- 10 Day Glacier and Banff National Park Road Trip from Wisconsin
four thousand miles . ten days . five national parks . endless mountain views 10-Day Glacier National Park and Canadian Rockies Road Trip – Banff, Yoho, Jasper, Lake Louise, Waterton, and Kananaskis Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 25, 2024 08.16.24 . Day 1 – Drive. Cross Canadian border and […]
- Conquering Ol Doinyo Lengai: An Unforgettable All-Night Hike
Ol Doinyo Lengai, also known as the Mountain of God, is a unique challenge for any die-hard hiker and was by far the most physically demanding during our 11-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari Itinerary. Here’s a glimpse into my experience hiking this active volcano in Tanzania, along with some crucial insights […]
- 7-Day Egypt Itinerary to Cairo and Luxor
seven days . two cities . countless tombs and temples 7-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo and Luxor Monday, February 12 to Monday, February 19, 2024 02.12.24 . Day 1 – Fly to CAI Cairo, Egypt. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (G.E.M.) Stay in Giza 3 nights. 02.13.24 . Day 2 […]
- 11-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari Itinerary
eleven days . three national parks . one conservation area 2024 Tanzania Safari Wednesday, January 31 to Sunday, February 11, 2024 01.31.24 – 02.01.224 . Day 1 – Fly to JRO (Killimanjaro) Tanzania. 02.02.24 . Day 2 – Stay in Arusha. Tour markets. See Mount Meru. Add-on Napuru waterfall hike. […]
- Epic Sunrise Hikes at Lassen Volcanic National Park
These two sunrise hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park were my favorite of our entire 10 Day California Road Trip. This is quite as statement as this trip also included 3 days in Yosemite National Park. Our first sunrise hike was to Lassen Peak, the tallest volcano within Lassen Volcanic […]
- How We Won the Yosemite Half Dome Lottery Hiking Permit
Our plans for September 13, 2023 had been set in stone since April 11, 2023 when the National Park service announced the pre-season Yosemite Half Dome Lottery permit winners (300 daily) for the 2023 summer in Yosemite National Park. The odds of landing this pre-season lottery permit is just 2%. […]
- 10 Day California Road Trip Itinerary with Yosemite
ten days . two national parks . two states 2023 California Road Trip Saturday, September 9 to Tuesday, September 19, 2023 09.09.23 . Day 1 – Fly to SMF. Drive north, stay in Shingletown. 09.10.23 . Day 2 – Hike Lassen Peak at Sunrise. Explore Lassen Volcanic National Park. Stay […]
- Lucky Sunrise Hike to Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout
One of the best sunrise hikes while adventuring in the Pacific Northwest might just be at Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout. This picturesque spot is located inside the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, just 80 miles south of Seattle. Though close to a highly populated area, I was still […]
- 12 Day Washington Road Trip Itinerary
twelve days . three national parks . two sisters . one state 2023 Washington Road Trip Friday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 18, 2023 07.07.23 . Day 1 – Fly to SEA. Drive north, stay in Burlington or Bellingham. 07.08.23 . Day 2 – Explore Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest […]
- Stunning Outdoor Places to Explore When Road Tripping the Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and for good reason. The winding coastal drive offers stunning views of the Southern Ocean, and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the many attractions along the way. We spent the majority of […]
- Best New Zealand Road Trip Experiences – South Island
In my previous post I outlined our complete Australia and New Zealand trip itinerary. In this post, I wanted to elaborate on the best New Zealand road trip experiences we found during our 11 day self-driving loop around the south island of New Zealand. The great part? Most of the […]
- Great Ocean Road Australia and South Island New Zealand 16 Day Itinerary
sixteen days . twelve towns . five national parks . two countries 2023 Adventure Trip to Australia and New Zealand Monday, February 6 to Tuesday, February 21, 2023 02.06.23 . Day 1 – Fly to and stay in Melbourne. 02.07.23 . Day 2 – Chase Waterfalls in Great Otway National […]
- 10 Day Autumn Colorado Road Trip
ten days . eight states . seven parks . 3,600 miles 2022 Autumn Colorado Road Trip Monday, Sept 19 to Wednesday, Sept 28, 2022 09.19.22 . Day 1 – Drive. Stop at Willow River S.P., Wisconsin. Drive. Stay in Chamberlain, SD. 09.20.20 . Day 2 – Hike Badlands N.P. Stay […]
- Torres del Paine National Park – Sights, Hikes, and Excursions
The wild and sublime nature of Patagonia is amazing, and you don’t have to be a backpacker to enjoy it to the fullest. As an active traveler who prefers day hiking, I thought it would be helpful to put together this list of sights, hikes, and excisions that we did […]
- Patagonia, Chile 13 Day Itinerary
thirteen days . eight flights . four Covid tests . three cities . two regions . one park 2022 Patagonia, Chile Itinerary Tuesday, February 15 to Sunday, February 27, 2022 02.15.22 . Day 1 – Fly to Santiago. 02.16.22 . Day 2 – Arrive in Santiago and clear customs. Explore […]
- 12 Scenic Stops Above the Arctic Circle in Norway
Let’s face it, there’s way more than 12 scenic stops in this gorgeous region of Norway above the Arctic Circle, but I whittled it down to a dozen to help you start mapping your epic route. Some of these stops involve a hike to see but many are right along […]
- Trolltunga – A Bucket List Hike
This iconic Norwegian Scenic Hike is now one of the most popular – and instagram worthy – attractions in Norway. It was also on my hiking bucket list and I was thrilled we could include it in our 12 day trip to Norway. We did everything in our power to […]
- Norway 12 Day Itinerary
twelve days . six flights . six accommodations . two rental cars 2022 Norway Saturday, May 21 to Wednesday, June 1, 2022 05.21.22 . Day 1 – Fly to Tromsø – Above the Arctic Circle 05.22.22 . Day 2 – Arrive in Tromsø . Explore city . Visit Arctic Cathedral […]
- Reinebringen Hike – A Staircase Climb to Heaven
The Reinebringen hike was the crown jewel of our visit to Lofoten during our 12 day trip to Norway! Helpful info:Trailhead coordinates: 67°55’41.9″N 13°05’02.2”ELength: 3.4 milesElevation gain: 2,293ftTime: 3 hoursOfficial website: Visit Norway Plan Ahead We left our Air BnB in Svolvaer around 5am and drove the vacant E10 all […]
- Mürren to Gimmelwald Via Ferrata – A Thrilling Adventure
The Mürren to Gimmelwald via ferrata was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable activities we did on our 13 day trip to Switzerland. Before we decided to take on this adventure, we did our research. Helpful Facts:Length: 1.4 miles, downhillTime: 3 hoursStart: MurrenEnd: GimmelwaldEquipment: helmet, climbing harness, via […]
- Switzerland 13 Day Itinerary
thirteen days . six flights . three towns . countless trains, gondolas, cable cars, and funiculars 2022 Switzerland Itinerary Thursday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 12, 2022 06.30.22 . Day 1 – Fly to Zurich 07.01.22 . Day 2 – Arrive in Zurich . Take scenic train to Wengen via […]
- Cross the Desert and Discover these 5 Top Spots in Death Valley National Park
Before I dive right into the many amazing spots to enjoy in Death Valley National Park, allow me to give you some background on when and how I visited. I visited in late March so the morning temps were cool and the high temperatures in Death Valley (the hottest place […]
- 5 Must See Sights in Valley of Fire State Park
This colorful state park has many amazing viewpoints and short hikes that can all easily be done in a single day. It was basically right on my way as I was driving from Zion National Park to Las Vegas, but I highly recommend making it a day trip from Las […]
- Solo Hiking in Zion – One of America’s Top 5 Most Visited National Parks
Not to be confused with Utah’s “Mighty 5,” Zion ranks in the top 5 when it comes to America’s most visited National Parks. It’s wildly popular and equally beautiful with stunning slot canyons and colorful sandstone formations that attract visitors with a single photograph. When to Visit Due to this […]
- Discover Diverse Desert Views with these 5 Activities in Joshua Tree National Park
Located just 1 hour away from Palm Springs, California, this large desert park leaves a lot to be discovered. I have visited twice so far, most recently as part of a fun Solo Southwest Road Trip, and there’s still much I haven’t uncovered. Here is a ranked list of my […]
- Solo Southwest Road Trip Itinerary
six days . five parks . four states . 1,600 miles 2022 Solo Southwest Road Trip Thursday, March 17 to Tuesday, March 22, 2022 03.17.22 . Day 1 – Joshua Tree National Park 03.18.22 . Day 2 – Grand Canyon National Park, Horseshoe Bend 03.19.22 . Day 3 – Day […]
- Oregon 11 Day Itinerary
eleven days . six parks . two states 2021 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Friday, September 10 to Monday, September 20, 2021 09.10.21 . Day 1 – Fly to Portland. 09.11.21 . Day 2 – Drive to Bend via Mount Hood National Forest. Hike Smith Rock State Park. 09.12.21 . Day […]
- Experience the Magic of Hiking in the Redwoods – Day 2
Day 1 in the Redwood Parks was mostly spent in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. Here, on Day 2, we explore Prairie Creek Redwood State Park, covering 8 miles of trails and encountering the following places: Fern Canyon, James Irvine Trail, Clintonia Trail, Miners Ridge Trail, and Golds Bluff Beach. […]
- Experience the Magic of Hiking in the Redwoods – Day 1
Walking among the giant trees is one thing, getting lost in an entire forest turned out to be another. We allowed two days in our itinerary to explore Redwoods Hiking and I wouldn’t change a thing. The following are the stops and trails I chose after extensive research and I […]
- Hiking at America’s Deepest and Bluest Lake – Crater Lake
This lesser-known National Park flies under the radar but had been near the top of my list to visit for years (since before Instagram)! Its otherworldly presence paired with the park’s many mysteries beckoned me in like a moth to a flame. So, we scheduled our two day visit to […]
- Visit this Magical Waterfall that’s Hidden in the Forest
The drive and hike to Toketee Falls turned into a very memorable portion of our trip. We detoured here after our first day’s visit to Crater Lake National Park and it was about a 30 minute drive one way. It had already been a long day and my fellow travelers […]
- An Adventurous Spot for Casual Hikers and Thrill Seekers Alike
Located in the dry desert climate of central Oregon and just 30 minutes outside the trendy city of Bend is Smith Rock State Park. Best know as a destination for two extreme sports; high slacklining and rock climbing, this place is also a great spot for a day hike. We […]
- Witness Mountain Reflections along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway
We took the Cascade Lakes Scenic byway out of Bend and it was a seriously stunning drive into the picturesque mountain view that Bend is well known for. Views of Mount Bachelor, the Three Sisters Mountain, and Broken Top were among my favorite. Scott’s sister was along for this part […]
- Hike Among Icons; Mount Hood, the PCT, and those Oregon Trees
After landing in Portland we couldn’t wait to get out and explore the classic views of Oregon. Mount Hood National Forest turned out to be a great spot to do just that. En route we drove through all of the tall and lush green pines and by the time we […]
- It’s Easy to Feel Relaxed at Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Surrounded by great plains, this hidden gem of a National Park contains gorgeous views, ample wildlife, and gets nowhere near enough hype. I hadn’t even heard of it until we started planning this road trip. I feel this is due to the park’s location in rural western North Dakota with […]
- Experiencing America’s Oldest and Most Iconic National Park; Yellowstone.
You cannot create experience. You must undergo it. Albert Camus, Nobel Prize of Lit. 1957 Each visitor creates their own experience here and there’s definitely no wrong way to go about it. So, in writing this blogpost, I decided to simply share a few tips and showcase the visual highlights […]
- Wildlife, Hiking, and Mountain Vistas at Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park’s location in the center of the United States and near Colorado’s most populated region makes it a very popular destination for visitors both near and far. For us, it made for a great day trip from Fort Collins, CO, where my sister and her husband were […]
- Custer State Park Knocked My Socks Off
Custer State Park in South Dakota is seriously underestimated. Complete with accessible wildlife, fun roads, great hikes and scenery to ogle over, this is another one of the rare places I hope to travel back to one day. In fact, my favorite hike of the entire roadtrip was in this […]
- How We Had a Good Time in the Badlands
We began our 2020 Roadtrip on a Friday after work and were hiking in the Badlands by 8 am Saturday morning. It was a haul and involved a few hours of driving in the dark but was totally worth it. We stayed in Sioux Falls, SD and woke up at […]
- 2020 Road Trip – Out West – 9 Day Itinerary
nine days . seven states . five parks . 3,500 miles 2020 Road Trip West Itinerary Friday, July 31 to Saturday, August 8, 2020 07.31.20 . Day 1 – Drive through WI and MN. Stay in Sioux Falls, SD. 08.01.21 . Day 2 – Cross South Dakota. Visit Badlands N.P. […]
- Spain and Portugal 12 Day Itinerary
four flights . two trains . one rental car . three hotels . three Air BnBs Spain and Portugal 12-Day Itinerary Saturday, September 28 to Wednesday, October 9, 2019 09.28.19 . Day 1 – Fly to Barcelona, Spain. Casa Batllo. Las Ramblas Street. 09.29.19 . Day 2 – Park Guell. […]
- Adventure in Historic Sintra
Jutting out on the farthest point west in all of Europe is the UNESCO protected, historic area of Sintra. It took us approximately 20 minutes on foot and then 30 minutes (and 14 stops) by train to travel from our Air BnB in the Príncipe Real district of Lisbon to […]
- Journey to Wayward Lisbon
On the way to Lisbon we drove across the Alentejo region of Portugal. It was simple and beautiful. The motorway cuts across the landscape’s rolling hills which are dry, underutilized, and mostly farmed in gnarled cork trees or bright green pines. We pulled off the motorway just once at a […]
- Kayaking to the Benagil Cave
A trip to the Algarve region of Portugal simply isn’t complete without a visit to this coastline’s worst kept secret, the Benagil Cave. A simple Instagram search will reveal unfathomable images of the large domed cave containing a sandy beach with bright blue ocean waves crashing in from the two […]
- Exploring Carvoeiro and Praia de Marinha
After a night flight to Faro and an hour long car ride in the dark, we located our adorable Air BnB in the small beach town of Carvoeiro which is very close to Praia de Marinha. While searching for the best place to stay in the Algarve coast region, I […]
- Day Drinking in the Douro Valley
Just outside of Porto is the oldest wine region in the world, the Douro Valley. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this region produces the grapes used for Portugal’s world renown Port wine. Now, I like to drink wine but I know little to nothing about it. Even so, one […]
- Porto Will Steal a Little Piece of Your Heart
I’m finding it hard to know where to start when it comes to explaining the charming city of Porto so I’ll start with my first glimpse of the place. We arrived via train from the city of Lisbon and en route we passed patches of farmed countryside, small villages, and […]
- Quest for the Holy Grail
No trip to Europe is complete without visiting some sort of historic Church. There always seems to be at least one in every city and the one is Valencia is Valencia Cathedral, home of the real Holy Grail. You know, the cup Jesus drank from during the Last Supper. You […]
- The City with the City of Arts and Science
A nearly four hour train ride along the Mediterranean Sea separates Valencia from Barcelona and this journey is a flash of coast line on one side and sandy orchard groves on the other. This scenic train journey ends at València Joaquín Sorolla station in the heart of the city where […]
- Flamenco – song, dance, and a dash of romance!
Sultry dance and flamboyant outfits are not usually of great interest to me but when an opportunity to experience others’ culture presents itself, I’m all in. Much like bull fighting, Flamenco dance is prominently associated with the Spanish culture and I had the opportunity to attend a show and experience […]
- Gaudi Architecture – Park Guell, Casa Batllo, and Sagrada Familia
Barcelona is home to many well-known buildings, most notably the ones designed by Antoni Gaudi, an architect distinguished by his art nouveau style. As long as you are armed with a metro pass, which costs just 15 euros for an unlimited two-day pass, visiting many of his most famous works […]
- Experience Out-of-This-World Scenery on a 12 Mile Hike over a Mountain Pass
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. It is also one my favorite travel experiences to date. Quite simply, it is otherworldly and, hindsight, a stunning accomplishment. Rather than regaling you with my tale of this amazing hike, I’m going to share the […]
- Damn, That’s Hot! A Dip in a Backwoods Hot Spring
Rollin’ into Rotorua was a greeting I will never forget. We were jammin’ in Fiona the Fiat, windows down, soaking in the views when all of a sudden it started to smell like eggs, or, to be technically correct, sulfur. Lovely. This town in the heart of New Zealand’s North […]
- Rushing to Picturesque Cathedral Cove Beach
Our arrival in New Zealand was less than glamorous after getting there via a redeye flight from Melbourne, Australia. In the end we made it to Cathedral Cove Beach. But fist, we breakfasted and brushed our teeth in the New Zealand airport before boarding a big yellow bus to the […]
- Diving into One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Did you know you can go scuba diving without any previous training? I didn’t either, but that’s just what a few friends and I did on our adventure to one of the most iconic underwater worlds on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the […]
four thousand miles . ten days . five national parks . endless mountain views 10-Day Glacier National Park and Canadian Rockies Road Trip – Banff, Yoho, Jasper, Lake Louise, Waterton, and Kananaskis Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 25, 2024 08.16.24 . Day 1 – Drive. Cross Canadian border and […]
Ol Doinyo Lengai, also known as the Mountain of God, is a unique challenge for any die-hard hiker and was by far the most physically demanding during our 11-Day Tanzania Adventure Safari Itinerary. Here’s a glimpse into my experience hiking this active volcano in Tanzania, along with some crucial insights […]
seven days . two cities . countless tombs and temples 7-Day Egypt Itinerary – Cairo and Luxor Monday, February 12 to Monday, February 19, 2024 02.12.24 . Day 1 – Fly to CAI Cairo, Egypt. Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (G.E.M.) Stay in Giza 3 nights. 02.13.24 . Day 2 […]
eleven days . three national parks . one conservation area 2024 Tanzania Safari Wednesday, January 31 to Sunday, February 11, 2024 01.31.24 – 02.01.224 . Day 1 – Fly to JRO (Killimanjaro) Tanzania. 02.02.24 . Day 2 – Stay in Arusha. Tour markets. See Mount Meru. Add-on Napuru waterfall hike. […]
These two sunrise hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park were my favorite of our entire 10 Day California Road Trip. This is quite as statement as this trip also included 3 days in Yosemite National Park. Our first sunrise hike was to Lassen Peak, the tallest volcano within Lassen Volcanic […]
Our plans for September 13, 2023 had been set in stone since April 11, 2023 when the National Park service announced the pre-season Yosemite Half Dome Lottery permit winners (300 daily) for the 2023 summer in Yosemite National Park. The odds of landing this pre-season lottery permit is just 2%. […]
ten days . two national parks . two states 2023 California Road Trip Saturday, September 9 to Tuesday, September 19, 2023 09.09.23 . Day 1 – Fly to SMF. Drive north, stay in Shingletown. 09.10.23 . Day 2 – Hike Lassen Peak at Sunrise. Explore Lassen Volcanic National Park. Stay […]
One of the best sunrise hikes while adventuring in the Pacific Northwest might just be at Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout. This picturesque spot is located inside the northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park, just 80 miles south of Seattle. Though close to a highly populated area, I was still […]
twelve days . three national parks . two sisters . one state 2023 Washington Road Trip Friday, July 7 to Tuesday, July 18, 2023 07.07.23 . Day 1 – Fly to SEA. Drive north, stay in Burlington or Bellingham. 07.08.23 . Day 2 – Explore Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest […]
The Great Ocean Road is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Australia, and for good reason. The winding coastal drive offers stunning views of the Southern Ocean, and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and explore the many attractions along the way. We spent the majority of […]
In my previous post I outlined our complete Australia and New Zealand trip itinerary. In this post, I wanted to elaborate on the best New Zealand road trip experiences we found during our 11 day self-driving loop around the south island of New Zealand. The great part? Most of the […]
sixteen days . twelve towns . five national parks . two countries 2023 Adventure Trip to Australia and New Zealand Monday, February 6 to Tuesday, February 21, 2023 02.06.23 . Day 1 – Fly to and stay in Melbourne. 02.07.23 . Day 2 – Chase Waterfalls in Great Otway National […]
ten days . eight states . seven parks . 3,600 miles 2022 Autumn Colorado Road Trip Monday, Sept 19 to Wednesday, Sept 28, 2022 09.19.22 . Day 1 – Drive. Stop at Willow River S.P., Wisconsin. Drive. Stay in Chamberlain, SD. 09.20.20 . Day 2 – Hike Badlands N.P. Stay […]
The wild and sublime nature of Patagonia is amazing, and you don’t have to be a backpacker to enjoy it to the fullest. As an active traveler who prefers day hiking, I thought it would be helpful to put together this list of sights, hikes, and excisions that we did […]
thirteen days . eight flights . four Covid tests . three cities . two regions . one park 2022 Patagonia, Chile Itinerary Tuesday, February 15 to Sunday, February 27, 2022 02.15.22 . Day 1 – Fly to Santiago. 02.16.22 . Day 2 – Arrive in Santiago and clear customs. Explore […]
Let’s face it, there’s way more than 12 scenic stops in this gorgeous region of Norway above the Arctic Circle, but I whittled it down to a dozen to help you start mapping your epic route. Some of these stops involve a hike to see but many are right along […]
This iconic Norwegian Scenic Hike is now one of the most popular – and instagram worthy – attractions in Norway. It was also on my hiking bucket list and I was thrilled we could include it in our 12 day trip to Norway. We did everything in our power to […]
twelve days . six flights . six accommodations . two rental cars 2022 Norway Saturday, May 21 to Wednesday, June 1, 2022 05.21.22 . Day 1 – Fly to Tromsø – Above the Arctic Circle 05.22.22 . Day 2 – Arrive in Tromsø . Explore city . Visit Arctic Cathedral […]
The Reinebringen hike was the crown jewel of our visit to Lofoten during our 12 day trip to Norway! Helpful info:Trailhead coordinates: 67°55’41.9″N 13°05’02.2”ELength: 3.4 milesElevation gain: 2,293ftTime: 3 hoursOfficial website: Visit Norway Plan Ahead We left our Air BnB in Svolvaer around 5am and drove the vacant E10 all […]
The Mürren to Gimmelwald via ferrata was, without a doubt, one of the most memorable activities we did on our 13 day trip to Switzerland. Before we decided to take on this adventure, we did our research. Helpful Facts:Length: 1.4 miles, downhillTime: 3 hoursStart: MurrenEnd: GimmelwaldEquipment: helmet, climbing harness, via […]
thirteen days . six flights . three towns . countless trains, gondolas, cable cars, and funiculars 2022 Switzerland Itinerary Thursday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 12, 2022 06.30.22 . Day 1 – Fly to Zurich 07.01.22 . Day 2 – Arrive in Zurich . Take scenic train to Wengen via […]
Before I dive right into the many amazing spots to enjoy in Death Valley National Park, allow me to give you some background on when and how I visited. I visited in late March so the morning temps were cool and the high temperatures in Death Valley (the hottest place […]
This colorful state park has many amazing viewpoints and short hikes that can all easily be done in a single day. It was basically right on my way as I was driving from Zion National Park to Las Vegas, but I highly recommend making it a day trip from Las […]
Not to be confused with Utah’s “Mighty 5,” Zion ranks in the top 5 when it comes to America’s most visited National Parks. It’s wildly popular and equally beautiful with stunning slot canyons and colorful sandstone formations that attract visitors with a single photograph. When to Visit Due to this […]
Located just 1 hour away from Palm Springs, California, this large desert park leaves a lot to be discovered. I have visited twice so far, most recently as part of a fun Solo Southwest Road Trip, and there’s still much I haven’t uncovered. Here is a ranked list of my […]
six days . five parks . four states . 1,600 miles 2022 Solo Southwest Road Trip Thursday, March 17 to Tuesday, March 22, 2022 03.17.22 . Day 1 – Joshua Tree National Park 03.18.22 . Day 2 – Grand Canyon National Park, Horseshoe Bend 03.19.22 . Day 3 – Day […]
eleven days . six parks . two states 2021 Oregon Road Trip Itinerary Friday, September 10 to Monday, September 20, 2021 09.10.21 . Day 1 – Fly to Portland. 09.11.21 . Day 2 – Drive to Bend via Mount Hood National Forest. Hike Smith Rock State Park. 09.12.21 . Day […]
Day 1 in the Redwood Parks was mostly spent in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. Here, on Day 2, we explore Prairie Creek Redwood State Park, covering 8 miles of trails and encountering the following places: Fern Canyon, James Irvine Trail, Clintonia Trail, Miners Ridge Trail, and Golds Bluff Beach. […]
Walking among the giant trees is one thing, getting lost in an entire forest turned out to be another. We allowed two days in our itinerary to explore Redwoods Hiking and I wouldn’t change a thing. The following are the stops and trails I chose after extensive research and I […]
This lesser-known National Park flies under the radar but had been near the top of my list to visit for years (since before Instagram)! Its otherworldly presence paired with the park’s many mysteries beckoned me in like a moth to a flame. So, we scheduled our two day visit to […]
The drive and hike to Toketee Falls turned into a very memorable portion of our trip. We detoured here after our first day’s visit to Crater Lake National Park and it was about a 30 minute drive one way. It had already been a long day and my fellow travelers […]
Located in the dry desert climate of central Oregon and just 30 minutes outside the trendy city of Bend is Smith Rock State Park. Best know as a destination for two extreme sports; high slacklining and rock climbing, this place is also a great spot for a day hike. We […]
We took the Cascade Lakes Scenic byway out of Bend and it was a seriously stunning drive into the picturesque mountain view that Bend is well known for. Views of Mount Bachelor, the Three Sisters Mountain, and Broken Top were among my favorite. Scott’s sister was along for this part […]
After landing in Portland we couldn’t wait to get out and explore the classic views of Oregon. Mount Hood National Forest turned out to be a great spot to do just that. En route we drove through all of the tall and lush green pines and by the time we […]
Surrounded by great plains, this hidden gem of a National Park contains gorgeous views, ample wildlife, and gets nowhere near enough hype. I hadn’t even heard of it until we started planning this road trip. I feel this is due to the park’s location in rural western North Dakota with […]
You cannot create experience. You must undergo it. Albert Camus, Nobel Prize of Lit. 1957 Each visitor creates their own experience here and there’s definitely no wrong way to go about it. So, in writing this blogpost, I decided to simply share a few tips and showcase the visual highlights […]
Rocky Mountain National Park’s location in the center of the United States and near Colorado’s most populated region makes it a very popular destination for visitors both near and far. For us, it made for a great day trip from Fort Collins, CO, where my sister and her husband were […]
Custer State Park in South Dakota is seriously underestimated. Complete with accessible wildlife, fun roads, great hikes and scenery to ogle over, this is another one of the rare places I hope to travel back to one day. In fact, my favorite hike of the entire roadtrip was in this […]
We began our 2020 Roadtrip on a Friday after work and were hiking in the Badlands by 8 am Saturday morning. It was a haul and involved a few hours of driving in the dark but was totally worth it. We stayed in Sioux Falls, SD and woke up at […]
nine days . seven states . five parks . 3,500 miles 2020 Road Trip West Itinerary Friday, July 31 to Saturday, August 8, 2020 07.31.20 . Day 1 – Drive through WI and MN. Stay in Sioux Falls, SD. 08.01.21 . Day 2 – Cross South Dakota. Visit Badlands N.P. […]
four flights . two trains . one rental car . three hotels . three Air BnBs Spain and Portugal 12-Day Itinerary Saturday, September 28 to Wednesday, October 9, 2019 09.28.19 . Day 1 – Fly to Barcelona, Spain. Casa Batllo. Las Ramblas Street. 09.29.19 . Day 2 – Park Guell. […]
Jutting out on the farthest point west in all of Europe is the UNESCO protected, historic area of Sintra. It took us approximately 20 minutes on foot and then 30 minutes (and 14 stops) by train to travel from our Air BnB in the Príncipe Real district of Lisbon to […]
On the way to Lisbon we drove across the Alentejo region of Portugal. It was simple and beautiful. The motorway cuts across the landscape’s rolling hills which are dry, underutilized, and mostly farmed in gnarled cork trees or bright green pines. We pulled off the motorway just once at a […]
A trip to the Algarve region of Portugal simply isn’t complete without a visit to this coastline’s worst kept secret, the Benagil Cave. A simple Instagram search will reveal unfathomable images of the large domed cave containing a sandy beach with bright blue ocean waves crashing in from the two […]
After a night flight to Faro and an hour long car ride in the dark, we located our adorable Air BnB in the small beach town of Carvoeiro which is very close to Praia de Marinha. While searching for the best place to stay in the Algarve coast region, I […]
Just outside of Porto is the oldest wine region in the world, the Douro Valley. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this region produces the grapes used for Portugal’s world renown Port wine. Now, I like to drink wine but I know little to nothing about it. Even so, one […]
I’m finding it hard to know where to start when it comes to explaining the charming city of Porto so I’ll start with my first glimpse of the place. We arrived via train from the city of Lisbon and en route we passed patches of farmed countryside, small villages, and […]
No trip to Europe is complete without visiting some sort of historic Church. There always seems to be at least one in every city and the one is Valencia is Valencia Cathedral, home of the real Holy Grail. You know, the cup Jesus drank from during the Last Supper. You […]
A nearly four hour train ride along the Mediterranean Sea separates Valencia from Barcelona and this journey is a flash of coast line on one side and sandy orchard groves on the other. This scenic train journey ends at València Joaquín Sorolla station in the heart of the city where […]
Sultry dance and flamboyant outfits are not usually of great interest to me but when an opportunity to experience others’ culture presents itself, I’m all in. Much like bull fighting, Flamenco dance is prominently associated with the Spanish culture and I had the opportunity to attend a show and experience […]
Barcelona is home to many well-known buildings, most notably the ones designed by Antoni Gaudi, an architect distinguished by his art nouveau style. As long as you are armed with a metro pass, which costs just 15 euros for an unlimited two-day pass, visiting many of his most famous works […]
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is one of the most beautiful hikes in the world. It is also one my favorite travel experiences to date. Quite simply, it is otherworldly and, hindsight, a stunning accomplishment. Rather than regaling you with my tale of this amazing hike, I’m going to share the […]
Rollin’ into Rotorua was a greeting I will never forget. We were jammin’ in Fiona the Fiat, windows down, soaking in the views when all of a sudden it started to smell like eggs, or, to be technically correct, sulfur. Lovely. This town in the heart of New Zealand’s North […]
Our arrival in New Zealand was less than glamorous after getting there via a redeye flight from Melbourne, Australia. In the end we made it to Cathedral Cove Beach. But fist, we breakfasted and brushed our teeth in the New Zealand airport before boarding a big yellow bus to the […]
Did you know you can go scuba diving without any previous training? I didn’t either, but that’s just what a few friends and I did on our adventure to one of the most iconic underwater worlds on Earth, the Great Barrier Reef, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the […]