Ouray, Colorado, often dubbed the “Switzerland of America,” lives up to its majestic reputation with stunning mountain scenery and a rich mining history. Eager to explore beyond the paved roads, we booked a Yankee Boy + Governor Basins tour with Alpine Scenic 4×4 Tours. This 4-hour excursion turned out to be a fantastic way to […]
A Backcountry 4×4 Adventure in Ouray, CO Read More »
Back in early 2015, not long after I moved to Colorado, A girlfriend, brimming with excitement, insisted I experience this “Colorado institution,” a “must-go.” with her and her two young kids. I walked in with an open mind, but what I found was… bewildering. It was cafeteria-style back then – grab a tray, order your
Lunch at Casa Bonita, Lakewood, CO Read More »
We like to travel with carry-ons, it offers us a greater flexibility, should we need it, to change our plans at the last minute. Like many others, I spent a while looking up what other people brought on this similar trip. Everyone said to layer to give the most flexibility – and that is definitely
My packing list for 2 weeks in Alaska in May Read More »
While I liked the feel of Fairbanks, a small town, I wasn’t loving the food. I am sure there are wonderful places and menu items places, just not really what I happened to order. Bahn Thai We heard that Fairbanks had a lot of Thai restaurants, its a common cuisine there. And there were for
Eating Around Fairbanks Read More »
Lat65 – Our first day in Fairbanks we decided to walk to Lat65 to get some fresh air and the lay of the land. Lat65 had lots of seating, a good selection of beer, and BBQ. It looked like the area was either expanding or being remodeled. I ordered the Pilsner sunrise and Justin had the
Breweries in Fairbanks, AK Area that we tried Read More »
Justin’s 50th State! Woo-hoo. This trip, which doubled as our 33rd state explored together, was a two-week adventure designed to hit the highlights of the Railbelt region while balancing his initial work commitments with our favorite travel formula: a few essential pre-booked tours, plenty of flexible exploration, and necessary rest days. If you’re planning a
Memorable 14 Day Alaska Itinerary (Anchorage, Seward, & Fairbanks) Read More »
We enjoy eating out when we travel. We tried to utilize the hotel free breakfast for 60% of the time since food in Alaska tended to cost more. These are the places we went and what we thought — of course your experience my vary. Alaska Chopped and Chowdered – Justin got the Alaskan Rustic
Eating in Anchorage Read More »
We made it to five breweries while in town. Onsite Brewery Company – We walked from our hotel to this mid-town climbing themed brewery. While it had both indoor and outdoor seating, it was a nice day and we took advantage of sitting outside on a picnic table. Denise ordered the Rappel Lager and Justin
Anchorage – Breweries we tried Read More »
Denali National Park & Preserve, home to North America’s tallest peak, is a monumental landscape that beckons adventurers from around the globe. Yet, on our recent Alaskan trip, my enthusiasm for National Parks somehow didn’t translate into prioritizing a long stay here. Having heard mixed reviews about the full-day bus tours (and already committing to
Two Hours in Denali National Park & Preserve Read More »
When you’re in the Denali area, conventional tours are great, but sometimes, you crave something a little… more. That’s precisely what led us to Denali Fat Truck Tours, and their incredible SHERP excursion. This off-road ride helped us dive into the Alaskan wilderness, facilitated by a truly remarkable machine, and guided by someone whose passion
Our 3hr Fat Tire Truck Adventure Near Denali Read More »
Endless Day, Endless Road The allure of the Arctic Circle – that invisible line encircling the globe where the sun doesn’t set for a full day in summer and doesn’t rise for a full day in winter – has always held a certain mystique. As I was looking at tours out of Fairbanks, the Artic
Crossing the Line: Our Arctic Circle Experience Read More »
Whittier, Alaska, a town nestled at the head of Passage Canal and surrounded by towering mountains, serves as a gateway to the Alaska Marine Highway System, and a port for cruise ships and day sightsee cruises. The reason we ended up in Whittier is because we booked the 5 1/4 hour “26 Glacier” Cruise. Getting
Whittier, AK: Tunnel & Glacier Cruise Read More »
Seward, Alaska, is a charming coastal town nestled between the mountains and Resurrection Bay, serving as a gateway to some of the state’s most spectacular natural wonders. Among them, Exit Glacier in Kenai Fjords National Park stands out as an incredibly accessible and awe-inspiring example of a glacier in flux. Having seen (and walked on)
Walking Through Time: Exit Glacier’s Retreat Read More »
When you think Alaska, you think glaciers, mountains, wildlife. When I was doing research into what to do when Justin was at work, I saw about a dozen tours to the Matanuska Glacier. I wanted to do it, but I couldn’t do it without Justin. My first glacier was supposed to be with him. Once
A Walk on Matanuska Glacier Read More »
When exploring Alaska’s vast landscapes, it’s easy to get caught up in the grandeur of glaciers and mountains. But on a recent day trip out of Anchorage, I opted for a different kind of wildlife encounter, heading to Palmer to visit the Musk Ox Farm and the Reindeer Farm via the Pacific Alaska Tour company.
My day tour at the Musk Ox and Reindeer Farms in Palmer, AK Read More »
Anchorage, Alaska, is a city where urban comforts meet rugged wilderness, and nowhere is this more evident than on the stunning Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. This 11-mile paved pathway offers breathtaking views of Cook Inlet, the Alaska Range, and the Anchorage skyline. On day 1 of our recent Alaskan adventure, we decided to tackle it
E-biking the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail Read More »
On my recent solo work trip to San Francisco I started noticing something new cruising amongst the regular traffic: sleek cars topped with a distinctive, boxy apparatus. Initially, they were a bit of a mystery, these autonomous vehicles gliding along with an almost eerie smoothness. I’d just assumed the rooftop contraption was some sort of
Riding the Future: My Surreal Spin in a Waymo Self-Driving Car in San Francisco Read More »
I was in San Francisco for work without Justin, when that happens, I tend to eat foods I know he doesn’t enjoy as much as me (such as Ethiopian (which I also had in SF, Indian, and Thai). I’m not really a fast food gal, but there are times when that is what is available,
Vegan Fast Food Fix: My Mr. Charlie’s Experience in San Francisco Read More »
San Francisco’s culinary landscape is a melting pot of global flavors, and Oren’s Hummus has carved out a delicious niche with its authentic and vibrant Middle Eastern cuisine. On a recent visit with a friend, we decided to immerse ourselves in their offerings by ordering the sampler dish, a brilliant way to experience the breadth
Lunch at Oren’s Hummus in San Francisco Read More »
Our recent trip to La Junta, Colorado, was intended for one specific reason: the legendary Tarantula Festival! For those who don’t know, La Junta celebrates the annual migration of thousands of tarantulas through the area. That is a little misleading – the tarantulas aren’t on a long voyage but rather it is mating season. Anyway,
A Creepy Crawly Hike for the Tarantula Festival Read More »