Whitney Haldeman
This Week in the World: Week 10

Ojai, California

ojai california

Happy Thursday! You may remember a recent trip I took to Ojai: a small town in Ventura County, California. Set in the Topatopa Mountain Valley, Ojai is brimming with beauty + charm. So much, in fact, you may find it hard to believe that's it's only one hour outside of chaotic LA. 

 

I had never heard of Ojai before, but my photographer Katie had been wanting to go and I'm always up for an adventure. It didn't take long for me to fall hard for this idyllic little town that's somehow managed to be kept a secret (for the most part) from the masses. So if you're looking for a retreat from the hustle + bustle of southern California to enjoy scenic landscape, delicious wine and the perfect touch of quirkiness, look no farther than Ojai. 

greetings from ojai california
caravan outpost ojai california

I can honestly say I wouldn't have loved Ojai as much as I did if it weren't for our accommodations. We had the great pleasure of staying at Caravan Outpost- a community of beautiful Airstream trailers set in an awesome garden setting.  Not only is the concept of staying in an Airstream cool, but so is everything else about the property. They have a slack line, corn hole boards, bicycles and picnic tables all available to use freely. 

I'm not much of a fan for "roughing it" but Caravan Outpost is hardly that. They have in-unit refrigerators, bathrooms and even vinyl players (with plenty of records you can choose from). There's also a bathroom in each Airstream, but also the option to go indoors at their main outpost to use modern, full-functioning showers + toilets.

My favorite part of our stay was the community fire pit where you could always find people to chat with (and great music always on). We had so much fun talking with the owners and learning more about Ojai.

Long story short, Caravan Outpost gives you all the charm of camping without any of the hassle (plus a comfortable bed instead of a sleeping bag). It was hands down the most unique place I stayed on my road trip and someplace I'll definetley return. 

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KNEAD BAKING COMPANY

For breakfast one morning, our friends at Caravan Outpost sent us (by bike of course) to KNEAD- a family run artisan bakery that specializes in cakes, pastry, desserts, breads, breakfast, lunch, picnic fare and more. Their baked goods are all about texture- whether it's crumbly, chewy, crunchy or creamy- you'll want to eat all of it. Their recipes are a reflection of a life long love of food that truly shines (not to mention, they use local ingredients like orange-tangerine honey organic walnuts + seasonal fruit/veggies). It was the perfect place to enjoy a delicious breakfast on the patio and soak up the Ojai sunshine. 

 

 

 

BEACON COFFEE

The next morning, we took another recommendation (along with the bikes) from Caravan Outpost + went to Beacon Coffee. This cool little coffee house has a great atmosphere and even better coffee. The owners spend several weeks per year visiting with all their producers all over the world in hopes to bridge the gap between the grower and the consumer. We had some insanely delicious avocado toast and struck up a conversation about travel with a local couple who was heading to Cambodia the next day. We went back again our final morning on the way out of town for one last cup of coffee, and I'm already looking forward to the next one I get to drink there. 

 

BART'S BOOKS

If you haven't noticed by now, we didn't drive anywhere in Ojai. Why would you when the weather is perfect and you can reach everything by bike? To continue the time outdoors, we went to Bart's Bookshop- a bookstore unlike any other because it's outside. We loved browsing the selection while simultaneously soaking up the California sunshine. 

As if Ojai weren't amazing already, did I mention they have great wine? We biked to Topa Mountain Winery, which is situated under the watchful eye of the Topa Topa Mountain range in the Upper Ojai Valley. They boast exceptional wines made from grapes grown in the Ojai Valley Region, but that's not the only great thing about this place. Their tasting room and entertaining grounds are the perfect place to enjoy Ojai's beautiful weather. Set under the mountain scenary, you'll love unwinding with a glass of wine, live music or a game of corn hole.  

We also biked to The Ojai Vineyard for a tasting. While they don't have the large entertaining grounds like Topa Mountain Winery, they have a beautiful indoor tasting room and a delicious selection of Ojai wines to taste. 

Overall, Ojai is a dreamy little destination that's a great addition to add to the itinerary if you're planning a trip to LA or Santa Barbara (stay tuned for more on those destinations next week!) I'd say the most ideal months to visit are September and October or April and May (although we went in February and it was gorgeous). Summers are hot and dry, so if you don't want that I'd avoid July or August. Temperatures in the winter (November-March) can drop to single digits during the night, so just be mindful of what you're likely to encounter and plan accordingly. 

 

So there you have it! I hope you get to experience Ojai for yourself so you can fall in love with it as much as I did. Stay tuned tomorrow for more about my recent trip to one of my favorite places- San Diego!

xx,

Whitney

 

 

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ojai california

Moab Utah Travel Guide

moab utah travel guide

When I was plotting my return trip back to Nashville on my coast-to-coast road trip, including Moab, UT in my itinerary was a no-brainer. Renown for it's iconic Arches National Park (home to over 2,000 arches) Moab is a natural-beauty-lovers dream and somewhere I highly recommend visiting. When you do, here's what you need to see:

 

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

Chances are, this is the reason you're coming to Moab- and for good reason. This park is brimming with incredible rock formations and provided me with some of the most spectacular scenery I've ever seen. We only had one day to see everything we wanted, so I sat down with the adventure team at Sorrel River Ranch (which I'll get to in a minute) and created the perfect itinerary (in order as you drive along the loop) if you want to see the "best of the best" in 4-6 hours or less. 

 

1. PARK AVENUE TRAILHEAD

Start your trip with a bang on this easy, one-mile trail (2 miles total). It will take you along some of the giant monoliths of the park and is one of the first major attractions you’ll hit on your way in. 

 

 

2. LANDSCAPE ARCH

Next, you’ll drive for a bit all the way to the top of the park. Park at Devils Garden Trailhead and hike over to Landscape Arch- the largest arch on the entire planet (#casual). The hike is only about a mile and a half round trip and is an easy difficulty level. 

 

 

3. SKYLINE ARCH

Leaving Landscape Arch, make a short (like, really short) jaunt over to Skyline Arch. This short + easy trail is one of the most popular landmarks in the Arches and is less than a half-mile roundtrip from the parking lot and back. 

 

4. SAND DUNE ARCH

After Skyline Arch, you’ll make another short journey over to Sand Dune Arch (where, as the name implies, you’ll find quite a bit of sand at its base). You’ll often find hikers kicking off their shoes to dip their toes in the sand as if they were at a beach. This is also an easy trail (1.7 miles round trip) and definitely worth a stop. 

 

5. DELICATE ARCH

From Sand Dune Arch you’ll drive for a bit over to the most famous arch in the entire park (and arguably, the world): Delicate Arch. You’ll probably recognize it from the Utah license plate or countless of posts on social media, but the hike up also happens to be one of the most dynamic trails in the park. Delicate Arch is in a bowl, freestanding at the top all on its own. Seeing as this is the most popular arch, be prepared for more of a crowd on your 3 mile round-trip hike (but you simply can’t leave the park without seeing it). 

 

6. BALANCED ROCK

As you leave Delicate Arch and drive back toward the Visitor Center, stop at Balanced Rock- located almost in the middle of the small park. This trail takes you on a short loop hike up to, and around the Balanced Rock (one of the easily recognized landmarks of the park). Again, another easy hike here- not even half a mile roundtrip. 

 

 

7. DOUBLE ARCH

For your final stop of the park, scoot a couple miles over from Balanced Rock to Double Arch. This incredible formation takes its name for obvious reasons- two arches share the same stone for their foundation. The trail is half a mile round trip and is a magnificent way to end your time in the park. 

 

Everything we saw in the park is incredible and I highly recommend this route. Be sure to pick up a map of the park from the Visitor Center (if you don't already have one) just to keep on hand- cell service can be spotty. You also won't find much of anything for food or water once you're in the park, so plan accordingly by bringing your own according to your needs. 

 

SORREL RIVER RANCH

While Moab is an incredible place to visit for it's natural beauty, I'd argue there's not a ton of options in terms of accommodations. While camping is certainly an option, I found another way to experience the best of the natural beauty + adventure without compromising any luxury. Enter Sorrel River Ranch. 

Set amongst the most spectacular scenery near southern Utah's famous arches and red rock mountains, Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa elevates the standard of luxury lodging in Moab, Utah. With 160 acres of wide open ranch land tucked away along the Colorado River, this property is truly a destination in itself. 

Before I dive into the additional features of the property, let's start with the rooms. Ours offered gorgeous views of the river + red rocks, a cozy fireplace, and stunning decor.  We could have easily spent all our time here and been quite content, however there was way more on-site we wanted to experience. 

Aside from the lodging being heavenly, they've thought through everything you could possibly need to ensure you have an enjoyable stay: complimentary wi-fi, complimentary bottled water, laundry, babysitting, fitness center, a spa, a petting zoo + stables for kiddos, in-room dining, a pool + hot tub, complimentary guided hikes, morning yoga, astronomy nights, live music, tennis courts, bicycle rentals... do you see why this is a destination in itself? 

My personal favorites? Every night they have a bonfire (complete with a S'mores concierge) where you can cozy up + socialize with other guests staying on the property. But the most helpful and unique offering (in my opinion) is their adventures concierge. This is who helped us plan our entire route through Arches National Park, but they certainly offer more than that. These guys can help you plan hikes, hot air balloon rides, skydiving, mountain biking, canyoneering,  river adventures, horseback riding and even excursions to the Grand Canyon by private plane. They've literally thought through every kind of activity you could possibly want (be it in Moab or a popular destination that's even remotely close enough to venture to). They were so knowledgable and helpful and I can only imagine what adventures they could have planned out for us if we were staying longer! 

I can't say enough wonderful things about Sorrel River Ranch. They've truly thought through every single detail to ensure that your time with them is unforgettable. Whether you're traveling as a couple, with friends or as a family (especially a family) you're guaranteed to have an incredible stay and your expectations will be greatly surpassed. 

BOOK NOW

 

While I was mostly in activewear for my time in Moab, I did have fun "looking the part" in some western-inspired gear like this bodysuit paired with this bandana neck scarf. 

So there you have it! My time in Moab was short + sweet, but absolutely incredible. You could easily entertain yourself here for a week if you like outdoor adventure, but you're also capable of seeing the highlights in a few short days if you're pressed for time. Either way, be sure to add this stunning destination to your list of places to visit in the US. 

 

Thanks as always for stopping by! I hope you're feeling inspired to see more of the world that God created for us. Stay tuned for more adventures coming to the blog this week. Until then, have a great day, friends! 

xx,

Whitney

moab utah travel guide

Nashville: Grand Ole Opry

GRAND OLE OPRY NASHVILLE

Being from Nashville and coming from a family of music-industry professionals, I must confess that I committed somewhat of a Cardinal Sin: I had never visited the Grand Ole Opry (that is, until a couple weeks ago).  I fully recognize the irony in being a travel professional who hadn't even experienced the most popular attraction in Nashville (my own city) and so obviously, I had to fix it.  So when the opportunity arose to tour the place that made country music famous, naturally I said yes (and I made sure to bring my brother, sister-in-law and photographer because they had never been either!)

For those of you who are rookies like I was and can't say they've ever been, let me share a little history. It all started back in 1925 when an announcer on a Nashville radio station introduced fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson as the first performer on a new show called "The WSM Barn Dance." No one knew at the time, but that show would go on to launch countless careers in country music and boast performances from the most iconic artists in the industry. 

It's no secret that the Opry has come a long way since then. In 1974, they bid farewell to their original home, the Ryman Auditorium (which is still an amazing venue to see shows in Nashville) to expand to the venue where they are now (they even kept + transported the same eight-foot circle of hardwood from the original stage for posterity). Today, The Grand Ole Opry House hosts more than a million guests every year, and I can finally say that I am one of them!

When we first arrived to the venue, we started with a backstage tour to see what goes on behind the scenes at the home of country music. Our first stop was the Opry Post Office, a tradition that started back at the Ryman. Here, Grand Ole Opry members are assigned their own post office box where they can receive mail for fans to send them letters. I wondered if artists actually still use it today (until we bumped into Blake Shelton- the surprise guest of the evening). 

Around the corner from the Post Office starts the hallway of 18 dressing rooms, which was my favorite part of the tour because these aren't just any dressing rooms. Each has a specific theme and design in mind to set it apart from the others and give the artists an added special experience each time they play (as if playing the Opry wasn't special enough already). For example, the "Into the Circle" room is reserved for artists making their debut performance at the Opry while the "Welcome to the Family" room is reserved for artists on the night they're inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member. Some other rooms include "Now That's Funny" (comedy), "It Takes Two" (duets) and "Stars & Stripes" (paying tribute to America's service men and women).

One of the more sobering moments of our tour was seeing the flood line from the historic Nashville flood in 2010. The substantial damage from this disaster caused the Opry House to close for around-the-clock restoration for five months. Seeing how high the water rose was both heartbreaking, but also symbolic of the resilient "show-must-go-on" mindset of the Opry family standing where they are on the other side of it all today. 

After touring the first set of dressing rooms, we took a quick break to watch Blake Shelton's surprise performance from side stage. Seeing the Opry action from this point of view was so cool and something you should definitely experience for yourself. If you're wondering how to get backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, it's easier than you may think. Simply book one of the three backstage tours (ours was VIP if you want the same) and you'll be able to see all of this with your own two eyes. 

Finally, we saw the last few dressing rooms, hung out backstage for a bit and then went to our seats so we could watch the final performance of the night: Keith Urban (who we were all so excited to see!) Naturally, he killed it (how does a human even play the guitar like that?) and we all left with an unbelievable Opry experience for our first visit. 

I can't believe I waited 30 years to visit the Grand Ole Opry! I had such a fun night, learned so much about country music and definitely plan on returning again soon. If you're visiting Nashville, be sure to add this iconic attraction to your itinerary (and if you need help planning more of your stay, be sure to check out my travel guide and some of my favorite brunch spots!) 

VISIT THE OPRY

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back tomorrow, because I'm sharing my 12 commandments for airport etiquette!

xx,

Whitney

 

Thank you to the Grand Ole Opry for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. 

grand ole opry nashville