Mosaic Canyon

Hiking Mosaic Canyon in Death Valley

Julie United States 4 Comments

Mosaic Canyon is a fun hike to do in Death Valley National Park. There is just enough rock scrambling and navigating through obstacles to keep things interesting. Mosaic Canyon narrows and widens several times throughout the hike so the views are always changing. This tends to be one of the more popular hikes in Death Valley, so be prepared to …

Red Rock Canyon

Two Fun, Short Hikes to do at Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

Julie United States 10 Comments

Just 30 minutes from downtown Las Vegas is Red Rock Canyon, an outdoor playground for hikers, families, and outdoor adventurers. Go mountain biking, rock climbing, explore the hiking trails, and enjoy the view on the scenic drive through the park. If you want to escape the bright, neon lights and all-you-can-eat food buffets for a little outdoor adventure, Red Rock …

Gower Gulch Hike

Hiking the Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch Loop in Death Valley

Julie United States Leave a Comment

The Golden Canyon – Gower Gulch Loop is an easily accessible, enjoyable hiking trail in Death Valley. Hike through sandstone canyons, enjoy the view from Manly Beacon, and explore the golden mudstone hills that make this part of Death Valley look so interesting. If you want to add a hike to your Death Valley to-do list, the Golden Canyon – …

Valley of Fire

16 Best Things to Do in the Valley of Fire, Nevada

Julie United States 94 Comments

The Valley of Fire State Park is a brilliant, colorful outdoor destination located in Nevada, just one hour from Las Vegas. Filled with panoramic vistas, hiking trails, petroglyphs, scenic drives, and stunning red and pink rock formations, the Valley of Fire makes an excellent day trip from Vegas. In this guide, we cover the best things to do in the …

Monument Valley

10 Cool Travel Spots to Put on Your Wish List

Julie Travel Inspiration 5 Comments

Are you looking for cool travel spots to visit? How about somewhere different than the ultra-popular Paris, London, New York City, or even Iceland? Sure, those are all amazing, but if you are looking for a place that is a little more unique, we have some ideas for you. This is not an “off-the-beaten-path” list nor is it a “best …

Great Smoky Mountains

A Weekend in Gatlinburg and Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Julie United States 28 Comments

In an attempt to catch the last of the autumn colors, Tim and I went a road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains in early November. We spent a weekend exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park, using Gatlinburg, Tennessee as our home base. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the United States’ most visited national park. It actually receives twice …

LeConte Hike

Hiking Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains

Julie United States 14 Comments

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 …

American Southwest Itinerary

10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip

Julie United States 148 Comments

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 …

Best Zion Hikes

10 Great Hikes in Zion National Park: Which One Will Be Your Favorite?

Julie United States 73 Comments

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 …

Antelope Canyon

10 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore in the American Southwest

Julie United States 50 Comments

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 …

Kodachrome Basin State Park

A Quick Visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park

Julie United States 7 Comments

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 …

Peek A Boo Slot Canyon

A Photojourney through Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch

Julie United States 67 Comments

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 …

Yosemite National Park

30 Epic Things to Do in Yosemite for First-Timers

Julie United States 110 Comments

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 …

Muir Trail

Mist Trail vs. John Muir Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls

Julie United States 25 Comments

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, …

Bryce Canyon

One Perfect Day in Bryce Canyon National Park

Julie United States 47 Comments

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 …

Queens Garden Trail

Hiking Bryce Canyon: Queens Garden and Navajo Loop Trails

Julie United States 26 Comments

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 …

Montenegro

2 Days in Montenegro: The Bay of Kotor and Beyond

Julie Montenegro 13 Comments

While planning our itinerary to the Balkan Peninsula, we had a decision to make. Spend several days in northern Croatia, visiting Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes, or go south to Montenegro. After seeing photos of Kotor, Sveti Stefan, and the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro was the winner. And it blew away our expectations. We spent 2 days in Montenegro, just enough …

Devils Garden Grand Staircase

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Devils Garden in Grand Staircase-Escalante

Julie United States 26 Comments

Devils Garden is a fun to explore, scenic spot to visit in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. If you have plans to drive down Hole-in-the-Rock Road, here are five reasons why you should visit Devils Garden. #1 This Place is a Beauty! With hoodoos, crazy rock formations, and arches, Devils Garden is a beautiful spot to visit in Utah. #2 It’s …