Mallory and I just spent four days in Whitefish, Montana. The land there is majestic, the sky looks massive, and the food was dangerously tasty. We had an amazing time, but great hiking, fishing, biking, and all around outdoorsing is not all that this beautiful corner of the country has to offer. The Lord is doing an amazing work at a church in that area. The church is called Fresh Life Church. It was this church that gave us the idea to spend some time up there in the first place. The pastor, Levi Lusko, a long time acquaintance and now officially a friend, asked me to play at their mid-week service and in exchange he would get together a mini vacation for me and my lovely wife to explore the wonder and adventure that the largely untamed “Land of the Shining Mountains” provides. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity, and we’re glad we didn’t. Though I travel a lot, I rarely have time to enjoy the destination. I’m glad we had some time there.
So this made me think. I want to start taking advantage of the places I go. See the good that other places have to offer, and I could use your help. I’m pretty well educated on California destinations, but what about other states. Whether it’s a place to eat, a memorial at which to remember, or some scenery, fill me in. I might get a chance to use your travel tips
-phil
You could come to Holland! It’s not a state of America and the scenery isn’t actually that pretty.. but the people are awesome! and maybe you could do like a Europe tour.. Europe is beautiful! (France, Italy, Austria, Scotland!)
Cincinnati, Ohio… Skyline Chili or Camp Washington Chili… both are GREAT! I know you were in Cincinnati recently for SOS which I was at as an adult leader, you were awesome by the way… truly truly awesome and I’ve used a few of your songs for my small group worship which I lead. Don’t know if you got a chance to check out either Skyline or Camp Washington… but check it! GREAT STUFF!
The best place I’ve been that’s comparable to where you went is Moab, UT. They have beautiful national parks there, including Arches and Canyonlands, and you will see amazing geography there. If you go to Canyonlands, you have to hike the Syncline Loop…it’s a wonderfully strenuous trail that takes you away from everyone and into some great nature. The Lazy Lizard hostel right in town is great people, too. Check it out late March, early April, and beat the crowds. You’ll love it!
WHEN you come back to South Florida or finally come here to Miami to play a show…there’s nothing really to see. Haha. I mean you could definitely go to one of the beaches near here. South Beach, if you’re daring. But you have beaches in California too so it’s nothing too special. We have good food here, I guess. Lots of Hispanic food, especially the signature Cuban bakery that’s on practically every block. Really amazing pastries and even more amazing coffee, for sure.
You should take up geocaching. there’s a website, http://www.geocaching.com , that explains it, it’s kind of a high tech treasure hunt. ‘caches’, the treasures, are all over the globe, and often times they are hidden in places that are great to visit but little appreciated or little advertised. I’ve found some great views, great restaurants, and great activities from seeking caches.
You do need anm account on the site to actually get the locations, adn you need a gps, but the accounts are free.
Hey Phil,
If ever you were to come to Austin, TX again here is a great tex-mex restaurant called Chuy’s. Just mention it to someone and they will be sure to lead you to one. There is almost always a wait to get in, but that is because everyone eats there. I have to advertise for my church too, Celebration Church in Georgetown, TX, right north of Austin is the place to be! Love ya, and God bless.
Hey man – come sea kayak with the whales on the east coast of Canada!!! Late summer is the time to visit the bay of Fundy and kayak amongst whales, porpoises and seals. We can even arrange an overnighter on your own private island. It don’t get any better. And we’re only 4 hours from Bangor, ME, so it’s not far off the US border.
Hey Phil–
Although I’m from Lincoln, NE, God let me go to your show @ Huntington Beach in June. I’ve never had the privledge of praising God on the beach outside with other humans before, so thanks so much for leading worship!
If/when you make your way to Nebraska be sure to sit in a beautiful wheat field in the middle of summer and just absorb the Great Plains beauty. If you want some orignal NE-food, come to Lincoln for a Runza (a sort-of-weird-but-delicous, meat-filled break pocket) or go to Grateful Bread, Venue, The Oven, or Buzzard Billie’s. Both Omaha & Lincoln have fantastic downtown old-school markets where you’ll find the arts, fine dining, and great coffee shops. Omaha has a the best (possibly largest?) zoo in the country.
BTW, feel free to book a show at Lincoln Berean church anytime! Thanks for your ministry to me!
I took a roadtrip with my roommate a few weeks ago to a small town called Forks, Washington because of a book that we both liked. Forks is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been–at least that whole area. It is in the Olympic Peninsula and has a population of about 3,000. But the most beautiful part was La Push beach (specifically 2nd Beach). You have to hike about a mile through the Hoh National Rainforest to get to the beach front. Let me tell you, it is the most glorious, heaven on earth place I have every gone to. Definitely check it out. If you go, make sure to eat at Sully’s burger joint in Forks. It looks very whole in the wall, but they were the best burgers, shakes, and fries I have ever tasted.
There’s not much that beats Glacier National Park. My family and I vacationed there last summer and it was the highlight of a two week road trip. I’m glad you got some rest in Montana and encourage everyone to visit the area once in their life. Can’t wait for the new CD!
Phil,
Next time you’re in Oregon (up in the Portland or Salem area), look us up and we can get you hooked up with a dirtbike and take you to some beautiful places in the coast range of Oregon (and have a fun time doing it!) Nice to hear you’re relaxing and enjoying the summer.
How awesome! My aunt actually lives around there in Kalispell and I think she goes to that church. They had our friends Dominic Bali and band play a month ago too. That place is so beautiful. That pic looks like the Glacier National Park. Everyone needs a vacation.
How about heading back out to the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii?
We could hook you up.
NORTH SHORE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
If/when you come back to arizona, you should check out (well, obviously the Grand Canyon), but also, if you’re in the northern AZ area you should go to Slide Rock in Sedona.
If you’re down in Phoenix soon-actually, where I’d prefer you to be-you should check out the Lego exhibit at AZ science center. Come sometime before september!
well in chicago, theres just plain everything building related downtown. but by the airport lots of restaurants like tgif and giordanos…the good stuffed pizza!!
haha lots of things here!
cya in august phil. god bless!
You should definitely check out Brooklyn.
Filled with witnessing opportunities.
Besides, we need some help up here!
Lol.
I just moved to NY..
Hey Phil. You said you were familiar with the California area, but if you haven’t been to some of the scenic areas of Northern California you’re missing out.
I live in a little bitty town called Happy Camp and there are some beautiful places around here, streams, creeks, springs, rivers, mountains, the works. It’s pretty much like that all around the Northern California/Southern Oregon region!
If you ever come around this area, I know a churchgoing friend of mine who can hook you up with some wicked sweet rafting trips free of charge. Just thought I’d offer.
And if you’ve never tried the Seiad Cafe Pancake Challenge, you’re not a REAL man until you have! (You don’t have to actually pass; just try. I’d be blown away if you did though, only like five people have actually done it!)
Peace!
Andrew
Hey Phil. If you ever come to Boulder, Colorado (or surrounding area) make sure to check out the The Boulder Tea House (you can find pictures online). The food is always great (and of course the tea is too). But the building itself is amazing. It was given to Boulder as a gift from our sister city (Dushanbe, Tajikistan). It is beautifully constructed (all hand made-no power tools). Also we have the Flatirons (amazing rock formations) with great hiking trails around them and Rocky Mountain National Park is not too far. All of these are great places.
Hi Phil if you ever happen to be in Rochester Ny, take the 50 minute drive to go see Niagara Falls, it’s amazing, not to mention one of the wonders of the world!
Next time you come to Oregon you should check out Downtown Portland, it’s pretty sweet, especially at night. Good sushi
If you come here in Rio de JaNeiro is a church called New Life Project and the snow ball is on the beach a beach bar or the ‘sea of Recreio also great hope that you come here one day
Obrigado fica com Deus!!!!!!
If your coming back to pensacola, you need to stop in orange beach. its beautiful! its about 30 min away from pensacola. there is a really cool church there called christian life church! check them out! christianlifechurch.tv
Take a look at the internet on the Rio
Come here for Rio de Janeiro Brazil made a presentation and enjoy the scenery !!!!!
I live here since small and I can tell you that while violence is wonderful comtemplar the “city beautiful” Christ the Redeemer or the
bread sugar !!!!!
Abraço brother is with God
VLWW !!!!!!!!!!
Hey Phil,
Back in April you were in Pensacola, FL. I believe I saw on your tour schedule you’ll be back again around the same time next year. If you do come back, you have to go McGuires, it is an irish pub/ restuarant with the best root beer and burgers you will ever eat. Not to mention Pensacola has the world’s most beautiful beaches. I hope to see you around.
Christian
p.s. God bless, Hebrews 12:2