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About

Meet Vanessa

Hi! I’m Vanessa – Freelance Writer, Content Creator, Traveler, and Husky Mama to Loki & Freya.

I’d like to welcome you to The Well Worn Shoes. I’m so glad you’re here! The Well Worn Shoes is a labor of love and a place where wanderlust is welcome, and I hope to inspire you to follow yours!

If you are looking for tips on traveling with dogs, anything related to National Parks, becoming a Digital Nomad, or travel trailer living, you’re in the right place!

Brian, the pups, and I practice leaving no trace on our adventures and encourage you to do the same.

Some Random Facts About Me:

  • I love 90’s Music
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Photography

I also love to research new places and countries, and that’s ultimately what led me to offer Trip Planning Services and Itineraries – let me do that research heavy lifting for you!

It’s nice to meet you. I hope you’ll stick around for a while and see where these well worn shoes are off to next (see what I did there? Haha).

Meet Brian

Salutations! I’m Brian and writing my mandatory bio…

I was born and raised in Colorado living the #granolalife summiting all the 14ers and shredding the gnarr on the regular. Joined the Army after high school and just finished 21 years. 

I love being outside and have spent most of my life dutifully building my skills to become a mediocre survivalist and outdoorsman. I view everything through the lens of how I could fish that water or hunt that land. 

Now that I am retired, I spend most of my income to live like a homeless person… and I love it. 

You can follow Brian @that_nomad_brian

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While the crowds hustle up Cadillac, we found a li While the crowds hustle up Cadillac, we found a little slice of serenity on the Ship Harbor Trail—a 1.4-mile loop that winds through coastal forest, mossy groves, and ends with rocky shoreline views that basically whisper, “Stay awhile.”

🥾 Trail Stats 🥾
▫️ Distance: 1.4 miles (loop)
▫️ Difficulty: Easy
▫️ Time: About 45 minutes (longer if you stop for sea-gazing, which you absolutely should)
▫️ Dog-friendly: Heck yes, leashes required
▫️ Best for: Peaceful nature strolls + tide pool peeking

This spot isn’t trying to impress you, it just is. And to me that’s the real magic of Mount Desert Island’s west side.

🧭 Tip: Go early morning or golden hour for peak quiet-core vibes. Sunsets here are amazing but 🤫 let’s keep that between you and me. I’ve had the entire cove to myself 😍
Nestled in the northeastern corner of Yellowstone, Nestled in the northeastern corner of Yellowstone, Lamar Valley is where the wild things actually are.

We’re talking bison traffic jams, howling wolves (if you’re lucky), and elk drama straight out of a nature docuseries.

It’s early mornings, cold fingers, and the kind of silence that buzzes with anticipation.

And yeah, after seven rainy Saturdays in Maine, I still dream about the dry, golden stillness of that valley at sunrise in the fall. It’s one of the most magical places I’ve ever experienced. 

Have you been to Lamar Valley? What’s your dream wildlife sighting? (And can I borrow your zoom lens next time?)

Check out full blog post in stories 😉
You think you’ve seen Acadia and Bar Harbor…an You think you’ve seen Acadia and Bar Harbor…and then you hop in a sea kayak at golden hour.

We took a @coastalkayakingacadiabike sunset tour, and WOW🤩 

Calm water. Seals bobbing around like curious little buoys. Our guide Brendan ((@brendankriner36)) (legend) made it all feel like paddling through a painting, with just the right amount of fun facts.

And if you’re wondering, yep @that_nomad_brian is a guide with them too, but on this trip he got to sit back and paddle with me!

🛟 Save this for your next visit to Bar Harbor. Sunset tours book fast, especially in peak season. Make sure to grab a spot! 

Tag your paddle buddy and tell us: Would you do a sea kayaking tour in Acadia?
We were hiking just outside of Acadia, minding our We were hiking just outside of Acadia, minding our business, admiring the trees, soaking up the peaceful coastal forest vibes… and then we witnessed a full-blown squirrel scandal.

One second: “Aww, look! A red squirrel!”
The next: “OH. OH NO. OH THEY’RE—wow. They are really going for it.”

No subtlety. Just fur, fury, and primal forest chaos.

Nature is beautiful.
Nature is wild.
Nature is also apparently not PG-rated. 

Anyway. Highly recommend the trail. Bring water and maybe blinders. 🌲🙈😂
Everyone’s talking about Zion and Arches, but le Everyone’s talking about Zion and Arches, but let’s hear it for the quiet stunner in the middle of Utah. ✨

Capitol Reef has orchards, epic rock walls, historic homesteads, and one of the prettiest scenic drives I’ve ever taken. Add in a sweet little pie shop (yes, PIE IN A NATIONAL PARK), and you’ve got yourself a national treasure.

It’s the kind of place that sneaks up on you… and stays with you.

🧡 Save this post if you like your parks with a side of serenity and flaky crusts.

📍Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
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