About 90 minutes northeast of Bisbee, Arizona, lies a hidden wonderland that completely took my breath away: Chiricahua National Monument. To be honest, I didn’t do much research before arriving, so I had no idea what to expect. As someone who deeply loves exploring National Parks and Monuments, I knew I’d enjoy it regardless of […]
A Visit to Chiricahua National Monument: Hiking the Big Loop Read More »
It was exactly this weekend last year that I finally crossed a major item off my Colorado bucket list: seeing the Crystal Mill. Perched precariously over the roaring Crystal River, it is easily one of the most photographed abandoned buildings in the entire state. When I first moved to Colorado, I actually attempted to make
Crystal Mill Colorado Jeep Tour: A Stunning Summer Day Trip Read More »
Itching to get out of the house, but hesitant to go someplace that had a lot of people, we decided to drive about 2 hours to Pawnee National Grassland (north of Ft. Morgan, East of Ft. Collins) and walk trail 601 to the Pawnee Buttes. Driving through the grasslands was not as exciting as I
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We started the Freedom Trail at the Boston Commons, the oldest public park in the country. From the visitor center, you can easily find the red line trail, sometimes the trail is red paint, other times it is brick. Helpful Hints: We underestimated how long it would take us to do this trail, thinking it
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About 90 minutes southeast of Denver lies the remarkable Paint Mines Interpretive Park. This hidden gem in Colorado isn’t just a unique landscape; it holds tangible evidence of human activity dating back more than 9,000 years, making it an incredibly special place to stop and learn. What makes this park truly extraordinary is the sheer
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When you think of Hawaii, you probably picture pristine beaches, swaying palm trees, and turquoise waters. While Maui certainly delivers on all those fronts, one of the island’s most extraordinary experiences takes you far from the coastline and into an otherworldly landscape that feels more like Mars than the tropics. Our November visit to Haleakalā
Visiting Haleakala National Park: Above the Clouds in Maui Read More »
The Big Island of Hawaiʻi is a land of dramatic contrasts, from black lava fields to snow-capped peaks. But one of its most captivating features is its abundance of lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls. Because we love waterfalls, we set our sights on ʻAkaka Falls State Park, a relatively short but incredibly rewarding hike that
A quick hike to ‘Akaka Falls Read More »
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a raw, dynamic landscape, a testament to the powerful forces that have shaped and continue to shape the very islands. Our day hike in Hawaii Volcanos National Park visit was a sensory experience unlike any other, a journey through steaming vents, stark lava fields, and lush rainforests, all under the
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Visiting Pearl Harbor is more than just a historical tour; it’s a deeply moving pilgrimage to a site that forever altered the course of history. On a recent visit to Oahu, we dedicated a day to experiencing this significant landmark, a place where the echoes of a tragic past resonate with a powerful message of remembrance, resilience,
A Day of Remembrance and Reflection at Pearl Harbor Read More »
Who was Molly Brown? I really had no idea when I decided to take this tour with my sister, other than she was on the Titanic. They called her the Unsinkable Molly Brown, and sure she was strong willed and determined, but I think she was ahead of her time making her quite remarkable. So,
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Towering Red Rocks & Unexpected Detours: Our itinerary for 2 Days in Zion National Park There is a reason Zion National Park is on almost every hiker’s bucket list. The sheer scale of the canyon walls makes you feel incredibly small from the moment you enter. In May 2019, we spent an unforgettable 2 days
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Pink Sands & Broken Cameras: Our Scenic Loop to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park When you travel, sometimes the most memorable days are the ones where you have to completely pivot your plans. On our very first official day exploring Zion National Park, we started the morning with high hopes of wading through the
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: An Afternoon Detour from Zion Read More »
The Ultimate 2 Days in Paris Must See Itinerary: Art, Icons, and Lessons in Gratitude There is a distinct magic to the European rail system. To be able to board a clean, fast, and incredibly affordable train in one country and step out into the heart of another just a couple of hours later is
The Ultimate 2 Days in Paris Must See Itinerary: Art, Icons, and Honest Lessons Read More »
Is a Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford Tour Worth It? An Honest Review When you are planning a whirlwind trip to London, certain monuments feel completely non-negotiable. You see photos of ancient stones and historic universities on every travel blog, and you think to yourself: “I’m already there, I have to go see it.” That
Why I Regret My Stonehenge and Oxford Tour from London (An Honest Review) Read More »
When you have a few days to explore London completely on your own, the world opens up well beyond the central tourist hubs. You don’t have to stay glued to the West End or the underground tube stations; instead, you can easily slip away for a quick, breezy half-day escape down the river. On the
During our 5 day stay in Malaga, we made sure we visited the Teatro Romano and Alcazaba in Málaga. There is something incredibly special about these two places. If you are a history lover who needs to physically see things to truly process their scale, Málaga is the ultimate playground. Standing at the base of
Visiting the Teatro Romano and Alcazaba in Málaga: 2,000 Years in One Afternoon Read More »
In June 2017, Justin and I embarked on a three-week Montana adventure that included visits to Bozeman and Missoula since we were thinking of moving up there. While there we knew we had to go to Glacier National Park because I love national parks and heard this one was beautiful. We settled into a cozy
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Kicking off our Montana road trip, we made our first stop at Pompey’s Pillar National Monument, about 25 miles east of Billings. With perfect weather and brilliant blue skies overhead, it was the ideal introduction to Big Sky Country. A Piece of Living History Pompey’s Pillar is more than just a striking sandstone formation rising
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The phone rang on an ordinary afternoon, and my cousin’s voice carried an excitement. They were booking a skydiving trip. Did I want to come? I felt that familiar flutter of possibility mixed with dread. It would be fun, I told myself. I’d be surrounded by family, people I trusted. But underneath those rational thoughts,
iFly – Experiencing Weightlessness Read More »
There’s something magical about watching hot air balloons rise into the predawn sky. I’d witnessed it before at balloon festivals in Albuquerque and Colorado Springs, standing among crowds as dozens of colorful balloons inflated in the darkness, flames roaring to life, casting an otherworldly glow across the launch field. The collective gasp of spectators as
My First Hot Air Balloon Ride: Floating Above Napa Valley Read More »