Me taking in the view from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park

Life update: falling for California, a housesitting disaster and moving to Portugal

Hello from Oregon, USA! I’m writing this from a caravan overlooking the red outcrops of Smith Rock State Park, with a cup of Earl Grey beside me, reflecting on how long it’s been since I blogged. In fact, my last post was back in Lake Titicaca, which now feels like years ago. Since then, we’ve travelled through Peru, visited Machu Picchu and spent three idyllic weeks road tripping in California. Somewhere along the way, amongst dealing with a ton of freelance work and a house-sitting disaster, I just had to let blogging go, but now I’m back.

Me taking in the view from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park

At Yosemite National Park

So, what the heck have we been up to? I will be tackling my backlog of blog posts over the next few months, but for now, here’s a whirlwind review of our travels and future plans, which include a big move to Portugal.

Life update: ruins, deserts and hikes in Peru

Peru was the last country we visited on our four-month South America trip and it turned out to be my favourite. We spent a few weeks in an apartment in Cusco, where I waded through a load of freelance work and explored the city. We met up with my brother and his partner, strolled the cobbled streets and discovered Greenpoint, an incredible vegan restaurant where you could get a set lunch for just £3.View overlooking Machu Picchu in Peru

For many reasons which I’ll go into in a separate post, including cost, we decided to tackle Machu Picchu independently rather than take an organised hike. So, at the crack of dawn, we took a very expensive train ride through the canyon-like scenery of Peru’s Sacred Valley to Aguas Calientes, taking the bus up to Machu Picchu the next day.

Hiking to Incan Ruins in Ollantaytambo, Peru

Yes, it’s super-touristy, but I was still awed by this secret city in the sky. The weather was mercifully clear enough that day for us to get a great view of the mountain-top ruins, which looked like a Mario world surrounded by wisps of cloud and sheer drops into a valley. We spent four hours away from the crowds, hiking up Machu Picchu Mountain for peaceful aerial views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Looking at the view of Desert sand dunes in Huacachina, Peru

My Peru highlight though was Ollantaytambo, a tiny town in the Sacred Valley where we spent a few days relaxing, exploring lesser-visited Incan ruins and taking short hikes. Our journey continued in Arequipa, a beautiful white-stone city surrounded by mountains and volcanoes. Finally, we hiked up desert sand dunes in Huacachina and spent a week in the capital city, Lima.

View overlooking the Sacred Valley in Peru

I heart California

Picture white-sand beaches and flawless coastline, Danish-themed towns, riding rollercoasters at Universal Studios, hiking in Yosemite and sightseeing in San Francisco. I had the time of my life in California, a state I fell totally in love with, and I can’t remember the last time I was so effortlessly happy. My friend Jo joined us for the road-trip and after working insane hours to afford the trip, I took three weeks off from freelance work to really unplug and enjoy it. I’m so glad I did.

Me and Andrew on Santa Monica Beach, LA, with the Pier behind us

We flew into LA, thankfully without any of the drama of our Florida airport hell earlier this year, and spent just a couple of days sightseeing. We snapped pictures at the Hollywood walk of fame and the TCL Chinese Theatre, then headed up to Griffith Park to see the famous Hollywood sign.

View of the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Park, LA

As an expensive treat, we spent a day at Universal Studios, which was so much fun! I was like a child running around the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, riding rollercoasters and scaring myself stupid at the Walking Dead attraction. We enjoyed the special effects and Water World shows and got to see movie sets from Back to the Future, Psycho, War of the Worlds and Jaws on the world-famous studio tour.

Jaws shark popping out of the water on the Universal Studios Hollywood studio tour

Andrew was over-the-moon when our rental car got upgraded to a Jeep Cherokee (until we realised what a fuel guzzler it was) and we drove up the iconic Californian coast, stopping at Santa Monica to see the pier. Highlights included Santa Barbara, hopping between beaches and visiting the Danish and cowboy-themed towns in Santa Ynez Valley.

Danish windmill in Solvang, Santa Ynez Valley, USA

After finding LA a bit rough and ready, San Francisco was a real joy. We spent hours snapping photos of this cinematic city as we hiked up and down its steep streets and along the waterfront. We got awesome views over the entire city from the Coit Tower, visited the iconic Castro District where we saw Harvey Milk’s memorial and camera store and discovered vegan burger joints in trendy Haight and Ashbury.

Painted Ladies houses and San Francisco View

One day, we headed north of the city to see the giant Sequoia trees at Muir Woods, then drove back over the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA

Next up was the National Park portion of our trip, starting with Yosemite, which was hands down the most spectacular park I’ve ever been to. We stayed in my favourite Airbnb of the trip, an RV in the country where we had BBQs and watched the night sky light up with stars. I wish we could have stayed there longer and spent more time at nearby Bass Lake.

Me, Andrew and Jo at Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park, California

One day at Yosemite was never going to be enough, but we filled it to the brim with walks around Mirror Lake and to Yosemite Falls, then drove up to Glacier Point for sweeping views over a third of the park. It was incredible to stand at the bottom of Yosemite Valley surrounded by giant granite cliffs, pine trees, lakes and crashing waterfalls.

View overlooking Kings Canyon National Park in California, USA

Our time at nearby Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park was more peaceful and we got to see General Sherman, the biggest tree in the world. Our days were full of walks among Sequoias, the planet’s oldest living beings, many of which have been standing for up to 3,000 years. There were also stunning mountain-top viewpoints, waterfalls and scenic drives through one of the deepest canyons in the country.

Zumwalt Meadow, Sequoia National Park, California

Our house-sitting disaster

The last stop of our road trip, San Diego, was ruined when our five-week Oregon house sit cancelled on us just three days before we were set to arrive. Although we were sympathetic to the family’s medical emergency, we were left in a real bind. Last-minute summer accommodation in Oregon costs megabucks, Trusted Housesitters were no help whatsoever and due to miscommunication, things got a bit heated between us and the house-sitting family.

Tops of giant Sequoia Trees in Muir Woods, California

In short, it all turned out to be a really stressful mess. In five years of house sitting, we’ve never had this happen to us before and the experience really taught us the importance of having a contract in place. However, we were very grateful that the family paid to reschedule earlier flights to the UK in the end and we also managed to land another house sit in Portland to cover a week of accommodation.

Me and Andrew in the Portland Rose Garden, Oregon

Finally in Portland and enjoying the Rose Garden

So, here we are now in the caravan near Bend in central Oregon. Perhaps things did work out for the best because we now get the chance to explore more of the state. There are plenty of lakes and scenic drives through thick winding forests to take, plus desert-like scenery at Smith Rock State Park. We’re determined to enjoy these last two weeks here before we fly back to the UK.

Morro Rock Viewpoint in Sequoia National Park

Summer plans

So, what’s next? We have a full calendar for the next few months filled with family visits in the UK and house sits in London and Bristol. We’re super-excited to meet Andrew’s new niece Mallory for the first time and get our car back up and running. One silver lining of the whole house-sitting debacle is that we get to spend some bonus time in London. No matter where I go in the world, London is the place I feel most at home and a part of me always misses the city.

Vegan banana walnut pancakes from Saturn Cafe, Berkeley California

Vegan pancakes! California was the best place we’ve visited for vegans

I also have a freelance job lined up for a tour company in Scotland, so we’ll be spending some time near Inverness, a part of the country we’ve yet to visit. We both loved our trip to the Highlands back in 2015 and are excited to return. The company I’m working for have also booked us on their yoga retreat, which includes glamping in the forest, daily yoga and meditation classes, as well as white-water rafting. It’s going to be an interesting experience!

Our RV near Yosemite National Park, USA

Our awesome RV near Yosemite

Moving to Portugal

The big news for September is that we’re moving to Portugal. Yes, we’re planning to set down roots for at least a year, hopefully in Porto. Andrew is keen to get back in the classroom and teach and I’m craving a comfy apartment with office space where I can continue my freelance work. This year we’ve found balancing work with intense travel has really taken a toll on us and after five years, we’re ready to set up a more permanent base.

Bass Lake, California, USA

Bass Lake, California

Of course, that doesn’t mean we’re giving up on travel. There are plenty more countries we want to explore in Europe, plus longer trips in the school holidays to places like Canada and South Africa. This summer though we’re going to be focused on putting plans in place for the Portugal move, as there’s so much to research. It’s going to be a really big change, but one we’re finally ready to make.

Yosemite Falls, California, USA

Yosemite Falls

More about why we’re moving to Portugal in an upcoming blog post but for now, I’m signing off to go and explore more of Oregon. Thanks to anyone who’s reading this for your patience, I know I’ve been a terrible blogger over the last two months! I hope you’re all having a great summer, wherever you are in the world.

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14 Comments
  • Esme
    Posted at 10:41h, 26 June Reply

    Great to keep following your travels now mine are completely over and I am settling too…although I will be in the UK. Hope Portugal works out really well for you both and look forward to hearing more. Am so jealous of your trip in California and Oregon – they are such amazing places!!

    • Amy
      Posted at 17:33h, 26 June Reply

      Hi Esme, where are you settling in the UK? Thanks so much for following our journey, we really loved California and are already keen to return!

  • Patti
    Posted at 13:19h, 26 June Reply

    I’m so glad you’re epic California road trip turned out to be everything you hoped for. It really is a wonderful state with so much to offer. When our son was young we spent so many Thanksgiving holidays staying at the lodge on Bass Lake and playing in Yosemite. Sequoia and King’s Canyon are also stunning.

    Aside from the house sit in Portland, I’m glad you were still able to see some of Oregon and the beautiful Pacific Northwest. As you’re learning from your travels in the US now – and in your previous trip – the US is amazingly HUGE with so many different regions. People don’t often realize how massive the country is and why there are so many different cultures (thought-philosophies) in just one country.

    Say hello to Oregon for me and safe travels back to UK. Hopefully, we’ll see you in the fall.

    • Amy
      Posted at 17:36h, 26 June Reply

      Hi Patti, yes, it really exceeded our expectations. It must have been amazing when you lived in California, what a great place for your son to grow up, he was really lucky! Yes, I totally see what you mean about how diverse the US is, California is probably the size of the UK on its own! We still have a couple of weeks in Oregon to explore. It would be great to see you guys in fall!

  • Rhonda
    Posted at 15:23h, 26 June Reply

    Wow… a whirlwind to be sure! Sounds like you’re doing great though and I’m so impressed your doing such great freelance work. Sadly, with managing camp I just can’t keep up on it and so while I like the steady income, I do miss the work as well. Best of luck for the rest of your time in Oregon and exciting new plans ahead. XXXX

    • Amy
      Posted at 17:33h, 26 June Reply

      Definitely a whirlwind! I’m super impressed with your camp work and leading the trip to Baja too, it’s great that we’re all figuring things out along the way! We’re loving Oregon so far too 🙂

  • Gilda Baxter
    Posted at 19:06h, 26 June Reply

    Brian and I are very keen to do a road trip in America. California is high up my list. We left Peru and arrived in Mexico – Playa Del Carmen yesterday. I have not been able to update the blog and have a lot to write about our trip to Peru. Lots of exciting future plans for you both…I think you will love to settle in Porto for a little while. If you come to Bournemouth in the summer let me know. ..It would be lovely to meet up 🙂

    • Amy
      Posted at 22:43h, 26 June Reply

      Hi Gilda, I have some serious reading to catch up with on your blog, sounds like you’re having a really exciting year. Keen to hear how you find Mexico! We will be back in Hampshire in August, so it would be great to drive down to Bournemouth and finally meet up! I’ll message you nearer the time 🙂

  • Steven
    Posted at 19:07h, 27 June Reply

    Interesting to hear you are moving to Porto – Porto and Lisbon are two places me and my girlfriend are considering moving to at some point in the future! I’m also a teacher so would be looking for a good international school if we ever did this. I’m definitely interested to hear how it goes – keep up the great posts!

    • Amy
      Posted at 04:24h, 29 June Reply

      Hi Steven, great to ear from you. It seems a lot of people are considering Portugal lately, it really is a great place. We’ll let you know how it goes and how Andrew finds the teaching, could be a great place for you guys too. Thanks for reading 🙂

  • Steven
    Posted at 00:26h, 28 June Reply

    It’s fun to read about all your travels and experiences especially since we’ve been to many of the same places. I enjoyed reading about Peru since Ollantaytambo was one of our favorites also. We spent 3 nights there and just loved hiking the area. Please keep posting. Also, we live in Denver Colorado and are always open to host visitors so you or anyone reading your blog is welcome to contact us. We travel about 1/2 the year but if we’re home we love visitors.

    • Amy
      Posted at 04:26h, 29 June Reply

      Hi Steven, thanks so much for reading and commenting. That’s a lovely offer! Colorado, Texas and Yellowstone are high on our places to visit next in the USA, so we’ll let you know when we do plan a trip there. We loved Ollantaytambo, such a peaceful place.

  • Louisa Klimentos
    Posted at 11:21h, 20 July Reply

    Your photos look amazing.USA has amazing ,big dramatic mountain scenery The highest mountain in California is over 6800 metres above sea level .I spoke to an American girl once .She backpacked around Australia including remote areas and loved it .I said to her that her own country USA has really amazing scenery and she told me that California is the best state and that I should go visit it and she lives in Calufornia .Oregan is also amazing I can see why you loved California .It has a bit of everything .The UK and Australia don’t have big mountains but are still quite pretty and you don’t get altitude sickness atleast lol By the way ,Waite until you visit Canada .The Rockies will blow your mind away.Keep up the great blogs coming love Louisa

    • Amy
      Posted at 16:53h, 20 July Reply

      Thanks Louisa, yes, the scale of the mountains in the USA really does put the UK to shame! But you’re right, it is still beautiful in its own way. We can’t wait to see what Canada has to offer 🙂

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