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  • The Foodie’s Guide to Bar Harbor, Maine

    Best Restaurants, Lobster Rolls & Hidden Gems (2026) Bar Harbor isn't just the gateway to Acadia National Park; it's one of the best food towns in all of New England. And I don't say that ...

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    The Foodie’s Guide to Bar Harbor, Maine
  • Phoenix To Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Winter Road Trip Guide

    There's something magical about the Grand Canyon in winter that most visitors never experience. Fewer crowds, snow-dusted red rocks, and crisp air that makes the canyon's colors absolutely pop, ...

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    Phoenix To Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Winter Road Trip Guide
  • 15 Best Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park

    Updated March 2026 Acadia is one of the most dog friendly National Parks in the United States, and honestly, it's the reason we keep coming back. The first National Park east of the Mississippi ...

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    15 Best Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park
  • The 18 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine

    (A Local's Guide for 2026) Bar Harbor, Maine, is one of those places that grabs you and doesn't let go. I've been coming to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park for years, but in 2025 Brian and I ...

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    The 18 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine

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January 11, 2022

14 Fun Things To Do In Asheville, North Carolina

One of the coolest small cities on the East Coast, Asheville has a relaxed boho vibe that I love! It’s weird and that’s just the way locals want to keep it. The city has a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains and an insane number of craft breweries. Asheville is a refreshingly unique combination of hipster meets outdoor enthusiasts…

January 4, 2022

Top 10 Dog Friendly Destinations In The U.S. 2022

This list is perfect if you are new to traveling with dogs or a seasoned pro. One thing is for sure, you will remember a trip with your dogs forever! Check out these top 10 dog friendly destinations in the U.S. as you start making your travel plans for 2022…

December 28, 2021

Top 15 U.S. Destinations For 2022

The new year is coming fast! It’s an exciting time for new beginnings and a time to make good on that promise that you made yourself, you know the one, to travel more next year! Welcome 2022 with open arms, it’s time to start planning those epic 2022 trips…

December 14, 2021

Top 15 Holiday Things To Do In NYC

The holiday season is officially in full swing (with Queen Mariah’s Christmas blessing, of course). This post may be a little late but if you are looking for a last-minute trip to New York City to fully experience the holiday season, I’ve got you…

December 7, 2021

One Day At Christkindlmarkt In Bethlehem, PA

Is it a wonder that Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a hot spot during the Christmas season? This charming small town in the Lehigh Valley of PA is the home of both Lehigh College and Moravian University. Not just a college town this is known as “Christmas City” for good reason.

December 2, 2021

15 Books For Female Travelers

Looking for the perfect gifts for the female traveler in your life? Whether it’s for Christmas, birthday, or anniversary these books will be sure to spark her wanderlust and keep her dreaming of her next trip…

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Hi! I'm Vanessa, a 30 something, sunset chasing traveler. I'm here to inspire you to travel wherever, whenever, and with whoever you can. My Huskies, Loki and Freya are usually along for the ride. I have a soul that likes to wander, a desire to experience the unknown, and a curiousity to discover things off the beaten path. I hope you'll stick around for awhile!

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Let's be friends! I know e-mails can suck but mine won't and I promise cute pup photos too!

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Recent Posts

  • The Foodie’s Guide to Bar Harbor, Maine
  • Phoenix To Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Winter Road Trip Guide
  • 15 Best Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia National Park
  • The 18 Best Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine
  • The Ultimate Winter Guide to the Grand Canyon

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the New Mexico mountain town weekend that made me the New Mexico mountain town weekend that made me wish I’d booked one more night 🏔️

I stumbled onto Ruidoso, New Mexico during our year based in El Paso and honestly? Three days still wasn’t enough.

✨ Here’s the full honest breakdown 👇 (save this if you’re planning a trip)

🍺 Downshift Brewing Co - got there for the B-Side and left with a growler. the New Mexico Sour and Irish Exchange were both solid, and the Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Pizza was genuinely one of the best things I ate all year. skip the fried pickles, get the pizza.

🐎 Hull Road - drive it. we saw multiple elk herds just… hanging out in someone’s yard. no context, just New Mexico things.

🌅 Alto Lake - showed up at noon on a Saturday, took one look at the crowd and left. Came back at sunset and I’m so glad we did. the light was everything. timing is everything. A herd of wild horses with a colt showed up 😍

🥾 Grindstone Lake - better parking than Alto, more trail options, $5 fee that seemed to only apply to boats launching. worth the stop either way.

⚠️ a few honest notes:
Smokey Bear Historical Park is a little underwhelming - $2 cash for a short movie and a look at his grave. cute if you have kids, skippable otherwise. 

🌶️ Cornerstone Bakery burrito and green chili club sandwich were great, but the green chili potato soup was a pass for me, not what I pictured. 

🏔️ Sierra Blanca Overlook will drop the temp 20 degrees at the top, wear a jacket, I’m serious. 

🍗 Rio Grande Grill had a 45-min wait at 5:45 on Saturday, so plan ahead. 

🛍️ Most shops go dark by 6pm even on Fridays, build your itinerary around that.

We kept finding more around every turn. it’s that kind of place.
Have you been to Ruidoso? 👇
Delicate Arch didn’t care that I threw a hat on an Delicate Arch didn’t care that I threw a hat on and called it a day. Neither did the wind 💨 (and yes, I’m a Red Sox fan - it’s the only thing I kept from 7 years in New England 😅😂) 

This hike is 3 miles round trip, moderate difficulty, and absolutely worth every step of slickrock climbing to get there. You round that final ledge and your brain just…stops working for a second. No notes 👏

A few things to know before you go:
🎟️ $35/vehicle entry (valid 7 days) - timed entry permits required spring through fall, book ahead at recreation.gov
🅿️ Wolfe Ranch Trailhead
🌅 Sunrise or sunset = golden light + smaller crowds
💧 More water than you think. Zero shade on this trail.
🐾 No dogs allowed on trail - leave your pups at camp for this one

Swipe through and tell me the arch didn’t make your jaw drop. I’ll wait. 🏜️

✨🏜️Save this if Arches is on your bucket list!!
Lake. Campfire. Killer 90’s Country Playlist. If t Lake. Campfire. Killer 90’s Country Playlist. If this isn’t happiness I don’t know what is 🔥🌅

#millenialtravel #sunsetchaser #roadtripusa
Sunset on the lake. Campfire crackling. Freya and Sunset on the lake. Campfire crackling. Freya and Caly losing their minds in the best way. Throw on some 90s country and this is literally the perfect way to end the day. 🌅🔥🐾
If travel has taught me one thing… 🪻☀️🌙✨ It’s To If travel has taught me one thing…

🪻☀️🌙✨ It’s To Pay Attention.

There’s an art to traveling slowly, and most people never learn it…

They’re the details you almost walked past. 🌿
.

#SlowTravel #TheArtOfNoticing #WellWornShoes #TravelDifferently #acadianationalpark
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