journey home foundation

THE JOURNEY HOME PROJECT KICKS OFF 10TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF EVENTS WITH SPECIAL FLAG PRESENTATION

Pictured L-R: Miller Eubanks, Scott Hunt, Todd Verhoven,...

FIFTH ANNUAL CHARLIE DANIELS PATRIOT AWARDS HAULS IN $400,000 FOR U.S. MILITARY VETS

Nashville, Tenn. (September 26, 2023) — On...

10TH WARRIORS RETREAT CONCLUDES WITH 5 SONGS

We’ve finished our last Warriors Heart Retreat for 2023, which also...

FIFTH ANNUAL CHARLIE DANIELS PATRIOT AWARDS DINNER SET FOR SEPT. 13 AT NASHVILLE’S CITY WINERY

2023 CHARLIE DANIELS PATRIOT AWARD RECIPIENTS REVEALED: LEE...

GARY SINISE FORMALLY ACCEPTSCHARLIE DANIELS PATRIOT AWARD

Nashville, Tenn. (June 26, 2023) — Famed actor Gary Sinise, best...

Chris Young Helps The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project Generate Over $1.2 Million

With the help of country music star Chris Young, The Charlie...

The National Defense Radio show:Remembering Charlie Daniels with David Corlew

We welcome the long-time manager of the legendary country music artist...

The Journey Home Project spends the day at The University of Tennessee’s Veterans Success Center in Knoxville 

Fellow board member General (Rt.) Max Haston and David Corlew spent the...

THE CHARLIE DANIELS JOURNEY HOME PROJECT CO-FOUNDER DAVID CORLEW AND CHARLIE DANIELS JR. APPEAR ON FOX & FRIENDS

Nashville, Tenn. (Nov. 11. 2021) — On yesterday's (Nov. 10) edition...

Chris Young, Darryl Worley Celebrate Charlie Daniels, Veterans at Patriot Dinner

CMT.com Charlie Daniels would be so proud. The 3rd annual Charlie...

THE CHARLIE DANIELS PATRIOT AWARDS DINNER SET FOR OCT. 27 AT NASHVILLE’S CITY WINERY

Nashville, Tenn. (Oct. 14, 2021) — Announced today, the third...

The Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project to sponsor “The charlie daniels podcast”

Nashville, Tenn. (Sept. 2, 2021) — Veterans non-profit The Charlie...

Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project raises $500,000 for U.S. veterans

Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project, a non-profit organization aiding U.S. military veterans, raised an estimated $500,000 at an annual awards dinner in Nashville.

Held last month at City Winery, the Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards included performances from country singers Chris Young and Lee Greenwood and military veteran band War Hippies. The foundation honored "Forrest Gump" actor Gary Sinise, combat veteran Joel Pruitt and local businessperson Lee Beaman with Patriot Awards, according to a news release. Local SiriusXM radio personality Storme Warren emceed the event.

Additional guests included two surviving World War II veterans: 97-year-old Mathias Gutman, who served in the Navy; and 99-year-old Gladys Hughes, who served in the Coast Guard.

More: Journey Home Project to 'accomplish the mission' Charlie Daniels started to help veterans

Patriot Award honorees "support veterans in their return, rehabilitation and reintegration back into civilian life," according to the foundation. Daniels, a Country Music Hall of Famer who died in 2020, co-founded the Journey Home Project in 2014 with longtime manager David Corlew. The organization raises funds for distribution to front-line efforts supporting veterans.

"Charlie would be very proud of the energy and kindness in that room," Corlew said in a media statement. "It’s an honor to be a part of Charlie’s legacy and dream to serve the servicemen and women of the United States military in such an epic way."

Past Patriot Award honorees include Young, country singer Darryl Worley and Nashville businessperson Willie Horton.

New & Noteworthy

• COVID-19 Response
• Grantee Stories

COVID-19 Response Fund Grantee Stories: Journey Home Helps to Prevent Spread of Virus Among Homeless Residents

Journey Home’s mission is clear: to accelerate progress towards ending chronic homelessness in the Greater Hartford region. As the lead agency within the Greater Hartford and Central Coordinated Access Network, Journey Home partners with social service providers to solve the problem of chronic homelessness with housing, employment, and support services to offer those experiencing homelessness paths toward independent, fulfilling, and productive lives.

When COVID-19 arrived in Connecticut, one of the most pressing concerns from state and municipal public health and housing officials was protecting homeless residents as shelters in other states had become virus hotspots. After calls from the City of Hartford and state officials, Journey Home quickly developed a plan to protect the highest-risk homeless residents, including the elderly and people with existing health conditions, by procuring rooms at local hotels. To support this work, Journey Home received a $150,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s COVID-19 Response Fund.

“This is obviously nothing we had ever planned on doing,” said Journey Home Executive Director Matt Morgan. “But we recognized the need to respond to these challenges to protect our residents and avoid some of the horrific experiences we had seen in other states. We are fortunate to have a creative and dedicated staff as well as an incredibly effective network of talent and compassionate social service agencies to effectively implement these plans.  We are also grateful to receive strong support from our donors and Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to provide us with the additional resources we needed to respond to this crisis.”

The first phase of this effort was to hire temporary staff for the hotels and relocate the elderly and immunocompromised clients. In the second phase, Journey Home worked with local homeless shelters to further deconcentrate them by relocating additional clients or the entire shelter operations to hotels. Journey Home collaborated with staff at South Park Inn, CRT McKinney Shelter, CRT East Hartford Shelter, and the Enfield Warming Center, and relocated several residents from Salvation Army and Open Hearth as well. The third phase has entailed increasing temporary staffing at hotels and reaching out to high-risk individuals living outside of shelters to persuade them to move into hotels.

This type of direct service is extremely challenging and is not something Journey Home was accustomed to doing; it requires not only providing people with housing but access to meals, health care services, laundry services and transportation.  Journey Home has contracted and coordinated with local social service providers such as Meals on Wheels to deliver meals for the 175 people staying in hotels. So far, the plan has been incredibly successful with only one hotel resident testing positive for COVID-19.

All of these efforts have come at significant expense. In addition to the support from the Hartford Foundation, Journey Home has also received funding from the Connecticut Department of Housing and ImmaCare, and has raised additional dollars from their existing supporters.  With the state hotel contract set to end on June 1, Journey Home and the Greater Hartford network of providers are shifting their efforts toward transitioning households from the hotels into safe housing of their own.  Journey Home is currently recruiting landlord partners who have affordable, units available to rent and who are open to exploring shared housing units for those residents on fixed, limited incomes. While the work of increasing access to housing has been Journey Home’s focus since 2007, these unprecedented times are catalyzing creative solutions that ensure every person has a safe place to call home.

JOURNEY HOME STAFF

We invite you to read below and learn more about each of our staff members. Staff are listed in alphabetical order by last name.  For any inquiries please reach out to us at [email protected]

THOMAS FISCHER

WAREHOUSE OPERATIONS SPECIALIST

Thomas grew up in Fairfield County with most of his time spent in Easton.  He has a background in heating and air conditioning repair as well as auto parts sales.  He has also dabbled in building cars, stock car racing, and building computers.  If it’s broken, Thomas can fix it!  Thomas is thrilled to be part of the Journey Home team as our Warehouse Operations Specialist.  His desire to have more than just a job, but to be part of a mission-driven agency led him here.  He is excited to not only help those we serve but also help our A Hand Up program be the best that it can possibly be.  If you volunteer with us or spend any time in our warehouse, you will certainly meet Thomas and you’ll immediately know why he is an essential member of our A Hand Up program.

DOMINIQUA GARRY

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Dominiqua graduated from Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, NH and her passion for helping those in need has led her to a career in the nonprofit sector. It is her goal to help guide individuals to discover their potential and unique talents with empathy and compassion. She enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.

GERILYN HARRISON

COORDINATED ENTRY MANAGER

Geri has worked in the homeless field for 8 years in the Greater Hartford region. Before transitioning to Journey Home, she was the Program Coordinator for The Salvation Army Marshall House, in Hartford CT. Geri enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and playing tennis. Geri can often be found spending time with her family in Southwest Florida.

MICHELLE LIPAR

VOLUNTEER & CLIENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

NADINE MALONE

CAN HOUSING MANAGER

Nadine Malone originally joined the Journey Home team as a social work intern from Central Connecticut State University and she moved into her role as the Housing Authority Preference Coordinator in May, 2019. Nadine has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in social work. She received her associate’s degree and certificate in Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counseling in 2015. In her spare time, she enjoys quality time with her family, cats and puppy.

LA Shauna Minott

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

La Shauna was born and raised on the lovely island of Jamaica. She is an experienced administrative assistant and has also worked in the service industry for over 10 years.                La Shauna is happy to be a part of the Journey Home family, supporting our mission to end homelessness.

TAYLOR MCCORMACK

CCADV HOUSING SEARCH SPECIALIST

Taylor graduated from the University of Saint Joseph with a Masters in Public Health.  She enjoys helping people in any way she can.  She loves spending time with her boyfriend, family, and friends.  Some of her favorite things to do are going out to eat, watching movies and cooking.  She loves to try new things, especially different types of food.

MATTHEW MORGAN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Matt has almost 20 years of nonprofit experience bringing a tremendous breadth and depth of experience to the leadership of Journey Home—in affordable housing, community organizing, international community development—as well as a strong vision and deep commitment to ending homelessness and creating opportunities for those most vulnerable in our community. 

Matt has served as Journey Home’s Executive Director since 2011, and has grown the organization from a staff of 2 to a staff of 16, leading the Capitol Region to reduce chronic homelessness by 90% and overall homelessness by 60%.  Matt has led Journey Home to receive several awards, including the Diane Randall Leadership Award, the Bank of America Neighborhood Builder Award, the Carol E. Walter Think, Be, Lead Change Award, and he has been recognized by the MetroHartford Alliance for the Hartford Unsung Heroes Award for his service during the Covid-19 pandemic, and by the Hartford Business Journey for the Top 40 Under 40 Award.

Matt is a member of the religious order of Deaconnesses and Home Missioners of the United Methodist Church.  Matt also serves on the boards of directors of the Betty Knox Foundation, based in Hartford, CT, the Cargill Falls Community Development organization, based in Putnam, CT, and the Emergency Food and Shelter Program for the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.  Matt and his husband Whitney and their three children live in West Hartford.

ADRIANA NEGRON

Coordinated homeless prevention manager.

Adriana is super excited to be joining Journey Home and continuing to make a difference in the community. As a born and raised Hartford native, she comes from a background in Property Management, working with small businesses, community work and event coordination. In her free time, Adriana enjoys cooking, spending time with close friends & family and reading. You can also always catch her at a local farmers market or community events, supporting locals in CT.   

SARAH PAVONE

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY

Sarah has her degree in Social Work and has worked in homeless services for more than 8 years in the Capital region. Sarah has worked for numerous agencies and has experience managing the full continuum of care including outreach, prevention, diversion, emergency shelter, and permanent supportive housing. Sarah’s passion and work have been committed to system improvement to ensure individuals and families experiencing homelessness have access to quality services and housing. Sarah lives in Hamden with her family and enjoys running, hiking, and coffee.

AUTYM POLLARD

HOMELESS MEDICAL LIAISON

Autym graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice. She also holds a Masters Degree in Health Psychology from Central Connecticut State University. Autym enjoys exploring the great outdoors through activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing. She also enjoys exploring new cities and countries and spending quality time with family and friends. Autym’s overall passion and work has been committed to improving the health and wellness of individuals by ensuring access to health services.

ALISON SJOBERG

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Alison started off her work at Journey Home as an intern and has since been hired as a full-time employee at Journey Home. She graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2015 where she earned her degree in Social Services and from UConn School of Social Work in 2017 where she earned her Masters of Social Work in Community Organizing. She is honored to have the opportunity to work at Journey Home and serve the Greater Hartford community. When she is not at work you can find her running, doing yoga, spending time with friends and family, reading, and traveling!

SARA SALOMONS WILSON

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS

Since 1995, Sara has committed her life to advocacy and justice within urban communities. Her early work as a VISTA volunteer in Grand Rapids, Michigan shaped her entire life’s calling.  She is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ with a BA from Calvin College and an MDiv from North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Throughout her career, Sara has served churches in Michigan, Illinois and Connecticut.  She has been working with Journey Home since 2014.  Her passion and commitment to the work of ending homelessness is unwavering.  Throughout her many years at Journey Home she has helped raise millions of dollars of essential funding all in an effort to ensure that people who need a home have a home.  She also conceptualized and developed Journey Home’s volunteer engagement program, A Hand Up.

Sara lives in West Hartford and when she is not working she spends lots of time with her husband and three sons, cooks and bakes, and plays with her two pugs.

ANASTACIA WOOLCOCK

DIRECTOR OF HOUSING

Anastacia holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Pace University. Anastacia has worked in the housing sector for over 10 years in the Northwest region of Connecticut, playing an instrumental role in creating the foundation of the Northwest CAN. Before beginning her work at Journey Home, she was the Director of Community Services for New Opportunities Inc., a community action agency in Waterbury. Anastacia is recognized in the Northwest Region as a leader in collaboration with other community partners. Anastacia enjoys spending quality time with her son Aidan and often found in Poughkeepsie, New York spending time with her family.

ANDREA YESKEY

DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE

Driven by a desire to make a positive impact, Andrea has devoted her career to working in the nonprofit sector and is thrilled to join the team at Journey Home! She has over 15 years of development experience with prior roles in communications, special events and donor relations at healthcare and social service organizations. Andrea loves the beach, live music, the Yankees and spending time with family and friends. She lives in Suffield with her husband, Peter, and two sons. 

Journey Home Mission: Our mission is to ensure a home for all.

We believe the most powerful way to do this is collectively - by working together with service providers, elected officials, businesses and local communities to end homelessness in the Capital region of Connecticut. We will build partnerships, advance innovative solutions and achieve enduring, systemic change.

Journey Home

PO Box 260727 Hartford, CT 06126

860-808-0336

[email protected]

The SITREP, or Situation Report, is our periodic update about our operations and their life-changing effects on real people.

Read update

The effects of combat extend well beyond the battlefield – into the lives of service members and their homes. This is especially true for our Nation’s Special Operations Forces (SOF). The SOF lifestyle makes it extremely difficult to preserve the health, wellness and readiness of SOF members and their families.

Reviewing recent trends, the SOF Community realized that the pace and risk of missions would only increase, placing more pressures and demands on SOF families. We saw an urgent need to improve SOF members’ quality of life – by helping them regain their balance and manage stress. The result was The Station Foundation.

The Station Foundation’s Projects

Montana Experiences Come visit us at our sanctuary, Base Camp Jimmy, for an 8-10 day immersive experience.

The Station Foundation’s Homecoming project preserves the health, wellness, and readiness of Special Operations Forces (SOF) Families. Through these week long events The Station helps SOF Warriors (active duty and retired), Spouses, and Children increase self awareness, improve family connectedness, and manage stress and energy levels.

Programs Include:

• Spouse Performance
• Transition Azimuth Check (TrAC)

The Station’s Legacy project makes good on promises made to our Fallen Warriors: You are never forgotten, your family is taken care of, and your life serves as a source of strength and love. The Legacy project supports Gold Star Sons and Daughters beginning at adolescent age. The Station continues to serve as a support system for this Community throughout their lives.

• The Crossing
• LiT (Leaders in Training)
• Creative Arts Workshop

Local Experiences The Station’s local experiences include single day events to long weekend getaways offered in and around your hometown. Events are currently presented in the Virginia Beach and San Diego area with goals to expand to more cities in 2022. If you are interested in supporting expansion to more cities, please reach out to Shannon Stacy .

Interwoven Outreach

The Station Foundation’s outreach project, Interwoven, helps reach the SOF Community in their hometown. Through virtual and in-person experiences, Interwoven blends The Station’s culture and curriculum into participants’ local community.

• Interactive Platforms
• Virtual Courses
• In-person Outreach
• Hybrid Experiences

Guided by those who have walked the path

The Station is staffed by warriors and families fully dedicated to the SOF community. Helping participants navigate the rough terrain of transition and reintegration back to civilian life. Offering experience, strength and hope to individuals as they identify and translate strengths to new arenas.

Whether on a week long Transition Azimuth Check (TrAC) or during a 10-day bonding experience with SOF loved ones, our staff provides families with an excellent starting point to reset and rebuild. Encouraging participants to accomplish critical goals regardless of the setbacks or obstacles. Utilizing a strong peer network, we honor commitments to one another and establish a healthy, positive, inspiring community founded on the success of every team member. We would have it no other way.

Partners & Sponsors

Partners are vital teammates of The Station Foundation. Their donations, time, and talents contribute greatly to our mutual success. Because of you, our donors, The Station Foundation eliminates a critical void in preserving the health and well being of our Nation’s most elite warriors and families.

Moscow, Idaho Tiny House Friendly!

A journey for full time legal living.

Moscow, Idaho is becoming a welcoming city for tiny houses with innovative creative solutions that can serve as a model in other jurisdictions.  I just ran across the most exciting article written by Macy Miller, the founder of MiniMotives and the Idaho proponent for Appendix Q Tiny Houses ,  the first state that adopted Appendix Q Tiny Houses.

Macy Miller is a mother, teacher, and architectural designer. She designed and built her family’s tiny house in 2011 which has been featured in TIME and Dwell magazines. After living tiny for four years and having two kids, her family downsized from their tiny house to a rebuilt vintage travel trailer to explore the U.S. National Parks. She remains a strong advocate of alternative living and small space dwelling.

She is now living legally, full time without looking over her shoulder, and now able to put roots down with her family. What a sigh of relief! Sharing her entire story below.

Moscow, Idaho Removed The 6 Month Restriction For RVs On 1/21/2020

RVs, Park Models, And Tiny Homes Allowed In Mobile Home Parks

The Moscow City Council removed the 6-month restriction of RVs in mobile home parks last night, through a unanimous vote. Park Models and tiny homes on wheels will also be allowed in mobile home parks in Moscow as well for full-time hookups year around. It was heartwarming to see supportive comments from each city council member.

Led by Mayor Bill Lambert, the city council also suspended the rules requiring three, complete separate readings, to be read by title, and published by summary. Mayor Bill Lambert” Ordinance number 2020 Days O1 an ordinance with the city of Moscow, Idaho a MunicipalCorporation of the state of Idaho, providing for the amendment at Moscow city code title 6, chapters, 2, 3 and 4 regarding amendments to the mobile homes parks and recreational vehicle parks chapters providing that the provisions of this ordinance are deemed severable and providing for this ordinance to be in full force and effect from the day of its passage approve and publication according to law. ”

Moscow, Idaho Abiel Mobile Home Community Allows Tiny Homes

Owned By Gary Lester, The Proponent Of The Ordinance That Removed The 6-Month Restriction

Did I Mention, We Legally Live Full Time In Our Tiny House Now?

In Macy’s Own Words:

Yep! That’s right! No staying up at night wondering if we’ll get the boot in the coming weeks and it feels so good. It feels like I can finally put down some roots and invest some time and labor into making my house more beautiful. I think I will finally plant that modified green roof I designed over 8 years ago!

Even when we moved up to Moscow it was with the expectation that we would only be here for a max of half the year. That is what the zoning on the property allowed and we could work with that. When Covid hit we decided to shift around plans and head up to do some work on the property. While up we received a notice that reinforced the time limit. I took this notice as an opportunity to work out a more permanent plan since the county reached out to me to open the discussion.

Frankly, I was not thinking anything would happen but figured it was worth the try. As it turns out, we were able to work out a solution that allowed full-time tiny living! I am going to include the text from my communication with the county after receiving the notice in an effort to help those struggling with any of this. If this isn’t important to you, skip down a little to see what we’ve been working on since gaining legal status!

Our communication

Good morning Michelle! I got your message. I hope this is the right email. We figured out the phone service I switched to is very spotty in Boise so my apologies for not being able to answer when you called. We are heading back up to Moscow and I would love to set up an appointment to talk through some questions/ideas I have re our parcel. We take every precaution but we’d like to have 7 days to quarantine just to make sure no Covid symptoms show up before meeting. Do you have time late next week or so that we can set up an appointment to chat?

In the meantime, I have forwarded along all of the communication I have had between various folks in your department over the years (below). Just to summarize though: We are completely aware that we are not to be living in the tiny house for more than 6 months in any 12 month period, that is completely workable for us, (we travel and have a house in Boise where we stay when not here). We are marking our days in a calendar to assure we stay within that bound while also trying to get some groundwork done up here for our future plans, roads, and such… We actually didn’t plan on being up here just yet this summer but Covid made us put a stop to the plans we did have so we came up here to work instead. As the second wave approaches we’re taking the notice from Eric as a potential door to open and see if there is a way we can find to be permitted to live in the tiny house year-round, or at least through this winter because of the pandemic? We see it as a much better option than going back and forth with a virus raging on, particularly after seeing how Boise is (not) addressing spreading concerns.

So, we have a tiny house that we moved up late last fall. I’ll note that the tiny house will not be our forever home on this property, eventually (3-4 years) we plan to build a mid-sized ground bound house. It is legally classified as an RV but it is built to IRC standards (my partner is a licensed architect, I have a master’s degree and a lot of experience working in the field). We’re not asking for any exceptions, but maybe there is a path forward that can work for the county? We know tiny houses are an odd topic. We’ve lived tiny in some form or fashion for the last 8 years and literally helped write and pass the IRC code appendix through the International Code Council as well as pushing it through for early adoption at the state level in Idaho. I would personally love to retain the ‘tiny house’ status instead of converting it to a ground bound structure but I am open to whatever makes most sense (assuming anything does). We were wondering if a Conditional Use Permit for the winter is an option?

I appreciate your time, please let me know if you have a space for a meeting after the 8th! Thank you!

In a matter of minutes this is what I heard back:

Hi Macy, Thanks for the email. Last week the Planner and I discussed your situation and think we have a solution for you. Coincidentally, it is one of the solutions that you offered.

We think the best way to address your situation is to have you apply for a conditional use permit for a one spot RV park.

While I understand your questioning the idea of an RV park, don’t let the name mislead you. There is no minimum to the number of RV spots in an RV park in the County and we are finding this is an effective way to allow longer-term use of one or more RVs on a property.

The issuance of a C.U.P. allows us to track and monitor RV sites, just like home sites, and helps us to immediately address any issues that we would typically address as part of the building permit or manufactured home placement process (C.U.P. process in lieu of a building permit). We also believe allowing as few as one in a “park” addresses some of the affordable and available housing concerns in our Comprehensive Plan.  It actually is a simple way to allow the Zoning Commission and staff to address many of the issues that come along with people living in an RV longer term, such as septic, garbage disposal, access to the property, driveway standards, addressing, etc..

The application is relatively easy and if approved could allow you to continue living on the property whenever you want until you can do something more permanent.

Establishing a manufactured home park (which would require a rezone, a boundary survey, and a very long list of requirements) is far more arduous. We would not recommend going this route unless you wanted to place manufactured homes on your property and establish a multi-lot manufactured home park.

You will need to work with Mauri Knott to make application for the conditional use permit. I have copied her on this email.  She will contact you to get you the links and/or documents that you will need to apply.

Also, we modified our ordinance over two years ago to allow spots in mobile home parks in the County to be converted to RV spots. We have only had one manufactured park owner take advantage of this. We are considering increasing the number of spots that can be converted for our next ordinance modifications.

If you still wish to meet, let me know.  Our office is currently closed to the public, but I am happy to email, talk over the phone, meet via zoom or have properly socially distanced mask-wearing meeting with you either in the courthouse or outside the courthouse at the picnic table. I am available most days at varying times.

I filled out the C.U.P. application and submitted it with $300. They made mention of my having experience in architecture because I didn’t just submit napkin drawings, which they would have gladly accepted. I partook in a Zoom style Planning and Zoning meeting. One of the five participants was hesitant to allow us but the other four easily convinced him it wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t even have to say much but ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’.

As a part of the CUP, we are putting in a septic system. Unfortunately, it was so late in summer and we had so much to do to get ready for winter that we didn’t get a chance to put it in before the weather turned. We figured we can survive the winter without septic (we have a year to put it in), we can’t survive the winter without water! So we got to work building our winter shed to store 900 gallons of water. We will get to work on the septic as soon as the ground thaws out. We’ve already got the size and location approved with the health department. It will also be able to be used for our eventual ground-bound house up the hill.

Link To Macy’s Story

Thank You Macy!

Sometimes all it takes is asking. Thank you, Macy, for forging a path!

Tiny House Alliance USA Editor The Future Of Tiny Is Now! Janet Thome Founder And President [email protected] 509 345 2013 Founder Of Tiny Portable Cedar Cabins

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow: The Best of Moscow!

I just got back from one week in Moscow. And, as you might have already guessed, it was a mind-boggling experience. It was not my first trip to the Russian capital. But I hardly ever got enough time to explore this sprawling city. Visiting places for business rarely leaves enough time for sightseeing. I think that if you’ve got one week in Russia, you can also consider splitting your time between its largest cities (i.e. Saint Petersburg ) to get the most out of your trip. Seven days will let you see the majority of the main sights and go beyond just scratching the surface. In this post, I’m going to share with you my idea of the perfect travel itinerary for one week in Moscow.

Moscow is perhaps both the business and cultural hub of Russia. There is a lot more to see here than just the Kremlin and Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Centuries-old churches with onion-shaped domes dotted around the city are in stark contrast with newly completed impressive skyscrapers of Moscow City dominating the skyline. I spent a lot of time thinking about my Moscow itinerary before I left. And this city lived up to all of my expectations.

Travel Itinerary For One Week in Moscow

Day 1 – red square and the kremlin.

Metro Station: Okhotny Ryad on Red Line.

No trip to Moscow would be complete without seeing its main attraction. The Red Square is just a stone’s throw away from several metro stations. It is home to some of the most impressive architectural masterpieces in the city. The first thing you’ll probably notice after entering it and passing vendors selling weird fur hats is the fairytale-like looking Saint Basil’s Cathedral. It was built to commemorate one of the major victories of Ivan the Terrible. I once spent 20 minutes gazing at it, trying to find the perfect angle to snap it. It was easier said than done because of the hordes of locals and tourists.

As you continue strolling around Red Square, there’s no way you can miss Gum. It was widely known as the main department store during the Soviet Era. Now this large (yet historic) shopping mall is filled with expensive boutiques, pricey eateries, etc. During my trip to Moscow, I was on a tight budget. So I only took a retro-style stroll in Gum to get a rare glimpse of a place where Soviet leaders used to grocery shop and buy their stuff. In case you want some modern shopping experience, head to the Okhotny Ryad Shopping Center with stores like New Yorker, Zara, and Adidas.

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To continue this Moscow itinerary, next you may want to go inside the Kremlin walls. This is the center of Russian political power and the president’s official residence. If you’re planning to pay Kremlin a visit do your best to visit Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well. Go there as early as possible to avoid crowds and get an incredible bird’s-eye view. There are a couple of museums that are available during designated visiting hours. Make sure to book your ticket online and avoid lines.

Day 2 – Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the Tretyakov Gallery, and the Arbat Street

Metro Station: Kropotkinskaya on Red Line

As soon as you start creating a Moscow itinerary for your second day, you’ll discover that there are plenty of metro stations that are much closer to certain sites. Depending on your route, take a closer look at the metro map to pick the closest.

The white marble walls of Christ the Saviour Cathedral are awe-inspiring. As you approach this tallest Orthodox Christian church, you may notice the bronze sculptures, magnificent arches, and cupolas that were created to commemorate Russia’s victory against Napoleon.

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Unfortunately, the current Cathedral is a replica, since original was blown to bits in 1931 by the Soviet government. The new cathedral basically follows the original design, but they have added some new elements such as marble high reliefs.

Home to some precious collection of artworks, in Tretyakov Gallery you can find more than 150,000 of works spanning centuries of artistic endeavor. Originally a privately owned gallery, it now has become one of the largest museums in Russia. The Gallery is often considered essential to visit. But I have encountered a lot of locals who have never been there.

Famous for its souvenirs, musicians, and theaters, Arbat street is among the few in Moscow that were turned into pedestrian zones. Arbat street is usually very busy with tourists and locals alike. My local friend once called it the oldest street in Moscow dating back to 1493. It is a kilometer long walking street filled with fancy gift shops, small cozy restaurants, lots of cute cafes, and street artists. It is closed to any vehicular traffic, so you can easily stroll it with kids.

Day 3 – Moscow River Boat Ride, Poklonnaya Hill Victory Park, the Moscow City

Metro Station: Kievskaya and Park Pobedy on Dark Blue Line / Vystavochnaya on Light Blue Line

Voyaging along the Moscow River is definitely one of the best ways to catch a glimpse of the city and see the attractions from a bit different perspective. Depending on your Moscow itinerary, travel budget and the time of the year, there are various types of boats available. In the summer there is no shortage of boats, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

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If you find yourself in Moscow during the winter months, I’d recommend going with Radisson boat cruise. These are often more expensive (yet comfy). They offer refreshments like tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and, of course, alcoholic drinks. Prices may vary but mostly depend on your food and drink selection. Find their main pier near the opulent Ukraine hotel . The hotel is one of the “Seven Sisters”, so if you’re into the charm of Stalinist architecture don’t miss a chance to stay there.

The area near Poklonnaya Hill has the closest relation to the country’s recent past. The memorial complex was completed in the mid-1990s to commemorate the Victory and WW2 casualties. Also known as the Great Patriotic War Museum, activities here include indoor attractions while the grounds around host an open-air museum with old tanks and other vehicles used on the battlefield.

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The hallmark of the memorial complex and the first thing you see as you exit metro is the statue of Nike mounted to its column. This is a very impressive Obelisk with a statue of Saint George slaying the dragon at its base.

Maybe not as impressive as Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower , the skyscrapers of the Moscow City (otherwise known as Moscow International Business Center) are so drastically different from dull Soviet architecture. With 239 meters and 60 floors, the Empire Tower is the seventh highest building in the business district.

The observation deck occupies 56 floor from where you have some panoramic views of the city. I loved the view in the direction of Moscow State University and Luzhniki stadium as well to the other side with residential quarters. The entrance fee is pricey, but if you’re want to get a bird’s eye view, the skyscraper is one of the best places for doing just that.

Day 4 – VDNKh, Worker and Collective Farm Woman Monument, The Ostankino TV Tower

Metro Station: VDNKh on Orange Line

VDNKh is one of my favorite attractions in Moscow. The weird abbreviation actually stands for Russian vystavka dostizheniy narodnogo khozyaystva (Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy). With more than 200 buildings and 30 pavilions on the grounds, VDNKh serves as an open-air museum. You can easily spend a full day here since the park occupies a very large area.

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First, there are pavilions that used to showcase different cultures the USSR was made of. Additionally, there is a number of shopping pavilions, as well as Moskvarium (an Oceanarium) that features a variety of marine species. VDNKh is a popular venue for events and fairs. There is always something going on, so I’d recommend checking their website if you want to see some particular exhibition.

A stone’s throw away from VDNKh there is a very distinctive 25-meters high monument. Originally built in 1937 for the world fair in Paris, the hulking figures of men and women holding a hammer and a sickle represent the Soviet idea of united workers and farmers. It doesn’t take much time to see the monument, but visiting it gives some idea of the Soviet Union’s grandiose aspirations.

I have a thing for tall buildings. So to continue my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow I decided to climb the fourth highest TV tower in the world. This iconic 540m tower is a fixture of the skyline. You can see it virtually from everywhere in Moscow, and this is where you can get the best panoramic views (yep, even better than Empire skyscraper).

Parts of the floor are made of tempered glass, so it can be quite scary to exit the elevator. But trust me, as you start observing buildings and cars below, you won’t want to leave. There is only a limited number of tickets per day, so you may want to book online. Insider tip: the first tour is cheaper, you can save up to $10 if go there early.

Day 5 – A Tour To Moscow Manor Houses

Metro Station: Kolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno on Dark Green Line / Kuskovo on Purple Line

I love visiting the manor houses and palaces in Moscow. These opulent buildings were generally built to house Russian aristocratic families and monarchs. Houses tend to be rather grand affairs with impressive architecture. And, depending on the whims of the owners, some form of a landscaped garden.

During the early part of the 20th century though, many of Russia’s aristocratic families (including the family of the last emperor) ended up being killed or moving abroad . Their manor houses were nationalized. Some time later (after the fall of the USSR) these were open to the public. It means that today a great many of Moscow’s finest manor houses and palaces are open for touring.

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There are 20 manor houses scattered throughout the city and more than 25 in the area around. But not all of them easily accessible and exploring them often takes a lot of time. I’d recommend focusing on three most popular estates in Moscow that are some 30-minute metro ride away from Kremlin.

Sandwiched between the Moscow River and the Andropov Avenue, Kolomenskoye is a UNESCO site that became a public park in the 1920’s. Once a former royal estate, now it is one of the most tranquil parks in the city with gorgeous views. The Ascension Church, The White Column, and the grounds are a truly grand place to visit.

You could easily spend a full day here, exploring a traditional Russian village (that is, in fact, a market), picnicking by the river, enjoying the Eastern Orthodox church architecture, hiking the grounds as well as and wandering the park and gardens with wildflower meadows, apple orchards, and birch and maple groves. The estate museum showcases Russian nature at its finest year-round.

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If my travel itinerary for one week in Moscow was a family tree, Tsaritsyno Park would probably be the crazy uncle that no-one talks about. It’s a large park in the south of the city of mind-boggling proportions, unbelievable in so many ways, and yet most travelers have never heard of it.

The palace was supposed to be a summer home for Empress Catherine the Great. But since the construction didn’t meet with her approval the palace was abandoned. Since the early 1990’s the palace, the pond, and the grounds have been undergoing renovations. The entire complex is now looking brighter and more elaborately decorated than at possibly any other time during its history. Like most parks in Moscow, you can visit Tsaritsyno free of charge, but there is a small fee if you want to visit the palace.

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Last, but by no means least on my Moscow itinerary is Kuskovo Park . This is definitely an off-the-beaten-path place. While it is not easily accessible, you will be rewarded with a lack of crowds. This 18th-century summer country house of the Sheremetev family was one of the first summer country estates of the Russian nobility. And when you visit you’ll quickly realize why locals love this park.

Like many other estates, Kuskovo has just been renovated. So there are lovely French formal garden, a grotto, and the Dutch house to explore. Make sure to plan your itinerary well because the estate is some way from a metro station.

Day 6 – Explore the Golden Ring

Creating the Moscow itinerary may keep you busy for days with the seemingly endless amount of things to do. Visiting the so-called Golden Ring is like stepping back in time. Golden Ring is a “theme route” devised by promotion-minded journalist and writer Yuri Bychkov.

Having started in Moscow the route will take you through a number of historical cities. It now includes Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Sergiev Posad. All these awe-inspiring towns have their own smaller kremlins and feature dramatic churches with onion-shaped domes, tranquil residential areas, and other architectural landmarks.

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I only visited two out of eight cities included on the route. It is a no-brainer that Sergiev Posad is the nearest and the easiest city to see on a day trip from Moscow. That being said, you can explore its main attractions in just one day. Located some 70 km north-east of the Russian capital, this tiny and overlooked town is home to Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, UNESCO Site.

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Sergiev Posad is often described as being at the heart of Russian spiritual life. So it is uncommon to see the crowds of Russian pilgrims showing a deep reverence for their religion. If you’re traveling independently and using public transport, you can reach Sergiev Posad by bus (departs from VDNKh) or by suburban commuter train from Yaroslavskaya Railway Station (Bahnhof). It takes about one and a half hours to reach the town.

Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius is a great place to get a glimpse of filling and warming Russian lunch, specifically at the “ Gostevaya Izba ” restaurant. Try the duck breast, hearty potato and vegetables, and the awesome Napoleon cake.

Day 7 – Gorky Park, Izmailovo Kremlin, Patriarch’s Ponds

Metro Station: Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya on Circle Line / Partizanskaya on Dark Blue Line / Pushkinskaya on Dark Green Line

Gorky Park is in the heart of Moscow. It offers many different types of outdoor activities, such as dancing, cycling, skateboarding, walking, jogging, and anything else you can do in a park. Named after Maxim Gorky, this sprawling and lovely park is where locals go on a picnic, relax and enjoy free yoga classes. It’s a popular place to bike around, and there is a Muzeon Art Park not far from here. A dynamic location with a younger vibe. There is also a pier, so you can take a cruise along the river too.

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The Kremlin in Izmailovo is by no means like the one you can find near the Red Square. Originally built for decorative purposes, it now features the Vernissage flea market and a number of frequent fairs, exhibitions, and conferences. Every weekend, there’s a giant flea market in Izmailovo, where dozens of stalls sell Soviet propaganda crap, Russian nesting dolls, vinyl records, jewelry and just about any object you can imagine. Go early in the morning if you want to beat the crowds.

All the Bulgakov’s fans should pay a visit to Patriarch’s Ponds (yup, that is plural). With a lovely small city park and the only one (!) pond in the middle, the location is where the opening scene of Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita was set. The novel is centered around a visit by Devil to the atheistic Soviet Union is considered by many critics to be one of the best novels of the 20th century. I spent great two hours strolling the nearby streets and having lunch in the hipster cafe.

Conclusion and Recommendations

To conclude, Moscow is a safe city to visit. I have never had a problem with getting around and most locals are really friendly once they know you’re a foreigner. Moscow has undergone some serious reconstruction over the last few years. So you can expect some places to be completely different. I hope my one week Moscow itinerary was helpful! If you have less time, say 4 days or 5 days, I would cut out day 6 and day 7. You could save the Golden Ring for a separate trip entirely as there’s lots to see!

What are your thoughts on this one week Moscow itinerary? Are you excited about your first time in the city? Let me know in the comments below!

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24 comments.

Ann Snook-Moreau

Moscow looks so beautiful and historic! Thanks for including public transit information for those of us who don’t like to rent cars.

MindTheTravel

Yup, that is me 🙂 Rarely rent + stick to the metro = Full wallet!

Mariella Blago

Looks like you had loads of fun! Well done. Also great value post for travel lovers.

Thanks, Mariella!

I have always wanted to go to Russia, especially Moscow. These sights look absolutely beautiful to see and there is so much history there!

Agree! Moscow is a thousand-year-old city and there is definitely something for everyone.

Tara Pittman

Those are amazing buildings. Looks like a place that would be amazing to visit.

Adriana Lopez

Never been to Moscow or Russia but my family has. Many great spots and a lot of culture. Your itinerary sounds fantastic and covers a lot despite it is only a short period of time.

What was their favourite thing about Russia?

Gladys Parker

I know very little about Moscow or Russia for the\at matter. I do know I would have to see the Red Square and all of its exquisite architectural masterpieces. Also the CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR. Thanks for shedding some light on visiting Moscow.

Thanks for swinging by! The Red Square is a great starting point, but there way too many places and things to discover aside from it!

Ruthy @ Percolate Kitchen

You are making me so jealous!! I’ve always wanted to see Russia.

Moscow is in my bucket list, I don’t know when I can visit there, your post is really useful. As a culture rich place we need to spend at least week.

DANA GUTKOWSKI

Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for all the great info! I’ve never been in to Russia, but this post makes me wanna go now!

Wow this is amazing! Moscow is on my bucket list – such an amazing place to visit I can imagine! I can’t wait to go there one day!

The building on the second picture looks familiar. I keep seeing that on TV.

Reesa Lewandowski

What beautiful moments! I always wish I had the personality to travel more like this!

Perfect itinerary for spending a week in Moscow! So many places to visit and it looks like you had a wonderful time. I would love to climb that tower. The views I am sure must have been amazing!

I was lucky enough to see the skyline of Moscow from this TV Tower and it is definitely mind-blowing.

Chelsea Pearl

Moscow is definitely up there on my travel bucket list. So much history and iconic architecture!

Thumbs up! 🙂

Blair Villanueva

OMG I dream to visit Moscow someday! Hope the visa processing would be okay (and become more affordable) so I could pursue my dream trip!

Yup, visa processing is the major downside! Agree! Time and the money consuming process…

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