Manitoba: Riding Mountain National Park

We decided to take a short road trip to southern Manitoba - our first time in this Canadian province! - for my birthday this year. While our move to South Dakota a couple weeks prior didn't leave me with tons of planning time, I did map out a four-day itinerary that included spending a couple …

Continue reading Manitoba: Riding Mountain National Park

Hiking in Great Basin National Park

We concluded the national park portion of our recent road trip through Utah and Nevada by visiting Great Basin National Park. I wasn't familiar with Nevada's Great Basin, which is an area that stretches from California's Sierra Nevada to Utah's Wasatch Mountains. This expansive landscape has very few trees or rivers, lots of wide open …

Continue reading Hiking in Great Basin National Park

Hiking in Capitol Reef National Park

Last spring we spent time in Moab, Utah, so we could explore Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park. We decided to check out the remaining national parks in Utah this spring via a two-week road trip to explore Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion, beginning with the former. When to Visit Capitol Reef National …

Continue reading Hiking in Capitol Reef National Park

Motorcycling the Golden Circle Route

When I was researching route options for our motorcycle trip to Alaska, I noticed several ferry ports connected by the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), including Whittier, Haines, and Skagway that also connected to traditional land-based highways. I filed this information away in the back of my brain and planned a route without the AMHS …

Continue reading Motorcycling the Golden Circle Route

Hiking in Jasper National Park

Five years ago we met my parents in Banff National Park, and I've been wanting to go back and explore the more low-key Jasper National Park area ever since. When Brian was planning the route for our motorcycle trip from Wyoming to Alaska, I realized it was the perfect time to return to Jasper National …

Continue reading Hiking in Jasper National Park

Hiking in Kluane National Park

One of the highlights of our time in Canada's Yukon Territory was exploring Kluane National Park and Reserve. This area is a gem - part of the largest internationally protected area in the world - and we loved hiking by Kathleen Lake. The gorgeous weather also helped make for an incredible day. We arrived in …

Continue reading Hiking in Kluane National Park

Earth Day Inspiration via Literature

I don't usually need a lot of motivation to get outdoors but sometimes I read or learn something that inspires me to try a new outdoor experience or develop an appreciation for a new aspect of nature. This Earth Day I certainly plan to #optoutside, but I'd be fooling myself to think I'll go through …

Continue reading Earth Day Inspiration via Literature