US National Park Adventures

These following lists show all the US national parks and national park units I've visited thus far. 

Sadly, now that I've compiled the lists, it's obvious I haven't edited or shared many photos from these amazing visits. 

Will 2025 be the year I get to share these pictures before I take a million more on upcoming adventures? 🤣

“For, in the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.”  ― Baba Dioum, Senegalese environmentalist, 1968

NATIONAL PARKS 

1. Arches NP

2. Bryce Canyon NP

3. Canyonlands NP

4. Capitol Reef NP

5. Carlsbad Caverns NP

6. Congaree NP

7. Cuyahoga Valley NP

8. Gateway Arch NP

9. Grand Canyon NP

10. Grand Teton NP

11. Great Smoky Mountains NP

12. Hot Springs NP

13. Joshua Tree NP

14. Mammoth Cave NP

15. New River Gorge NP

16. Petrified Forest NP

17. Saguaro NP

18. Shenandoah NP

19. White Sands NP

20. Yellowstone NP

21. Yosemite NP

22. Zion NP

NATIONAL MONUMENTS

1. Castillo de San Marcos NM

2. Castle Clinton NM

3. Cedar Breaks NM

4. Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers NM

5. Dinosaur NM

6. Fort Matanzas NM

7. Organ Pipe Cactus NM

8. Russell Cave NM

9. Statue of Liberty NM

10. Timpanogos Cave NM 

11. Waco Mammoth NM

OTHER

1. Independence NHP

2. Blue Ridge Parkway

3. Cape Hatteras NS

4. Wright Brothers N MEM

5. Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie NHP

6. Colonial NHP

7. Great Falls Park

8. Lincoln Memorial

9. National Mall

10. Washington Monument

11. Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP

12. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP

13. Assateage Island NS

14. Delaware Water Gap NRA

15. Great Egg Harbor SRR

16. Gateway NRA

17. Harpers Ferry NHP

18. San Francisco Maritime NHP

19. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial PKWY

20. Fort Smith NHS

21. Chicksaw NRA

22. Lyndon B. Johnson NHP

23. Palo Alto Battlefield NHP

24. San Antonio Missions NHP

25. Hopewell Furnace NHS

26. Fort Necessity National Battlefield

27. Natchez Trace Parkway

28. Natchez NHP

29. William J. Clinton Birthplace Home NHS

30. Cane River Creole NHP

31. Niagara Falls National Heritage Area

32. Women's Rights NHP

33. Paterson Great Falls NHP

34. Thomas Edison NHP

35. Fort Raleigh NHS

36. Ocmulgee Mounds NHP

37. Jimmy Carter NHP

38. Big Thicket NR

Airstream Interior In Winter

Here is another peak into my 27 foot Airstream travel trailer (aka Aurora the Airstream)and how I decorate the space for Christmas. 

↓ These pictures show the space this Christmas. I added velvet ribbon to the upper cabinets to make them look like presents. The tone of the ribbon is not quite right (a bit to blue tone for my liking), but I enjoy the impact these ribbons make to the space.

I love decorating seasonally and I alway try to to keep them lightweight and if possible so hat they don't have to be put away on drive days. The ribbon are an example of that. I also secured the wreath, the evergreen garland and the Christmas tree in such a way that I didn't have to pack them away on drive days.

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A post shared by Aurora the Airstream (@nina.estabrook)

↓ The following pictures are from the previous year. 

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A post shared by Aurora the Airstream (@nina.estabrook)

Can you spot what's different? 

There is more green in this years design, the decor is arranged slightly different and some items found a new home in a different part of the Airstream.

Small changes here an there, but just enough to make the space feel different. My husband likes to say that I do life in bits and pieces. And he is correct. It's how I manage life and how I create. A little bit here, a little bit there, building onto, removing what distracts and soon enough over weeks, months or years something more complete emerges.

While I would love to be one of those people that envision the full picture and then go about and create it soon after... I'm not one of those people. 

It would make things easier.

But, alas, my mind does not love thinking up big ideas and implementing them on a deadline. But I'm quite good at fine tuning a minute detail that slots in well with what I have already going on.

I'm not sure if this is a me thing or if this is quite common.

Irregardless, I did want to mention my process instead of just presenting pictures of the finished product.

"The lack of options are what’s great about it because it’s small. The magic, if you look around it is you have one of everything. But if you’re going to throw your clothes down on the couch, it’s messy. [...] And they great thing about them is whenever you’re tired of a location you just hook them up and pull out and find a new backyard the next day." - Matthew McConaughey (when asked about Airstream living)

Thanks for following along on my journey. Until then.

♡ Nina

Simple Winter Capsule Wardrobe 2024

Seasonal wardrobe changes are extremely cathartic for me and it's one of the many reasons why I have kept up with Project 333 for so many years. 

You may not want to do something like this. It's not for everyone.

I understand there are people that have a set style all year round and they are happy with it, but as a full time traveler capsule dressing works so well. My tiny closet isn't as cramped full with every single item that I own and making intentional seasonal selections keeps things interesting enough to make me feel content with what I have. 

Now, while everyone is different, I know about myself that I'm very affected by the seasons, the seasonal feel and the environments and rooms in which I live. It is my experience that a thoughtfully curated capsule wardrobe will set me up for success in the way I feel about myself.

Good.

Prepared.

Appropriately dressed.

Creative.

At ease.

Contented.

"I am going to make everything around me  beautiful - that will be my life." -Elsie De Wolfe

CAPSULE     INTENTIONS

With every capsule season I set a few intention I like to keep in mind. This way I can make progress however slow that may be. This season my intentions are as follows:

- find a new laundry hamper solution

- take photos of my Airstream closets (photos generally help me see the bigger picture in designs so I'm curious what I can see in these closet pictures. Strange how I have not taken any in the Airstream yet.)

- spring/summer capsule wardrobe wishlist: MORE WHITE!

In the past few years a few favorites had worn out and I think it's about time to replace them: white pants or jeans, white sneakers, white button down shirt, and a crisp white sweater.

Also: MORE OLIVE GREEN! I think I'm looking for some olive green pants (my current ones are wearing out) and olive green shorts.

↑ Hiking at Inks Lake State Park

If you're curious about trying capsule dressing in 2025, I recommend giving it a go.  A capsule does not have to be special or perfect.  

I follow the rules of Project 333 for my seasonal capsules.  Accordingly, I select 33 pieces of clothing for the next three months while storing all other items away until I create my next capsule. For more information on the concept of Project 333 I recommend visiting Courtney Carver's website (linked here)!  

W I N T E R    2 0 2 4   C A P S U L E   W A R D R O B E

Let's have a look at the pieces in my winter capsule. 

(Normally, I mark 'new' additions to my capsule with a * and new second hand pieces with **. Additionally, I don't count accessories towards the 33 pieces of my capsule, but I will list them here anyways.)

JACKETS       

1 - green wool jacket

2 - green parker

3 - Airstream jean jacket

4 - tan shirt jacket

5 - green shirt jacket

6 - tan knit poncho

SHIRTS 

7 - white linen tank

8 - white eyelet blouse

9 - grey linen shirt ** (campground free table)

10 - short sleeve chambray shirt

11 - long sleeve pink linen shirt ** (campground free table)

12 - white lace blouse

13 - white knit tee

SWEATERS 

14 - white v-neck knit sweater

15 - tan waffle knit tunic

16 - white cashmere sweater

17 - mustard yellow sweater

18 - white fleece sweater

19 - light pink cardigan sweater

DRESSES  

20 - black dress

21 - green wrap dress

BOTTOMS   

22 - blue jean shorts **

23 - dark green pants

24 - light blue skinny jeans

25 - gray corduroy pants

26 - blue straight leg jeans

27 - blue skinny jeans

SHOES 

28 - white boots

29 - black boots

30 - Ugg boots

31 - black heeled booties

32 - brown cowboy boots

33 - short black rain boots

ACCESSORIES (not counted)  

- everyday jewelry
- sunglasses

- small black handbag

- grey camera bag

- white beanie 

- swimwear

- bathrobe

- shower shoes

- yoga jumpsuits x2

- sleepwear

- underwear

- socks

- house slippers

Thank you for checking out my winter capsule.  I hope you could find some inspiration for your own. 🎄 💨 ❄️

   ♡ Nina

Sourdough Focaccia

This is another one of my SUNRISE MAGIC SOURDOUGH recipes. 

It means I start mixing up the dough in the evening, let the long fermentation happen over night and then in the morning bake - sourdough magic, delicious and beautiful. 

Focaccia makes a great side dish and is a popular treat at a potluck.

This recipe makes 1 sheet pan loaf.

Bake Temp./Time: 425℉ for 30 min 

INGREDIENTS:  (Day 1)

1/4 cup fed Sourdough Starter

1 1/4 cups filtered Water

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

3 cups All-Purpose Flour

1 1/2 tsp. Salt

INGREDIENTS:  (Day 2) 

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

2 sprigs of fresh Rosemary; chopped

Salt Brine Mix: 1/2 tsp. Salt, 1 Tbsp. warm Water

Optional Toppings: 

Cherry Tomatoes; sliced, 

Cherry Peppers; sliced,

Olives, 

Hot Pepper Flakes etc.

PREPARATIONN: 

I use a medium size bowl to mix the day 1 ingredients.  Instead of my hands I use a chopstick to stir everything into a dough. This way I don’t get my hands sticky, plus the chopstick is the easiest kitchen tool to slide the dough from.

I cover the bowl with a lid/plate and let it rest on the counter in a warm place overnight or for at least 12 hours. For an extra boost, and especially when the room is cold, I place the bowl in a proofer and let it run at 80℉ for 2 hours.

After the long rising time the dough is ready to bake when it has the following qualities, otherwise continue the rise for a little longer. 

-the dough has risen significantly 
(about an additional half more of it’s original size)

-if you pick part of the dough from the side of the bowl, air bubbles and strands of gluten are visible

Next, I spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil on the bottom and sides of a quarter baking sheet pan (9 x 13 inches).  A pastry brush works well for the application and is useful to make this step less messy.  After adding the olive oil, I sprinkle 1 teaspoon of semolina flour onto the bottom of the pan.  This step is optional.  I think the semolina flour adds a lot to the flavor of the bread, but if you don’t have some on hand don’t sweat it.  If you like baking focaccia on the reg, or you enjoy making homemade pizza or bread, do pick up a small bag of semolina flour and enjoy the little extra bottom crust oomph it will bring to your baking favorites.

I pull the dough from the bowl and transfer it to the oiled and sprinkled pan.  I gently pat and stretch until it evenly fills the sheet pan. The dough generally springs back a little and doesn’t immediately want to hold the newly stretched shape.  For this reason the dough gets to rest another 10-15 minutes of relaxing time until it is easier for me to mold it to the shape of the pan.

Once fully shaped I brush the top of the dough with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and then I also pour the brine over top.  Finally I garnish the top by scattering the chopped rosemary and sliced cherry tomatoes and then I use my fingertips to dimple the surface and press the toppings into the dough.

Once more the dough gets to rest for a final 30 minutes or until it is visibly risen a bit more.

During this time, I position the oven rack in the middle and preheat the oven to 425℉.  

The focaccia bakes at this temperature for 30 minutes. Or more depending on your oven or how browned you like the focaccia.

I let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before taking it out and slicing it.

♡ Nina