My minivan didn’t get to go on this January jaunt. The days are short and cold, but the spirit of adventure burns bright! So I’m going to share this trip anyway because it was taken in the same spirit. And because we took much of the van’s workings with us… the Jackery and 12 volt fridge filled the trunk and our bags rode in the back seat.

Hubby and I decided to take a little vacation and just burn off all the Amex points he’d piled up at work. His job is ending in a few weeks, the card will be deleted along with all it’s points, and we just need a getaway.

We stopped at a historic gold mining ghost town

and bought the worlds best (officially) blue cheese straight from the farm at Rogue Creamery.

First stop is a charming historic lodge along the Rogue River in Grants Pass where we played a wicked game of Monopoly (Bob is a hotel tycoon and I am broke) and watched the best football of the year (he says).

We are staying in Walt Disneys favorite room . After a morning walk along the Rogue river

we are heading to the California Redwoods!