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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…

August 8, 2025

Wildlife Watching in Cades Cove: Your Complete Animal Guide

There’s something absolutely magical about rounding a bend in Cades Cove and spotting a black bear ambling through the meadow or a family of deer grazing peacefully in the early morning mist. I’ve spent countless hours exploring this 11-mile loop in Great Smoky Mountains National Park…

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…

March 26, 2024

One Day At Zion National Park

Zion National Park is a Utah gem, and there are so many beautiful sights and things to do that it can be overwhelming to figure out the best sights for a 1-day trip to the park.  As one of the most unique and popular parks in the United States, Zion offers something for everyone…

February 27, 2024

Zion National Park Guide

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is one of the most visited parks in the Southwest, and it’s easy to see why! Although it’s on the smaller side in terms of Utah National Parks, at just 229 square miles, its awe-inspiring scenery makes it one of the most beloved National Parks in the United States.

August 22, 2023

The Best Coastal Maine Road Trip

The Best Coastal Maine Road Trip

Maine is by far one of my favorite states. There is just something about the rocky coastline, epic sunrises, and all of the pine trees that make my heart happy. I’ve left a little piece of my heart all over the state, but my absolute favorite thing to do in Maine is a coastal road trip…

August 30, 2022

Epic Sunrise and Sunset Spots On The Grand Canyon South Rim

Epic Sunrise and Sunset Grand Canyon South Rim

You’ve seen the picture of the epic technicolor sunrises and sunsets over the awe inspiring Grand Canyon, and of course, you want to see one too! But where can you find the best sunrises and sunsets on the South Rim? You’re in the right place…

July 5, 2022

5 Things Not To Miss On Your First Visit To The Grand Canyon

The First Timers Guide To Grand Canyon National Park

Iconic. Amazing. Breathtaking. All of these words describe the Grand Canyon perfectly. It’s one of those places where you can’t fathom how vast it is until you are standing in front of it, and even then you’ll find yourself saying, “wow!” every 5 seconds…

January 25, 2022

11 Awesome Things To Do Near Mt. Rushmore

If you are heading to Mt. Rushmore you probably don’t realize how many fun things are in the same general area of SD. You can use these 11 awesome things to do near Mt. Rushmore to help plan your trip…

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…

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…

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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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