Every New Year’s, we take a trip to escape the noise of fireworks—something Koa is terrified of. It’s become a tradition I’ve come to cherish. This past year, we headed to Twain Harte, a place I first stumbled upon a few years ago while on assignment for Via Magazine. I’d always wanted to return, and this time, we arrived just in time for the season’s first snow.
There’s something transformative about snow—it softens the world and slows everything down. We spent our days hiking with the dogs, who were thrilled to play in the powder. One of the highlights was exploring Yosemite, a rare opportunity since few national parks are dog-friendly. We wandered through quiet trails with towering cliffs and snow-dusted trees as our backdrop, soaking in the expansive beauty with our four-legged companions.
Even outside of Yosemite, Twain Harte offered the same sense of stillness. My favorite moments were the simplest—reading by the fire with a cup of tea, while the dogs snoozed nearby. Winter trips like this remind me to slow down and appreciate those quiet, fleeting moments. It’s a rhythm I carry with me every time we return to places like this.
Twain Harte
Every New Year’s, we take a trip to escape the noise of fireworks—something Koa is terrified of. It’s become a tradition I’ve come to cherish. This past year, we headed to Twain Harte, a place I first stumbled upon a few years ago while on assignment for Via Magazine. I’d always wanted to return, and this time, we arrived just in time for the season’s first snow.
There’s something transformative about snow—it softens the world and slows everything down. We spent our days hiking with the dogs, who were thrilled to play in the powder. One of the highlights was exploring Yosemite, a rare opportunity since few national parks are dog-friendly. We wandered through quiet trails with towering cliffs and snow-dusted trees as our backdrop, soaking in the expansive beauty with our four-legged companions.
Even outside of Yosemite, Twain Harte offered the same sense of stillness. My favorite moments were the simplest—reading by the fire with a cup of tea, while the dogs snoozed nearby. Winter trips like this remind me to slow down and appreciate those quiet, fleeting moments. It’s a rhythm I carry with me every time we return to places like this.
Twaine Hart
