’ll still be talking about months later.

As the miles rolled by, the scenery kept changing—from misty forests to dramatic coastline to endless stands of redwoods that somehow kept getting bigger.

Just before sunset, Coco and I arrived at Panther Flat Campground in the Six Rivers National Forest. We wrapped up the day with a campfire, the sound of the forest, and that feeling you get when you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

Not bad for a day that started in the fog.

🌲🐾🚐🔥🌮

Road trip question: What’s the one thing you’ll always stop for on a road trip—great food, giant trees, quirky roadside attractions, scenic overlooks, or something else entirely?

I woke up this morning at Morro Bay State Park after one of those perfect camping nights—cool coastal air, a quiet camps...
06/17/2026

I woke up this morning at Morro Bay State Park after one of those perfect camping nights—cool coastal air, a quiet campsite, and the glow of lanterns around the Silver Bullet.

Coco and I hit the road early, weaving through redwood forests, w**e country, and plenty of California traffic. We crossed the Golden Gate wrapped in fog, watched the landscape change mile by mile, and eventually found our way north toward the redwoods.

Truth be told, I’m fighting off whatever bug decided to join this trip, and there were moments when I wondered if I should slow down. But sometimes the best medicine is simply being out here. Fresh air. New roads. Towering trees. A loyal travel companion riding sh***un.

As much as Coco and I are enjoying the adventure, we’re definitely missing our favorite travel partner, Audrey. Every beautiful stop, every funny road trip moment, and every great meal seems just a little better when she’s along for the ride.

Tonight we’re settled in at Van Damme State Park beneath the redwoods. Not every travel day is glamorous. Some are traffic jams, tissues, and extra coffee. But even on the hard days, there is something special about watching California unfold one mile at a time.

And Coco seems to think we’re doing just fine. 🐾🚐🌲

What’s your favorite place along the California coast?

Address

Sparks, NV
89434

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lost at Last posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category