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Home
About Me
Countries
- Asia
  - Thailand
  - Indonesia
  - Laos
  - Malaysia
  - Turkey
  - Vietnam
  - Cambodia
- Europe
  - Austria
  - Czech Republic
  - France
  - Germany
  - Greece
  - Ireland
  - Italy
  - United Kingdom
- North America
  - U.S.A.
National Parks
Hiking + Camping
- Hiking Trails
- Outdoor Gear
Travel Tips
Contact Me!

Best Big Camping Tents on the Market in 2020

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7 Days in Ireland Itinerary

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Hiking the Continental Divide Loop in Rocky Mountain National Park

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One Day Salzburg Itinerary: Making the Most of Mountains and Mozart

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Bed Bugs While Traveling: How I Got Rid of Bed Bugs in Vietnam

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Best Hikes in Joshua Tree National Park

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National Parks
Itineraries

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by Kaisa October 6, 2019

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by Kaisa August 12, 2019

August 12, 2019

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August 9, 2019

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About Me

Hi, I'm Kaisa! I am a bubbly budget backpacker and former park ranger. I'm as Type A as I am free spirited, and just has happy on the hiking trails as I am in a trendy downtown hostel.

I have a knack for coming up with creative ways to see the world, and am passionate about helping my readers do the same—whatever your travel dreams look like!

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When life gives you lemons... • I had a lot of e

When life gives you lemons...
•
I had a lot of exciting plans for 2020, as a lot of us did. But. I’m not gonna dwell on those right now.
•
Instead, I’m feeling grateful for all the extra exploring I got to do in my own backyard 🙌 I don’t think I’ve ever gotten to know a new home as quickly as the one we moved to this year, which is great, because it’s ended up being my favorite home yet!
•
Some days keeping the ~ positive mindset ~ is harder than others, but today I’m trying really hard to make lemonade!
•
What about y’all? Looking back on this summer, care to share any unexpected positivity? (If not, I GET IT, this is also a safe space to vent away if you’re more in the lemon mood 🍋)

SO, for literally the first time in our 5+ year re

SO, for literally the first time in our 5+ year relationship, my boyfriend is the one on the road! For a long time! And I am the homebody!
•
(He’s in Northern California, hence the photo from my last time in Big Sur... yes, I am dying of jealousy. Yes, it is one of my favorite places in the country 😍 and yes, I’m super excited for him)
•
But as far as being home alone goes, let me tell you, NOT A FAN. Probably because he’s an introvert and I’m an extrovert (lol I spelled it “extravert” at first and frankly, accurate), but he’s just peachy when I leave him home alone to travel. I think he actively enjoys it, tbh.
•
I liked it for about 48 hours... maybe? But since then, not so much. It’s been almost 2 weeks and I’m going a little nutty. I leave podcasts and TV shows on around the house just to hear other human voices! Have definitely talked to the dogs. A lot.
•
Do you like to be the one with the house to yourself... or the one on the road? 🏡 🚗 🌍

Book recommendations... GO! • It has been a hard

Book recommendations... GO!
•
It has been a hard week (/year) and frankly I need a healthy form of escapism, especially because it looks like the rest of the year won’t provide much!
•
Books that inspire travel of course get bonus points, but honestly I’m up for anything. A few of my current and all-time faves are Wild (Cheryl Strayed), Educated (Tara Westover), and East of Eden (John Steinbeck). I also just finished Where the Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens) and 👏LOVED👏 it.
•
Anyway, let’s do this, I AM BEGGING YOU 😂😅

Did you know Colorado has four (4!) National Parks

Did you know Colorado has four (4!) National Parks? 🏔🌲🦌🍃
•
I kind of did. But was mostlyyyyy aware of Rocky Mountain NP and the rest felt distant and vague, like maybe they existed but were not on my radar a whole lot. That’s on living on the front range...? 🤷🏼‍♀️
•
Colorado’s other three national parks are incredible, it turns out, and they are: Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
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You might remember (or maybe not, which is fair) we moved to Gunnison earlier this year. We also JUST got to the Black Canyon, even though it’s pretty close to us.
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All I have to say is, wow, this is possibly the most underrated National Park I’ve been to yet! If you’re afraid of heights, gird your loins for a real doozy. I’m not particularly afraid of heights normally, and I still got VERY nervous walking along some of the trails and overlooks.
•
You can visit both the South and North rims of the Black Canyon, much like the Grand Canyon. However, they’re a few hours apart so this isn’t exactly doable in a day. The South rim is more easily accessible so it gets more visitors. The North rim is a bit more out of the way and undeveloped. Honestly, they’re both great. The North might have a slight edge for the lack of crowds, but the South has more scenic overlooks along its road.
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Anyone who has been to both South and North, which is your favorite? Especially looking for camping recommendations, from those who’ve had a chance to camp here! 🏕

It is with the most hesitant and tentative excitem

It is with the most hesitant and tentative excitement that I am (hopefully) (knock on wood) returning to Southeast Asia very late next year. MAYBE. Possibly. Fingers crossed 🤞
•
Nothing is for sure these days, but the possibility is giving me the slightest glimmer of hope in what has been a pretty glum year for... everyone. Including, of course, everyone who loves travel.
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Whether it happens, or whether it doesn’t, I can’t control that. But I can enjoy the feeling of hope and optimism in the meantime. And by “enjoy”, I mean hold on to for dear freakin’ life!
•
What is your glimmer of hope on dark days? Do you have any distant future travel plans keeping you sane? 🌴🌍💚

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