About Me

Hi, I’m Denise—the person behind Footprints & Freeways and the one who can’t stop planning the next trip before we’ve even unpacked from the last one.

I’ve been bitten by the travel bug for as long as I can remember. Growing up in New York, I didn’t realize how vast and varied this country was until my early twenties when my sisters and I stood at the rim of the Grand Canyon. That trip changed something in me. A few years later, I combined a work trip with a detour to Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico, and I was completely hooked. There was this whole incredible country—and world—out there, and I wanted to see as much of it as possible.

In 2015, I met Justin, and he’s been my travel companion ever since.  We’ve been exploring together for over a decade now, squeezing adventures into weekends, vacation days, and the occasional extended road trip whenever we can get away. As a child-free couple who both work full-time, we definitely take advantage of the flexibility to get out of town more often.

But this blog isn’t just about the trips Justin and I take together. It’s my digital scrapbook of everywhere I’ve been—solo adventures, trips with friends and family, those early explorations before I met Justin, and of course, all the places we’ve discovered together since 2015. I’m the one usually researching destinations, keeping spreadsheets of potential trips, taking photos, and writing the posts.

I love capturing my travels through photos and videos because those digital memories let me relive the adventures long after I’m home. And honestly? I love having a record of it all, especially as I’ve gotten older—the amazing moments, the incredible food, the unexpected detours, and even the mistakes I’ve made along the way.

What You’ll Find Here

This isn’t a blog about budget hacks, luxury travel, or how to become a digital nomad. I’m just a regular person who loves to travel and wants to document it. My trips vary wildly—weekend road trips to Nebraska, two weeks in Alaska, quick city breaks, lengthy international adventures. Some are meticulously planned, others are more spontaneous. Some go perfectly, others… well, those make for better stories anyway.

What I share here are honest, unfiltered accounts of where I’ve been and what it was really like. Not to tell you where to go or how to do it “right,” but to give you a real-life perspective that might help you plan your own adventures, learn from my mistakes, or maybe discover a hidden gem you hadn’t considered.

And if Justin occasionally chimes in with thoughts on golf courses, craft beer, or whatever he’s currently obsessed with? Well, I’ll let him have his moment.