WELCOME TO SAVING TIME IN A BOTTLE
Hi there! We’re Curtis and Jess, and we use this site as a way to document the memories we’ve made together, and to share our adventures with family & friends. After 10 years in the Navy and moving all over the US, we started our journey as nomads, living in a self-built van, working remotely, and traveling wherever work takes us. We most enjoy spending time in the outdoors along with our basset hound, Charlotte, doing things like hiking, kayaking, camping, and more. Thanks for visiting, feel free to stick around!
RECENT POSTS
- Indiana Dunes National Park
Week with Jess’ Family | Driving from Iowa to Michigan | Visiting Indiana Dunes National Park | April 2025 Following our month in Davenport, we had two weeks before we needed to be in Pennsylvania. This gave us the perfect amount of time to spend a little time with both of our families, travel halfway… - March 2025 in Davenport
A Month in Davenport, IA | Hiking around Credit Island | Duck Creek Trail | Downtown Davenport Riverfront Trail | March 2025 Just like last year, we spent almost the entire month of March in Davenport, IA. For the most part, it was just as enjoyable as we remembered it being last year. Curtis worked… - Hennepin Canal / Annawan
Ottawa Week 4 | Hiking the Hennepin Canal Trail near Annawan, IL | Ottawa to Davenport | February 2025 During our last week in Ottawa, the temperatures started creeping back up, so being outside became tolerable again. We resumed our afternoon walks downtown and along the river trail. We ate at each of our favorite… - Starved Rock / Illinois Canyon
Hiking the Illinois Canyon Trail in Starved Rock State Park | Week 3 in Ottawa, IL | February 2025 Two years ago during our first stay in Ottawa, IL, we attempted to hike the Illinois Canyon Trail in Starved Rock State Park. We chose it because it was located on the East end of the… - Hennepin Canal / Bureau Junction
Week 2 in Ottawa, IL | Hiking the Hennepin Canal Trail near Bureau Junction, IL | February 2025 On our second day off in Ottawa, we decided to drive a little further to go for a walk on the Hennepin Canal Trail, a long distance path that goes from the Illinois River to the Rock… - Starved Rock / La Salle Canyon
Week 1 in Ottawa, IL | Hiking to La Salle Canyon in Starved Rock State Park | February 2025 This was our third year in a row spending February in Ottawa, IL, and we were truly happy to be back here. The hotel is familiar and comfortable, with such friendly hosts, the town is small…