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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…

November 9, 2021

3 Days On The Upper Peninsula

Honestly, the Upper Peninsula has something for everyone and you could spend weeks there without experiencing all that this amazing place has to offer…

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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

  • 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
  • One Day At Zion National Park
  • Zion National Park Guide

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This is your sign to visit one of Pennsylvania’s m This is your sign to visit one of Pennsylvania’s most famous Christmas markets…

This German-style Christmas market has been a Lehigh Valley tradition since 1993, and walking through it feels like stepping into a little European village right here in Pennsylvania.

We browsed handmade goods from over 150 artisans, sampled way too many treats, and soaked in every last bit of that holiday magic.

Don’t forget to grab a hot chocolate as you wander around the lights 😉

If you’re looking for a festive day trip that feels like a mini getaway, this is it.
📍 Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, PA
The ocean has a way of putting things into perspec The ocean has a way of putting things into perspective, doesn’t it? 

That trip you’ve been saving for “someday”? Book it!! 

The truth is, we figured out how to make this life work not because we had it all planned out (trust me, it wasn’5), but because we finally stopped waiting for permission to start.

Crystal Beach didn’t care that our timing wasn’t perfect. It just welcomed us anyway.

What’s one thing you’ve been putting off until you feel “ready”? 👇
State parks really don’t get the love they deserve State parks really don’t get the love they deserve…and Brantley Lake State Park in New Mexico is proof 🌅

Just outside Carlsbad, this underrated gem serves up wide-open desert views, peaceful lakeside walks, and sunsets that somehow feel dramatic and calming at the same time. It’s quiet, uncrowded, and perfect for slowing down (although I don’t recommend visiting in August like we did 😆). 

Gold hour along the rocky shoreline was my favorite, and blue hour that sneaks up on you in the best way.

Camping here is easy and low-key with spacious sites, and it makes a great base if you’re visiting Carlsbad Caverns or road-tripping through southern New Mexico. Less crowds, more breathing room…exactly why we love state parks.

Have you been here or do you have an underrated state park we should add to the list? 👇
🌲STEAL THIS DOG FRIENDLY DAY IN THE SMOKIES 🐾⛰️ T 🌲STEAL THIS DOG FRIENDLY DAY IN THE SMOKIES 🐾⛰️

The Smokies aren’t the most dog-friendly national park…but with a little creativity? You and your pup can have an incredible day together.

🌫️ EARLY MORNING Cruise Newfound Gap Road at sunrise → 33 miles of misty mountain magic → Dogs welcome in the car for this iconic scenic drive → Stop at overlooks for photos + fresh mountain air

🥾 MID-MORNING Hike Oconaluftee River Trail (3.1 mi, easy) → One of only TWO dog-friendly trails in the entire park → Shaded riverside path perfect for warm days → Watch for elk near the visitor center and make sure your dog is secured if you happen to see any! 

 💦 AFTERNOON Drive to Cherokee for Mingo Falls (0.4 mi, 161 stairs) → 200-ft waterfall on tribal land = dogs allowed! → Best bang-for-your-buck waterfall hike in the area

🐕 LATE AFTERNOON Off-leash time at Gatlinburg Dog Park → Fenced, clean, separate areas for big + small dogs → Let them burn off that trail energy!

🌅 SUNSET End the day at Cades Cove Loop Road → 11-mile scenic loop through open meadows → Golden hour here is chef’s kiss → Watch for deer, turkeys + black bears!

Save this for your next Smokies adventure with the pups 📌
Evolution of a Maine sunrise 🌅 Proof you don’t hav Evolution of a Maine sunrise 🌅 Proof you don’t have to be inside Acadia for Acadia-level magic

This was one of those mornings in Trenton, Maine - the kind where you had to drop someone at the airport early and you’re still half-asleep, expecting nothing more than a quiet start…and then the sky shows up like this. Golden light stretching across the water. The moon still lingering. Ducks skimming the surface like they had somewhere important to be.

We spent all summer calling this little spot home while exploring Acadia, and honestly? Mornings like this were the moments that we won’t forget. 

The reminder that you don’t have to be deep inside a national park to get a view that stops you in your tracks. Sometimes the magic waits right outside your front door, or in our case, the camper steps.

If you’ve ever watched a sunrise that made you feel like time slowed down just for you…I hope this brings that feeling back for a moment 🌞✨

Save this for your next East Coast travel daydream!
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