Hiking Adventures
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Hoopii Falls Trail in Kauai: A Hike for the Whole Family
Two waterfalls, cliffs to jump from, a rope swing… what more could you ask for? Oh, how about also being a location from a famous scene in Jurassic Park? It’s no wonder the Hoopii Falls trail in Kauai was one of my family’s favorite things we did on our family vacation in Kauai. And it definitely makes my list of the 6 most kid-friendly hikes in Kauai. The Hoopii Falls trail in Kauai is a pretty flat 1.8-mile out-and-back hike that takes you to two different waterfalls. Knowing this would be a pretty short hike, we set out to do it between breakfast and lunch, only bringing some snacks. But…
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Flagstaff Lava Tube: Plan Your Visit
A few years back, my sister and I decided to take our families to Flagstaff for Spring Break so that we could see the Grand Canyon. We rented a house in Flagstaff that would fit everyone, and on our first night there, I posted a picture. Somebody on Facebook replied and told me that we had to go see the Flagstaff Lava Tube while we were in the area, and I am so glad they did. Even though the Grand Canyon is absolutely amazing, I think going to this lava tube was truly the highlight of our trip. Since then, anytime anyone we know is in the area, I always…
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3 Sisters Falls San Diego
The 3 Sisters Falls San Diego was one hike that I had been wanting to do for quite some time. We finally had a free Saturday to put this hike into motion, but my husband was dealing with a back injury, and I was a bit worried about doing this hike with just my kids. Luckily, a friend and her boys were down to join us, so off we went. A parking permit is not required for the 3 Sisters Falls hike There are a couple of things you should know before you take off. First, there is a lot of mixed information about whether or not you need an…
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Exploring Bishop, California: Adventure, Eats, Shopping & Stays
I’ve passed through Bishop dozens of times in my life. Anytime we travel to June Lake, Mammoth or Lake Tahoe, it’s a must-stop at town where we can refuel ourselves along with our vehicle. But I recently stayed in Bishop for a couple of nights so that we could hike the Big Pine Lakes Trail, and we had so much fun thoroughly exploring the town. There are many things to do in Bishop, CA that are worth mentioning. Nestled beside the majestic Sierra Nevada, Bishop is one of the Eastern Sierra’s most flourishing small towns. Whether you’re trekking high trails, chasing bouldering problems, or savouring her famous bakery—Bishop offers a…
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Big Pine Lakes: A Must-Do Hike in California
I first stumbled upon pictures of the Big Pine Lakes hike right after returning from hiking in Glacier National Park last summer. I have lived in California for my entire life and still had no idea that beautiful glacier lakes like this existed here. I knew I needed to hike this trail, and 11 months later, I made it happen. If you’re looking for a hike that will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a screensaver, the Big Pine Lakes Trail in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas is one for the bucket list. This is not your average forest loop or hillside stroll — this trail takes you through…
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Nakalele Blowhole Maui: Parking, Safety Tips & What to Know Before You Go
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Maui, the Nakalele Blowhole is one of the most dramatic natural sights on the island. This powerful ocean geyser shoots water high into the air—but it’s also one of the most dangerous spots on Maui, so knowing what to expect before you go is key. In this post, I go over the specifics about how to get to the Nakalele Blowhole and more importantly, how to stay safe at the Nakalele Blowhole, as many people have lost their lives there. Interested in more Maui hot spots? Here’s your guide to Black Rock Beach. Plus, check out the Best Stops on the…
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Spring Cove Campground, Bass Lake
Doing a mountain/ lake camping trip is one of our favorite traditions, and this summer we discovered a hidden gem of a campground: Spring Cove Campground at Bass Lake. If you’re looking for a California lake to camp at, this might be just the spot for you. We love camping in Yosemite, but those campsites are so hard to get, especially when coordinating with a group. So for the past several years, we’ve been trying out other campgrounds on lakes. Choosing Where to Camp We spent a week camping at Pinecrest Lake (and we loved it!) over the last two summers, but this year we decided to venture out again…
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Kwaay Paay Peak Trail, San Diego
If you’re looking for a hike in San Diego that will get your heartrate up and not take all day, the Kwaay Paay Peak Trail might be just the ticket. The Kwaay Paay Peak Trail is in Mission Trails Regional Park, but doesn’t get nearly as much foot traffic as its popular neighboring peak, Cowles Mountain. And it’s a bit shorter of a hike. But don’t let that fool you. This hike gains 885 ft. during the 1.25 mile journey to the summit–it’s a steep one! Once you have all your hiking essentials loaded up, it’s time to head to the trail. Getting to the Kwaay Paay trail The Kwaay…
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Lake Jennings Campground, San Diego
I’ve lived in San Diego all my life and somehow had never been to the Lake Jennings campground prior to this previous weekend. Ideally when we go camping, we love to explore new territory and venture a little bit further from home. However, there is definitely something to be said about the ease of camping 20 mins from home, especially when trying to coordinate with a large group of campers, which we were. We decided about two months ago to try to go camping with a bunch of families from our youth sports team. As you can imagine, many popular campgrounds are full two months out, especially when you need…
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A Scenic Adventure: Hiking Yosemite’s Panorama Trail
In case it’s not obvious by now, I love a good waterfall. And the waterfalls at Yosemite National Park are my absolute favorite. That’s why I absolutely love The Panorama Trail in Yosemite–it brings you up close and personal to three of the most stunning waterfalls at Yosemite National Park. The Panorama Trail is one of the best hikes in all of Yosemite, and is definitely one of the most scenic. And it’s not nearly as crowded as any of the other famous hikes, like Half Dome, Vernal Falls or Yosemite Falls. Yet it offers spectacular views of both Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls and another less-known (but still gorgeous) waterfall,…
