{image via Tourism Tofino}
 So – exciting news here in Epheriell-land!
Nick and I will be heading off for what I’m calling #USACAN2013 as of June 4th – a huge 2-month+ trip through the US and Canada. (Look for the hashtag on twitter and instagram – I’ll be using it to share our journey!).
What this means for you, of course, is that Epheriell will be closed for a few months. As much as I would love to make jewellery on the road, the logistics are a bit of a nightmare, so I’ve decided to take a well-earned break from the jewellery bench while we’re away. I’ll still be blogging here and on Create & Thrive though!
I will be closing Epheriell as of May 24th – this Friday! – and re-opening on August 2nd, which is a few days before we return home.
So! If you had plans to buy and receive a piece of Epheriell jewellery between now and mid-August – this week is your last chance!
Friday morning will see me sitting down at the computer with a cup of coffee to go through the process of shutting down all of my online shops. I won’t be making any extensions or exceptions to this closure, so don’t wait if there is something you want to buy!
Alas, I have been so busy that I haven’t had the chance to finish and release the Yin/Yang Collection prior to my trip… but that gives us all something to look forward to when I return, right? 🙂 I’m kinda in love with the new designs, I’ve been wearing a couple of them religiously for the last few weeks.
But back to the trip!
It’s been in the works since last year, and it’s going to be epic. I’m hoping to pop in here and blog about it at least once a week, but we’ll see how that goes!
The Plan
We’ll be flying from Brisbane to LA, staying one night to start the time-zone shift process, and to break up the trip.
We’ll then fly to New York for 5 days!!! I cannot tell you how excited I am about this. I have always wanted to vist NYC. We’re staying in a cute little apartment in the East Village thanks to Airbnb, and I can’t wait to get out and explore. If you have any must-sees, please tell me!
We’re then flying from New York to Seattle, and catching the ferry up the Puget Sound to Victoria in Canada.
Nick’s brother Matt lives there with his looong-time girlfriend Kelcey, so they will be meeting us, and we’ll be staying with them for a week.
After that, Nick’s parents are flying over from the UK, and it will be family reunion time! The last time all of us were together was back in 2009 at Nick and my wedding (and that was sans Kelcey, I’m looking forward to FINALLY meeting her!), so it’s going to be lovely.
We’re staying with the fam in Canada for a few weeks… until July 3rd, when I leave Nick there and head down to Portland to attend the WDS – which no doubt will be all sorts of awesome. Again thanks to Airbnb I’ll be staying with a lovely Portland couple, their cat, new puppy, and chickens. And I get to spend my first 4th of July in the States (I am actually a dual US/Australian citizen, though I’ve only been to the US twice before for a few weeks at a time – I got my citizenship through my Mum’s side of the family, who are American). So I’ll looking forward to that experience.
After all that, Phase 2 of our trip commences – operation Road Trip!
Nick will come down and meet me in the US, and we’ll be hiring a car and heading off into the sunset for the next month. We’ll have a tent and camping stuff in our car, so we’ll alternate camping with motel living throughout the trip.
At this stage, we don’t have a set itinerary – though we are toying with the idea of driving from Portland out to Yellowstone, then back to the coast and down through Oregon and California.
I have a few must-sees during this part of the trip so far:
- Crater Lake
- Lake Tahoe
- Big Sur
- The Redwood you can drive through
- San Francisco, because I’ve been there twice and LOVE it
- A winery or ten in the Napa Valley
Yes, we’re suckers for lakes and forests, what can I say? I am, of course, open to suggestions of things we HAVE TO SEE – so please share!!
Finally, at the beginning of August, we’ll end up back in LA, and we’re flying home on the 6th.
It’s going to be EPIC!
Are you going to come along with us via the wonders of the interwebs? I hope so!Â
P.S. My lovely Earring-of-the-Month Club members… don’t worry, you’ll still be getting your earrings every month… I’ll have them all made and ready to send to you while I’m away thanks to my post office minion (a.k.a. my mum ;D).
My god that sounds HEAVENLY. Have a wonderful time — I can’t wait to follow on Instagram and Twitter!
Thanks Olivia!! 🙂
Fun!!! There are so many gorgeous parts of Washington State worth seeing (as well
as Seattle)
The Olympic National Park is gorgeous – Sol Duc Hot Springs just fabulous. We drove the wrong way there and ended up seeing by accident Lake Quinault. The lodge is great and it’s just so picturesque up there.
Also worth seeing is Mt Rainier if you’re hanging around the Seattle area.
Enjoy!!!
Ooh yes, I love Seattle too, I’ve been there before. I will go check out your suggestions, a hot spring is always a good thing in my book! 🙂
your trip sounds so awesome! very envious & definitely looking forward to following along
have a wonderful time!
Thank you, lovely Vickie! 🙂 x
Oi Pati!!Também adoro viajar fora de temporada! Os preços são melhores e o atendimento costuma ser mais peedonalizaso!Qurm sabe consigo ir de novo para Bento Gonçalves no próximo outono?!!Bjs, Anna
Mein Svz sieht auf einmal ganz anders aus. Es werden keine Bilder angezeigt u. so ziemlich alles ist unterreinander. Man kann keine Apps mehr spielen.So sieht es aus:Logo schülerVZ, Link zur StartseiteE-MailPasswortPasswort vergessen?Eingeloggt verbleiben ?Setze dieses…
Sounds like a brill itinerary! I’m jelly! Enjoy yourself!
I’m sure we will, thanks Neen! x
have a great time. you’ll LOVE nyc……our home away from home. MUST see, washington square park- great people watching- always someone playing music, kids playing in the fountain when it’s hot. then walk up past the park and up macdougall and stop into panchitos for a really good frozen marg or daquiri. we like spending time at the seaport. take a ride on the big speed boat, which takes you on quick ride around the harbor- out to the statue of liberty for a photo op. and the ride is FUN. walk up to second level of pier 17 and there’s a nice spot at the river end to sit and take a load off while enjoying great view of brooklyn bridge. and before you head back to the west coast, you should head up this way to New Hampshire if you like lakes and forests……Lake Winnepesaukee is beautiful and just north is White Mountain National Forest and Presidential range. North Conway is a nice little town to stay. Also, don’t miss our little coast- 19 miles but it sure is pretty.
Enjoy your time off!!!
Oh Pamela, so many good suggestions!! Off to google everything… 🙂 Thanks!
Oh my goodness, I am so jealous! And you must, must, must make time for the Redwoods. I can’t wait to see your pics. Have an amazing time, you two! and travel safe!
I cannot wait to see those majestic giants of the forest! 🙂
Wow, have an amazing time! Looking forward to reading all about it and seeing your photos.
I am heading to New York in June and I am very excited too! I am going to the Alt Summit, so that should be fab.
Clare x
Ohh, I’d love to go to Alt some time – have fun!! 🙂
Have a great Holiday. Sounds Funtastic ! It is too bad when you are in BC Canada you could visit Lake Louise and Banff Alberta. Now that is Beauty in the mountains. My grandfather moved from Scotland to southern Alberta because it reminded him of Scotland, in the1920’s. I have yet to see Scotland. BC is also so very beautiful . Always wanted to live in the interior of BC. You will love BC . The States are awesome also. You two will have the best holiday ever. Enjoy, have fun and be safe. 🙂
I will look those places up, thanks Marion!
Oh what a fantastic trip! Epic indeed! My husband and I honeymooned in California and I highly recommend Solvang (between San Fran and LA), utterly cheesy touristy but charming Danish town – and there are many more wineries in that area as well!
And I completely forget the name, but if you do touring out of Victoria ask your BIL about the store with goats on the roof! Totally worth a visit!
Have a fun fun trip!
I will check out Solvang, that sounds great!! 😀
I can’t wait to come up and see you in SF!
Yay!! 😀
Hi — so glad you’re coming over to US soil (and Canada) to see what this grand country is all about. I just returned from a trip to New York and here are a few things I saw that impressed me: The High Line is an outdoor walking path, beautifully planted, right in the middle of the city. It’s call the High Line cause it is built on a very old and unused railroad track that was elevated above the city streets. Musicians, ice cream, food stands. Just lovely, super clean, great views of the skyscrapers and the river. Enjoy a walk on it as a respite from the crowds down below. Don’t forget to visit trashy, crowded Times Square and the TKTS (tickets) booth for half-price tickets to Broadway and off-Broadway shows. Crowded, but worth wait. Too bad you’re not coming to Chicago and the Midwest. It’s a real taste of American living. HOpe you’re gonna come back again. In the meantime, safe travels! Riv
Thanks Riva! I’ve been to the States twice before in the 90s, can’t wait to see it again. And the HIGH LINE!! Yes, that is on my MUST-do list for NYC, I can’t wait to check that out! Thanks for all the other awesome tips. Would definitely love to visit Chicago one day…
An interesting article. But, I have to ask why so many Greeks and Italians suffer from depression ? In fact depression is a major problem throughout the meinnerradeat, even with the higher level of sunlight hours.
Amazing! You’re going to have so much fun and I can’t wait to see your photos.
xo
Thanks my dear!
If you guys have some time while you are on the East Coast, I highly recommend spending a weekend on either Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket, off of Cape Cod. I live in (and grew up in) Massachusetts, and my family always spend a week during the summer on Cape Cod. It’s quaint, fun, and would give you a taste of coastal New England. Enjoy your trip- I hope you and Nick have a blast!! xo
Oh, I dream of touring New England one day… I’m hoping to do that on our next trip out there… I’d love to see it in Autumn with all the leaves turning.
How exciting!
I just moved to San Francisco a few months ago from Australia, and I love it. It’s such a creative city, perfect for crafty people. Make sure you go to the food trucks!
Pics from my day out in foodtrucks land here: http://tinyurl.com/b7g275f
We recently did the driving thing too, down Big Sur and then to Monterey and Carmel. Carmel is gorgeous. It’s like Noosa, but older and so cute! Hearst Castle is a must see too if you keep going south from there. Have fun!
Oh, that looks fab, Rin! Will definitely check that out. And I can’t wait to see the beautiful coastline…
This sounds like an exciting trip!
I’m an Oregon native, previously a Portland resident, and currently living on the Oregon coast. I’ve done a lot of exploring in the area (and surrounding areas), and have a few recommendations.
First, your must see list is a great one. Crater Lake is cool, Tahoe is pretty, the redwoods are amazing, and the tree you can drive through is pretty fun (especially if it looks like the van in front of you might get stuck).
I highly recommend taking a hike in the Columbia River Gorge while you’re in Portland. (Eagle Creek and Angel’s Rest are my favorites, Multnomah Falls are pretty, but usually really crowded). Really, great hiking isn’t too hard to find (if you like it).
The Saturday Market in Portland is also pretty fun (the name is misleading, it also happens on Sunday), and there is a ton of good food all over the city. If you like coffee, definitely find a Stumptown Coffee (or something like Coffeehouse Northwest).
I also highly recommend spending the Fourth of July in Seaside. It’s a small town, but it draws a huge crowd, there’s a parade, and fireworks on the beach after the sun goes down.
I’m not sure which direction you guys are heading on your road trip, but my favorite road trips have been to the national parks in Utah. Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park are my favorites. And it’s not toooo far from Portland (12 hours from Portland to Salt Lake City, and if you work your way far enough south, you end up only a few hours from Vegas).
Anyway, this is much wordier than I intended it to be, so I’ll just say, have fun!
Oh, great tips, Kaila! I’ll check out those national parks, we were already thinking about taking a quick detour down to Salt Lake to see the salt flats 🙂 And we’ll definitely be out to Multnomah – that’s where my Mum grew up!
That’s so exciting for you!! I will be at WDS too. It would be lovely to meet you.
You’re visiting some beautiful areas. Bryce and Zion are both gorgeous.
I’m in Arizona, it would be fabulous to visit the Grand Canyon and the area around it.
Oh cool, will be lovely to meet you, Deanna! We were toying with the idea of driving out the Grand Canyon, but might run out of time since we’re going to Yellowstone!
Sounds like it will be wonderful!! I spent a week on Vancouver Island the other summer, with my family. Tofino is lovely and all, but it is SO touristy compared to Ucluelet and we wished that we had spent our WHOLE week in Ucluelet and not divided it up between Tofino and Ucluelet… (and I bet that the new, fancy, totally-awesome aquarium in Ukie is done being built, now – they were building it when we were visiting in August 2011.
And I am heading to NYC for 4 day from June 7-10 and am SO EXCITED! There is so much to see and do… The majority of it – eating and walking! There is 1 day left to grab this deal: https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/649334-food-tour-in-the-west-village-or-lower-east-side
Happy travels!
Annie
Great View from top Love it
Esse é o único que me faz ter vontade de quebrar a dieta diariamente. Final de ano + F&eeauta;rics = Rayssa com as lombrigas atacadas. haha. Ainda mais que to naqueles dias, to louca pra comer a bacia toda de pão de mel. haha