San Diego is famous for its beautiful beaches, family friendly activities, and its near perfect year-round weather. Tour an aircraft carrier, say hello to the elephants at the world famous San Diego Zoo, go on a day trip to La Jolla, and take your pick of numerous bars and restaurants in the Gaslamp Quarter. San Diego makes a great travel …
Hiking Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains
Summiting Mt. LeConte is one of the Smoky Mountains great hikes. It is a long way to the top but it’s an interesting experience, hiking through caves and along trails that, at times, cling to the side of the mountain. On a clear day, the view from the top of Mt. LeConte can be magnificent. There are several ways to reach …
10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip
The American southwest is one of the USA’s best road trip destinations. It’s unbelievable how much there is to see and do here. There are the breathtaking vistas of the Grand Canyon, thrilling hiking trails in Zion National Park, and millions of hoodoos to photograph in Bryce Canyon. Are you getting excited yet? The list keeps going, with the sweeping …
10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park: Which One Will Be Your Favorite?
Zion National Park is one of the best spots in the United States to go hiking. From the awe-inspiring hike up Angels Landing to the family friendly Riverside Walk to multi-day backpacking adventures, there is something here for everyone. Here are 10 of the best hikes in Zion National Park. This is not an all-inclusive list, but there is definitely …
Photographing Waterfalls near Asheville, North Carolina
In 2017, I traveled solo to Asheville, North Carolina. Armed with my camera and tripod, I wanted to capture the brilliant fall colors in the area as well as spend some time photographing waterfalls. I arrived in Asheville at the very beginning of November. In some places, the falls colors were brilliant, and at others, the leaves were way past …
10 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore in the American Southwest
The American Southwest is a playground for hikers, photographers, and adventurers. Fun to explore and extremely photogenic, slot canyons provide a unique hiking experience. We have assembled a short list of some of the best slot canyons in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. This is not an all-inclusive list, because there are tons of slot canyons in this area, but listed …
The Canyon Overlook Trail, One of Zion’s Essential Hikes
The Canyon Overlook Trail is a gem of a hike in Zion National Park. It’s short, it’s fun, and it takes you to an awesome viewpoint overlooking Zion Canyon. This is a hike that is perfect for all ages and ability levels. So if this is your first, or even your second time in Zion, put the Canyon Overlook Trail …
25 Best Things to Do in San Francisco
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of San Francisco? The Golden Gate Bridge? The legend and the stories of Alcatraz? Cable cars climbing up and down the steep hills of the city? San Francisco is a big city, filled with lots of things to do. It has a colorful history, beautiful harbor, and lots …
Cycling Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge was one of our favorite experiences in San Francisco. We are always on the search for adventure, and by joining the holiday crowds on a July 4th weekend, this was a bit on the crazy side. Throw in some fog, some wind, and just enough hills to keep things interesting, and you’ve got yourself …
Tips for Walking the Freedom Trail in Boston
Walking the Freedom Trail is one of Boston’s best experiences. On this walk, learn about Paul Revere’s midnight ride, visit historic meetinghouses and churches, and learn about battles and events that sparked that start of the Revolutionary War. What is the Freedom Trail? The American Revolutionary War began in Boston. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile route that takes …
A Quick Visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park
With colorful sandstone spires, red rock mountains, and bright blue skies, Kodachrome Basin is a gorgeous little spot to explore. Its name, Kodachrome, fits it perfectly, describing the multitude of vivid colors that are found here. Laced with hiking and horseback riding trails, you could spend a few days here. In fact, Kodachrome Basin makes a great, off-the-beaten-path destination to …
Plymouth, Lexington & Concord: A Day Trip from Boston
There is a lot to see and do in Boston, but if you can pull yourself away for a day, there are several nearby towns that are perfect for a day trip. Plymouth, just a short drive from Boston, is where the pilgrims first made landfall in Massachusetts, establishing one of the oldest settlements in the United States. Follow Paul …
A Photojourney through Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch
If you are looking for a super fun hike to do, put Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch on your list. Just their names make this hike sound enticing. These slot canyons are located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Hole-in-the-Rock Road. Getting here can be a mini-adventure, driving over 25 miles down a rough, dirt road through dry desert landscapes. And …
30 Epic Things to Do in Yosemite for First-Timers
Yosemite National Park is packed with famous landmarks, awesome hikes, and breathtaking views. If you are planning your first trip to Yosemite, how do you know what to do? I am a big fan of lists (and photos!). In this post, I list the best things to do in Yosemite: the best landmarks to visit, the best views, and best …
Boston Bucket List: 30 Best Things To Do in Boston
Boston is famous for a lot of things: the Boston Red Sox, the Freedom Trail, Harvard and MIT, and the famous Boston Tea Party, the event that kicked off the American Revolutionary War. We spent almost one full week touring Boston and the nearby towns and we were amazed by how much there is to do here. In just Boston …
What’s It Like to Drive Cottonwood Canyon Road?
Cottonwood Canyon Road is a scenic, unpaved road that travels through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It connects the town of Cannonville with Highway 89, just west of Big Water. Tim and I drove this road during our road trip through Arizona and Utah. Since we were traveling from Page, Arizona up to Escalante, Utah, Cottonwood Canyon Road was the perfect shortcut …
Mist Trail vs. John Muir Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls
Hiking to the top of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall is one of Yosemite’s most popular activities. You have several options to get there and the route you choose will have a big impact on what kind of experience you will have. Two trails wind their way up to these waterfalls, the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail. So, …
One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park…a fantasyland of hoodoos, bizarre rock formations, and sandstone pillars. This is a crazy beautiful place, and its unique landscape sets it apart from other national parks. Although Bryce may not have the same sweeping, expansive vistas as the Grand Canyon, it’s still a breathtaking experience the first time you see this view. What Makes Bryce Canyon …
Hiking Bryce Canyon: Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trails
Bryce Canyon National Park may be small in size but it has an enormous wow factor. With its orange and pink hoodoos and sandstone rock formations, Bryce Canyon is one of the most unique national parks in the United States. By hiking Bryce Canyon and visiting its numerous viewpoints, you can have the best experience here. There are numerous hiking …
The Gettysburg Experience from a Teenager’s Perspective
On a weekday in July, Kara, Grandmom and I spent our day at Gettysburg National Military Park. We spent almost one full day here and filled up our time with different tours of the park. There is plenty to do here in one day and every experience is unique. A Brief History of Gettysburg Let’s start with some history of …