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A Weekend in Joshua Tree National Park
Once I had stopped singing U2 songs and introducing the much loved Joshua Tree album to my 11 year old, I set about planning a trip to its namesake National Park! This was to be my first solo adventure since arriving in the USA. The small one was due to attend Scout camp in the park so instead of missing out I planned to drop him off and have a child-free weekend. In the end my husband was available to join me and I can’t even remember the last time we had a couples adventur

Emily Bailey
2 days ago7 min read


Winter in Yosemite
Our post Christmas and New Year trip this year took us with friends to Monterey (where we pretty much did the same itinerary as last time ) and as they headed to the airport we crossed California to Yosemite National Park. The plan was swim in the sea in the morning and play in the snow in the afternoon. But, alas, weather had other ideas. Monterey was too cold and rough seas for a dip, and the winter snow was yet to arrive in Yosemite. Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View We ma

Emily Bailey
Jan 287 min read


A day on the Big Sur Road
We returned to Monterey for a post Christmas visit, we pretty much did the same itinerary as last year: https://www.justadventure.uk/post/monterey-bay-in-winter but with the addition of heading down the Big Sur road. This is a classic California road trip. The whole stretch has been closed since 2023 and was due to reopen in March/April 2026 and before I got a chance to write this blog the road reopened early! I would say hurry, get out there before the next landslide but in

Emily Bailey
Jan 163 min read


Redwoods and Northern California Coast
Our final stretch took uu back into Californai and the mighty Redwoods — we kayaked the crystal-clear Smith River, hiked amongst giants, collected Junior Ranger badges. We ticked off 3 more movie locations As we wound south through Mendocino, Bodega Bay, and finally across the fogged out Golden Gate Bridge and the end of our trip. Two weeks, 2,300 miles - done! We woke at Kamp Klamath to the dawn chorus at 5am and snoozed until the sun came up. I’ve since learned that the Kl

Emily Bailey
Sep 27, 20257 min read


Portland and the Oregon Coast
Nine hundred miles in, five days on the road, and we arrive in Portland (although not our turnaround point). A day in a city gave us a bookshop, donuts, and a no car day before the road took us to Astoria, our turn around point, and the rain-soaked Oregon coast. Goonies nostalgia, stunning coastline, driftwood forts, off-grid peace, and an almost flooded tent. Part two of our roadtrip was as unpredictable as the weather! We’d made it to Portland, the most northerly city in

Emily Bailey
Sep 26, 20257 min read


The I5 to Portland, Oregon
The American road trip is part of the American cultural identify. The open roads, long distances, summer escapes to the National Parks and State Parks, small towns and big cities. Unlike the UK where a two hour car ride is long, here the journey is part of the adventure, Spotify gets loaded, the Yeti is packed with snacks and drinks and off you go! In part one of our 2025 trip we take scenic detours, find hidden waterfalls, and drive the long road north. In mid-June, we emb

Emily Bailey
Sep 16, 20257 min read


Discovering Cambria, California: A Mini Road Trip Itinerary
Cambria, a quaint town on California’s Central Coast, offers a laid-back break on this stunning coastline.

Emily Bailey
May 18, 20254 min read


Monterey Bay in Winter
Monterey Bay was high on the list for a must visit, we’d avidly watching the BBC’s Blue Planet Live filmed from the Monterey Bay Aquarium...

Emily Bailey
May 6, 20253 min read


Discovering Morro Bay: A Wildlife Gem on California's Central Coast
Tucked away on California's Central Coast, Morro Bay is a quaint seaside town, a haven for wildlife with a working harbour. We headed to their hidden gem on our first day trip, exploring Highway 1. Morro Bay: Spot the Otter I’ve worked in the travel industry for many years, and many UK-based tour operators that sell a Highway 1 California Road trip will skip from Santa Barbara to Monterey with a stop at Pismo or San Luis Obispo to break the 4-hour journey. For this reason, I

Emily Bailey
Mar 17, 20254 min read


Swapping the Chiltern Hills for California’s Central Coast
A Brits Eye View of adventures in the USA A Pacific Sunset at our local beach My Just Adventure webpage has been pretty dormant lately,...

Emily Bailey
Feb 28, 20252 min read


Why walk in a group?
Walking and hiking in nature are great ways to explore the outdoors, but why hike in a group in an area with well-trodden paths and...

Emily Bailey
Jan 22, 20241 min read


Ridgeway Part 4: Lewknor to Nuffield
A summer holiday adventure with my little walking buddy... The summer holidays were fast approaching, and the thought of not being able...

Emily Bailey
Sep 29, 20225 min read


Back on the Ridgeway: Section 3
Walk 3: Princes Risborough to Lewknor It says a lot that there is a gap in my OS Maps app record. If the tech is to be believed, I didn’t...

Emily Bailey
Sep 22, 20224 min read


Walking the Ridgeway by public transport: Part 2
Walk two: Tring to Princes Risborough The UK has 15 National Trails plus the yet-to-be-completed English Coast Path! Scattered all over...

Emily Bailey
Jul 12, 20225 min read


Walking the Ridgeway by Public Transport
The UK has 15 National Trails plus the yet to be completed English Coast Path! Scattered all over the country from the south coast to the...

Emily Bailey
May 26, 20223 min read


Women in adventure…or not
Women Only Adventures - A Murkey Subject

Emily Bailey
Mar 6, 20223 min read


Away a Wee Walk on the Causeway Coast
An alternative wee walk along a well known coast... I am currently on my longest stint of staying in the country, so when we were invited...

Emily Bailey
Feb 12, 20223 min read


Travel and Adventure Intro
Travelling and adventure is part of me. This section of the blog will cover my adventures near and far. I will cover ideas on how to...

Emily Bailey
Jan 2, 20221 min read
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