Footprints & Freeways

a travel journal

Welcome to Footprints & Freeways!

Hi there! I’m Denise, and this is my digital scrapbook of adventures—the big trips, the weekend escapes, and everything in between.
This blog started as a way to share travel stories with my family. Over time, it grew into something more: a place where I can look back at all the amazing places I’ve been, the cool things I’ve done, and yes, even the mistakes along the way.

I’m not a travel expert, a budget guru, or a digital nomad. I work full-time, just like you probably do. Currently, my partner Justin and I squeeze our travels into weekends, vacation days, and the occasional road trip whenever we can get away. Plenty of people travel better, smarter, and cheaper than us—and that’s totally fine. This isn’t about being the best at travel; it’s about enjoying the journey.

What you’ll find here are honest recaps of where I’ve been, what worked (and what didn’t), and the stories that made each trip memorable. I love national parks and learning, Justin’s along for the ride and the breweries. I call it Footprints & Freeways because every little step and every long drive is part of the story.

If you’re looking for someone to tell you the “10 Best Budget Hacks” or “How to Travel Like a Pro,” this probably isn’t your spot. But if you want real stories from real trips—complete with the occasional rainy day pivot and definitely too many brewery stops—then welcome. Grab a seat, and let’s swap travel tales.

Your next favorite memory might be just one road trip away.

Explore With Us

Weekend Escapes
Day Trips & Long Weekends

Eats & Drinks
We love eating local & trying breweries

Bucket List Adventures
Denise’s most epic/unique experiences

National Parks
Enjoying the diverse landscape and history of our country

READ OUR LATEST STORIES

Meow Wolf Denver
Meow Wolf Denver: A Surreal Sunday Morning Adventure
It had been on my Colorado bucket list since it opened in September 2021, but somehow I kept forgetting about it. When my sister came to visit, we finally...
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san francisco, tram, california, transportation, trolley, cable, street, tramway, francisco, san francisco, san francisco, san francisco, san francisco, san francisco, trolley
San Francisco - Our Weekend Itinerary
San Francisco has a way of mixing the historic with the whimsical, the educational with the indulgent. Our weekend in the city was exactly that kind of...
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Alcatraz
The Alcatraz Tour
When Justin and I decided to extend our San Francisco work trip by a day, there was one destination that immediately came to mind: Alcatraz. I’d...
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Great Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes and the UFO Watchtower
Some of our earliest adventures together truly set the stage for our shared love of exploration. One of those memorable firsts was a long weekend trip...
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Palm Beach Par 3
Justin Plays the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
On our recent Florida escape, I dropped Justin off for a couple of hours of seaside bliss at the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course while I ran off for a lunch...
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Overseas Highway Video Title
Scenic Drive - Overseas Highway: A Journey Across the Florida Keys
There’s something almost magical about driving from Key Largo to Key West along the famous Overseas Highway. In December 2025, we experienced this...
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Reading Challenge 2025
My 2025 Reading Challenge: 63 Books and a Journey Beyond My Comfort Zone
In late January 2025, I stumbled upon The 52 Book Club’s 2025 Reading Challenge, and on a whim, I decided to give it a try. Some years I devour books...
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Jungle Lights at McKee Botanical Gardens
Jungle Lights at McKee Botanical Garden: A Candid Look Behind the Sparkle
Holiday time is all around us, but when traveling to a warmer region, I find it harder to get into the holiday spirit when I’m wearing shorts and...
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Key West Southernmost Bouy
3 Full Days in Key West
Key West is more than just the end of U.S. 1—it’s a pocket-sized island crammed with more history, literary legends, and iconic bars than almost anywhere...
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Dry Tortugas D&J
Day Trip to Dry Tortugas: Visiting the Mighty Ocean Fortress of Fort Jefferson
There is something truly inspiring about the diversity of our National Parks, Monuments, and Lands. From towering mountains to deep canyons, our country...
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Key Lime Pie bite
Key West Key Lime Pie Taste Test: A Delicious Mission
When we started planning our Key West trip, I stumbled upon the Key Lime Pie Walking Tours. At first, I was intrigued—a guided tour dedicated entirely...
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visit to Tikal from San Ignacio
Day Trip: Amazing visit to Tikal from San Ignacio, Belize
Nine years ago this month, Justin and I embarked on our first international trip together—an adventure that would define our shared love for exploration....
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Cahal Pech
A Relaxing morning roaming Cahal Pech in San Ignacio, Belize
It was today, nine years ago, that our adventure in Belize began with a captivating dive into ancient Maya history at Cahal Pech, just a stone’s...
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2024_11_17_MyrtleBeachBoardwalk
2 Days in Myrtle Beach, SC
Our a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, about this time last year, was a chance to visit some younger friends and check out a town my sister enjoyed. Upon arrival,...
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Cripple Creek Town View
Day trip to Cripple Creek & Victor, CO
There’s something uniquely captivating about a crisp autumn day, especially when it’s spent exploring the rich history and stunning landscapes...
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Close-up image of various credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
A Fond Farewell to My Favorite Credit Card: The Chase Sapphire Reserve
For the last nine years, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has been my go-to credit card. It was the card that lived at the front of my wallet, the one I reached...
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Southern Alabama Itinerary Map
7 Day Itinerary for Southern Alabama (Mobile and Gulf Shores)
For our anniversary, we decided on a week-long escape to southern Alabama, splitting our time between the historic port city of Mobile and the sandy beaches...
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2025_09_27_PensacolaRestaurant_SnackFood
Eating & Drinking in Mobile Alabama
Like many of our trips, we love to eat local, so eating & drinking in Mobile was no different. We found a fantastic blend of high-end Southern cuisine,...
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Top Six: Most Popular Posts this Month

Close-up of two friends toasting with cold beer glasses at a lively bar, celebrating friendship and good times.
Breweries in Fairbanks, AK Area that we tried
Lat65 – Our first day in Fairbanks we decided to walk to Lat65 to get some fresh...
Palm Beach Par 3
Justin Plays the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
On our recent Florida escape, I dropped Justin off for a couple of hours of seaside bliss...
visit to Tikal from San Ignacio
Day Trip: Amazing visit to Tikal from San Ignacio, Belize
Nine years ago this month, Justin and I embarked on our first international trip together—an...
Russian Tea Room
The Russian Tea Room: Iconic Landmark or Tourist Trap?
We finally made it to one of Manhattan’s most legendary dining rooms: the Russian...
2025_05_21_MantanuskaGlacierHike2
A Walk on Matanuska Glacier
When you think Alaska, you think glaciers, mountains, wildlife. When I was doing research...
Southern Alabama Itinerary Map
7 Day Itinerary for Southern Alabama (Mobile and Gulf Shores)
For our anniversary, we decided on a week-long escape to southern Alabama, splitting our...

In Case You Missed it

About Us

We’re Denise and Justin, a couple who first crossed paths in September 2015 and have been on an incredible journey of discovery together ever since. From spontaneous road trips to venturing further afield, exploring the world has become a shared passion that fuels our adventures. Curious about what makes our travel style tick? Read on to delve a little deeper into our individual quirks, our mutual loves, and what truly drives us to leave our footprints on new paths and cruise down countless freeways.

Don't just read, watch!

A serene image of an empty highway stretching through a peaceful countryside under a cloudy sky.

Watch The Journey
A variety of drives or rides
(long/short, highway/scenic, land/water)
plus a some others