Scaling Valencia Peak

Achievement: #100. Valencia Peak Hike

Our trips out west are all about the food, the wine, and the hiking (the third helps us earn the first two). Valencia Peak is strenuous enough to cover your breakfast AND lunch! Have a look. Continue reading

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Filed under #100-18, california, fitness, flowers, healthy, hiking, morro rock, mountains, san luis obispo, SLO county

A Death Valley Sojourn

Achievement: #87. Whirlwind Tour of Death Valley National Park

Our tendency when on vacation is to pack our schedules Way Too Tight, and our whirlwind tour of Death Valley was no exception. On the other hand, this gives us the perfect excuse to spend more time there in the near future! In the meantime, let us whisk you through the desert for a quick overview of what the valley has to offer. Continue reading

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Filed under #87, #87-18, california, death valley, desert, hiking, mojave reserve, national park, nature

Our Joshua Tree Return

Achievement: #75. Stargaze Again in Joshua Tree

Last year’s trip to Joshua Tree left us with some mixed results, photography-wise — but this year, we had perfect conditions within which to document the trip. Please enjoy the sights and stargazing photos! Continue reading

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Filed under #75, #75-18, california, joshua tree, national park, nature, stargazing

Traveling South Along The Salton Sea

Achievement: #95. Salton Sea & Salvation Mountain

Have you ever visited an area for the first time, and instantly known you’d been there before? That is the feeling we get when visiting the Salton Sea. Join us on a tour. Continue reading

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Filed under #95, #95-18, art, california, salton sea, salvation mountain, tourism

In Which We Visit A Giant Metal Spider

Achievement: #101. Bring Spider to Visit the VW Bug Spider

During this year’s trip to California, we saw beautiful wineries, stunning deserts, mountain peaks…and this giant metal spider, made out of the husk of a VW Beetle. You’re welcome. Continue reading

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Filed under #101, #101-18, california, palm springs, roadside america, spiders, tourism, travel, vacation

We Finally Dine At Gaucho

Achievement: #9. Finally Go to Gaucho

Several years behind schedule, we finally joined the ranks of people who have had a wonderful dinner at Gaucho Parrilla Argentina. Come take a culinary tour of epic proportions! Continue reading

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Filed under #9, #9-18, byob, dinner, flan, food, south american, tapas, the strip

The Great Pittsburgh Pierogi Crawl

Achievement: #21. Pierogi Crawl

We begin 2018 with some unfinished 2017 business. We’d be truly remiss if we did not present to you…the 2017 101 Achievements Pierogi Crawl! Continue reading

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Filed under #21, #21-17, blog awards, bloomfield, east liberty, garfield, greenfield, oakland, pierogies, shadyside, south side, station square

A Pup-Hike At Coopers Rock

Achievement: #31. Coopers Rock

To celebrate the first weekend where it really felt like autumn, we took a ride down to Coopers Rock State Park, near Morgantown, WV. Layla Grace came along with us, and she turned out to be a natural hiker! Have a look at the scenery. Continue reading

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Filed under #31, #31-17, autumn, fall foliage, hiking, layla, nature, west virginia

Our West Coast Wine Night

Achievement: #51. Host a Wine Tasting Class

We love wine, and we want our friends to love wine, too. So, we took it upon ourselves to organize a night of wine tasting and education. (Mainly wine tasting, though.) Here’s how it turned out! Continue reading

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Filed under #51, #51-17, burgers, california, central coast, charcuterie, cheese, education, french fries, home bar, west coast, wine, wine tasting

Free Songs And Fritos: A Hartwood Acres Adventure

Achievement: #10. Hartwood Acres | #17. Make a Frito Casserole

This summer, we had the chance to take in one of a series of free concerts at Hartwood Acres in the North Hills, and we brought two special guests — our dog, Layla, and a Frito casserole! What is Frito casserole? Click to discover its wonders. Continue reading

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Filed under #10, #10-17, #17, #17-17, hartwood acres, layla, north hills, pets, picnic, pittsburgh, sandwich, summer, wine