Pancho!

Ever been in love at first sight?

Okay, you must admit the first feelings are purely physical. It was probably that strong, bold body… Or perhaps that charming style, the first impression that left you craving more…

Maybe it was that “ready-for-action” look that made you want to drive off into the sunset…

Oh yeah… (All of those things…)

That’s how we felt when we saw Pancho!

After months of van searching, we found the ONE. With extremely busy work schedules and limited time off, we had to get serious and seal the deal over the phone. Whoa!

Luckily, we hit it off with the seller and felt pretty confident about the transaction. (Of course, I was a nervous wreck until we reunited in Vegas, everyone in one piece).

It was an amazing blur…Vegas lights, a free hotel upgrade to a poolside cabana room, riding the high roller over the city skyscrapers and getting to know our new adventure wagon.

The ride home was less than ‘Purrfect’ thanks to “Purrfect Auto Service” who took 5 hours, inspecting Pancho, ordering new shocks, trying to install them and realizing they ordered the wrong ones…Ha! (Not so funny at the time).

Crossing our fingers and leaning to the right, we set off on our drive home, using tie-downs to hold the seats in place and a Bluetooth speaker to ease the mood 😉 A very memorable first drive in Pancho.

Sometimes it’s the perfectly imperfect ones we fall for…and those are the BEST. We are so excited about this sweet ride and what the future has in store.

The Bobby

I’ve learned the term ‘admiration hour’ from my other half. That perfect time of evening that calls for a cocktail, relaxation and appreciation of ones surroundings.

Touring Nashville, we found the best place to ‘admire‘ was The Bobby… A full sized bus situated on the rooftop of a hotel.

Yes, we stopped in our tracks the first time we saw it too.

It was hard to believe the cranes and manpower to make this magic bus a reality.

Cocktails in hand, we climbed behind the wheel and set off for a sunset cruise across the skyline.

Don’t want to ‘drink and drive’? Try cuddling up in one of the old diner style tables or leather couches in the back. (Extremely comfy…I think we tried them all).

There were many noteworthy bebidas and ‘hours of happiness’, but this one took the cake!

¡Salud!

Hello, Nashville.

Traveling days are always a whirlwind. Before catching the flight to Nashville, Tennessee, we squeezed in an appointment to meet and test drive a mighty fine ford econoline camper van, who I already affectionately named, “McKenzie”.

Physically standing in the van, the dream started becoming a reality… how would we set up storage, configure the inside, was it insulated? While we ultimately concluded it was not the one, it was a productive start to the viewings. The wheels were turning…

Egg and bacon sandwiches later, we found ourselves on a plane, sitting behind a 3 year old boy who introduced himself as “the blue ninja”. After “flying the friendly skies” with United… touchdown!

A short lyft ride away, we checked into The Fairlane, a historical bank building converted into a retro trendy boutique hotel (Yes, it was the coolest!)

Hungry and anxious to kick off our trip, we went for a quick exercise at “Jim’s Office” (the hotel gym) before heading out for a late night bite to eat. Discovering Printer’s Alley, we settled in at The Bourbon Street Blues Boogie Bar.

Walking through the alley felt like a trip back in time…

In the early 1900’s, Printer’s Alley was inhabited mostly by publishers, print shops and newspaper companies. Closer to the 1940s the area transformed into more of an evening entertainment district. Although illegal in that period, the alley night clubs were known for serving liquor to their guests ‘under the table’. (Restaurant guests could not legally purchase drinks until 1968). While country music is thriving in Nashville; this alley was and is known for playing more Jazz and Blues.

The Stacy Mitchhart Band was getting ready for their next set, so we got cozy, ordered some Fried Green Tomatoes and did our first “Cheers” over a Chicken Scratch Pilsner and a Honky Tonk IPA. Welcome to Nashville!

The Present

As much as we love traveling, trip planning, all the research that’s involved, getting excited about ideas…future places, we are reminded to enjoy the PRESENT.

Sometimes the worry wart takes over…there’s not enough time, it’s going by too fast, instead of allowing ourselves to fully relax and soak up everything happening in the moment. Enjoy right now; it’s the best way to get the full experience, right?!

We are going on vacation to Nashville; our first time to the “Music City”… Woot! I have to say I am proud that nothing is planned this time (okay, well, the coolest hotel and one concert!)

We’re pumped to take it slow, explore and let the beats lead the way.

For whether in a rad new city or in the middle of Baja with a flat tire, “wherever you go…there you are!” 😉

(Quote ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn)

The Draw of Adventure

What is the draw of an adventure?

Is it the love hate relationship with your burning quads and lungs while ascending a mountain?

Wind tears streaming from your face as you fly down a hill on two wheels above 40 mph?

Maybe it’s experiencing a new place, for the first time, taking it all in and appreciating you’ll never feel that way again, then you did in that very moment…

For me, the most addicting adventures have unique combinations of physical, mental and emotional challenge. Adventuring is about discovering elements of the unknown and unveiling what life has to offer.

This weekend was filled with some of my favorites…espresso, trail exploring, bike riding, tasty food, great company as well as my first time viewing the Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour showing at a local theatre.

To anyone that has not seen this; I highly recommend! The festival itself is a competition of international films and documentaries about mountain sports, culture and environment. The tour includes a collection of top films that will capture your mind and transport your soul to incredible places and people around the world.

For me, watching this film series was like dousing my ‘adventure fire’ with a bottle of lighter fluid. Rrrooooaaaarrrrrrr! I could not get to sleep afterwards; storms of thought tornadoes blew through my head…all the places…all the things…so much to do… so little time…

The Mexico van search continues …as does the list of destinations…

Cactus to Clouds

Coffee

Did I mention, we love coffee?

The best mornings start with a cup…or let’s be real, 2 cups!

It’s one of those 5 sense experiences: sight, smell, the sound of making it, the taste and even the touch. A comforting cup in your hand and warm fuzzies in your belly?!

Not rushed, but to be fully enjoyed, solo or with the ones you love (my favorite). A coffee inspires the day and reminds of past experiences. These are some memorable coffees over the last few months….

(East Cape, Baja MX, Thousand Island Lake Backpacking and a freak snow storm in Joshua Tree)

No trip can be planned without coffee…

Viva la Vida Ventures Intro:

Hola!

We drink the finest coffee while contemplating our next big adventures. We probably consume too much peanut butter and have a small obsession with Danner hiking boots.

On the beach or at 10,000 ft., the places we enjoy most are hard to get to…

Most recently?
We decided to buy a van and plan a trip through Mexico. We are excited to blog about this journey as well as other exciting things along the way.