Canada & Washington

Taking a look back..I never finished our Overland Adventure posts. 

Canada was beautiful!! The people were so kind and everything was clean! Victoria Island was majestic! Seriously, we could not get enough. I probably took 400 photos! We loved riding the ferry even though we didn't see any whales. We definitely will stay in Canada longer next time! 

We couldn't leave without riding on the Merry Go round ! There will always be a child in me who loves to experience it all! 

They even let dogs in! Cheyanne loved walking around and smelling everything. But don't worry- at the end when you do your shopping, there is a "dog drop off" to tie your dog up complete with a water bowl to keep them happy while you spend money ;)

On the way back down was a stop in Seattle then on to "Mack's big part of the journey!" The MAJOR back roads through the mountains of Washington. 

As we made our way to Seattle we thought we were being sneaky on the back roads, we ended up at a dead end and had to ride another ferry- which was fine with us- I'm just glad we got there at the right time! We met a great couple in Canada who we saw again on the ferry!! The sun was setting and I knew we didn't have a lot of time- so dinner and a quick trip around the Ferris wheel was our treat! It was beautiful! I'm so glad we decided the do the Ferris wheel at night- definitely worth it! The day time would not have done it justice! 

We stopped at a peaceful place for lunch where we could drive down by the river and let the dogs run. We sat in our chairs and enjoyed the sun. We were lucky enough for most of the trip to have a lot of "private spots" in such beautiful areas.

The next day we made it into the mountains- the dirt and tiny roads were waiting! It was amazing following a group's route before us, hoping that every road on the map was still open or waiting around the bend to see if we had to move another tree (well Mack). This was the longest but most exciting part of the trip. We only saw about 5 cars the entire time. 

I ran a lot of these roads since Mack could only drive about 5 MPH. Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!?...nope! So much for the animals we were going to see in the mountains. The only animals we saw were a couple of deer and sheep. The mountains were breathtaking though! The truck was having overheating problems but luckily it wasn't that hot with the windows down. About 5 days in we had had enough so we skipped the Oregon/Colorado part of the mountain route but will do it another time.  We stopped in a precious town and got ice cream..that was the treat choice of the trip!! With a quaint and rustic feel this town was complete with family fun, treats and eats for everyone!

We made great time back down, got an oil change, drove to Colorado and got to stay with my Aunt Jana, Uncle Josh and the kids for a couple days. It was a blessing to hang out and help them pack for their big move to College Station, TX! 

We were back in Texas for 3 days until I turned around a flew back to Vancouver, Canada with our friend, sister and cousin for 5 days to run 13.1 miles in the amazing SeaWheeze Half Marathon! If you have never done this, this is a MUST do on your bucket list!! I have never run more then 6 miles before but this run is the most exciting, emotional and rewarding experience I have ever had!! You are cheered on by hundreds of individuals that you have never met telling you to keep going, yelling funny things at you, mermaids on rocks, men in heels and dressed as Sasquatch- all kinds of motivation all around you! I ran the whole thing, even after really feeling it after 9 miles in 3:06! You get amazing goodies: massages, breakfast after the race, hair/nails done, yoga, sunset festival and an exclusive Lululemon shopping experience! If I can do it you can do it!! 

Best wishes and love!

Until next time,

McGowens on the Move!

Oregonians

Howdy from Oregon!! 

Driving up the coast is beautiful!! We're in Oregon and it is amazing!! Coming into the city is beautiful! Tons of valleys, rivers, bridges and trees!! Our first stop was to the International Rose Garden! There were acres of beautiful roses, bigger than my hand!! It was really neat to see Mack in his element again!! - For those of you who don't know, Mack and I loved to Minnesota where he worked with Len Busch Roses as a Production Manager. He was in charge of 15 or so greenhouses and employees with acres of roses. I loved it because I got "trash roses" that were still beautiful!!- 

Our next stop was to the Portland Saturday Market. We walked around, got to see tons of beautiful local artists designs and eat some yummy food. Walking down a row I realized I was walking right NEXT TO Michelle Franklin!! Winner of Season 11 Project Runway!! She is so cool!! She was talking so I didn't want to bother her and when I turned around to say hi she was gone! She's tiny and quick but it was really neat to see her!! As tourists of course- we had to attend the Portland Beer Festival & we had to stop and eat at VooDoo Donuts-YUMMY!! 

The Beer Festival was so fun!! We tried tons of 4 oz beers, the only one I tried was Grapefruit and it was good!! 

Lauren always finds amazing stuff for us to do! I am not a huge fan of large metropolitan areas, like Portland, but this beer festival was a little slice of chocolate flavored, scotch barrel aged, fruit flavored goodness! Definitely worth the trip and has made Portland one of my favorite cities we've visited so far! 

We got to stay in a nice hotel after 11 days of the rooftop tent! And it was awesome! 

Now..up the coast we go! Washington is next. 

Stay tuned & God Bless!

McGowens on The Move,

Mack, Lauren, Jake and Cheyanne

SuperCaliFragrantDelicious

Days 4-7: Cali Cali Amazing!!

California is amazing!! Our route North was mainly on the long, winding, Dramamine needed, Highway 1 with some detours on Highway 101. It was so majestic to see the ocean- literally-100 feet to our left and the mountains to our right. We made a stop at the beautiful Redwood National Forest and drove (well walked under) the Drive-thru Redwood tree. 6ft clearance- our truck 8.5". Maybe next time lol. 

Our next stop was to eat, duh! A great first seafood experience on the coast was Fish & Chips at The Harbor at Half Moon Bay, Princeton Seafood Company!! Yummy!! 

Next, the San Francisco Zoo! I LOVE Giraffs!! We spent about 2 hours walking around and having a great time! Then, was the Golden Gate Bridge- beautiful!! I had to drive over it with all the crazy drivers- scary - but we got to stop right after and we walked/ran across it!!! It was amazing!! It was very cold and windy you could barely see Alcatraz..but that's another trip for sure!!! 

Another thing about California that was amazing were all the succulents and flowers that grew there that we Texans pay out the wazoo for!! They just grew in the sides of broken bridges!! Beautiful!! 

California was chilly, windy, sunny, rainy and 50-68* most days. This has been beautiful and the best driving stretch yet! We have stopped at multiple beaches to get out and let the dogs run around and had the WHOLE beach to ourselves. 

On one stop Mack and I explored a cave- where he went in, not me!- I could've sworn there was an anaconda in it lol!! I used "The Wyatt" and said "No Mack you go first!!" We walked on the beach at one stop, climbed huge rocks in the ocean and laid on the sand at another. 

One of our last beach stop the dogs, Mack and I went through a cave, as the tide went out we ran around a rock and ran along the long stretch of beach, we saw a baby whale and let the dogs catch huge crabs! That was probably the funniest sight to watch. Cheyanne would watch them underwater and Jake would dive in head first and stomp on top of the crab then grab it! He got 'em, claws & pinchers waving and all! We met a nice artist painting the tide off a cliff. What a great job!! Ate some lunch then headed North. 

I have to say the people were nice, but the scenery was the best! Our best camp sight was at South Beach campground where we fell asleep to our live sound machine, the ocean!! It was the most peaceful sleep I've has the whole time, I could've slept all day!! 

If you get a chance to drive the Cali coast on 1, do it!! You may have to drive because all the headaches you'll get from the winding roads like me- but totally worth it!! The pictures do not do it justice!!

Now we're off to Portland by morning! Now Portland's on our mind!!

Until next time! Thanks for all your prayers!! 

McGowen's On The Move,

Mack, Lauren, Jake & Cheyanne

God's Creations Great & Small

Howdy Followers!

Wow God is wonderful!! Day 2 has been amazing and full of adventures. We drove all day Monday through New Mexico (not much but desert). But I did have to stop to get some postcards & a travel bag, of course! We spent the night at a state park (which we pulled in around 10:30pm). The next morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise along the desert sands and an amazing campsite with your own shower/bathroom stall! Mack and I took the dogs for a 4 mile hike where there were tons of Jackrabbits!! I have never seen so many! (This was a great chance to teach the dogs to "heel!")

When we got back the 10 minute tent pack up was done and a full day of driving quickly commenced!! 

Day 3: Was an even more beautiful day. I have found every state gets more and more beautiful but each has it's own beauty!! We drove into Arizona-hot! Lots of straight and curvy roads! We headed to the Hoover Dam, not expecting or knowing what was to come. We pulled into a security station (where of course out truck got checked..dogs enjoyed that!) then headed down the hill to what was the most amazing but scariest thing yet!! We got to be in TWO places at ONCE which was neat!! 

I remembered the bridge from Transformers and Miss Congeniality 2! Of course why would there be SO much security for a Dam if not a secret government layer underneath?!! I did watch these kids pour out a water bottle and the water come back up at you, which was awesome and I had to try!! As we gazed out at all the beauty and the drop we were speachless!

Then, to the Grand Canyon we went!! We found a TON of license plates we didn't have. Walked into the park, saw an elk, didn't know where to go-all trees then BAM, the GORGEOUS Grand Canyon!! It was SO BEAutiful it looked fake!! It was hard to picture how amazing it was and how far it went. We looked over the edge and tried to hold tight to our phones as we took pictures! We met some nice people (and I got some postcards & a bag along the way!) 

AND across the next state line we went to Nevada! Hot, but a dry hot which wasn't bad. We stayed a La Quinta, free dogs, wifi and breakfast! Not too shabby! Headed out to Vegas that night!! Yes, Wheel of Fortune was fun but not my friend that night, did pretty good, only lost $7! The Strip lights were AMAZING!! I'm a light FANATIC!! We watched the Bellagio water show to the Pink Panther song, walked around, ate at Serendipity 3, saw the pirate show, took TONS of pictures then headed back! 2 1/2 hours on The Strip was enough for us!! 

And on to Day 4 we GO!

Thanks for all the prayers & following! Stat tuned in for CALIFORNIA!!! 

McGowens on the MOVE,

Mack, Lauren, Jake & Cheyanne

Onward & Upward!!

Day 1: Tyler, TX ~> Wichita Falls ~> New Mexico ~> Arizona

Wow! What an adventure we have had already! We stayed the night with the Hydes, woke up, ate breakfast, went for a walk, saw Wyatt's future school and played a bit. It is such a blessing to see where God is taking them!! The new house is gorgeous and I can't wait for cookouts!!

Then off we went! We drove for a couple hours and stopped at the Cadillac Ranch and signed our names on the cars! We stopped for lunch under a bridge, went for a stroll in a dry river bed and then blitzed through New Mexico!! We are keeping track of all the license plates we see! We're up to 20 already!! I did make Mack stop & turn around so I could take a picture with the New Mexico State sign!! It's a tradition we've done since we were kids traveling with my Gigi & Papa!! 

But it is BEAutiful!! All the mesas and mountains, rain and all!! It is chilly here, low 48 high 60-70's but amazing!! I can't believe it's July 15th! We have made it to Arizona and then will head out in the morning for another day full of adventures and driving!!

Stay tuned!! Thanks for the prayers and following!!

McGowens on the Move,

Mack, Lauren, Jake & Cheyanne!!