The Call of the Desert: Our Journey to Create

The desert stretched endlessly before us—a vast sea of sand and shadow. The sky was so clear that it felt like we could reach out and pluck the stars from their velvet canvas. We pulled our RV off a quiet stretch of highway in the Sonoran Desert. We were chasing solitude after weeks of bustling RV parks and crowded campgrounds.

A Hidden Gem Beneath the Stars

The spot we found was a hidden gem. It was a sandy clearing dotted with towering saguaro cacti. Their arms reached toward the sky as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the dunes in shades of fiery orange and deep purple. The air was cool and fragrant, carrying the faint scent of pine fir from a distant ridge. As night fell, the stars emerged in a breathtaking display. This was a starry desert night that inspired Whiskey & Smoke, a hand-poured soy candle crafted to capture the rugged beauty of the open road.

We set up camp under that celestial dome. The desert's silence wrapped around us like a warm blanket. Jon built a small fire, its flames crackling to life and releasing smoky sandalwood and cedarwood scents. This warmth was a stark contrast to the chilly night air. I poured a glass of whiskey we had purchased at a small distillery in Arizona. The rich, amber liquid caught the firelight as I poured. The aroma mingled with the faint leather scent of my worn jacket, reminding me of countless miles traveled. As we settled by the fire, the desert came alive with its own quiet magic.

Embracing the Stillness

As the fire burned, we let the stillness of the desert wash over us. The only sounds were the crackle of the flames and the haunting howl of distant coyotes. Their calls echoed through the night like a primal song. I sipped the whiskey, feeling its warmth spread through me. The subtle spices of clove and cardamom echoed the fire’s smoky embrace.

Jon leaned back against a rock, tracing the constellations above. We began to talk—not about the road this time, but about the dreams that led us here. Growing up in New Jersey, we were immersed in the fast-paced rhythm of the NY/NJ metro area. But in our late 30s, we made a bold move to Lake Placid, NY. There, we sought to escape the relentless bustle of city life.

As hotel managers, our days were consumed by long hours and endless guest demands. We were constantly tethered to the needs of others. The grind of that life left us yearning for something more—a way to break free from the norms that dictated a conventional path. The RV lifestyle became our act of rebellion. It was a choice to trade the daily grind for the freedom of the open road. To live as nomads chasing the horizon.

That night in the Sonoran Desert, we felt the thrill of that rebellion. The intoxicating freedom of living life on our own terms inspired us. It was this rugged, untamed spirit of breaking free that we wanted to capture in Whiskey & Smoke.

The Inspiration Behind Whiskey & Smoke

As the fire’s glow faded, we were left with a bed of smoldering embers. They whispered their last secrets into the night. A soft sweetness lingered in the air—the scent of tonka and vanilla balanced the ruggedness of the smoke. It grounded us in that moment. It was a night filled with quiet reflection, a feeling of both the weight of the journey and the lightness of being exactly where we were meant to be. In that stillness, inspiration struck. I wanted to capture this desert night—the smoky, earthy essence and the warmth of whiskey and leather.

Back in the cozy glow of our home on wheels, with the desert dark and endless outside, we poured Whiskey & Smoke. The process became a ritual of its own. Melting soy wax and blending the fragrance oils was a labor of love. Whiskey and leather captured the night’s rugged defiance, while smoky sandalwood and pine fir represented the fire’s heart. Clove and cardamom added a touch of spice, and musk, patchouli, tonka, cedarwood, vanilla, and moss anchored us in the desert’s embrace. Each note became a piece of that starry night—a fragment of the road we’d traveled.

Whiskey & Smoke is more than just a candle. It’s a journey to the heart of the desert and the moments that define the RV lifestyle. When lit, it evokes the warmth of the fire and the fading embers that whispered tales of the open road. You will smell the bold whiskey and leather, the smoky sandalwood and pine fir, alongside the spicy clove and earthy musk. This scent invites you to embrace the rugged beauty of the wild. It encourages you to seek your moments of stillness in the vastness. Let adventure lead you to places where the night sky feels infinite.

Born from our RV travels, Whiskey & Smoke speaks to adventurers at heart. Whether you’re an RV’er chasing the horizon or a dreamer longing for the untamed spirit of the desert, this candle brings the magic of a starry night into your space. It's a reminder that the best adventures are often found where the fire burns low and the stars shine bright.

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We’re Jon & Rich—light Whiskey & Smoke and explore more nomadic adventures with us here or on Instagram @nomads.trekkn.