Best Kept Secrets Along the West Coast, USA

Best Kept Secrets Along the West Coast, USA

Summer is always a popular time to travel. However, when it comes to planning your trip to the Olympic Peninsula, Washington, it’s time to change it up. Fall is the ideal time to visit since crowds have dispersed, colors are breathtaking, outdoor activities are at their best, and the culinary scene is mouth-watering. Discover the perfect activity-packed, fall vacation as you take a journey around the Northwest section of Highway 101 on the West Coast, USA. To fully enjoy your time, be sure to plan ahead, make reservations, and always recreate responsibly.

Parker, Arizona: Rugged desert and even a ghost town!

Parker, Arizona: Rugged desert and even a ghost town!

Traveling from Phoenix to the Mojave Desert, I stopped in Parker, Arizona for a few days. This unique gem of a destination is located within the “West Coast” region of Arizona on the Colorado River and isn’t far from larger metropolitan areas like Phoenix (160 miles) and Las Vegas (178 miles). I was delighted by the fascinating attractions around this small town! I  hiked outside in a mountain park, wandered around a ghost town, and spent the afternoon relaxing in the Colorado River. Less than two hours from Joshua Tree National Park, Parker is such a fun place to pass a few days.

3 Winter Activities in the Eastern Idaho Yellowstone Teton Territory

3 Winter Activities in the Eastern Idaho Yellowstone Teton Territory

A quiet and laid-back winter vacation, that’s also affordable and authentic? Yes please! The Eastern Idaho Yellowstone Teton Territory offers travelers adventure, rest and rejuvenation that won’t rob their wallets. From skiing the slopes of Kelly Canyon to a low-key ski tour to Upper Mesa Falls, adventures come in every size. This 3-day loop is recommended for travelers venturing from Idaho Falls, but can be easily modified for any vacation. 

Sounds of Silence in Utah’s Canyon Country

Sounds of Silence in Utah’s Canyon Country

Since I turned 30, my days are literally speeding by. Rapidly. I find myself ingesting new information faster and at a higher rate than I stop to reflect on past experiences. When I travel, I notice myself stopping for a few quick photo ops and hurrying onto the next place. Over a luxurious 8 days though, I explored Utah’s Canyon Country in southeast Utah.

Blanding: A Sense of Discovery in Southeast Utah

Blanding: A Sense of Discovery in Southeast Utah

Around every corner, I felt like I was stumbling upon a new place, ancient site, or the greatest little hotel in Southeast Utah. Sentiments like, “do people know they can go axe throwing in this tiny town?” I felt constantly surprised and delighted! Blanding is the largest town in the region and offers great access to Bears Ears National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Basecamp close to Canyonlands National Park

Basecamp close to Canyonlands National Park

I stood at an overlook on the Chesler Park Loop Trail in the Needles District of Canyonlands, struck by how quiet it was. The sun was setting behind me, and all of the candy cane colored rock spires stood at attention in the distance. It was amazing how few hikers there were in this part of the national park. I drove back down the dirt road to the highway, dodging cows in the dark and settled into my basecamp in Monticello, Utah. Over the coming days, I would see how perfectly my travel plans would align with this convenient location.

Bears Ears and Beyond

Bears Ears and Beyond

This wasn’t the first time and it won’t be the last time that I pull into Utah at night, and wake up surrounded by giant red walls. Setting up a basecamp in the charming town of Bluff, Utah, I found a variety of adventures within a scenic drive’s distance. The fragile environment in this part of Utah and Bears Ears National Monument should be handled with deep respect. Swing by the Bears Ears Education Center and become oriented with the region before setting off.