When most people think of a road trip through Kansas, they picture endless miles of flat highways and wheat fields. But if you know exactly where to turn off the interstate, Western Kansas completely shatters that stereotype. From towering chalk pyramids rising out of the prairie to the lawless, gun-slinging history of the Old West, […]
Ultimate 3-Day Western Kansas Road Trip Itinerary Read More »
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 in May 2016, venturing south into the unique landscapes of Colorado and New Mexico. Our itinerary was wonderfully eclectic: the hot springs of Pagosa Springs, the artistic charm of
Great Sand Dunes and the UFO Watchtower Read More »
The air is getting crisper, the days are growing shorter, and for those of us in Colorado, that can only mean one thing: it’s time to chase the aspen gold. With a precious weekend day in September available, we decided to make the pilgrimage that thousands of others in the state do each fall –
A Scenic leaf-peeping drive on the Guanella Pass Scenic Byway 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 »
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)
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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 »
When in Rotorua, New Zealand, we decided to go take our adventure to new heights – a walk amongst the giants of the forest. The Rotorua Canopy Tours Redwoods Treewalk was our first-ever tree canopy experience, and it was a delightfully serene and surprisingly fun way to connect with nature from a unique perspective. The
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The allure of striking it rich, of unearthing a sparkling treasure from the earth, is a deeply human one. That’s what drew us to Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas, the only diamond-bearing site in the world open to the public where you can dig for your own gems! Armed with rented shovels, screens,
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The Utah desert stretched before us in waves of crimson and gold as we climbed into our rented side-by-side UTV from the Kanab Tour Company. Our destination: Peekaboo Slot Canyon, a hidden gem tucked into the BLM land north of town. What we didn’t fully anticipate was the journey it would take to get there.
Peekaboo Slot Canyon: Our Thrilling UTV Adventure Into the Red Desert Read More »
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 »
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 »
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
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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
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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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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 »
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 »
I was in Moab in 2008 but didn’t get to Canyonlands National Park so it was a must see this time around. Canyonlands is divided into three sections, Island in the Sky which is the most popular, the Needles about 60 miles south of Moab and the Maze which has no paved roads. You can’t pass through
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