What a hidden gem! Congaree National Park in South Carolina was recently established in 2003, but had been protected still as a national monument the past few decades. It is one of the least visited parks in the country with approximately 110,000 visitors a year (Smoky Mountains is most visited with 9 million annual visitors). I read somewhere that this park boasts one of the biggest varieties of mosquitoes and poison ivy! How exciting, right? I don’t know if that’s…
Dear Diary, Anytime I’m stuck in Big Red for too long, I’ll think of these James Taylor lyrics… In my mind, I’m gone to Carolina Can’t you see the sunshine? Can’t you just feel the moonshine? After that horrible Smoky Mountains park, we went to North Carolina to visit Dad’s uncle, Russ. He had a great big home for me to explore… plus two cats to terrorize befriend. Mom and Dad complained because the weather wasn’t great (humans are such…
We arrived to Mammoth Cave after checking out two more wonderful distilleries; Willitt and Makers Mark. Both beautiful and delicious. Shoutout to my friend Clare for the perfect recommendations – woman, you know your bourbon trail. If I had to sum up this park with one word: underrated! I had never really heard much about this park but it is a must see! First, this park is technically free. Anything above ground is open to anyone (including dogs!) and the…
We’ve been on the road, living in our van for one week now. It’s definitely not been what I expected yet. But we’ve learned a lot already! The biggest lesson being that we know nothing. We already knew that partly – we purposely left without the van being completely pimped out. You know what I’m talking about – google van life, and it’s all these instagram perfect vans. Mike and I have followed a lot of various van life accounts…
Thinking of going to Hawaii? Learn from my experiences and here are some recommendations for you. Get up early! All the hikes and activities were SO much better without a million other people around. Surfing and other water activities: you’re not as naturally good at things as you think. Get some lessons and an actual instructor. Oahu There are more hikes than you could possibly do unless you’re living there full time. Out of the ones we did, I would…
March 15-20, 2018 Our Hawaii experience can be divided easily; first week was active and adventure, second week was exploratory and junior ranger-ing. This last week I’ll call “beach bum” because lazy and drunk just doesn’t sound as nice. Geoff was able to take most of this time off work, and Robin a few days, so we really got to experience what locals usually appreciate; food and drinks. So true no matter where you go. The first day back we…
Maui was the next stop after the Big Island. However…. I’m real dumb pretty sometimes. I got confused when I booked flights, and may have gotten mixed up about what island Geoff lived on and which islands had the national parks. Long story short, we flew back to Honolulu from the big island at 10pm… only to fly out of Honolulu at 5am the next day for Maui. We decided to just sleep in the airport. Except that this airport closes…
Mike and I spent three wonderful days on the Big Island where I earned my first Junior Ranger badge of this trip! Geoff took us to the airport at a time I didn’t even know existed unless you’re a 21 year old that’s making poor choices – 3am. What a good friend. We got dropped off to wait for the doors to open. Then waited in line for TSA to even show up. Then waited to board. All to be…