Seascape or Ski-scape?

We both wanted to get away for New Year’s to take a break and recharge our batteries. But as usual, we had a hard time deciding which way to go – ocean or mountains? In the end, we decided to do both!

CHIC (Pearl)

The warmth of the sun was calling my name, so Oahu, Hawai’i was my choice for our New Year's vacation. We enjoyed epic sunrises and sunsets, tropical plants, soothing ocean waters, Mai Tais, chocolate, pineapple, shaved ice, seafood — yes, lots of fresh seafood — and of course, turtles! That’s not to mention some of the friendliest people on the planet. Everyone you meet smiles back at you. It’s like a daily mood boost without meditation!

Geek (Kevin)

I prefer a winter wonderland escape, so after our island getaway, it was off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for snowboarding, snowmobiling, and mingling with wildlife (elk, bighorn sheep, bison, eagle, and swans were just a few that we spotted). And of course, we had to take a dip in the famous hot springs. With breathtaking nature like the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park surrounding you, it’s a colorful cultural experience like no other!

Happiest Holidays!

We want to wish you and your loved ones nothing but joy and happiness in the spirit of the season…

This year for our holiday card photo, we visited the El Capitan Hotel in the quaint and quiet Central Valley city of Merced and posed for some candid shots with their famous oversized nutcrackers. As you can see, we had a lot of fun with the photo shoot. 

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We encourage you to stop by the El Capitan when you’re passing through town. And send us photos from your favorite holiday spots!

On the Road: Land of Lakes

We’re so excited to be back on the road! This week, Kevin and I are visiting northern Minnesota and Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in North America — and the world. As you may already know, Minnesota is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, and folks around here take a lot of pride in their bodies of water. We enjoyed a chance to get to know some of them and learn more about this region at the northern edge of the United States.

Food for Thought: Road Trip Podcasts

Heading out of town to beat the heat this weekend? The good folks at Mashable put together this list of podcasts to pass the time while you’re getting to where you’re going.

Would you live in a 3-D printed home?

As we face an increasingly serious climate emergency, the need for sustainability has never been greater. That’s why modern architects are exploring new ways to design buildings for the future. Take a tour of one of the world’s first 3-D printed homes in Architectural Digest.