The last stop of my 2024 cross country roadtrip was the Triad in North Carolina, a cluster of little cities I’d had my eye on for a few years now. This area so did not disappoint!
No traffic, great local mountains, some solid quirky sights…I was very pleased with the visit. I believe this area gets overlooked because Raleigh and Charlotte overshadow it, but if you like a hidden gem this is for you.
#northcarolina #winstonsalem #greensboro #roadtrip #carpediem #roadtrip #hike #nature #america
You know what just drives me wild? Looking at GoogleMaps and seeing a city I haven’t been to. Can’t stand it. Gotta go.
So my second Spring week in Tennessee was out of Johnson City, don’t think this is a typical tourist spot, but I absolutely adored it.
Right on the Appalachian Trail there are so many great hikes to choose from, plus you’re in perfect day trip range to get to the VA and KY state high point hikes. Great bbq and hidden gem restaurants, some funky art stops, and the presidential museum of Andrew Johnson.
#appalachia #seetheworld #travel #hike #carpediem #nature #tennessee #appalachiantrail
I spent a gorgeous Spring week based out of Knoxville, Tennessee this year. I’d day tripped to the city before, so my main focus was the parks within driving radius and there are plenty.
I was most excited to exploring South Fork National River with its plentiful rock arches, also dipped back into the Great Smoky Mountains after many years, and of course the local mountain parks of the area as well. Of you don’t mind driving, there is so much to see!
#knoxville #tennessee #roadtrip #hike #nature #carpediem #seetheworld #travel
My trips to Colorado are usually in early Spring, so a lot of the places I dream of hiking are still socked in with snow.
In this short week I filled the days with some lower elevation hikes that had prairie dogs, dinosaur footprints, and a couple of killer views.
I was also happy to check out some cool art museums and finally got the chance to tour the Celestial Seasonings tea factory.
#tea #colorado #denver #hike #roadtrip #nature #art #dinosaur
Every cross country roadtrip I get majorly bummed out leaving the West Coast, but there is one saving grace…the American Southwest.
A visit to Utah is usually my favorite part of the drive back East because it’s just so wacky. This time around I explored the northeast portion of the state out of a little town named Vernal.
I had the best time finding petroglyphs, dinosaur bones and footprints, seeing arches and extraordinary geological formations…this state is truly out of this world!
#utah #southwest #america #roadtrip #dinosaur #nativeamerican
After two weeks on the Oregon Coast it was time to head inland for a bit.
Made a short week layover in Portland (my second time to the city) and hit the city when Spring was in FULL BLOOM! The garden scene was truly impressive, hikes were filled with wild trillium, and the waterfalls were flush. Ate at as many food trucks as I could and went to a bunch of offbeat museums.
Then the weekend came which meant it was time to explore a park I’d been looking forward to seeing for years! But to get there it was a bit of a drive, passing by Mt Hood and visiting the last Blockbuster on Earth.
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument was remote and magical, filled with colorful out of this world badlands scenery I crave and a super cool museum.
#oregon #portland #pdx #hike #nature #roadtrip #america #explore #seetheworld
I have dreamed of exploring the Oregon Coast for years, and decided to finally take the plunge this past Spring.
I was concerned about the weather for a March trip, but in reality it wasn’t too bad. Yes it was chilly and rained a lot (it also rained for most of my two month stay in California this year), but there was plenty of sun too and the sights were well worth the struggle.
This rugged coastline is filled with splendor - waterfalls, unique geology, delicious dungenuss crab, and not overly populated like the states it’s sandwiched by.
#oregon #oregoncoast #explore #seetheworld #nature #hike #roadtrip #america
I was lucky enough to spend a month in Santa Rosa, California this winter, just north of San Francisco. I used this small city as a base for exploring the natural bounty of Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties (and dipping into SF a bit).
Loved hiking the various redwood parks, going to see the Charlie Brown creator museum, hitting my favorite little coastal town Bodega Bay for tide pooling and the best Dungeness crab sandwich on earth, hiking Point Reyes, and eating bbq oysters 🦪.
For me, I’d always choose to stay north of the Golden Gate Bridge and spend more time enjoying this amazing area without the traffic congestion and crowds.
#cali #california #sf #sanfrancisco #seetheworld #explore #nature #roadtrip #carpediem
I’ll level with you, San Francisco is one of the coolest cities in America - I’ve been countless times and keep coming back, but it’s also one of the most horrible places to behold.
The nature is unbelievable good right in the city. Rugged coastline, banana slugs, sea lions, great hiking. Museums and restaurants are top notch - many of my favorites in the entire country are right here.
But man, the drug and homelessness problem is so real. I took a half marathon walk around the city one day and my route ended up going down Market Street in the Tenderloin, which looked like a true zombie apocalypse.
Lucky for me it was broad daylight and I’m physically fit to move fast, but this neighborhood is rougher than any third world country I’ve been to. Truly sad and should be unacceptable in America.
#america #sf #sanfrancisco #roadtrip #travel #explore #seetheworld
My whole life I’ve heard about how dangerous Tijuana was, but by this point in life (my third time visiting the San Diego area) I’ve been to a few places deemed unsafe. So I packed my passport and parked my car north of the border to join the mass of people crossing the bridge on foot into the city.
Mexico is an amazing place and a whirlwind for the senses. The culture is strong and the food is amazing, if visiting on a day trip like I was you really are transported to another world. I didn’t personally find the city to be any sketchier than neighbors you can find on the other side of the wall. I just had a blast using pesos at the markets and restaurants, hitting up some museums, and running around in the rain. So glad I finally crossed Tijuana off of my list!
#mexico #tijuana #daytrip #explore #foodie #carpediem
SoCal is my dream spot I’d love to call home one day, but in case I never settle there I am overjoyed to spend a month when I can.
I picked a central location to visit North County San Diego and Orange County so everything would be different from my last visit which was based right in SD.
Tide pooling, hiking, museums, and restaurants I’ve never hit… playing some brand new pinball machines… visiting all the farmers markets, gardens, beaches, and little towns I’ve never explored…
I live life on the road treating each day like the next may never come, but my list for next time is always growing 🙃
#travel #roadtrip #cali #california #socal #seetheworld #carpediem
Carpe Diem!
Starting to lose count on how many cross country road trips I’ve taken, but I’ll never forget the stops along the way.
My Winter to Spring 2024 trip was wildly fun, remembered my passport this year so I could hop south of the border a few times whilst in SoCal, ventured further north than I normally do in early spring to finally see the Oregon Coast, hit many new cities and parks that have been on my radar, and had one dream come true: seeing an octopus in a tide pool.
No mountain lion or badger sightings which are on my wish list…maybe that’s in store for 2025?
#america #roadtrip #travel #carpediem #seetheworld
Three weeks road-tripping Japan from Okinawa to Hokkaido, I will never forget this amazing standout country with one of the most unique cultures I’ve seen in the world this far.
#japan #roadtrip #travel #culture #seetheworld #sushi #hellokitty
Tide pooling, hiking, and finding all the gems - my first week in SoCal has been a dream.
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#socal #california #cali #southerncalifornia #orangecounty #sandiego #tidepools #hike #hiking #hikingadventures #naturephotography #nature #octopus #starfish #mountains #mountain #whale #art #artoftheday #beach #palmtrees #palmtree #beachlife #beachvibes #travel #explore #wander #nomad #wanderlust #travelphotography
Everyone’s heard of day tripping to Tijuana from San Diego - but why not try Tecate?
Famous for their beer (get a free cup at the brewery), you will love the delicious food and relaxed vibe of this friendly little city.
Just park at the border, walk across, and enjoy being in another country for a few hours! Easy as pie.
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#beer #tecate #mexico #daytrip #vaca #vacation #staycation #sandiego #california #baja #roadtrip #border #food #foodie #art #artoftheday #artlover #mexico🇲🇽 #mexicanfood #beerstagram #beerlover #taco #tacos #explore #socal #wander #nomad #travel #traveltips #city
Some of the craziest wildlife I’ve seen around the world is in Türkiye! Always had a feline lap warmer and canine hiking companion 😹.
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#cat #catsofinstagram #cats #catlover #catlife #cats_of_world #instacat #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogoftheday #dogstagram #dogs #doglover #doglife #doglove #wildlife #wildlifephotography #wildlifeonearth #wildlifeofinstagram #wildlifeplanet #türk #turkey #turkiye #istanbul #travel #travellingthroughtheworld #travelphotography #traveltheworld #traveltips #traveling
Beaching, birding, hiking with pups…soaking in in the old town vibes with vintage cars…and stuffing my face with chivitos. A quick day trip to Uruguay is a must when visiting Buenos Aires, an easy ferry ride right across the river.
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#colonia #uruguay #southamerica #buenosaires #argentina #international #travel #ferry #boat #boating #river #bird #birding #dog #dogsofinstagram #hike #hiking #nature #naturephotography #travelphotography #traveling #traveltips #vaca #vacation #daytrip #trip #wander #nomad #art #dailyart
