Thinking about packing up your life and hitting the open road for a month? In the spring of 2021, with remote work giving us the freedom to redefine “home,” we did exactly that. We loaded up the car for a 30-day, multi-state Southwest road trip through Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Our mission was simple: test-drive […]
A 30-Day Southwest Road Trip Itinerary: Bisbee, Flagstaff, & Kanab 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
A Walk to the Pawnee Buttes Read More »
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
A day trip to the Paint Mines Interpretive Park Read More »
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
Day Hike in Hawaii Volcanos National Park Read More »
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,
Molly Brown House Tour Read More »
While my family doesn’t visit me that often, we’ve done a lot around Colorado. Coming up with new ideas is sometimes a challenge. But then I remembered the Hammond Candy Factory in north Denver that doesn’t require reservations and is free so it saved my tush by not planning in advance and balanced well with
Tour of the Hammond Candy Factory Read More »
In 2014 I started to get into NFL football, mostly because I joined a fantasy football league. It is a little fall/winter obsession of mine now. In 2016, I bought one solo ticket to a Broncos because who wouldn’t want to see the Broncos play at home? And Denver is obsessed with football! But my
Fascinating Tour of Empower Field at Mile High Read More »
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
How we spent 2 days in Zion National Park Read More »
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 »
In 2016, we opened the Atlas Obsura book to find a nearby attraction to visit for the day. A little over 2 hours away was Buford, WY, a town with a population of 1 (until 2017). What does a town of one look like we wondered? We made plans to go check it out the
Day Trip: Buford & Laramie WY Read More »
Our Montana Road Trip was an epic summer adventure combining hiking, history, ghost towns, and the stunning natural beauty of Montana and Wyoming. We’d been talking about the possibility of moving and had heard good things about Missoula, so we wanted to check it out for ourselves. I also really wanted to see Glacier National
Montana Road Trip: 3 weeks we didn’t want to end 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
Our Glacier National Park Adventure Read More »
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
Our Visit to Pompey’s Pillar National Monument 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 »
A quick trip to Colorado Reptile Park in 2015. Aside from the Sand Dunes in Alamosa, there isn’t much to do. The Colorado Gators Reptile Park was a fun spot. After reading online reviews….I wasn’t sure what to expect. Some people loved it others were very judgmental about the facility and the cost. I went
I originally signed up for a hike at Fiery Furnace at Arches National Park. The park service offers this hike for $10 (in addition to park entry fees) but books up months in advance. Since I planned my trip only a month out, taking the tour with the park rangers was not an option, but several
Tower Arch Trail and overviews at Arches NP Read More »