As I watch the snowfall pile up outside my window, my mind drifts to past adventures at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood in Oregon. If you’ve never been, it’s a winter wonderland that’s worth the trip. Growing up, my family and friends would load up our station wagons and pickups with all the essentials: blankets, thermoses of coffee, hot chocolate, snacks, and of course, sleds, inner tubes, and toboggans. Back then, winter driving technology wasn’t what it is today, so every vehicle—cars, trucks, and commercial rigs—needed snow chains to tackle the icy mountain roads.
One of my favorite memories was sledding down the hills in an old inner tube. Steering? Impossible. You’d start off facing forward but inevitably end up spinning before reaching the bottom. If you didn’t have a sled, a cardboard box worked just fine—at least for the first couple of runs before it flattened out completely. While we kids had the time of our lives, the parents seemed content sipping coffee, enjoying the crisp mountain air, and watching us wipe out in the snow.
Years later, I wanted to share that experience with my husband, David. On one of our road trips out west, we made sure to stop at Mt. Hood. Before hitting the road, we plugged in our Drive Time 12V Scent Diffuser and let the Exotic Teak scent bar fill the car with warm, woodsy notes of Baltic Amber, Cypress, and Birch. There’s something about setting the right mood for a drive—just like a great playlist, the perfect scent can make any road trip feel like an adventure.
When we arrived at Timberline Lodge, it felt smaller than I remembered—but that’s probably because, as a kid, everything seemed massive. We took the time to explore this historic lodge, built in 1937 and now on the National Historic Registry. While most visitors come for the skiing and snowboarding, we were happy just soaking in the ambiance from the second-story view at the Ram’s Head Restaurant. Watching people zip down the slopes while enjoying a snack was the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
On our way back to Portland, we made a stop at Mt. Hood Brewing Co. in Government Camp, because no road trip is complete without checking out the local microbreweries. David went for the Mt. Hood Lager, while I treated myself to the Govy Cocoa—a grown-up version of my childhood favorite, complete with rum, amaretto, and whipped cream. The perfect way to end a day in the mountains!
Can Air Fresheners Be Used to Clean Car Interiors?
While air fresheners are excellent at keeping your car smelling great, they aren’t designed to clean surfaces. However, using a high-quality diffuser like the Drive Time 12V Scent Diffuser can help eliminate lingering odors that come from dirt, moisture, or food spills. To keep your car truly fresh, start by vacuuming and wiping down surfaces with a mild cleaner, then use an air freshener to maintain that clean, inviting scent. For an extra boost, our scent bars contain odor-neutralizing properties that help fight unwanted smells instead of just masking them.
So next time you’re planning a road trip—whether it’s to the mountains, the coast, or somewhere in between—set the mood with the perfect fragrance. A clean car, a great scent, and the open road? That’s the recipe for an unforgettable adventure.
Explore More
Do yourself a favor: get out and explore the beauty of our National Parks. Just Google “National Parks near me”—you might be surprised at what hidden gems are waiting for you!
Lori Herr for The Gift of Scent