I’m not much of a beach person… but after moving to Seattle and having so many people rave about their vacations to Hawaii, I figured there might be more on offer than just a nice looking beach. The first decision to make: which island to visit? Each island has unique features, and with so many glowing reviews, it can be a little overwhelming to pick. After a bit of research and given our preference for active and varied trips, Kauai…
If you only have 5 days to visit Alaska, head to the Kenai Peninsula. Less than 2 hours from Anchorage, it has everything Alaska is known for in a relatively compact area. Day 1 – Cooper Landing Pick up your rental car and hit the road! The drive from Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula is stunning, and you’ll have a good chance of spotting wildlife on the drive. Look for Dall Sheep on the cliffs of Turnagain Arm, and Beluga…
My Yellowstone Packing List will give you all the important things to need to bring to have an epic trip. Clothes One word: LAYERS Hiking boots or good walking shoes. Not having good shoes ruins trips – make sure you have good shoes T-shirts Long sleeve shirts Sweaters/sweatshirts Pants. I like these from prAna. Hiking in jeans is not for me, even for a short time, so I always opt for some more lightweight and breathable bottoms Warm jacket Rain…
Thinking about a trip to Grand Teton National Park and need help with your itinerary? Grand Teton National Park is Yellowstone’s less famous southern neighbor, but it is no less impressive. Due to limited time off work, we visited Grand Teton NP on a separate trip from Yellowstone, but you can easily visit both on your trip if time allows. Check out my Yellowstone itinerary here. Grand Teton National Park is the only National Park with an airport inside the…
Here are a few of my favorite easy day hikes from Seattle that are great for any age and hiking experience! Also check out my post on go-to hiking resources. 1. Twin Falls Roughly 45 minutes down I-90 from Seattle in North Bend, this is a great little hike. As the name suggests, this trail brings you to two waterfalls. I love bringing my less-outdoor-inclined out of town visitors on this hike so they can experience everything I love about…
Yes, you 100% need binoculars to have the best wildlife viewing experience! Whether you’re going on a safari, visiting a National Park, or just want to check out birds on your hikes, here are the best binoculars that will make your experience so. much. better. Best bang for the price (and size is less of a consideration)Nikon Prostaff 7S If a compact size and low weight are the biggest priorities (these are great for hiking)Nikon Trailblazer 8×25 If size is…
Looking for ideas for your road trip to northern Portugal? While Portugal is much smaller than many of its western European neighbors, it has no shortage of diverse and unique things to do and see. We only had one week to visit, and as I started my trip research, I quickly discovered there is no way you can see the entire country in that short of time. I decided to focus on Lisbon and the northern half of the country,…
You can’t drive through Yellowstone without getting stuck in a bison jam, but where should you go to see other wildlife, like elk, bears, and wolves? You may have heard that dawn and dusk are the best times to spot animals, and that’s because animals are typically most active during those times. tip: definitely plan your wildlife viewing time around dawn and dusk if seeing more elusive animals is a priority These are the best places for wildlife viewing in…
See day by day sights and where to stay for your 4 day itinerary in Yellowstone Or see the full itinerary post! Official park maps can be found on the NPS site.
Yellowstone should absolutely be on your bucket list, if it isn’t already! It is one of the most unique places in the country, if not the world, and spending even a few days there will deepen your appreciation of nature’s wonders. Use this 4 day itinerary to get the most out of your time in Yellowstone. A few years ago, we visited Yellowstone and were blown away by the diversity of landscapes and geological features, and of course, all of…