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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…

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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Happy National Bison Day 🦬 America’s national Happy National Bison Day 🦬 America’s national mammal can weigh over a ton… and still somehow look majestic while doing it. 🦬

There’s something about spotting a bison in the wild that just stops you in your tracks. Maybe it’s the way they move with that slow, deliberate power. 

Or maybe it’s knowing you’re seeing a living, breathing piece of history - the same herds that once thundered across the plains long before highways and hashtags existed.

🦬 Know Before You Go: Bison Edition

Because nothing ruins a good hike like becoming a headline.

1️⃣ Keep your distance - at least 25 yards (75 feet).
That’s about two school buses, or one bison’s personal bubble. Don’t pop it.

2️⃣ Never approach, pet, or selfie with bison.
You might think they’re posing…they’re not.

3️⃣ Watch the tail.
If it’s up - they’re agitated. 
If it’s flicking - they’re thinking. 
If it’s down - you’re good (for now).

4️⃣ Use your zoom, not your bravery.
Get the shot safely. Your camera has a zoom for a reason. I rented an amazing lens from @lensrentals 

5️⃣ Expect traffic.
If a bison decides to nap in the middle of the road, congratulations - you’re now in a wildlife traffic jam. Sit back, enjoy the view, and let nature run on its own schedule.

These behemoths tough, resilient, and a little bit chaotic - basically the spirit animal of every trip I’ve ever taken.

Drop a 🦬 in the comments if they’re on your National Park bucket list!
White Sands: where the world turns into one giant White Sands: where the world turns into one giant light reflector and your shoes never recover. ☀️👣

Midday here feels like walking through a dream - blindingly bright, impossibly soft, and eerily quiet. 

Then sunset hits, and suddenly the dunes blush pink, the air cools, and it feels like the whole desert exhales.

No filters. No tricks. Just gypsum sand, light, and a little desert magic.

👉 Save this for your next New Mexico road trip - because, trust me, you need to see this one in person.
If hoodoos had a VIP lounge, welcome to the one at If hoodoos had a VIP lounge, welcome to the one at Bryce Canyon National Park’s Wall Street! 

There’s something about Bryce Canyon that doesn’t feel real, it’s like Mother Nature had an extra cup of coffee and decided to show off. Hoodoos stacked like coral castles, light spilling through red rock cathedrals, and that one chipmunk who’s clearly the mayor of the trail. Bryce is hands down my favorite Utah National Park. 

I started down the Navajo Loop just after sunrise and somehow had the canyon almost to myself - the quiet only broken by the crunch of boots and the occasional “is this even real life?” moment. 

By the time I connected to the Queens Garden Trail, the world had gone from golden glow to full technicolor, and I was convinced this place might not be real. 

Save this for your Bryce Canyon bucket list, and if you’ve hiked Wall Street, tell me: were you team “stop every five feet for photos” or “pretend you’re in an Indiana Jones movie and power through”?

*These photos were taken in 2022
Salem, Massachusetts – where spooky meets nostal Salem, Massachusetts – where spooky meets nostalgic ✨

If you grew up watching Hocus Pocus, you already know the Sanderson Sisters have a chokehold on Halloween vibes. But did you know most of the movie wasn’t even filmed in Salem? 😱

I’ve been obsessed with Hocus Pocus since 1993 (when 7-year-old me was crushing on Max Dennison), so naturally I had to hunt down every filming location in real life. 

From Max & Dani’s house to the Town Hall where Winnie belts “I Put a Spell on You,” this self-guided tour is the ultimate witchy walk down memory lane.

🧹 Want the map + checklist? Head to link in stories for your FREE guide and get ready to run amuck (amuck, amuck, amuck!) through Salem this Halloween.
It’s hard to put into words just how special thi It’s hard to put into words just how special this Maine summer was. From foggy paddles along rocky shores to fiery sunsets over Bar Harbor, this place has a way of slowing you down and pulling you in.

We chased lighthouses, watched puffins and seals pop up from the waves, devoured more lobster rolls than we’re willing to admit, and even found secret hidden spots in the middle of one of the busiest national parks in the country.

And the best part? We got to do it all with the dogs by our side, because Acadia and Bar Harbor are as dog-friendly as they are beautiful. 🐾🌊

We may be packing up for the next adventure, but something tells me Maine isn’t done with us yet. 💙

👉 Save this for your future summer plans -
because trust me, Maine is worth every second.
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