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September 28, 2021

The Stanley Hotel: Spirited Night Tour

While the Stanley Hotel in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado may be famous for its old world charm, it is also known as Stephen King’s inspiration for The Shining. King and his wife stayed the night in room 217 and The Stanley became the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in the book…

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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Happy Birthday @that_nomad_brian 🎂😘 Brian’s birth Happy Birthday @that_nomad_brian 🎂😘

Brian’s birthday weekend itinerary: take a walk, photograph the little things we notice, declare the day a success. 🙌 This is what 42 looks like out here and honestly I wouldn’t trade it. 

Happy birthday to my favorite person to do nothing with. 🎂

What’s the most “intentional” you’ve been about doing nothing lately?
100 years ago today, Congress authorized the creat 100 years ago today, Congress authorized the creation of Shenandoah National Park. It took another decade to officially establish it in 1935, but a century after that first signature, it’s still one of the most dog-friendly parks in the country. 🌲

Almost 500 miles of trails, and fewer than 20 of them are off-limits to dogs. That’s almost unheard of for a national park.

⚠️🚫Some of Shenandoah’s most famous trails (looking at you, Old Rag and Dark Hollow Falls) are completely off-limits to dogs. Swipe to slide 8 so you don’t drive all that way for nothing.

Save this for your Blue Ridge road trip 🐾

Shenandoah, here’s to the next 100. 🌲

Photos 1 & 3 by @mistiblue00
40 things felt ambitious. 11 felt honest. 🎂 I’m w 40 things felt ambitious. 11 felt honest. 🎂

I’m writing this from a 40-foot travel trailer somewhere between who I used to be and who I’m becoming, covered in husky hair, listening to a 90s playlist that has somehow become “throwback” music, and thinking about how 40 is the age I spent my entire 20s being afraid of.

Turns out it’s just Tuesday.
Here’s what 40 trips around the sun taught me:
✦ The right person makes the hard things easier and the good things better. (Hi, @that_nomad_brian)

✦ Second chances can be the whole point.

✦ You’re allowed to outgrow the life you built. That’s not failure, that’s the assignment.

✦ Dogs are not a metaphor for unconditional love. They’re the literal definition.

✦ “I’ll figure it out” is a complete sentence and the bravest thing I’ve ever said out loud.

✦ Time really does make you bolder. (Stevie was right. Stevie’s always right.)

If 30-year-old me could see this, she wouldn’t believe the life we have now! I’m so proud of it 😅💚
Two years of laughing like this 🌲 Wouldn’t trade a Two years of laughing like this 🌲 Wouldn’t trade a single mile.

Two years of making it worth the wild. One thing about me: I’m going to laugh at/with Brian at least 100 times a day. And apparently I had a very distinct uniform over the past year 😅🤣

The @huskiesontheroad and I love you @that_nomad_brian 🌲
If you stopped scrolling for this, we’re the same If you stopped scrolling for this, we’re the same kind of person🌲

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#naturegirl #goldenhour #nationalparks #slowtravel #thewellwornshoes
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