Tires turn parallel to faded road lines. Cars are lined up to go to parks- some bumper to bumper, some an easy drive through. No matter the condition, each car is full of people waiting to go through the open gates to the unmanned National Park entrances. The ranger kiosk, the ones that collect the permits, passes, and money, sits stagnant with manila folder-colored blinds pulled shut. It is open season for the public to traipse into federal parks. What should be an excited a

I learned and re-learned three things from this past backpacking season. I’m here to share three essential-non-essential items with you in this quick little blog! My three not-so-essential backpacking items are: Nail clippers, Buff, Truffle Sauce

Do you like forests? Drinking water? Being serenaded by birdsongs from the canopies of old-growth trees? Do you want to save wilderness...

I am here to share what I believe is the perfect two-day itinerary for a northern Oregon coast road trip coming from Portland, Oregon!

Artificial Intelligence does not come out of thin air. It comes from data centers. Just like your phone or computer, data centers get hot when they're used. In order to cool the servers, these centers use water that comes straight from watersheds & communities where the centers are built. This has led to water scarcity for people and land.

First things first! Celebrate Earth Day by loving on public lands! Right now, our public lands are in danger. Yes, the national parks have been highly impacted by job cuts, lack of maintenance, and a high visitor-to-employee ratio. National Park worries are the tip of the iceberg of a nefarious problem: the destruction of lesser-known public land through executive orders. 

If the world seems heavy lately, know that you’re not alone. I hope to provide a little light for an uncertain time. I’m writing a...

9 Practical Tips for Visiting Parks Now If you’ve ever been to a National Park, take a moment and think of the air there. Remember how it f

If the world seems heavy lately, know that you’re not alone. I hope to provide a little light for an uncertain time. I’m writing a...

My lovely friend reached out to me asking about the journaling process, texting,  “I feel like I have sooooo many things going on inside...

I’m here to talk about what we’re purchasing. I promise this is related to a travel blog. 

It’s fall in Washington, and my friends Ryan and Max flew in from Chicago, IL, and Michigan, respectively, to hike the Enchantments . It...

This is not a blog post that answers logistical questions about hiking the Enchantments. If you want answers to questions like “...

All your pre-enchantment hike questions are answered!

Has it been four years already? I moved to the PNW this week four years ago. Here are 10 lessons I've learned.

When most people, myself included, think of backpacking meals, the first thing that comes to mind is dehydrated, nonperishable,...

UPDATED May 21, 2025 Dog Mountain is a not-so-hidden gem on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. Though it’s well known, the...

Get ready for a story packed full of tips since this is the story that started it all. This is the tale of how a canceled hiking permit...

Happy Earth Day everybody! Earth Day is a time for people to come together to protect our planet! I’m a believer that every day should be...