CALIFORNIA Road Trip: From Bay to Desert with an Empty Nest Pup

Just two days after returning from Europe, we packed up the Tesla and our empty nest pup George for a 12-hour journey from Redwood City to Palm Springs. While most people might question taking another trip so soon, we've learned that embracing change and new adventures keeps life interesting in our empty nest years.

The journey started with our traditional breakfast stop at Casa de Fruta, a quirky roadside attraction that's become part of our California road trip ritual. Between Tesla charging stops, we stopped at BravoLand, where George could stretch his legs and remind us that sometimes the best parts of a road trip are the unplanned puppy play breaks.

Our time-tested road trip formula includes what we call our "Chipotle & Frosty" tradition, proving that not every meal needs to be an adventure to be memorable. These familiar stops give structure to our journey while we discuss books, life changes, and what lies ahead.

The drive from Northern to Southern California offers a fascinating glimpse of the state's diverse landscapes. From the Bay Area's foggy mornings to the Central Valley's agricultural expanse, and finally to the stark beauty of the desert, each region tells its own story.

Arriving at our Palm Springs home-for-a-month felt different from our usual travels. This wasn't just a vacation; it was an experiment in living differently. As we settled in and stocked up on supplies, we found ourselves having those deeper conversations about what we're doing and why, conversations that seem to flow more naturally when you're somewhere new.

Our plans for the month ahead include tennis matches, remote work sessions, and daily adventures with George. But perhaps more importantly, we're creating space for those difficult but necessary conversations about what's next in our empty nest journey.

Join us for the road trip that kicked off our month-long desert adventure.