Opt Outside: Exploring the National Parks

Last year I asked for an annual U.S. National Parks Pass for Christmas, and it ended up being one of the most useful things I could have put on my list! I wanted to make the most out of having it. As we were plotting our travel plans for the year, we prioritized destinations where …

Continue reading Opt Outside: Exploring the National Parks

2019 Travel Recap

I'm ready for 2019 to come to a close and look forward to 2020 -- the 'Roarin' 20s' of our lifetime. I'm going to be prioritizing my health, both physical and mental, time with family and friends, and new adventures in the new year and new decade. This past year has continued to impress upon …

Continue reading 2019 Travel Recap

Planning to Visit Japan

We've been trying to plan a trip to Japan for several years now. This fall the stars aligned and we are actually making it happen! Brian visited Japan in 2014 for work, traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, Utsunomiya, and Nagoya. He came back raving about the experience—the architecture, the cuisine, the hospitality, and the efficiency and …

Continue reading Planning to Visit Japan

Exploring Elbe, Washington

On our recent weekend getaway to Mt. Rainier National Park we made a loop through the park, entering via the northern entrance and leaving via the western entrance. This route is ideal if you’re heading to the park in the morning because the road follows the sun, meaning Mt. Rainier’s summit is perfectly lit as …

Continue reading Exploring Elbe, Washington

Washington Hikes: Alta Vista Loop

On our recent trip to Mt. Rainier National Park, we opted to stay at the Paradise Inn for an evening and dedicate our weekend to hiking around Paradise. After an incredible morning hiking at nearby Sunrise, we finally arrived at Paradise to find that the clouds had rolled in, blocking much of the summit and …

Continue reading Washington Hikes: Alta Vista Loop

Washington Hikes: Narada Falls

During our recent trip to Mt. Rainier we decided at the last minute to check out Narada Falls on the recommendation of my brother-in-law and his girlfriend. They had visited Mt. Rainier during their time here and said it was a nice, quick stop on the way out of the park. They were right--the falls is …

Continue reading Washington Hikes: Narada Falls

Washington Hikes: Sunrise Rim, Burroughs Mountain and Sourdough Ridge Trails

We celebrated our anniversary weekend at Mt. Rainier National Park, hiking around Sunrise and Paradise and spending the night at the historic Paradise Inn. We stopped at the Black Diamond Bakery for an amazing breakfast on our way down to the park and arrived at Sunrise around 9:30 a.m. to begin our hiking adventures. Although …

Continue reading Washington Hikes: Sunrise Rim, Burroughs Mountain and Sourdough Ridge Trails