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December 23, 2025

6 Best Dog-Friendly National Parks to Visit This Winter

Okay, let’s talk about something that drives me absolutely crazy as a dog mom who loves National Parks…

May 19, 2025

Paws on the Trail: The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains

Planning a trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park with your furry friend? While many trails restrict dogs, the Smokies still offer several dog-friendly hikes and scenic drives perfect for adventurous pups and their humans. From easy riverside walks on the Oconaluftee River Trail to scenic drives like Cades Cove Loop Road and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, this guide covers the best pet-friendly trails and outdoor experiences to help you explore the Smokies together. Discover insider tips, local spots, and must-visit places to make your Smoky Mountains dog adventure unforgettable!

May 29, 2024

The 15 Best Hikes In Utah

Between the canyons swirled in orange, buttes, and otherworldly hoodoos, it’s a nature lovers’ paradise. Utah is home to 5 National Parks, including Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonland, Zion, and Capitol Reef…

October 17, 2023

15 Epic Things To Do In Vermont In The Fall

There is no better fall destination than Vermont. Between picturesque fall foliage, charming villages, everything apple, and maple syrup, Vermont will whisk you away to the fall landscape of your dreams…

February 15, 2022

Visiting Sedona In Winter

do you like fewer crowds and perfect weather? How about snowcapped red rocks? Winter in Sedona means cozy evenings by a fire after days spent exploring this mystical place. A trip to Sedona in winter is an EPIC idea…

February 8, 2022

14 Fun Things To Do In Sedona

If you’re looking for outdoor adventures, stunning scenery, great shopping, and amazing sunsets then Sedona is a dream destination…

August 31, 2021

The Best Dog Friendly Fall Hikes in New Hampshire

Heading to New England this fall? Is there anything better than fall in New England? Nope! The crisp air, the crunchy leaves, and all those gorgeous reds, oranges, and yellows. There is absolutely nothing better than being in the mountains in the fall…

July 27, 2021

11 Must See Waterfalls In The Smokies

Looking for a waterfall hike in the Smokies? Check out these 11 Must See Waterfalls In Great Smoky Mountains…

May 25, 2021

10 Can’t Miss Dog Friendly Hikes at Acadia

5 hikes that you really don’t want to miss the next time you take your pups to Acadia National Park…

May 11, 2021

Roaring Forks: 11 Reasons To Visit

There are so many reasons to visit Roaring Forks Motor Nature Trail on your next trip to the Smokies…

April 24, 2021

12 Reasons You Need To Visit Fundy National Park

Fundy National Park is completely underrated in my opinion! Here are the top 12 reasons that you really don’t want to miss Fundy…

April 1, 2021

Camping At Acadia: The Complete Guide

Everything you ever wanted to know about camping at Acadia National Park with dogs…

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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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Recent Posts

  • 2026 National Parks Guide: New Fees, Reservation Systems & Timed Entry Explained
  • The Best Things To Do In Camden, Maine
  • 6 Best Dog-Friendly National Parks to Visit This Winter
  • Wildlife Watching in Cades Cove: Your Complete Animal Guide
  • Paws on the Trail: The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains

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We’ve been seeing bald eagles everywhere lately an We’ve been seeing bald eagles everywhere lately and I looked up what it means…🦅

Eagles symbolize strength, freedom, and new beginnings, a reminder to rise above and trust the path you’re on. A perched eagle is said to be an invitation to get quiet and check in with yourself before taking your next step. If that’s not a message for anyone out here building a life that looks different from the “plan,” I don’t know what is.

We found these two perched above the marshes at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, one of the oldest refuges in the country and one of the most peaceful places we’ve visited. No crowds, no chaos. Just salt air, Spanish moss, and eagles watching from the treetops.

📍 St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, FL

✨ Save this and add St. Marks to your Florida list, you won’t regret it!
Badlands National Park might be one of the most un Badlands National Park might be one of the most underrated parks in the country! 

I drove in expecting a quick stop and ended up wishing I could stay longer. The formations alone are worth the drive - layer after layer of striped rock that looks like it belongs on another planet. But it’s everything else that got me. A lone sunflower growing at the base of a spire. Bighorn sheep grazing ten feet from the road. A coyote sitting in the grass like it owned the whole prairie (it probably does).

🐕🐾 🚫This is not a dog friendly national park but there is plenty to do with pups in the Black Hills! 

If you’re road-tripping through South Dakota, don’t make this a drive-through park. Give it at least two days. 

🚙 Hit the Badlands Loop Road, 
☀️ Catch sunset from the Pinnacles Overlook, and just let yourself sit with the silence for a while. 
✨It’s the kind of quiet that actually recharges you.

✨ Save this for your South Dakota road trip planning. 📌
Took a boat tour that felt more like a time machin Took a boat tour that felt more like a time machine ⚙️✨

Wakulla Springs State Park in Florida is one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, and somehow, almost no one talks about it. The water is so clear you can see 100+ feet down. The cypress trees drip with Spanish moss. And the wildlife? Unreal.

We took the 4 PM boat tour and I genuinely lost count of how many alligators we saw. Plus manatees, egrets, ibis, anhingas, and about a dozen birds I couldn’t name. All for $7 a person.

The whole vibe is vintage Florida, the kind that existed before the theme parks and tourist traps took over. The historic lodge on-site has been there since the 1930s and was even used as a filming location for old Tarzan movies.

If you’re anywhere near Tallahassee, don’t skip this. It’s the Florida that still feels wild.
📍 Wakulla Springs State Park, FL
💵 $7/person for the boat tour
⏰ We recommend the 4 PM tour for gorgeous golden hour during the winter months 

✨Save this for your Florida road trip 🐊
If you’re on the hunt - you only have a few more w If you’re on the hunt - you only have a few more weeks to see 12 giant trolls. Reclaimed wood. Hidden throughout the gardens and trails.

Trolls: A Field Study at @thencarboretum is only here through Feb 17, and it’s the first time these sculptures have been in the U.S. 🇺🇸

📍 Asheville, NC - North Carolina Arboretum 
🐕 Dog-friendly
💵 Just the parking fee ($20)
Windows down, volume up, angst out. Cheaper than t Windows down, volume up, angst out. Cheaper than therapy and way more scenic.
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#rvlife #fulltimerv #90srock #roadtrip #millennialnostalgia nomadlife altgirlaesthetic liveontheroad
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