Author: roadtripqueen

Road trip expert here to help you plan epic adventures across the US!

The BEST Hiking Trails in Rocky Mountain National Park for Kids

Posted in Colorado, Hiking, National Parks, Rocky Mountain National Park, Tips & RecommendationsTagged , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of my favorite Parks in the whole country! There’s just something about Colorado that fills my soul with peace. So, taking my boys to Rocky Mountain National Park was very high on my adventure list.

Before we visited RMNP, my boys had only done a few hikes here and there. This Park actually created a new love of hiking for our entire family. I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but I wanted to see picturesque scenery and I wanted some beautiful family photos of our adventures! We got all of that and more, so keep reading below to learn about the best hiking trails in Rocky Mountain National Park for kids!

Click here for my best tips for hiking for kids!

The Best Hiking Trails in RMNP

Most of our favorite trails are in the Bear Lake Corridor, I’ll touch on this more below.

If I only had one day in the Park, the next three hikes would be on my list!

Nymph Lake

Nymph Lake – To access this hike, the trailhead starts at Bear Lake. This trail is only about a one mile out & back hike and is generally considered a fairly easy route. The Lilly pads were our favorite feature at this lake! If you keep going along this trail around the lake, you will end up at Dream Lake, which is my next favorite stop in RMNP!

Dream Lake

Dream Lake – Dream Lake truly is a dream! It’s close to a mile past Nymph Lake, so a total of 1.9 miles out & back from the trailhead at Bear Lake. There are a lot of flat rocks around the lake, so we found a spot and had some snacks and a quick rest before venturing on to Emerald Lake, which is breathtaking!

The trail to Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake – This trail is the absolute best! It’s about three miles out & back from the trailhead at Bear Lake. If you plan to make this hike, you will see Nymph Lake and Dream Lake along the way! We actually combined all three of these trails into one day of hiking and it only took us about 3.5 hours to complete! I would rate this entire three mile trail as moderate, but it was definitely easy enough for my boys to hike without complaining! The views along the entire way are absolutely amazing!

Emerald Lake

Alberta Falls

Alberta Falls – Alberta Falls is a beautiful hike to a beautiful waterfall! You definitely don’t want to miss this one. The trail to the falls is 1.6 miles out & back and only takes about an hour or so. It’s a little harder on the way back in than on the way out. My boys not only loved the waterfall, but they loved all the chipmunks in the area around the falls. This one also starts in the Bear Lake Corridor. We hiked the first three trails (Nymph, Dream, and Emerald Lakes) on our first day in the Park and then hiked Alberta Falls on the second day. I’m not sure my boys could’ve combined all four trails into one day but it is an option if you have limited time here!

This is a great place to stop, rest, take in the falls, & have a picnic!

Lake Haiyaha – This is probably the most gorgeous lake I’ve ever seen in person, but the trail to get to it is super tough. It’s about two miles of walking up a mountain and then scrambling over large boulders to reach the water. The total trail is about 4 miles out & back and is considered a challenging hike. Currently, the water is this amazing shade of blue caused by a recent rock slide last summer! If your kids can handle getting to the top and like climbing on rocks, then you should go for it! The hike back down is very easy since it’s all downhill!

Lake Haiyaha

Easier Trails in RNMP

Sprague Lake around 4:45 pm in July

Sprague Lake Loop – If you want the chance to see a moose, then be sure to add a visit to Sprague Lake to your day! This is the easiest trail, it’s more of a loop around the lake. It’s on flat ground and is less than a mile. There’s even benches and different areas to sit down and take in the landscape! We arrived right around 4:30 and saw a moose and her baby within fifteen minutes! It was the highlight of the trip for sure! We hiked to Alberta Falls first and then ended our day at Sprague Lake. This area is also a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset!

Bear Lake

Bear Lake – This is the first lake you will encounter on the trails at Bear Lake. It’s also an easy loop around the lake and is less than a mile around. We only spent about fifteen minutes here before hiking on to Emerald Lake. If you want to see beautiful scenery without much hiking, then this is the place to be!

Colorado River Trail

Colorado River Trail – This is one of the only trails that we hiked that wasn’t in the Bear Lake Corridor. We definitely prefer the Bear Lake area, but if you’re unable to get a permit to enter (more info. below), then I suggest driving along Trail Ridge Road and then hiking this trail! The entire loop is about 4.2 miles, but we only hiked about half of that before turning around. The part we did was very easy and flat. The boys liked walking across the river on downed trees and we saw a lot of cool animal tracks in the mud here!

General Information About RMNP

Timed-Entry Permit Details

Rocky Mountain National Park now requires a timed-entry permit to enter the Park from May 26, 2023 through October 22, 2023. Always check out the NPS websites, which include valuable information, closures, webcams, etc. There are two separate areas of the Park, Bear Lake Corridor and “the rest of the Park”. Kind of confusing right, especially for first-timers! So, hopefully I can break this down for you in an easier way. Timed-entry permits are available on the first of the month for the following month, so I got our permits on June 1st for our July trip. They are $2 for each day that you want to enter, plus you have to pay the park entrance fee once at the gate & I believe this is $35 for the week. The Park only releases a certain amount of permits each day and hold a couple hundred that go live at 5:00 pm for the following day. So, for example, if I wanted tickets for July 15th I could go online (on the Park’s website) on July 14th at 5:00 pm and TRY to get tickets for the following day. But these tickets go fast, so you need to be online and logged in to your account for a quick purchase. Click here for the website to get your timed-entry permit! Bear Lake Corridor is the area of the Park that we enjoyed the most. I highly suggest getting your timed-entry reservations for this area as soon as they are released!

There are a couple of different entrances to get into the Park, we always used the Beaver Meadows entrance coming in from Estes Park, it is very close to the Bear Lake Corridor Entrance. You will need timed-entry permits for all entrances. When you enter here, you can drive along Trail Ridge Road from one end of the park to another, roughly 45 miles I believe. The views are stunning and there are several different areas to pull over and park to check out views or hike trails. You can get a Park map at the entrance and everything is nicely marked off with signs. I highly recommend driving this road at least once on your visit! We found so many neat places to stop for photos and some really great trails with short hikes! Make sure you have a full tank of gas if you plan to drive this road!

If you have any questions about visiting RMNP, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I am happy to help you plan an epic adventure, just leave a comment and I will get back to you!

Happy Trails, my friends!

Hiking for Beginners: Tips for Finding Trails, What to Pack, and More!

Posted in Hiking, Tips & Recommendations, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , 7 Comments

Have you found yourself wanting to explore more of the great outdoors, but you aren’t sure where to start? I was in the exact same place as you just a few years ago! Now, I’m so much more confident when it comes to planning epic hiking trips and we’ve clocked over 85 miles of hiking over the past year alone! Keep reading to discover how I find the best trails and learn more about the hiking essentials we never leave behind!

Emerald Lake Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, about 3 miles out & back.

Hiking Trails

Are you capable of making the climb on this trail?

Tips for Finding the Right Hiking Trails

Finding the best hiking trails for you and your family involves some planning ahead. You definitely need to assess your abilities and should never choose a trail that is too challenging or too long. I highly recommend starting out with shorter hikes first, especially if there will be any elevation changes.

Most trails are very well marked!

When we first started hiking, I wasn’t really sure where to go. I looked on Pinterest, read other blogs, and followed hikers on Instagram for inspiration. This led us to hiking in different National and State Parks across the country! If you aren’t sure where to start, then look into hiking at the closest National or State Park near you. These Parks are pretty remarkable, which is why the land has been protected for all of us to enjoy. Most of these Parks have trails for just about any skill level and the trailheads are well marked. Plus, you can chat with the Park Rangers stationed at most of the popular trailheads for more tips and guidance!

The AllTrails app logo

I exclusively use the app AllTrails to help find the best hiking trails for my family once we’ve chosen our destination. Jereme and I are able to hike more strenuous and longer trails, but our kids are not quite there yet. When all of us are hiking, we choose trails that range from one to three miles and are rated as easy or moderate. I really like using this app because it includes detailed information about the trail, photos from other hikers, driving directions to the trailhead, and even a map so you won’t get lost while you’re hiking!

This is an example of the information about a trail in the AllTrails app!

Permits

When you decide on your destination, I recommend checking out their website for any permits you might need to park or enter the trailhead. Several places, including some National Parks, require timed-entry permits during the peak summer months. Others require you to pre-purchase a parking pass. So, always visit the website to learn more about where you’re going and to ensure that you are prepared for your visit!

What to Pack

Glad we had our raincoats on this trail!

Adult Hiking Gear

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I have had my Hiking Back Pack for years & still love it!

Having the right gear is also essential when you’re hiking. We don’t have much, but what we do have really makes a huge difference in how enjoyable our hiking trips are.

  • Hiking Boots – I cannot stress the importance of hiking boots enough! Make sure that you purchase a pair that are waterproof and sturdy around your ankles. Another important tip is to break these hiking boots in before you hit the trails to prevent blisters!
  • Hiking Poles – Jereme really enjoys hiking with poles. I feel like they get in my way, but that might be because I’m always trying to take photos while we’re hiking.
  • Large Hiking Back Pack – Jereme carries a larger hiking back pack that holds more items, like raincoats, a towel, and my camera stand.
  • Cooler Back Pack – I carry a smaller hiking backpack that holds plenty of food, snacks and water along with the first aid kit.
  • Layers – You can hike in just about clothing, but we try to stick with layers. Often, we will start hiking early in the morning and it can be quiet chilly, so we bring along sweatshirts, gloves, and hats.

Kids Hiking Gear

The boys with their Hiking Boots and Hiking Poles

I have found that making sure that my boys have the right gear is also extremely important in ensuring that the day goes smoothly. All bets are off if they get cold, wet, and miserable! Below are the things that I make sure my kiddos have before we leave for a hike!

  • Kids Hiking Boots – My boys love to explore and climb and these hiking boots have done the job! They’re also waterproof, which has been amazing since they love splashing in water.
  • Dry Fit Clothes – I like to have the boys in dry fit clothing, just in case it rains or they decide to get into water along the trails.
  • Gloves – I always pack thin gloves when we go hiking. We got really cold one summer hiking in the mountains in Colorado. Sometimes at the top of a mountain, or when a pop-up rain shower happens, it gets cold quick!
  • Raincoats – We always bring our raincoats, too. We don’t let a little rain stop our fun!
  • Kids Hiking Poles – The boys really like hiking with these hiking poles and have said that they are actually helpful when they are tired and have to walk up and downhill.
  • Cooling Bandanas – This was also a great purchase a few years ago! The boys love bringing these along on summer hikes. We usually put them in the freezer the night before we hike and they stay pretty cold!
These Cooling Bandanas were a great purchase!

In My Backpack

This is why you need Bear Spray!

I really try not to weigh our hiking back packs down with too much, but there are several things that everyone should bring along with them when hiking. This is what we pack in our back packs before we hit the trails!

  • First Aid Kit – This is another must have! It never fails, my oldest always end up with a cut, scrape, or splinter on our hikes. This travel first aid kit goes along with us on hikes, road trips, and even to the beach!
  • Bug Spray – If you’re going to hike in the forest, or really anywhere outdoors, then don’t forget to pack the bug spray! You’ll thank me later!
  • Bear Spray – We had our first bear encounter last summer in Grand Teton National Park! It was amazing to see a bear in nature, but a little scary at the same time. We felt a lot more secure having bear spray with us! Remember to open the bear spray and clip it somewhere with easy access instead of packing in your back pack!
  • Sunscreen – It’s so important to pack the sunscreen, no matter the season or temps!
  • Binoculars – We love taking along our binoculars! Sometimes the boys get a little bored during certain parts of a hike, so having these on hand is useful for many different reasons!
  • Cell Phone – I take along my cell phone for photos, but also in case of emergencies and to have a map/GPS. I suggest bringing it along at all times in case you need to call emergency services for assistance on the trails.
  • Camera Stand – Obviously not everyone will want to bring a camera stand along, but I don’t go many places without mine since I use it for our family photos! The one I have even fits in my smaller hiking back pack and isn’t too heavy to hike with!
  • Biodegradable Wet Wipes – I won’t mention any names, but my little one always has to use the bathroom when we’re hiking! These wipes really come in handy when nature calls!
  • Extra Cell Phone Battery Pack – Don’t forget an extra battery pack! My phone dies quick as it is, but especially when I’m taking photos and videos and using the GPS.
  • Head Lamps – I am so happy that we purchased these headlamps a few years ago! So far, we’ve used them for sunset/sunrise hikes, crabbing at the beach, and also at Carlsbad Caverns!

In the Car

My boys will find any water to play in, which is why I recommend bringing towels & dry clothes!
  • National Park Pass – While not every hike will be in a National Park, you might be surprised at how many places will accept a NP Pass for parking! I keep mine in the car at all times!
  • Towels – I highly recommend taking some towels with you just in case you’re caught in rain, take a dip in a water source, or get muddy on the trails!
  • Change of clothes – A change of clothes, including dry socks, is also highly recommended. Most trailheads have restrooms, but we’ve also been known to change in the car!
  • Dry shoes – We like to take off our hiking boots when the hike is over. Sometimes they’re wet, dirty, and sweaty. The boys like to throw on their crocks when we get in the car.
  • Phone Chargers – Make sure you have your car charger, especially if you don’t have an extra battery pack.
  • Battery Charger/Jumper Cables – We travel with a battery charger/jumper cables just in case of car trouble! I highly recommend, especially since most trails are off the beaten path.

Leave No Trace Principles

So thankful I found this new love for hiking!

When hiking or recreating outdoors, always be sure to follow the seven Leave No Trace Principles.

  • Plan Ahead & Prepare
  • Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information, visit the National Park Service website!

Layers are also a good idea!

We have seen some of the most stunning landscapes and wildlife on our hiking adventures! The memories we’ve made along the trails are some that I will cherish forever. If you’ve been hesitant to plan a hiking trip, I hope this information helps! While hiking is not for everyone, hitting the trails and getting in some exercise and fresh air is never a bad idea. If you have any questions for me, please don’t hesitate to a leave a comment. Travel safe, my friends!

Favorite Family Beach Destinations & Why We Love Them

Posted in Alabama, Beach, Destinations, Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, United StatesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

There’s nothing like a trip to the beach, especially for a busy family! While we love adventuring, hiking, and exploring, it’s sometimes really nice to plan a low-key vacation to a beautiful destination. And then, when you get to that beautiful destination, it’s perfectly alright to do absolutely nothing except enjoy where you are and who you’re with! I think that’s why we love going to the beach. It never involves too much planning and we usually return feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. I’m including some of our favorite beach destinations, both in the US and south of the border. This doesn’t cover every beach we’ve visited, but it’s a nice start if you’re getting ready to plan a trip to the beach!

United States

The US has some fantastic beach destinations, some more unique than others! I am fascinated with the different landscapes from coast to coast. Below are just a few of our favorite beaches in the United States and why we love them!

Orange Beach, Alabama

Beautiful beach sunset

This is our most recent beach vacation, and even though we’ve been traveling to Orange Beach for over twelve years now, we still enjoy each and every visit! This is one of those places that has beautiful white sands, emerald waters, delicious food, and isn’t very crowded if you plan your trip out right! The past two visits to Orange Beach have been in March and April and the crowds were basically non-existent. It looks a little different during those peak summer months, though. We love Orange Beach because we keep it super low-key and chill. You can find us hanging out at the beach, boogie boarding on the waves, warming up in the hot tub, and trying new seafood restaurants each evening. The boys love that we start each day with no major plans!

My favorite boys at one of our favorite places!
Those waves though!
Our most recent family photo, Orange Beach 2023.
These boys stayed in the ocean for basically three days straight!

Things to do in Orange Beach:

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Jereme walking along the tide pools at Haystack Rock

I have wanted to visit Cannon Beach for forever and I finally got the chance last March over our spring break. We visited as part of a Pacific Coast Highway road trip and we all agreed that we wished we would’ve had more time here at this beach. We adored the little beach cottage we stayed in and the town is super quaint and welcoming! The tide pools made my whole life and the boys still talk about having bonfires on the beach in the evenings. We have big plans to return to Cannon Beach and stay at the exact same cottage one day!

The first ever tide pools and starfish I’ve seen in nature!
We were all amazed at the marine life!
It was a little chilly at this beach, but we still loved it!
Bonfires on the beach at night!

Things to do in Cannon Beach:

Folly Beach, South Carolina

Under the pier right next to the hotel

Folly Beach was our first ever trip to South Carolina and it was a great one! We loved the hotel we stayed at and I highly recommend it for families! Folly Beach is also known for amazing finds, like shark teeth and shells. So if you have kiddos that love sharks or shells, check this destination out! I also loved the proximity to Charleston and some of the plantations and historical sites in the area. Overall, this is a really fun family destination. South Carolina is such a beautiful state!

Sandcastles are always fun
These boys love swimming!
Our first full day in South Carolina!

Things to do in Folly Beach:

St. Pete’s Beach, Florida

That water & rainbow!

This destination has it all! You can visit just to relax at the beach all day, but there’s also a vast amount of water sports, shopping, & dining! We visited a few summers ago and the boys still ask to go back. We had a blast parasailing, sliding on some of the inflatable slides outside of the hotel, relaxing, and eating amazing seafood! The water is also stunning and so blue! It was a little crowded, but we were there during the peak summer months, so that’s to be expected when you’re visiting just about any beach in Florida! The hotel really made the stay worthwhile and we didn’t even leave this resort much because it truly had everything! We also really enjoyed the beach’s proximity to Tampa.

Parasailing right outside the resort
The boys loved these slides!
We made s’mores on the beach every night!
And spent the days in the water!

Things to do at St. Pete’s Beach:

Galveston, Texas

There’s nothing better than a Texas sunset!

If you live in Texas, then visiting Galveston is a must since it’s in our state! Even though Galveston is not known for white sand beaches and clear, blue waters, it’s still my kiddos’ favorite beach destination! We always have such an awesome time when we visit. I think my boys love it so much because it doesn’t require a lot of driving to get there and it holds such special memories for us. We’ve visited for just a weekend and even stayed once for ten days!

Annual Galveston family photo
We always stay at Sea Scape Condos!
Mini Golf at Magic Carpet Golf

Things to do in Galveston:

Mexico

There’s something really special about those all-inclusive beach resorts in the Caribbean and our family has had many wonderful experiences visiting Mexico! So far, we’ve had the chance to take our boys to Cozumel, Cabo, and Cancun. Each destination offers many excursions and activities that are fun for all ages! The resorts in Mexico make it so easy for travelers and usually have people assisting you upon arrival to find the perfect excursions for you family!

Cozumel, Mexico

Love the water and those palm trees

We really love this little island. Jereme and I have traveled to Cozumel at least five times on our own and with our kids. The people are amazing and we have made many special memories exploring the island. I cannot get over the water! It’s so clear and you can literally see fish swimming everywhere, right from the shore!

Iberostar Cozumel Resort
Shopping in town
Chicken nuggets on the beach

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Grand Fiesta Americana

Cabo is one of my personal favorite destinations in Mexico! I love the how the desert meets the ocean here. And watching whales right from our hotel balcony was a truly amazing experience. It’s not always the best place to swim in the ocean and finding a hotel where this is available involves some planning. But it’s such a beautiful destination and there’s something here for everyone to enjoy!

Look at these fish right off the shore of the resort
My boys loved swimming with them!

Cancun, Mexico

Family photo in Cancun!

Cancun is a wonderful place to visit, especially since the international airport is located here! We’ve actually only stayed in Cancun once as a family, but it has been one of our favorite vacations to date! On our first night here, we were able to help a local group release baby sea turtles back into the ocean and this experience is one that I will never forget!

Swimming in Cenote
Day at the resort
Swimming with dolphins
Mayan Ruins

We use the fabulous travel agent, Alexa Spahr to book our trips to Mexico and beyond. She comes highly recommended and has helped us book several trips. She really works within your budget and travel dates and it’s always been such a smooth and easy process with her help. You can contact Alexa via email at alexa@travelwithalexa.com and be sure to check out her website www.travelwithalexa.com. If you reach out to Alexa, please let her know I sent you her way!

As you can see, beach destinations can be a low-key and relaxing trip, but there are also a ton of activities to explore! We like a nice balance, so we’ll usually spend a day at the resort and then a day packed full of excursions and continue that pattern! If you’re interested in planning a trip to the beach and are in need of any ideas or recommendations, please reach out! I’m happy to answer any questions you may have, so leave me a comment. I’d also love to hear about your favorite family beach destinations!

What I Packed for the Beach

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This post contains affiliate links of products that we use and love! I may earn a small commission, at no charge to you, if you purchase any of the items using the links provided. Thank you!

Since we changed our spring break plans very last minute, I thought I would share some of the items that I packed for the beach that turned out to be extremely useful.  Consider this a pre-made packing list for your next beach getaway!

For the Road Trip

This fits right in the floorboard of the car between the boys and is easy to carry to the room when we arrive!

If you’re wondering what we take on our road tripping adventures, you might be surprised that it’s not much. I tried all the fancy gadgets at one point and felt like they all got in the way! Now days, we keep it pretty simple.

  • Snacks – We never leave for a trip without a basket of snacks! Not only is this super helpful for those long stints of driving, we usually have plenty to last us in the hotel for our whole stay!
  • Gatorades – Boxes of Gatorade are easy to pack in the car and we also usually have several leftover that we can drink while we’re in the room!
  • Phone chargers – I make sure to pack a charger for each of us. This way we all have one, there are extras if one stops working, and the boys aren’t ever arguing about whose turn it is to charge their devices!
  • Screen shot of hotel confirmation – I always make sure to either take a screenshot or print out the hotel confirmation for my records. Another word of advice, you can call the hotel ahead of time to make sure that they have your reservation on file!
  • GPS – We typically use the maps on our phones for directions to wherever we are going, which is another reason we need to bring along our chargers.
  • Bag of Quarters – We encountered a toll road right as we got close to Orange Beach. I knew this ahead of time, so I made sure to have a bag of quarters. I like bringing quarters along for multiple reasons, which includes money for tolls, money for the hotel vending machines, money for laundry if it’s needed, and finally having money if we need to air up our tires for any reason!
  • Pillows & Blankets – My boys are pros at sleeping in the car on our road trips. So we like to have travel pillows and blankets for them. We also bring along our own pillows to sleep with at night to ensure that we get a good night’s rest!
  • Portable Car Battery Jump Starter & Jumper Cables – Jereme has a portable battery charger that we bring along with us on our travels. It’s mostly just extra security to ease anxiety after having car trouble one time several states away from home. This one includes a set of jumper cables.

In My Beach Bag

This photo makes me want to go to the beach! Also, I got an underwater camera for Christmas & I never even used it on this trip lol!

I feel like I haven’t had to pack a beach bag in forever! And when I was going through the one I already have, I realized it was full of summer stuff that we never really needed. So, I cleaned it out and started fresh with things that I knew we would need and that my boys would want and actually use!

  • Beach bag – The bag I took was kind of too small & we all ended up having to carry our towels. So I upgraded to this one when we got home & love it! The cooler is going to be so nice!
  • Sunscreen – Sunscreen is so very important, every single day, but especially at the beach. My whole family loves the Neutrogena brand because it goes on smooth and doesn’t burn or irritate our skin when we reapply.
  • Chapstick with SPF – I am someone that has a freckle on my lip and I don’t want anymore. So, this chapstick has been a game changer for me!
  • Sunglasses – We made sure to bring sunglasses for all of us! I recommend buying a cheap pair for the beach, I swear someone always loses theirs in the ocean when we travel to the beach!
  • Waterproof phone case – This is another product that I love because I am able to get out in the water with the kids and take fun photos and videos without worrying about my phone getting ruined. I kept my phone in this case most of the time on the beach to protect it from the sand, too!
  • Goggles & Snorkels – We got these goggle and snorkel sets for this beach trip and the boys loved using them in the ocean and at the pool!
  • Extra beach towels – For some reason I have never taken extra beach towels with us, but this time I did and it was a game changer! We were only at the beach for three full days, so having two days with fresh towels was great! On the last day, we were able to reuse the towels from the first day after hanging them outside to dry.

Health & Beauty

I have learned to be very intentional when packing for longer trips in regards to health & beauty. Make sure to bring your usual day and nighttime beauty routine items and don’t forget any of the medications that you or your kiddos might need. There is nothing worse than feeling ill on vacation, so we make sure to have headache meds, allergy pills, and tummy ache medication too!

  • First aid kit – I am so thankful we invested in a first aid kit. My oldest seems to always get a scrape, burn, or splinter! This travel kit is perfect for the beach, hiking, camping, or any kind of traveling!
  • Sunburn relief gel – Hopefully you’ll never need this, but we make sure to bring ours on every outdoor adventure! We like to keep it in the refrigerator so it’s nice cold if we need it for a burn!
  • Face moisturizer – This is the face moisturizer that my dermatologist recommended for everyday use! I try to use it each night and morning.
  • Tanning foam – You can bet that I bring along this tanning foam since I cannot lay out and get a natural tan anymore! I put it on right before bed and actually sleep with it on all night and then rinse it off in the morning. I usually only need to reapply once on vacation! I buy the dark tanning lotion.
  • Tanning firming lotion – I use this firming body lotion any time I am going to be in shorts or a dress! I buy the medium to dark tone.
  • Medications – Bring along all the medications that your family might need! I usually just pack a large Ziploc bag full of anything we might use during the week. I always make sure to include something to help me sleep, like Tylenol PM or Benadryl because I have a really hard time sleeping in a new place.  

Family Photo Outfits

Family beach photo 2023

I usually always bring along at least one matching family outfit for photos. Several people ask how I go about coordinating these outfits. I always start by picking out what I am going to wear first. Then I find tops for the boys that will match me. I take screenshots of what I have picked out to make sure they all somewhat match before purchasing. I usually also send the screenshot to one of my best friends to check out and send me feedback, too! Thank you Amy D!

This is how I ensure all the pieces will match!

Swim Suits

I brought along three different swimsuits for this trip and loved how I felt in all of them! All of these had great coverage and were comfortable for a day of lounging and playing in the ocean!

Miscellaneous Items

These items are kind of random, but totally useful and I am so glad that we had them with us on this trip! And this is just one more reason I love road tripping! I can take so many things with us when we drive verse flying.

  • Travel Steamer – My dress really needed to be steamed after I packed it. It was full of wrinkles, but this travel steamer worked great! Just be careful not to fill it with too much water, it leaks when the water is past the fill line.
  • Cordless Vacuum – I use this on all of our road trips to remove crumbs mostly, but this time I used in both the car and in the room for sand! You know everyone and everything is always covered in sand when traveling to the beach. I cannot stand sand on my feet in the hotel or anywhere near the bed! This came in so handy!
  • Cell Phone Camera Stand – This is the stand I use for all of our family photos! I highly recommend if you want to try to take some of your own photos with your phone! It’s easy to use and easy to pack! This one fit in my beach bag and we also take it on hikes with us and it fits in my hiking backpack.

I hope you find all of these items as helpful and useful as we do! What items to do you take to the beach that I need to add my list? I’d love for you to leave a comment for any must haves that we need!

Happy travels, my friends!

Great Places to Eat in Orange Beach, Alabama

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We are a family that loves to eat seafood, but especially when we’re at the beach and it’s fresh! Besides hanging out at the beach all day, the only other activity on our to-do list was finding great places to eat each evening! Lucky for us, we had amazing locals give us some suggestions on their favorite places to eat while we were in Orange Beach! I am sharing all of the places we dined at this past spring break trip and am including a few other favorites of ours!

Coastal

Outdoor seating at Coastal

This was our first time eating at Coastal, it appears to be a fairly new restaurant in Orange Beach right on the beachside of the highway. All of the tables were outside, there was a live band playing, and we all had delicious seafood! We enjoyed our shrimp tacos and drinks, the boys had the grouper plate and popcorn shrimp. The grouper was huge and Jett loved it! We enjoyed the outdoor atmosphere and the live music while we ate!

Can you ever really go wrong with yummy drinks on the beach?
Jereme & I both had shrimp tacos
Grouper plate
Kid’s fried shrimp plate

Bubba’s Seafood

Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant

It’s become a tradition of ours to eat at Bubba’s on our first night in Orange Beach! I’m not sure if it’s because we’ve been in the car for 10 hours and this place is one of the first you see when you’re driving through Orange Beach or what. My boys both said that it’s their favorite place that we’ve eaten at here. Jett loves the crab and shrimp plate! I had shrimp, Jake had the kids fish plate, and Jereme had shrimp tacos. We liked the fun décor in the restaurant and the adult beverages! The kids like the non-alcoholic daiquiris, too!

This kid ate this entire shrimp & crab plate!
Jake’s fried fish kid’s meal
Jereme’s fish tacos
My fried shrimp plate
Cheers, we’re at the beach!

Doc’s Seafood and Steaks

Doc’s Seafood Restaurant

Doc’s was my personal favorite place we ate at on this trip! I really loved the boiled shrimp we had for an appetizer. We also really enjoyed the outdoor games, like corn hole, and listening to live music while we ate and played! Jereme had a fish plate and loaded bake potato that was really good. I had the grilled shrimp plate, which is an Orange Beach favorite dish! And the boys had shrimp and fish. It was all so good! We will definitely return to this restaurant next time we’re at the beach!

This boiled shrimp appetizer was to die for!
Grilled shrimp plate
Fried fish plate
Fun outdoor games

Luna’s

Luna’s Restaurant

This restaurant turned out to be Jereme’s favorite of the trip! We ate here because the boys saw an advertisement fly above us on the beach and wanted to eat here because they thought the airplane with the Luna’s banner was so cool! We ate outside here, too and there’s an outdoor area for kids to play at that includes a sandbox. The boys loved the special shark drink and I especially loved the home style sides that came with my fish plate. Jereme said his sandwich was the bomb! The crab dip was amazing and it had so much crab meat! This was some really great southern, home style cooking that we all really enjoyed!

Delicious crab dip
Jereme’s sandwich
Fried fish bites with green beans, mashed potatoes, and fried okra
Kid’s fried fish plate
Kid’s mac and cheese
Special shark drinks

The Hangout

The Hangout

We didn’t eat at the Hangout this time on the trip, but I feel like it’s such a fun atmosphere for kids so I had to include it! I can’t really say that I’ve had any dish that just blew me away, but my boys always have so much fun eating here! They especially love the foam party each hour! So, if you’re looking for a fun environment, you should check this place out!

Foam party fun

Lulu’s

Outdoor seating at Lulu’s

We loved Lulu’s the last time we visited! It’s such a fun place to dine and I really enjoyed the food and drinks here! The shrimp tacos that I had were amazing and so was the atmosphere! There was a lot for the kids to check out and they had a blast while we were here.

Cactus Cantina

The only pic I took here, Texas tacos

We needed a little break from all the seafood we were eating, so we decided to eat at Cactus Cantina for lunch one day while it was raining. I had Texas tacos and they were surprisingly really good! Jereme and the boys shared nachos that they said were pretty good!

The Yard Milkshake Bar

Happy boys with their milkshakes

If you like huge milkshakes, then be sure to visit The Yard while you’re here! These are fun desserts, especially on hot beach days! There are so many fun choices, there’s a milkshake here for anyone!

So much sugar
But worth it!

Other Dining Recommendations:

These were the other restaurants that were recommended by some locals that we just didn’t have time to eat at! We’ll be trying some of these places next time we visit!

Holiday Inn Express ~ Orange Beach Hotel Review

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We just returned home from an amazing week at one of our favorite beaches in Alabama! If you haven’t visited Orange Beach, I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed with the white sand and emerald waters, I promise!

We actually had plans to travel to Utah over the break, but two weeks before the trip I pulled up a long range forecast online and it was predicted to be freezing cold. I looked over at Jereme and basically told him that I didn’t want to hike in those weather conditions. So, I got busy planning something else and my boys said they really wanted to go to the beach and do nothing except play in the ocean. I wasn’t sure how warm the weather would be, but I quickly started making arrangements for Orange Beach. We got extremely lucky with unseasonably warm weather and an overall great trip!

Since I only had two weeks to make arrangements, I quickly started looking for a place to stay on the beach. I really debated between a condo/beach house or a hotel. What sold me on booking a hotel were two things. One was having a pool and hot tub. Not every beach house has one. The other, was having free breakfast in the mornings. I decided that I didn’t really want to cook on this vacation, so I began looking at different hotels. We had actually stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Orange Beach years ago and had a wonderful time, so I ended up booking a room for us there for the week! Below are the things we loved about this hotel!

The Room

We had a clean and spacious beach view room with a king bed and a sofa sleeper for the boys. It was really roomy during the day when we had the “living room” set up. We didn’t spend a ton of time in the room, but it was very clean and the king bed was comfortable. The boys slept very well, but they both said the sleeper sofa wasn’t as comfortable as their beds at home. I loved having a refrigerator and microwave, too! We got groceries and snacks at the local Walmart our first night in town and had plenty of room to store items for sandwiches and drinks for the beach! At night, we’d make popcorn and watch a movie before bedtime. The bathroom was also pretty large and clean. We had no trouble getting ready for the day and night, there was so much counter space and more than one mirror!

The Free Breakfast

A big selling point for our family is free breakfast! Let me tell you, this free breakfast is the best one we’ve ever had! They provided such a large assortment for everyone. Each morning there were biscuits and gravy, either sausage or bacon, and eggs. The egg choices were either cheesy omelets, egg white omelets with peppers, cheesy scrambled eggs, or boiled eggs. There were also cereals, pancakes, yogurts, fruits, and cinnamon rolls! We left completely stuffed and ready for a day at the beach!

The Hotel Staff & Guests

Another big plus besides having clean accommodations is a nice hotel staff. Check in was so smooth and everyone was so friendly. Our room was cleaned each day and someone from the staff was sure to check in on us each morning to see if we needed any items, like extra towels or soap. The hotel guests were also an added bonus! There were several retired couples at this hotel that spend the winter there. They shared all the good places to eat and we left with necklaces and a starfish from one couple! It was nice to have friends to chat with at the pools and on the beach!

The Beach & Pool

The beach access from the hotel was great! All we had to do was walk down a short boardwalk from the property and we were on the beach. At the beach in front of the hotel are chairs and umbrellas to rent for the day. The price is $40 for one day, $70 for two days, and $90 for three days. We did rent chairs, I needed to stay under an umbrella as much as possible. And it was easy, we had the same set up each day and we didn’t have to do any work setting up chairs and an umbrella or taking them down each evening. We spent most of our time at the beach, the boys played in the ocean for hours and hours! It was so relaxing.

When we needed to warm up after being in the ocean for a bit, we would walk up to the pool and hot tub for a quick dip! The pool is pretty big and there are tons of chairs and tables. We also liked the pool side bar and grill! They made yummy adult drinks and mocktails for kids. They also had hot dogs and snacks. I think the menu is a little bigger in the summer, we were there in the off season. The only part that I didn’t like was the hot tub seating. It was so rough and scratchy. If you go, grab a pool towel from the bin and sit on it while you’re in the hot tub. I was so worried I would snag my swimsuit on the rough seats. Other than that, it was nice and hot!

Rating

Based on our experience, I give this hotel 4.5 stars! It was clean, spacious, in a great location, and the beach views were amazing! If you’re looking for a nice, budget friendly place to stay then I would highly suggest checking this place out. We would definitely return to this property!

If you’re planning a trip to Orange Beach, let me know if you need any tips or recommendations! This was at least our fifth or sixth visit and it’s one of our favorite family beach destinations in the US.

16 Tips for Hiking with Kids

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Hiking with kids is not for the faint of the heart, especially if they’re young! We’ve been hiking with our boys for several years now and each hike seems to get easier and easier. Keep reading to learn my best tips for hiking with kids!

Hiking in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

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1. Start Them Young –This is one of my biggest tips, start traveling and hiking with your kids when they’re young! If you follow along on our adventures, then you know that we are a road tripping family. I’m constantly asked, “How do you get your kids to ride in a car that long?” We started them out really young and they don’t know any different. I suggest this with all aspects of travel, whether that be driving, flying, hiking, snowboarding, etc. If you start them young, it will simply become a part of their muscle memory and will be a familiar activity.

Jett’s first hike, DeGray Lake State Park in Arkansas

2. Know Your Kids – You know your kids best, so make sure this is something that they will not only enjoy, but can also handle. Hiking is not for everyone and that is okay. I am all about pushing my kids to try new things and be adventurous, but I also want to have a great time on vacation! Hiking would be no fun for anyone if your kids were miserable the whole time. Know their abilities and their limits and ultimately do what’s best for your family. That might even be waiting until they’re older or hiking without them.

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

3. Break in Hiking Shoes –This is a great tip for anyone hiking, even adults! There is nothing worse than having uncomfortable shoes or blisters when you’re walking. It can be even worse for kids. And if you have kids, then you know that they are going to outgrow their hiking gear just about every season. We purchase these sporty, waterproof hiking shoes for our boys and they play outside in them for several days or weeks before we leave for our next hiking adventure! Trust me on this, do not hike in brand new hiking boots before breaking them in!

Hiking in Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa

4. Fuel Up – This is another great tip for everyone in your group. Hiking can be strenuous. Make sure to eat a big breakfast or lunch, depending on what time of the day you plan to go hiking. There is nothing worse than trying to have a fun family day and one of your kids is in a whole mood because they’re hangry. This happened to us with our little one and I can promise you, it was not one bit of fun once he got hungry. We refuse to leave for the trails until we know that our kids are well fed and full!

The little one is hangry, just look at his face!

5. Bring Lots of Snacks, Food, and Water –We bring a whole hiking backpack full of snacks and water for the trails. Again, we’ve had a pretty tough experience with our youngest one and learned our lesson. We buy these hiking snacks, which my kids love. I also bring sandwiches and Lunchables and lots of beef jerky for extra protein. And we load everything up in our cooler backpack to keep all the food and drinks cool.

Image from Amazon.com

6. Start with Shorter Hikes First – Another really important hiking tip is to start with shorter hikes first. This allows you to assess your kids’ hiking abilities and see if they’re enjoying themselves. You can also practice short hikes or walks around your neighborhood or in a nearby park to see how long your kiddos can last before getting tired or bored! Once you’ve done some shorter hikes, then you can start adding longer trails to your itinerary!

Hiking in Sedona, Arizona

7. Bring a First Aid Kit – I cannot recommend bringing a first aid kit when traveling enough! It never fails, my oldest son falls on every single hike and needs a Band-Aid for his scrapes and cuts. At this point it’s become a joke in the family, but I’m always prepared. We also include sunscreen, bug spray, and bear spray in our hiking backpack!

Image from Amazon.com

8. Go at a Slow Pace – When you start hiking with your kids, you should go at a slow pace. Don’t expect your kids to be able to keep up with adults. We follow all hiking rules, but on some trails there are fun places for kids to climb and explore! I highly encourage this, hiking will be a better experience if your kids are having fun! Take breaks when you see that your kids are tired or need snacks and water! You’ll be surprised at the memories you make when you’re surrounded by nature having a nice rest and talk with your kids.

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado

9. Be Flexible – Being flexible goes hand in hand with knowing your kids. If you can tell they’re struggling or not having fun, then you might need to stop more often for breaks or simply call it a day. Don’t expect for everything to go perfect, especially when you’re first starting out. I promise, it does get easier and easier the more trails you hike.

Hiking behind a waterfall in Twin Falls, Idaho

10. Plan Fun Hikes – One of the biggest hiking tips that I’ve discovered is to plan fun hikes! This not only adds to the excitement, but if you plan something fun the kids will be eager to make the hike to see it. For example, I usually plan hikes that will lead us to a swimming hole, waterfall, cave, or rocks to play on. When my kids know that something fun awaits, they don’t complain as much because they’re excited to make it to the end. Check out our Top 10 Hikes Across the US for ideas on great places to hike with your kids!

Hiking in Maquoketa Caves State Park in Iowa

11. Know the Weather – Depending on where you’re hiking, the weather can change quickly. When hiking in the mountains in the summer, chances of a pop up rain storm are pretty high in the afternoon. I suggest being prepared for any weather conditions and knowing the best time to hike at your destination. If you’re in Utah in the summer, you’re going to want to hike earlier in the day before it gets too hot in the afternoon. If you’re in the mountains, you might want to hike later in the day when it gets warmer.

Waiting out a thunderstorm in Ward, Colorado

12. Bring Extra Clothes – I highly recommend bringing extra clothes for your kids when hiking. Mine always seem to find water or mud to play in. And once they’re wet, they want dry clothes to continue hiking in. We bring raincoats, extra gloves and socks, and a change of clothes or swimsuits in case there’s a water feature. If I know there’s water to play in, I let my kids hike in their swimsuits and then they change into dry clothes once we’re back at the car.

Hiking in Redwoods National & State Parks in California

13. Keep it Engaging – We like to keep the kids engaged, especially when they seem tired or bored. We might come up with a scavenger hunt on the fly. Most of the times it’s as simple as looking for something a certain color or trying to be the first person to spot wildlife! My husband is the best at bringing small balls or a Frisbee for a quick game of catch. And once, my boys invented their own dodgeball game with a pinecone. That was pretty entertaining for all of us!

Hiking in Arches National Park in Utah

14. Let Your Kids Help Choose the Hike – I like to let my boys help decide which trails to hike once I have a destination in mind. I use the AllTrails App to find the best hikes for us. Once I narrow down a destination and a list of hikes that are easy or moderate, I will show the kids some photos and let each of them decide what trail they’d like to hike. They’re usually so proud of their choices and excited to hike the trail that they picked! And of course, Jereme and I hype it up and constantly point out how great their choice was.

Hiking in Redwoods National & State Parks in California

15. Give the Kids a Job – This is a great tip that has come in handy for us several times, especially for my youngest. If we’re hiking with our dog, we let him carry the leash and walk her. If we don’t have her with us, then he usually has the binoculars and is in charge of finding something cool to check out when we stop for breaks. Sometime, it’s the little things that make a huge difference!

Hiking in Crested Butte, Colorado

16. Have Fun – Finally, my best hiking tip is to have no expectations other than having a fun time with your family! It might all go as planned or you may have to end your day early. But being together and getting outdoors is so rewarding! Pack your patience, have a great attitude, encourage your kiddos along the way and enjoy every moment with them!

Hiking in Canyonlands National Park in Utah

Hopefully you find some of these hiking tips helpful! I really can assure you that it gets better and better each time. It doesn’t always go as perfectly as planned, but hiking is such a great experience for kids. What are your questions or hiking tips? I’d love to connect with you, so leave a comment if you have any recommendations, need help planning a hike, or have a question! Happy trails, my friends!

Simple Photo Tips Anyone Can Master!

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One of the questions that I’m asked most often is what kind of camera equipment I use for our travel photos. I’ll let you in on a little secret… I use my iPhone 11 for everything! And up until two years ago, I was still using my old, trusty iPhone 6! The key to capturing great photos is knowing how to use the camera that you have and taking tons of pictures!

If you follow along on our adventures, then you probably know that I’m a teacher and we travel on a budget. I would love to have professional gear, but that’s not really an option for us right now. I do have a Nikon starter camera, but to be honest it’s too big and bulky for me to lug around on our adventures. So, I’m going to show you I my best photo tips and tricks for using the iPhone camera that I have.

Shooting Modes and Angles

One of the first photo tips I like to share is shooting in different modes and from different angles. Cell phones are pretty fancy these days and even an amateur like me can simply click a button to change the mode on the camera. Below are the different modes and angles that I recommend.

Live Mode – I always take photos with Live Mode turned on. I like this feature because you can go back and make Reels clips later with these photos. I have created some really special travel vlogs specifically using mini clips from Live Mode photos. This mode is also necessary for Long Exposure photos, which I will touch on next. Check out the steps below to make sure you have your camera’s Live Mode turned on.

Live Mode Photo Tip: Open your camera and click on the circle in the top right hand corner (shown above).

Live Mode Photo Tip: If Live Mode is turned off, you will see a line through the circle (shown above).

This video clip was made only using photos that were taken with Live Mode turned on!

Long Exposure – Have you ever wondered how people transform a photo of a waterfall or a flowing river into those stunning photos with the blurry/foggy water effect? Well, I know the secret! And it all starts with shooting in Live Mode first, then editing the photo in the iPhone’s camera app to a Long Exposure. Another quick Long Exposure photo tip is to only add this option to landscape or scenery shots. I have not had the best luck with this feature if there are people in the photo because they become blurry as well! Check out the steps below to do this and look at some of my before and after photos in Long Exposure Mode! Both images of the waterfall are from the same photo, the first one was taken in Live Mode and the second image is the photo with Long Exposure.

Photo Tip: To select Long Exposure, the original photo must be taken in Live Mode.

Long Exposure photo tip: Open your camera and take a picture in Live Mode of moving water. Next, open the image from your photo gallery. Click on the down arrow next to the word Live. Choose Long Exposure!

This is the end result! It doesn’t get any easier than this!

Both landscapes are stunning! Which photo do you prefer?

Portrait Mode – I really love taking pictures in Portrait Mode! City shots are my favorite when taken in this mode. I also like to use Portrait Mode when there are crowds of people or something not that visually pleasing in the background. I highly suggest trying this photo tip, I know you will be surprised at how professional your photos turn out! Follow the steps below to put your camera in Portrait Mode and enjoy some of my favorite photos shot in this mode, too!

Photo Tip: You can find the Portrait Mode button next to the Photo button when you open your camera.

I like Natural Lighting, so I usually leave this setting alone.

Same picture, one taken in Portrait Mode and the other in Live Mode.

Self-Timer – Another one of my favorite photo tips is using your camera’s self-timer. I do have a cell phone tripod, so this mode comes in handy when I want a great family shot! I also use the self-timer when I’m taking selfies of us! This mode gives us time to get situated in the frame and for me to get the angle right. Keep reading to learn how to set the self-timer on your phone.

Angles, Vantage Points, & Perspectives – The next time you’re on vacation or somewhere scenic, play around with different angles and vantage points when you’re photographing the landscape. I like to get down really low to the ground when photographing a picturesque scene. It’s also fun to play around with different natural objects, like rocks or a water line. A good photo tip is to off-center your main subject, whether that be people or an object! Check out some of my favorite landscape photos below.

I got down low to the ground and used this drift wood to get a cool beach shot!

Again, low to the ground to get this lake shot! I had never seen pine cones scattered on the shore like seashells!

The contrast in the yellow flowers, whitecapped mountains, and blue sky made a great picture!

This is one of my favorite shots that shows the true perspective of the Grand Canyon! Notice how my subjects are off-centered and more to the left of the photo.

Photo Editing

I wish I knew all the ins and outs of Photoshop, but unfortunately I do not. However, I do know how to enhance photos to make them look more visually appealing without altering the people in the image in an unrealistic way. I exclusively use two apps besides the basic editing features in the iPhone’s picture gallery, which are the Lightroom App and the Facetune App.

iPhone Camera App – This is where I start my photo editing, right in the photo app! And typically, I brighten photos and increase the vibrancy only. These are my go to edits and are so simple and easy. Keep reading to see how I increase the brightness and vibrancy in my photos.

I increased the vibrance to 100, but as you can see, the change if very subtle.

Lightroom App – This is another one of my go-to editing apps when I have a photo that just doesn’t look like the real deal. Maybe the faces in the picture are dark because of shadows. Maybe the colors just aren’t popping like they are in real life. I don’t have any presets saved here, but I do like to increase the brightness and vibrancy with this app, too.

This app makes it so easy to enhance your photos!

Photo Tip: Using Lightroom, increase the shadow and vibrancy for these results!

Facetune App – I love Facetune when I need to make something in a photo vanish. Whether that be a pimple or a random person in the background! The patching and vanishing tools in this app are amazing! I used to like smoothing out facial features, especially when I first started noticing all of my wrinkles. But now, I’ve embraced my age and really hate that plastic look. So, I truly only use this app for the vanishing/patching tool. Check out these features and some before and after pictures below.

Photo Tip: Step one, remove the blue trash can from right side of photo with Facetune. Step two, increase the brightness on the new image with iPhone photo editing.

Not sure why this lady walked behind our photo, but it wasn’t a problem with the Facetune app!

Poses & Action Shots

Learning how to change up our poses is something that I am still trying to figure out, it can feel so awkward at times. And I really do love those traditional pictures where everyone is smiling and looking at the camera! But, I’m also finding that I really adore those action shots, too. If you’re tired of taking the same old photos, then try changing up how you pose or getting more action shots. I’ve taken photos of us walking, jumping, running, and facing away from the camera, just to name a few. Check out some of our favorite action shots and nontraditional poses below!

Photo tip: Face away from the camera, but let your kids be themselves. I love this unintentional shot with Jake looking back at the camera!

This image is actually framed in my house. It captures my boys hiking along a gorgeous trail, no posing!

Cropping, Zooming, & Straightening

Cropping, zooming in, and straightening a photo might just be all you need to capture a great shot! The iPhone makes it so easy to crop and straighten a crooked picture. Check out the photos below to learn how to crop a photo, how to straighten a photo, and then see how some simple cropping and zooming in can completely transform your image into a stunning shot!  

This is the image I shot from the beach. Wait to see the final product after some cropping & zooming! (Below)

This is the final product after some simple cropping & zooming!

Water Shots

With the right waterproof phone case, you can take amazing shots that you might have been too scared to capture before! I just recently purchased a great case and was able to take some fun shots at the lake and in the pool of my boys, without worrying about ruining my phone! Check out some of my favorite water shots below.

These underwater shots were taken in the pool!

Even in a waterproof phone case, the images from the iPhone are still so clear!

Budget Friendly Camera Gear/Accessories

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  • Camera Stand – I literally take this stand everywhere to capture our own family photos!  

Cell Phone Image Quality

When people learn that I primarily only use my iPhone for photos, they ask about the image quality when printing pictures. I am happy to report that I have had no issues of poor quality when it comes to printing my iPhone photos! In fact, I have two walls in my home only dedicated to our travel adventure photos, and these two areas are the favorite places in our home! I use Mixtiles for most of these photos and we’ve been very pleased with the outcome. Check out the two photo walls in my house, and remember, every single printed image is from my iPhone!

This is the wall in our office.

This is the wall in the boys’ hallway.

Be Creative & Have Fun!

My final photo tip is to be creative and have fun trying new things with your camera! You’ll never know how great an image will turn out if you don’t at least try. Play around with editing and cropping, try out new angles and poses, and don’t give up if you aren’t successful right away. Check out some of my favorite creative shots over the past year!

This shot was a spur of the moment idea when I noticed our shadows while hiking! I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but it’s such a cool shot of our family!

Another awesome action shot taken on July 4th!

I loved the color of these flowers and decided to get super close for a photo. The sunset in the background was a nice surprise!

This was our first time seeing sand dollars on the beach!

I truly hope that you find these simple photo tips helpful! I am not a photographer in any way, shape, or form, but I’ve been so happy with the images I’ve captured on our adventures. I’m sure I still have a lot to learn about taking amazing photos and I would love to hear any of the photo tips you may have! What photo tip of mine are you going to try next?

My Skin Cancer Story

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The year is 1997. School’s just released for the day. I head to the gas station and fill up my mustang for a grand total of five dollars. I cruise around town for a bit, I still have 45 minutes before I’m on the clock at the local tanning salon. Bored, I go ahead and head to work. I know just what I’ll do. Grabbing a Playboy bunny sticker and my favorite tanning lotion, I start the tanning bed ready for a quick nap before my shift starts. Twenty minutes later, I’m well rested and a shade darker. Life is good…

Image from Tanning Supply Shop

Fast forward to 2023 and I’ve just had my sixth, or maybe it’s now my seventh, skin cancer surgery. I’ve debated even sharing this story. But, my overall goal for this blog is to help people. I have dealt with skin cancer since I was sixteen, although I had no clue that’s what it was. I was twenty eight before I was correctly diagnosed and now at forty, I have more knowledge about skin cancer than I ever thought I would.

My first two skin cancer surgeries. 3 layers & more than 200 stitches for a spot the size of a quarter.

My first spot appeared on the middle of my back when I was sixteen. Two different doctors misdiagnosed the spot as a busted capillary. I’m sure they probably didn’t think a sixteen year old would have skin cancer at such a young age. This spot was flat, red, a little flaky, and about the size of a quarter by the time I got it removed at twenty eight. I finally saw a dermatologist when my husband would notice dots of blood on the back of my shirt where the spot was. Immediately the dermatologist knew it was basal cell carcinoma, but I still had to go through a biopsy to confirm. She was right and from there I had a full body scan and another small spot was found on my shoulder. Both of these were removed. The spot on my shoulder was pretty easy and I was able to have the procedure in the office. The spot on my back was a little tougher. I went through Mohs surgery and then reconstructive surgery afterwards.

This is my most recent surgery from about 3 weeks ago. The spot was about the size of my pinky fingernail and I ended up having 2 layers of stitches.

Since then, I have found several more spots. Lucky for me, all but one have been basal cell carcinomas and none have been on my face. I am terrified about melanoma and have only had one spot that was considered an atypical mole with signs of pre-melanoma. I wish that I would’ve photographed the before and after pictures of each spot. None of them looked like what I would have expected skin cancer to be. I’ve had skin cancer on my leg, back, both shoulders, and chest.

5 Warning Signs of Basal Cell Carcinoma

  1. A sore that just doesn’t heal. This has been the number one indicator for me. Most of the spots I have found have looked like a small sore, sometimes even a bug bite. But it never goes away, even when using Neosporin. It might start to look better, like it is healing, and then it returns!
  • A reddish patch of dry, flaky skin. This is very similar to how the spot on my back was. It was often itchy, but never hurt. It was very dry and flaky and red. It finally started bleeding after twelve years.
  • A shiny bump or nodule. These bumps can be clear, pearly, or even white. Often, these are mistaken for normal moles.
  • A small pink growth. This is similar to what the bump on my shoulder looked like. It was described like a small pink eraser on the end of a pencil.
  • A scar-like area. This type is more serious, and can indicate an invasive basal cell carcinoma. The skin can appear shiny and the area is usually flat, white, yellow or waxy in color.

Living with Skin Cancer

If you follow along on our adventures, then you know that I don’t let skin cancer rule my life. We are a family that loves to be outside! We take beach vacations, we spend a lot of time hiking, and we even have a pool. But I have gotten REALLY serious about wearing sunscreen and ensuring that my boys do, too. Just one sunburn can double your chance of getting skin cancer. And unfortunately, even being as careful as I am, I have still gotten a few sunburns since this journey started.

Products That I Love

Rocking an at home fake tan and a cute rash guard!

Unfortunately I was raised in an era that promoted “you look best with a tan.” And even having skin cancer, I still want to have some color. However, you will never find me tanning or laying out in the sun anymore. I mean, I do lay out in the sun but it’s usually under an umbrella lathered in sunscreen! Below, are products that I love that keep my skin protected and offer a little bit of fake color.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra charge to you, if you purchase any items using the links provided.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

  1. When in doubt, have it checked out. If you notice something that seems abnormal, have a dermatologist check it out!
  • Check your skin often, from head to toe. Look for new moles or even those pesky patches of dry or flaky skin. Monitor them often for any changes.
  • See a dermatologist annually. Make this one of your annual dr. visits. It is always best practice to have a professional check your body. And be prepared, these full body scans are super uncomfortable, but can be lifesaving!
  • Be sun safe every day! Stay out of tanning beds, wear sunscreen every day, and seek out the shade if you’re outside. This is the most effective way to protect yourself from skin cancer.
  • Share this habit with your friends and kids! Make these safeguards everyday habits with your friends and family. I have probably terrified my kids of skin cancer, they hate seeing my scars. They also hate to stop playing outside to lather up with sunscreen, but I hope that being so firm about this will help them in the future.

Let this be your sign to get your skin checked, especially if you’ve ever wondered about a spot or a mole. If you’re tanning now, please stop! And if you’re headed outside this spring break or summer, make sure to wear that sunscreen and reapply often. I am always happy to answer questions that you may have, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Image found on Google Images

Waco Mammoth National Monument

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Can you spot Jake’s new mammoth shirt?

My youngest son has a strong desire to earn as many Jr. Ranger badges as he can. So, I decided to take him to the Waco Mammoth National Monument for a quick day trip when I learned that they participate in the Jr. Ranger Program there. Waco is about two hours south of Dallas, so I knew this location wouldn’t be too far for us to explore on our own together.

Fossil at the excavation site.

We ended up having a really fun time and he earned that badge! It was fascinating to learn about Colombian Mammoths and even cooler to discover that they roamed right here in TX thousands of years ago. If you are in the area or looking for a quick day trip from the Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio area, then I highly recommend checking this place out!

So excited to see the fossils and work on his Jr. Ranger booklet!

Background Information

The Colombian Mammoth behind us represents their actual size!

Did you know that Colombian Mammoths were actually larger than the Woolly Mammoths? I didn’t, until we visited the Waco Mammoth excavation site! This site is actually really amazing! Not only is it the first and only recorded nursery herd of ice age Colombian Mammoths in the country, you get the opportunity to visit the actual dig site around these fossils! Most of the time the fossils that are found are taken from the ground and then reassembled and put on display at a museum. Here, the “museum” is the actual site where these giants were found!

I really liked that this is still an excavation site with tools and equipment ready to use!

It is believed that this group of mammoths were in the creek bed when a flash flood occurred. The mud in the creek became too much for the mammoths to escape and they all perished right there. They were first discovered in 1978 by two men that were exploring the Bosque River looking for arrowheads. From 1978-1990, 16 mammoths were discovered here. These fossils are now on display at Baylor University in Waco. All of the fossils uncovered since 1990 have been left at this site. Several other ice age animals were also discovered here. In 2015, President Obama declared this site as part of the National Park Service.

  • Park Information
  • Website: Waco Mammoth National Monument
  • Address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708
  • Phone Number: (254) 750-7946
  • Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
  • Pricing: Adults is $6 and children $5
Nicely marked trail to the Mammoth site!

We enjoyed the grounds, there is a nice walking trail to the excavation site and lucky for us, the weather was gorgeous. There is also a small sand box area near the Visitor Center that kids can dig for their own fossils. And when we visited, there was a tent outside of the Visitor Center with different fossils and animal bones to explore. I’m not sure if this is always here or something special for the weekend. Since Jake participated in the Jr. Ranger program, he had to complete 5 activities from the Jr. Ranger booklet while we were there. He really liked looking at the fossils while completing the scavenger hunt!

These are the fossils and bones outside of the Visitor Center!

On our visit, there were only self-guided tours available. Upon arriving, we received tickets to the excavation site with a barcode to scan and learn more about the site and the fossils. Overall, we only spent about an hour and half at the Waco Mammoth National Monument. We made the two hour drive and stopped for a quick lunch. Then we went to the Mammoth site and drove back home. We spent about a total of six hours on our day trip. There are other awesome activities to explore in Waco, I am linking a list here! I hope you get the chance to visit this great little town right in the heart of Texas soon!

Small site but still fantastic!

18 Presidential Sites That Aren’t Just for Old People!

Posted in Destinations, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington DCTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

If you follow along on our adventures, then you might know that we love a good historical site! This honestly didn’t start with me, although I highly encouraged it. My boys became fascinated with the things they were learning about in school and therefore, their curiosity got the best of them, and they wanted to visit some of the places that they were studying in social studies class! And of course, I’m also an elementary teacher so I would never discourage their love of learning and I jumped right on board and started planning US history trips across the country! It’s worked out great because my kids are learning and I am bringing valuable knowledge back to my classroom at the same time.

We’ve had the opportunity to explore several different historical destinations in the country, but I’m mostly focusing on Presidential sites that we’ve visited in different states. This is a small list compared to every site that is open and available to visit. I have a lot of destinations on my list that we just haven’t gotten to yet, so remember that I’m only sharing those that we’ve actually ventured to today. Keep reading to learn about some wonderful places to visit that people of all ages can enjoy!

Historical Sites to Visit for President’s Day Weekend

Washington DC

Washington DC. – Obviously Washington DC is a great place to start if you’re interested in exploring historical sites. There are so many fascinating places in DC, it’s one of my favorite cities to visit in the entire US! You can also add in museums, a Capital Building tour, eat some amazing food, and more!

So cool being behind the White House gates!

The White House – You can’t visit DC without seeing the White House! It took us three different trips before we were able to get tickets to go inside for a self-guided tour! If you can, I highly recommend a visit inside. How cool is it to say you’ve been in the President’s house?

This is the view from inside the White House looking out at the Washington Monument!

Click here for my complete guide for getting tickets to the White House!

Washington Monument – The Washington Monument is easily one of the most recognizable monuments in DC. But did you know that you can go inside and ride an elevator to the top? Jett really wanted to do this while we were visiting, so we looked into getting tickets. They do offer some online to reserve, I believe the cost is $1.00. Otherwise, you can wait in line when the visitor center out front opens and grab free tickets for the number of people in your group! Jett and I woke up early one morning and waited in line for about an hour (maybe a little under) and got tickets for our family of four for later in the day. It’s really cool inside and the views from the top are great!

Posing with the Washington Monument behind us!

National Mall – The National Mall is also a must see destination in DC. It’s a wonderful area to walk around, take in the sights, and play or relax on the grassy area if the weather is nice! We really enjoyed taking a nighttime guided bike tour of the monuments along the National Mall! I highly recommend this activity! If you would rather do your own tour, there are plenty of maps online and in the area and you can explore all of those monuments and statues on your own! I suggest visiting the National Mall both during the day and at night!

The Lincoln Memorial, one of our DC favorites!

Ford’s Theatre/Petersen House – Abe Lincoln has always been a favorite of ours, so we just had to visit Ford’s Theatre and the Petersen House across the street. Ford’s Theatre is sadly where President Lincoln was shot and the Petersen House across the street is where he was taken and later died. Both are open for tours and even though it’s sad, it’s very informational. Ford’s Theatre has a small museum that you visit first before going inside the theatre. Lincoln’s seats have been memorialized, but you’re able to view them and then listen to a Park Ranger share the events that led to this fateful assassination. We were all so engaged in this Ranger led talk, even my five year old was completely interested in the story. Once the talk is over, you go across the street and can see the bed that he died in and more artifacts from that era.

These are the balcony seats Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated.

Click here for my complete Washington DC travel guide!

Virginia

Mount Vernon – George Washington lived at Mount Vernon, which sits right on the Potomac River, about 13 miles from Washington DC in Alexandria, Virginia. This is an amazing day trip from DC if you’re in the area. We spent about half a day here, touring the house and the grounds. I loved the colors and décor inside the home and sitting outside on the back porch. I can only imagine how it really was back in those days so long ago. We learned a lot on the visit, good and bad. We also visited George and Martha Washington’s tombs on the property, as well as, the slave quarters and the slave cemetery. The best part was exploring the museum, which actually had a pair of George Washington’s false teeth on display!

Posing in front of George Washington’s home!

Monticello – Thomas Jefferson has such a unique home outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. It’s filled with treasures and artifacts mostly brought back from Lewis and Clark’s expedition. It was fascinating, his home was more like some kind of exotic museum! Pictures inside the home are not allowed, but trust me its super cool! We also got some insight on some of his own personal inventions that are in the home. Needless to say, we really enjoyed the guided tour and learning more about our 3rd President! The grounds are great to explore and also very educational. There is a special video inside of Sally Heming’s slave quarters, be sure to check that out if you’re able to visit. And don’t forget to stop by his gravesite on the property, too.

Posing in front of Thomas Jefferson’s home!

The Ruins of Presidents Park – This is such a unique place to visit! Long story short, there was a Presidents Park in Virginia that went out of business around 2010. The park included huge busts of all the presidents from George Washington to George W. Bush. These busts were moved to a new location outside of Williamsburg, Virginia and were basically ruined in the process. Now they sit in all their eerie glory and you can visit! We really enjoyed exploring the busts, it was such a fun and different experience than most of our travels! We also really loved the presidential trivia at the end.

The Ruins of Presidents Park!

Click here for my complete travel guide to the Ruins of Presidents Park!

Pennsylvania

Philadelphia – Not only is Philadelphia an amazing city to visit, there’s so many historical sites that you can see, as well! Around the city you might see people dressed up in time period clothing and you should definitely be on the lookout for tour guides dressed as Ben Franklin or George Washington! My kids really enjoyed this part.

I can’t believe we were inside of the room that the Declaration of Independence was signed in!

Independence Hall –Independence Hall is known as the birth place of our country. Y’all, the actual chair that George Washington sat in is still there! I might have a cried a little on our tour. I am just so fascinated with this part of our nation’s history and the Park Rangers there do a great job of sharing what they know! I left there with more knowledge and respect for some of our founding fathers. How cool is it to see the room that the Declaration of Independence was signed in?

We really enjoyed the people dressed in time-period clothing!

Congress Hall – Right next door to Independence Hall is Congress Hall, which is the building that housed the first two presidential inaugurations. The Ranger Led talk about the first inaugurations was very informative. I highly recommend checking this out if you plan to visit the area.

Click here for my complete travel guide to Philadelphia!

Washington Crossing Historic Park – This was such a random stop for us on the drive from Delaware to New York City, but we all had fun! I don’t recommend centering a trip around this destination, but if you happen to be in the area, then you should definitely make the stop! Basically, this site preserves the spot that George Washington crossed the Delaware River. This image is extremely iconic, so it’s really cool to say that we’ve been here! It was a nice stop to get out and stretch our legs and explore the preservation of the area!

Fun stop on our road trip!

Click here for my complete Delaware to NYC travel guide!

Illinois

Lincoln’s Home – If you find yourself near Springfield, Illinois you should totally stop by Abe Lincoln’s home! This was our first president’s home to ever visit and my boys and I sure did love it! You can stroll along the streets surrounding the home and it feels like stepping back in time. A Park Ranger will give you a guided tour of the home if you have tickets. You can purchase these at the Visitor Center, which is right by the parking lot.

I just adore this home!

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library – Down the street is the Presidential Library and Museum, which is fantastic for kids! This museum was truly great for all ages, but I really marveled at how well done it was to keep kiddos engaged. Abe Lincoln has always been a favorite of mine, so it was really fun to explore the different artifacts in the museum and learn more about him! Springfield is just a really cool city with lots of different things to explore related to our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln!

This Presidential Museum was fascinating!

Click here for my full Springfield, Illinois travel guide!

Galena, Illinois – We traveled to Galena, IL this past August and I basically knew nothing about this place until we started planning our Midwest road trip. Let me tell you, this little town is so patriotic and rightfully so! It’s the former hometown of President Ulysses S. Grant. Here, you can explore Grant Park and even take a guided tour of his home! It was really interesting learning about him, I don’t feel like he was a president that I knew much about until touring his home. From all accounts he was a great general and a very interesting man.

Ulysses S. Grant’s home in Galena, IL

Indiana

Lincoln’s Boyhood Cabin – Another fun stop for my family was Lincoln’s Boyhood’s National Monument in Lincoln City, IN. The actual cabin is not still standing, but there is a memorial in place where it would’ve been located. There are other cabins in the area that were built to recreate the Lincoln farmstead and the grounds are gorgeous. We did some easy walking along the Trail of Twelve Stones, just imagining what life would’ve been like for a young Abe Lincoln. This trail has different markers that review the major events in Abe Lincoln’s life. The Visitor’s Center looks very interesting, too. But unfortunately it was closed when we visited during the pandemic.

Can you believe how small the cabin was?

Texas

George W. Bush Presidential Center – We had the opportunity to visit this presidential library and museum in Dallas this past summer and had a wonderful time! I had forgotten how funny George W. could be until we visited and saw different videos of him in the museum. The artifacts were very interesting, my boys were really excited to see how much his family loves baseball! There wasn’t a lot here geared for kids, but we all still enjoyed the visit!

This was one of our favorite rooms in the museum!

Click here for complete Dallas, TX travel guide!

If you visit Dallas, be sure to check out The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. I can’t believe that we haven’t gone to this museum yet, but it’s definitely on my list! Here you will learn more about President JFK’s assassination and you can see the exact spot that he was shot. There’s also a memorial for JFK in the area.

South Dakota

Mount Rushmore – For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to see Mount Rushmore in person. We finally had the chance a few years ago and this trip is still one of my favorites! The entire park had way more than I was expecting! It was really fun to walk along the trails through the Black Hills and see the monument from different vantage points. We also enjoyed the informational plaques along the hiking trails that gave more insight on the monument, the construction, and facts about each of the represented presidents!

Amazing views!

Click here for my complete South Dakota travel guide!

As you can see, there are several different presidential sites across the US that are really interesting! If you love learning, if you love history, if you love this country, then I highly recommend checking some of these destinations off your list. President’s Day makes for a great, long weekend to explore some of these places and you might just learn something new at the same time! Happy travels, my friends!

10 Amazing State Parks to Explore This Year

Posted in California, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, State Parks, Texas, UtahTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Do you crave getting outside and exploring new places? Does your family enjoy activities like hiking, camping, or kayaking? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I highly recommend visiting your nearest State Park!

It seems like National Parks are all the rave right now, but State Parks are just as amazing! Plus, there’s way more State Parks out there to explore than National Parks. Keep reading to learn about our favorites across the US and why we love them!

Dead Horse Point State Park – Utah

Hands down, one of the most beautiful views we’ve ever seen!

Did you know that the vista from Dead Horse Point State Park is one of the most photographed scenes in the world? Once you visit, you’ll totally understand why! In my honest opinion, I prefer this state park over the Grand Canyon. The views are breathtaking, the hiking was easier for the kiddos, and the location in relation to Moab and the National Parks in the area made for an amazing trip!

We visited in March over our spring break and felt like we had the whole entire place to ourselves! I loved the views and the pictures I was able to take of my family here. The boys loved exploring and climbing around on the rocks (not anywhere close to the edge, I promise). You’ll come across this park right before Canyonlands National Park, so we enjoyed the easiness of seeing both places in the same day!

Click here to for my complete Moab, UT travel guide!

Hunting Island State Park – South Carolina

I love visiting unique beaches!

If you have kids that love to run and climb, then take them to this beach! We visited this state park over spring break in March, so the weather was still quiet chilly and too cold to swim at the beach. That didn’t stop any of the fun, though! This is an awesome beach to visit to search for shells and shark teeth, too!

My boys loved climbing on all of the driftwood along the shore. And they also had a blast running through the trees and bushes farther away from the water. They made little forts under the trees and played together for hours while the grownups relaxed to the sounds of crashing waves! It was nice to see how much fun these brothers had playing together and we have the best memories of this day! I loved the Marsh Boardwalk, so be sure to check that out!

  • Website: Hunting Island State Park
  • Address: 2555 Sea Island Pkwy, Hunting Island, SC 29920
  • Phone Number: 843-838-7437
  • Entrance Fees: $5 per person, $3 for kids ages 5-16

Click here for my complete South Carolina travel guide!

Maquoketa Caves State Park – Iowa

So far, this state park is my most favorite!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, this state park is AMAZING! I only spent half a day here exploring the caves, but I could’ve stayed for days. Picture it, you’re deep in the forest walking along trails that you know lead to different caves. Limestone bluffs surround you. And then you spot the first cave opening and the true adventure begins!

This state park is considered to be Iowa’s most unique and I couldn’t agree more! There are about 13 caves to explore and inside the caves it stays about 55 degrees, even in the summer! Plan to wear hiking boots, bring a flashlight, and prepare to get dirty! It really is a memorable adventure. I’m not sure who enjoyed this place the most, my kids or myself!

  • Website: Maquoketa Caves State Park
  • Address: 9688 Caves Rd, Maquoketa, IA 52060
  • Phone Number: (563) 652-5833
  • Entrance Fees: We didn’t pay a fee when we visited!

Click here for more information about our trip to Maquoketa Caves State Park!

Emerald Bay State Park – California

Have you ever been to a lake that looked like a beach in the Caribbean?

This is another beautiful state park. We kept saying that it felt like we were at the beach and not at the lake! I really enjoyed the hiking trails, the trees are huge and the views along the way are stunning. The beach area at the lake is also great for relaxing, picnicking, swimming, and renting kayaks, canoes, and SUP boards.

We rented a kayak and explored on the water! It was so much fun. We paddled out to an island and got to hike around it and up to the ruins on top. The weather here is also amazing, not too hot at all and we visited in August. We enjoyed snorkeling here, too and just relaxing along the shore after a day on the water and hiking in the area. California is just so dreamy!

  • Website: Emerald Bay State Park
  • Address: 138 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
  • Phone Number: (530) 541-3030
  • Entrance Fees: $5 per vehicle to park

Click here for my complete South Lake Tahoe travel guide!

Custer State Park – South Dakota

The hiking in this state park is a must!

This is one of the most memorable state parks we’ve visited, probably because it was the first long hike we took our boys on! The Black Hills of South Dakota are already pretty fantastic, but add in this state park with lake access, wildlife galore, and rugged hiking trails and the experience is one you’ll remember for a lifetime!

If you’re able to visit, be sure to check out the Sunday Gulch Trail. It’s not the easiest trail, but it is so much fun! Who wouldn’t love hiking over streams and around waterfalls? Seriously, besides driving through the park and taking in the sights, the trail is my most favorite memory here!

  • Website: Custer State Park
  • Address: 13438 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
  • Phone Number: (605) 255-4515
  • Entrance Fees: $20 per vehicle

Click here for my complete South Dakota travel guide!

Dinosaur Valley State Park – Texas

Kids love hunting for dinosaur tracks here!

We come to this state park for the dinosaurs! Where else can you go hunt for dinosaurs tracks? Here, you can find them in different places along the riverbed of the Paluxy River and walk right in them if you choose to! After all, Glen Rose is known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas!

We’ve always enjoyed bringing our boys here on warm summer days. The river is a great place to cool off and we all really enjoy hunting for those dinosaur tracks! You can also camp, hike, and look for wildlife here. Glen Rose has a lot of other options in the area, from a drive through wildlife park, to campgrounds, river floats, and more!

  • Website: Dinosaur Valley State Park
  • Address: 1629 Park Rd 59 Glen Rose, TX 76043
  • Phone Number: (254) 897-4588
  • Entrance Fees: $8 per adult, age 12 and under are free

Click here for my complete Glen Rose travel guide!

Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

I have never seen trees so tall and forest trails so quiet and serene!

There’s not a lot of words that describe just how magical these groves of trees are. And the pictures I took definitely do not come close to showing the massive size of them. Truly an unforgettable day of hiking and exploring and a place that I personally feel everyone should visit if given the chance!

I’ve never seen my boys so happy out in nature. They were impressed with the views, but loved exploring the most. They ran, played, climbed on tree logs, crawled through downed trees, and just acted like kids. It made my mama heart so happy. The Redwoods are unforgettable and this park is a place that we all want to visit again!

Click here for my entire Pacific Coast travel guide!

Robbers Cave State Park – Oklahoma

We felt like outlaws on the run here at this park!

Nestled in the San Bois Mountains of Oklahoma sits Robbers Cave State Park. The landscape and hiking trails are just as legendary as the infamous outlaws that used to flee to the caves to hide.

We find ourselves going back time and again because it’s fairly close to us and it’s just such a fun and easy getaway. The kids love exploring the caves in the area and climbing all the rocks that dot the landscape behind the cabin rentals. We enjoy sitting around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and watching our kids doing all the things that kids like to do when out in nature!

  • Website: Robbers Cave State Park
  • Address: 2084 NW 146th Rd, Wilburton, OK 74578
  • Phone Number: (918) 465-2562
  • Entrance Fees: $3 per person

Click here to my complete Robbers Cave travel guide!

Smith Falls State Park – Nebraska

Short hike to an impressive waterfall, yes please!

This was a surprisingly wonderful stop on our road trip from Texas to South Dakota! We happened to see this state park sign off the road in Nebraska and decided it would be a great place to get out and move around after driving all day. It ended up being so much more than we had expected!

We were utterly shocked at the size of the waterfall we found at the end of a fairly easy walk. Even more surprising though, was that nobody else was there! This is a place that I hope to explore more of one day!

  • Website: Smith Falls State Park
  • Address: 90165 Smith Falls Rd Valentine, NE 69201
  • Phone Number: (402) 376-1306
  • Entrance Fees: $12 nonresidents, $6 residents

Monahans Sandhills State Park – Texas

Being a kid is so fun!

This is another state park that my boys give two thumbs up to! I don’t know your thoughts on sand, but my kids love it! So, can you imagine their delight when we pulled up to a park full of sand dunes for miles and miles? This is a great stop if you’re driving through Texas towards New Mexico. We stopped here along the route to Carlsbad Caverns!

If you visit, bring a sled or something to slide down the dunes on and let the kids run free! There are great facilities to shower off in after a day of playing in the sand. Trust me, it will be everywhere, but totally worth it!

  • Website: Monahans Sandhills State Park
  • Address: Exit 86, 2500 I-20, Monahans, TX 79756
  • Phone Number: (432) 943-2092
  • Entrance Fees: $4 per day for ages 13 and up

As you can see, there are so many amazing places out there to explore! If you find yourself on an adventure, look to see if there are any state parks in the area. I promise you won’t be disappointed! We love adding state parks to our itinerary. They are typically very inexpensive and offer a wide range of activities for all the different interest levels in our family.

Be sure to check back in on the blog to see just which state parks we add to our list this year! We have some fun plans in the works that I can’t wait to share with you all. If you have a favorite state park, I’d love for you to share. As always, happy travels!

9 Tips for Saving Money on Ski Trips

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This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no charge to you, if you purchase any items using the links provided. I only share shoppable links to items that I love!

My husband and Jett are getting ready to go on their first snowboarding guys trip together! I’m so excited for them, but kind of jealous, too! This is one of my favorite winter activities, but often times it’s our most pricey trip of the entire year. I am sharing our top tips for saving money on your next ski/snowboarding trip!

1. Book Early

Such a dreamy ski lodge!

This is one of the best tips I can share when it comes to saving money on your next ski trip. We often have our lodging package booked by September for travel in the upcoming winter. Most ski resorts start offering discounts on lodging packages in the summer! Take advantage of these discounts and secure your stay early, it’s one less stress to worry about. To find out about these discounted packages, sign up for emails from different ski resorts that you’re interested in visiting. You’ll begin receiving emails when the resorts start offering sales.

2. Don’t Book Peak Dates or Weekends

Traveling over school breaks and on holidays are considered peak dates and rates will be the most expensive at this time. If you can, try booking your trip in January, it’s often the most affordable month for skiing and snowboarding. It’s also best to book your stay midweek and not over a weekend. I know this can be tough when it comes to kids missing school. Before we had kids, we used to go on our annual trip in early December every year. Now when we go over the Christmas break, we are paying more than double for the exact same trip!

3. Look for Ski & Stay Packages

Expired advertisement provided as example of deals to look for courtesy of Bend Vacation Rentals.

Expired advertisement provided as example of deals to look for courtesy of Bend Vacation Rentals.

There are many resorts that will offer free lift tickets with a lodging package. These will usually not ever be offered during those peak dates or on weekends. Some places also offer packages that allow kids to stay and ski for free! Again, I recommend signing up for email notifications from different ski resorts to learn more about discounts and packages that are offered!

4. Go as a Group

A ski trip is the perfect trip to take with friends! There are so many condo options available with several bedrooms and bathrooms that are very affordable when you split the cost!

5. Lift Tickets

This is our first ever family ride on a ski lift!

Besides lodging, purchasing lift tickets is typically the next most expensive item on a ski trip. I have a couple of different tips for this. First, purchase your lift tickets in advance. They will always cost more if you wait and purchase them at the ticket window. You can use websites like liftopia to pre-purchase and save money!

There are several different options for saving money on your child’s lift tickets! I recommend looking into an Epic School Kids Pass if you’re traveling to Colorado, Utah, or Whistler. If you’re only considering a trip to Colorado, check out the Kids Ski Passport for kids in third through sixth grade. This passport is $59 and includes 80 days on the slopes!  

Jake and Jereme on the bunny lift at Granby, CO!

Skiing or boarding at smaller resorts will also save you money! If you’re going to a bigger resort, look into purchasing an Epic Pass!  Keep in mind, lift tickets are usually cheaper on Mondays-Thursdays!

Finally, consider purchasing just a half-day lift ticket instead of a full day ticket. This is usually the ticket that I get for myself and my youngest. Jereme and Jett like to board all day long, so it makes more sense for them to have a full day ticket.

6. Invest in Gear

Jereme and Jake boarding together!

Since we like to go boarding every year, it made sense for Jereme and me to invest in our own gear instead of renting each ski season. We both have our own snowboards, helmets, goggles, and boots. This has saved us tons of money over the years! It’s a little trickier when it comes to kids’ gear since they are constantly growing. We still rent for our boys at this time.

If you need to rent gear, renting right at the base of the mountain is always a more convenient option. But with that convenience comes higher costs. If you want to save money on ski or snowboard rentals, try renting from an outfitter off the mountain.

7. Driving vs. Flying

We prefer having our 4 wheel drive once we get up to those mountain passes!

For us, driving is always the cheaper option. For one, we have our own gear so that’s an additional luggage fee. Plus, winter clothes are just way bulkier and take up more space. So, we save money by not having to pay for a rental car or shuttle to the resort, not having to pay luggage fees, and not having to pay for flights!  We also like to take our own groceries, and that’s easier when we’re driving!

8. Get a Kitchen

We loved this condo in Crested Butte & returned to the same unit 3 years in a row!

Continuing on about groceries, I highly recommend booking a room or condo with a full kitchen. Cooking some of your own meals is a huge way to save money! Since we like to stay for a full week when we go snowboarding, it would cost a ton to feed all four of us, three times a day! We usually travel with a lot of our own food, too. That saves some money because everything costs a little more at the mountains, including the groceries!

We have a really good routine at the mountain. On the days that we are going to hit the slopes, Jereme and Jett get up early and are at the lifts as soon as they open. Jake and I sleep in and then I cook breakfast when we get up. The boys make a few runs on the mountain and then come back for breakfast. We eat together and then all four of us will head back out and board until we get hungry again! We’ll return to the condo for lunch and make a few more runs if there’s time. Then, we go out for dinner… if we aren’t too tired after being on the mountain all day!

Jett doing his thing before Jake and I are even awake!

We also cook meals that we can eat on for a few days, like spaghetti, chili, soups, and more! When I’m on vacation, I like to be on vacation and not do too much work. However, if we want to stay a week or longer, we have to make some sacrifices and often cooking a few meals is one that I’ll gladly make!

9. Shop Amazon

My last big tip is to shop for ski clothes on Amazon. I know, I know. We all want to look like the cutest little ski bunnies on the slopes! You can find super cute waterproof gear online, I promise. Everything my boys wear at the mountains has come from Amazon and it’s all held up very well. In fact, Jake has been wearing Jett’s previous ski gear year after year!

My favorite winter gear purchases from Amazon:

All gear from Amazon! Besides the rentals.

Below you will find the top five most affordable ski resorts in Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico!

5 Affordable Ski Resorts in Colorado

5 Affordable Ski Resorts in Utah

5 Affordable Ski Resorts in New Mexico

Ski trips are always a fun time! If you’ve never been, I hope you’ll give it a try sometime. And just remember, these trips don’t have to break the bank. With the right planning, you can have an epic adventure! If you have any more tips for saving money while traveling, I’d love for you to share them in the comments! Happy travels, my friends!

The Ultimate Guide to Planning an Unforgettable Girls Trip

Posted in California, Colorado, Destinations, Illinois, Michigan, UtahTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

I like to think of a girls trip like a little recharge button. The trips I’ve gotten to take with my girlfriends have been so good for my soul! I cannot recommend getting away with the girls enough, even if it’s only for a night. In this post you’ll find ideas about planning the perfect trip, activities, destinations, and more!

Steps for Planning the Perfect Girls Trip

Choose Your Destination – This is the part that I love! It’s so fun to find out where your girlfriends want to explore and to bounce ideas back and forth. Plus, you can use trip planning as an excuse to get together for brunch or a girls night. Start with the destination, then it will be easier to figure out the rest!

Pick a Date – Often times, planning a girls trip can be tough! With so many different work schedules, kid schedules, etc. it can be hard to find the time. I suggest choosing your dates after deciding on the destination. My girlfriends and I usually go for a long weekend. But if you’re a mom, you know that there are so many moving pieces that follow. Do you have childcare while you’re gone? Do your kids have events that they will need to get to? Can you take the time off work? This is always the hardest part, so get that out of the way quick!

Budget – Next, set a budget, respect where everyone is financially, and stick to it! This doesn’t mean you have to share your financials with your girlfriends, but be mindful that everyone might not be in the same position as you. Don’t feel bad to speak up if you just simply can’t afford what others are suggesting. There are so many budget friendly options out there!

Think About the Activities – Once you have picked your dates and set the budget, then it’s time for the fun part! Create a wish list of activities that you would like to do at your chosen destination. My girlfriends and I usually always have something outdoorsy, some kind of pampering, and something relaxing on our lists. And these ideas might change, based on the time of year you’re able to travel together. Be open minded and brave enough to try out some new activities that might not be on your list.

Girls Trip Activities:

  • Spa treatments & pampering
  • Get outdoors and take a hike
  • Hit up a beauty bar for a makeover
  • Go wine tasting
  • Go for a bike ride
  • Relax on the beach
  • Take a road trip
  • Explore a new city
  • Go dancing or sing karaoke
  • Watch a sunrise or sunset
  • Visit a quaint town
  • Take a yoga class
  • See a show or concert
  • Go on a ghost tour
  • Have a quiet wine & movie night
  • Go to a fancy restaurant

Designate a Leader – If someone in your group has more of a take charge personality, designate them as the group leader! We all need someone to keep us on track with our schedule and reservations, especially when we get together with our best friends!  

5 Epic Destinations for Your Next Girls Trip

These are some of the girls trip destinations I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of! I can’t recommend these locations enough!

Estes Park, Colorado

Hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park

My most recent girls trip was to Estes Park this past October. It was such a wonderful fall weekend, spent hiking in the mountains during the day and relaxing in the evenings! I will always suggest traveling to the mountains when you need a little reset.

Mimosas are always a good idea!
Fall in Colorado is simply stunning!

Estes Park Highlights:

Click here for my full Colorado Girls Trip guide!

Snowbird, Utah

Sunrise hike to Cecret Lake

One of my most memorable girls trips was to Snowbird, Utah. My best friend and I did some intense hiking, but also made time to relax at the spa and take a yoga class. But, what I enjoyed the absolute most was the day we ordered room service for every single meal and watched true crime documentaries the whole day!

Thelma and Louis photoshoot!
Fall meets winter!

Snowbird Highlights:

Click here for my full Utah Girls Trip guide!

San Francisco, California

You gotta get that iconic Golden Gate Bridge pic!

San Francisco is always a good time, especially so when you’re with your girls! There are so many different options to explore when you’re visiting this city. But my favorite activity is probably eating, the more fresh seafood the better!

Hiking Lands End Trail
China Town!

San Francisco Highlights:

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago!

My first ever trip to Chicago was several years ago on a girls trip! I didn’t really know what to expect here, but we ended up having an absolute blast! I tried some new foods that I wouldn’t normally pick, took in all the sights, danced the night away, and have returned to Chicago several times since. It’s a really great girls trip option, there are so many things to do and see! Late spring, early summer is a wonderful time to visit, the city is bursting with flowers!

Love these girls and that Chicago skyline!
Loved all the tulips, too!

Chicago Highlights:

New Buffalo, Michigan

St. Joseph Lighthouse

Fall in Michigan is breathtaking! This Texas girl was thrilled to see what fall is actually like in other parts of the country! I can still envision walking along the quaint waterfront towns and wanting nothing more than to move there. Even though it was a quick weekend getaway, it was so memorable. Grab your girlfriends and your cutest sweaters and booties and make the trip this fall!

These quaint waterfront towns are to die for!
Girls trip are good for the soul!

New Buffalo Highlights:

Click here for my full Michigan Girls Trip guide!

Destinations and Activities on My Girls Trip Bucket List

More Tips for an Unforgettable Girls Trip

  • Don’t try to pack too many activities into one trip.
  • Rent a cool car, I suggest a convertible!
  • Use the Splitwise app to split the cost of the trip/activities.
  • Don’t spend the whole time talking about your kids or your job or your hubby!
  • It’s perfectly okay to order room service for every meal & watch true crime tv all day!
  • Plan a Staycation in your nearest city if you’re on a budget and tight schedule!

Just remember, it’s not always about the destination, but rather the people that you’re with! Chances are, no matter where you end up, you’re going to have an amazing time with your best girlfriends! I do hope that you find this information helpful. I’d love to hear your favorite girls trip destinations and activities, so leave me a comment. Happy travels, my friends!