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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

  • 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
  • The 15 Best Hikes In Utah

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I’m not saying kayaking down a river with manatees I’m not saying kayaking down a river with manatees could heal me but I am saying I felt nothing but peace for an entire morning and that’s basically the same thing.

We went on a morning paddle with @tnthideaway and had a great time! This isn’t animal tourism and it’s not a place where they bate animals into coming close, they just know the river well. It was just Brian and I on our tour, which was awesome. 

Wakulla Springs stays in the 60’s year-round which means when it gets cold, the manatees show up. We weren’t sure we’d see them this far north in Florida.

We were wrong. Gloriously wrong.

📍 Wakulla Springs, FL

👋 Hi, I’m Vanessa @thewellwornshoes - a full-time RVer chasing National Parks, dog-friendly trails, and golden hour from the road! I share the hidden gems and real side of life so you can skip the guesswork and get straight to the adventure!
There’s something about floating down the Wakulla There’s something about floating down the Wakulla River that feels like slipping into a dream. 

Spanish moss dripping overhead. Bird song as you drift. A moment of calm that transports you back in time. And if you’re lucky… gentle giants gliding beneath you. 🐚

We paddled the Wakulla River with @tnthideaway and it was just the 2 of us on our morning tour. These guys know the river so well and there is nothing gimmicky or guaranteed. 

No crowds. No chaos. Just you and the wild of Florida.

Save this for your Florida bucket list ✨
📍 Wakulla Springs State Park

👋 Hi, I’m Vanessa @thewellwornshoes - a full-time RVer chasing National Parks, dog-friendly trails, and golden hour from the road! I share the hidden gems and real side of life so you can skip the guesswork and get straight to the adventure!
🎺 Love is in the air…and it’s loud. That’s an elk 🎺 Love is in the air…and it’s loud.
That’s an elk bugle echoing across Trail Ridge Road, equal parts romance ballad and intimidation tactic.

He’s telling every other bull to back off…and every cow that he’s the main character.

👉 During rut (September–October), these guys are amped up. Keep your distance (at least 25 yards, more if you can). 

They may look chill, but nothing says “bad day in the park” like being charged by 700 pounds of antlered attitude.

This is one of my favorite sounds 🔊🔊🔊
Some days your brain just needs a soft place to la Some days your brain just needs a soft place to land…even if it’s only for ten seconds.

So here’s a tiny escape to the shoreline - waves lapping, gulls drifting, and the kind of quiet that makes your shoulders drop without you realizing it. 🌊

It’s funny how a few seconds of ocean sound can trick your whole nervous system into believing life just got a little lighter.
And honestly? I’ll take it.

Where’s your mental getaway spot lately?
After living in Acadia for six months, I can say t After living in Acadia for six months, I can say this with confidence: you haven’t fully experienced Acadia until you’ve driven the Schoodic Peninsula at sunset.

Schoodic is quieter. Wilder. Less polished in the best way. The road hugs the coastline, the spruce trees lean toward the water, and the granite feels untouched, like it hasn’t been posing for postcards all day. 

No traffic jams. No fighting for parking. Just ocean air, slow curves, and that golden Maine light doing what it does best.

And sunset here? Different. The light lingers. The sky softens. The water turns steel-blue and rose all at once. It’s the kind of drive where you roll the windows down, stop talking mid-sentence, and realize this is exactly why you came to Maine in the first place.

If you want Acadia without the crowds, but with all the magic, Schoodic is it. Come for the sunset drive. Stay for the calm. Leave wondering why more people don’t make the extra hour.

Save this for your Maine trip + tell me - are you a sunrise or sunset person?
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