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January 4, 2022

Top 10 Dog Friendly Destinations In The U.S. 2022

This list is perfect if you are new to traveling with dogs or a seasoned pro. One thing is for sure, you will remember a trip with your dogs forever! Check out these top 10 dog friendly destinations in the U.S. as you start making your travel plans for 2022…

May 29, 2021

11 Dog Friendly Adventures At Shenandoah

With over 200,000 acres, Shenandoah National Park is a land bursting with cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas, and fields of wildflowers.There’s so much to explore and it seems like the perfect place to explore with your dog(s), doesn’t it? But let’s find out, Is Shenandoah National Park Dog Friendly?…

November 6, 2020

When Skyline Drive Is Closed At Shenandoah

Learn from my mistake! Here are a few ideas for things you can do if the Skyline Drive inside Shenandoah National Park is closed during your winter visit…

November 3, 2020

One Fall Day In Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park is the perfect fall day trip if you live in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C. or central Virginia. But how do you spend just one day in Shenandoah National Park…

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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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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