-
Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail
Post Topic: Everything You Need to Know about the Teton Crest Trail Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. The hardest thing physically, at least. As Randy and I have spent a lot of time in national parks the last couple of years, we have developed a love for hiking and exploring the national parks on foot. But, we had yet to try backpacking to experience an overnight or multi-day hike. We stumbled upon the idea of hiking the Teton Crest Trail, a 3-night backpacking hike through Grand Teton National Park. One of my favorite national parks! Were we a little…
-
10 Can’t Miss Stops on the Oregon Coast
Post Topic: Things to do on the Oregon Coast There’s just something special and rugged about the Oregon coast. Along the coast you will find a mixture of steep rock cliffs, impressive rock formations, and sandy beaches with tide pools that are home to different types of sea life. Hop on the 101 and there’s so much to see! As you drive up the coast of Oregon there’s something new to see every few miles. As a native of Texas, a state where you must drive hours and hours between cities and locations, the proximity of different sights was breath of fresh air. The Oregon coast strongly resembles its southern…
-
Crater Lake: A Bucket List National Park
Crater Lake National Park has been on my bucket list for at least a decade. For years I have been looking at pictures of its deep and striking blue waters and longing to see it for myself. And let me say, the pictures don’t do this place justice. Crater Lake is located in South Central Oregon and was formed when a volcano erupted and caused the collapse of a tall mountain peak. This collapse caused the deepest lake in the United States to form. Crater Lake is over 1,900 feet deep. Since the collapse, the lake has only fed by rain and snow which maintains its clean blue quality. Although…
-
8 Epic & Free Things to do in Valdez
Post Topic: 8 Incredible Things to do in Valdez, Alaska Visiting Valdez was a bit of a last minute decision. This charming fishing village wasn’t originally on our Alaska road trip itinerary, but we ended up with an extra day so we decided to check it out and I’m so glad that we did. Alaska has some of the most impressive scenery I have ever witnessed in my life, but there’s something extra special about Alaska’s rugged coastline. There’s just something about when the beauty of the ocean meets the beauty of the mountains. I can’t get enough of it. Valdez is situated on the Valdez arm which connects to…
-
The Perfect Alaska National Parks Road Trip
Alaska is home to eight of the country’s most grandeur national parks. Of those eight parks, only three of them are actually accessible by car (the other five require chartering a plane to get you there, which can be a bit pricey). The three Alaska national parks that we visited on our road trip were Kenai Fjords National Park, Denali National Park, and Wrangell St. Elias National Park. This July, we set out to visit all three of these remarkable parks but only had one week to do so. Was our week a little jam packed? You bet it was! But with the help of the Alaskan night sun, we…
-
The Ultimate Guide to Kenai Fjords National Park
Post Summary: What to do in Kenai Fjords National Park Kenai Fjords National Park blew us away! This unique national park was a delightful first stop on our Alaska adventure and probably my favorite park to visit in Alaska (so far). At Kenia Fjords you can expect to see a variety of wildlife, incredible mountain views, and experience rugged glacier landscapes completely untouched by human development. Maybe you’re currently planning a trip to Kenai Fjords or have never heard of the park. Either way, I hope you can also experience this incredible place one day! Is your trip to Kenai Fjords National Park a part of a larger trip to…
-
The Crazy Reason We Drove to Fargo, North Dakota
Post Topic: 5 Unique Things to do in Fargo, North Dakota A sixteen hour drive north of Dallas, you will find the city of Fargo, North Dakota. This small city is not only a college town but also a center of culture and delicious cuisine. Fargo, North Dakota is not on most people’s travel list, so how did we end up here? Several years ago, I made it my goal to visit all 50 states in the United States. As a person who is typically goal-oriented, I was driven by the idea of checking each of the 50 states off of my list. But it was also more than that.…
-
Wichita Mountains: Oklahoma’s Best Kept Secret
Wow… who knew that Oklahoma has mountains? Last weekend, desperate for a trip away from the big city, we started searching for places within a few hours drive from Dallas. That’s when it hit me. I had heard about the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge a few years ago – that it was a good place to hike. And it was only 3 hours from home. Knowing very little about this part of Oklahoma, we decided only a couple hours before leaving the house that we would give it a try. It is Oklahoma, so my expectations for these “mountains” was pretty low. Oklahoma is the land of fields and…
-
Epic Colorado National Park Road Trip
Colorado is home to four of the most unique national parks in the United States. Follow this Colorado National Park road trip guide to see some of the most spectacular spots in the whole state. You’ll see snow-capped mountains, 700 foot sand dunes, ancient ruins, and steep dramatic canyons. This guide will navigate you through Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In that order. So let’s get started! Map of Colorado’s National Parks Here’s an interactive map of this Colorado National Park Road Trip. You’ll find that the four epic national parks and the routes…
-
Best State Parks in North Texas for an Outdoor Getaway
North Texas has been my home for the past seven years. However, it wasn’t until recently that I began to have a desire to explore and share my close-to-home adventures. As a lover of the outdoors, I have compiled a list of my favorite state parks in North Texas that are easily accessible from the Dallas/Fort Worth area and provide ample opportunities for adventure. Maybe we can thank the Coronavirus Pandemic for giving many of us perspective and realizing that you don’t have to fly half-way across the world to experience adventure and beauty. I know for me, it took a pandemic to realize that I can find beauty in…
