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Redwood National Park 1 to 4 Day Itinerary
The Redwood National Park is home to the tallest trees in the world! They date back to prehistoric times, and visiting is such an awe-inspiring experience. Along with seeing trees up to 2,400 years old, you’ll also enjoy 37 miles of wild coastline, rivers, prairies, and wildlife on 139,000 acres.
How to Backpack the Ozette Triangle
We finally backpacked the Ozette Triangle, and it lives up to the hype. It’s short and easy, incredibly beautiful, and has so much to do around camp. Since this trail is a loop, you’ll have the option to trek the whole 9.5 miles or make your hike a shorter out and back — we’ll go into the pros and cons of each below.
Crystal Mountain’s Flying Raven Adventure Course
There is more to explore during the summer months at Crystal Mountain than the gondola. They now have the Flying Raven Adventure Course! The course is set amongst evergreen trees, above a babbling brook and, at first glance, it looks like a setting for a tranquil treehouse. Look closer and you’ll notice suspended log bridges, rickety steps, and obstacles between the trees.
How to Tide Pool in the Pacific Northwest
Tide pooling is an essential part of visiting the coast in the Pacific Northwest. If you can find a good location and visit at low tides, you’ll have hours of free entertainment on your hands. Below is everything you need to know to start tide pooling!
All You Need to Know About the Goldmyer Hot Springs
Goldmyer Hot Springs was everything we hoped for and more. It’s a natural geothermal hot spring cared for by the Northwest Wilderness Programs, a nonprofit organization established in 1976 to protect this area. The hot springs are so idyllic that soaking there felt like a dream. Move this activity to the top of your Pacific Northwest bucket list!
Best Hikes in the Redwoods
Did you know that redwood trees can get to be taller than 30-floor skyscrapers!? That’s more than 320 feet high, with trunks that can grow more than 27 feet wide. Walking through these 2,000-year-old giants is awe-inspiring. Hike early to beat the crowds and get those beautiful sun rays shining through the trees.
Crater Lake National Park — Everything You Need to Know
Crater Lake is a geological marvel. Not only is it the deepest lake in the United States, but it’s also the cleanest and clearest large body of water in the world. The vibrant color and clarity of the water are like nothing you’ll see anywhere else. Visit to learn about the lake’s mysterious natural phenomena and Native American legends about Mount Mazama forming Crater Lake.
While you’re in the area, you’ll also have the chance to see countless waterfalls, beautiful viewpoints, and rivers. Most people rush through the park in one day, but we recommend staying up to four days if you have the time.
DIY Food Tour of Pike Place Market (From Locals)
Pike Place Market has over 200 vendors and countless options for good eats. We love the variety of food the market offers, and that a food tour is something everyone can enjoy. Since the market is indoors, it’s a great activity regardless of the weather.
Silver Falls State Park: Everything You Need to Know
The Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park is the most beautiful trail we’ve hiked in Oregon so far. Visit and you’ll quickly lose count of the waterfalls you’ll see, get to admire lush rainforests, and icy blue rivers. Spend one to two days here to enjoy everything the park, and surrounding towns, have to offer.
Where to Stay in Helsinki for Every Budget
Helsinki is such a fantastic city! It sits on the shore of the Baltic Sea, boasts of a thriving arts scene, is full of public parks, museums, and cathedrals, all served by extremely convenient public transportation.
7 Fears We Had Traveling to Finland in Winter
Traveling to Finland during winter was so far outside our comfort zone. We’re from the Pacific Northwest, where we have moderate weather and a Mediterranean climate — nothing like the snowy, cold weather you’re guaranteed traveling north into the Arctic Circle.
Lapland Winter Packing List
Visiting Lapland is a bucket list trip, but the below-freezing temperatures are intimidating to pack for! In fact, this trip was so far outside our comfort zone that we wrote an entire blog on everything we feared and how we fared. You can rest assured every item on this packing list was combed through, debated, and tested before, and during, our trip.
Guide to Winter in Lapland: 10+ Day Itinerary
Visiting the Finnish Lapland is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. Once you hop off a Santa Claus Express train into a winter wonderland, the holiday season will never feel the same. The landscapes are covered in snowy trees, frozen buildings, and views you won’t find anywhere else. If you can brave the cold temperatures, you’re in for so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences!
Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival
Taking place over the first weekend of March each year, the Winthrop Balloon Roundup makes for the perfect winter weekend getaway. Winthrop is four hours from Seattle, located at the base of the North Cascades National Park on the eastern side of the mountains. It has extremely beautiful scenery, a western theme in town, and tons of activities to fill your time between the ballooning festivities.
Sedona’s Must-See Native American Heritage Sites
Upon returning from our trip to Sedona, we were stunned to have heard so little about Sedona’s heritage sites before our trip. We knew the area’s main attractions — hiking to the vortexes, the Pink Jeep Tour, and shopping at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village — but we felt lucky to stumble upon the area’s rich indigenous history.
Washington State Backpacking Permits Explained
Permits have never meant to be a barrier to entry, but we know first-hand that they can be confusing and difficult to secure. We can’t help how quickly permits sell out, but we hope this blog clears up details making backpacking more accessible to all.
How to Backpack the Enchantments in Washington
Backpacking in the Enchantments is a highly coveted privilege. It’s full of some of Washington’s best scenery, including alpine lakes, beautiful waterfalls, rugged peaks, and larches. To help preserve the environment, there is a permit lottery to backpack, and the area is regularly patrolled by rangers.
Mount Rainier Timed Entry Reservations Explained
Mount Rainier National Park is piloting timed entry requirements in 2024. Due to a heavy increase in visitation and damage to park ecosystems, the park is hoping timed reservations will improve the visitor experience by reducing traffic, waiting times, and negative impacts on trails.
Where to Stay in Sedona for Every Budget
Sedona is such an incredible place to visit. However, it’s known for being pricey, and finding a place to stay within budget is intimidating for most. This blog outlines where to stay or camp in and near Sedona based on various preferences, including price, walkability, and proximity to activities.
How to Photograph Havasupai Falls: Gear, Tips, and Advice
Visiting Havasupai Falls is an incredible opportunity to see, and photograph, some of the U.S.’s most distinct landscapes. When we visited in 2018, there was little information about visiting online, and nothing about photographing the five waterfalls there.
