Author: Shelby

Paddles & Peace: A Solo Day at North Park Lake with Venture Outdoors

Hey friend! Today, we’re diving into my personal experience with Venture Outdoors, (the supplier of kayaks and more for North Park Lake). Recently on a beautiful morning, I was able to dedicate some time to being in nature, something I’m trying to do more of these days. Immersing myself in the outdoors more often allows me to think more clearly, reflect on my recent experiences, and allow room for new ideas and thoughts to float in. I would like to share with you what my Venture Outdoors kayak rental adventure was like and how I recharged and relaxed afterward in the park. Legooooo! 🚣‍♂️🌳     Habitual Balance: Exploring Wellness Through Nature, Travel, and Reflection Let me catch you up to speed if you’re new here. On Habitual Balance, I write to you about my personal experiences both inward and in the external world. I share my thoughts, personal experiences and adventures on both the mental and physical journeys we as humans take. My hopes within this blog are to provide you with tips on how to execute those journeys just a smidge better based off my learned knowledge, and offer practical, somewhat humorous and spiritual advice along the way. 🧘‍♀️ So if you’re into weird affirmations (like those you can find on the home page that are updated monthly), or fun travel tips and tricks, you’ve landed in the right place. I go into detail on my own ups and downs in mental health, travel, nutrition and learning to homestead. I’m still in the process of building out social media platforms for good ole HB, but if you’re into sticking around, there’ll be much more that’s coming your way this year and next. Thanks for turning on your listening ears friend! Here we go! 👂😎     Paddling Toward a Life That Feels Like Mine A little while ago I wrote about how your environment matters more than you think. If you wanna catch up with that post, check this link here to read more in depth. If you’re cool with the short version though, I can briefly bring you up to speed. 👇 For years I’d wonder why I couldn’t reach my personal (and career) goals. I’d fumble left and right and wonder what kept tripping me up each and every time I worked in the background with every free second of my day. Only until I realized that to change my lifestyle, I’d need to change my environment, did I see the light.     So, about a month ago, I put in my 2 week notice and said sayonara to my day job. I planned out a week of recovery activities, and also a week of practice activities, to see what I could really get accomplished with a cleared schedule. (If you’ve been following for a while, you’ll know that I also am a reseller and random junk removal-er. I flip furniture and larger items locally and have a medium sized ebay store online). One day, I woke up and realized that something had to give. Was it going to be my hopes and dreams of creating a beautiful and dream-worthy travel and lifestyle blog dedicated to helping myself and others navigate a more present life? Or would it be my side gig that brought me joy in the evening hours? My gym or BJJ time? Orrr, would it be the day job where I sat and dreamt about all of those other things? …The choice was easy, and hard at the same time. I’ll explain why.     Spoiler: I Found Joy with a Venture Outdoors Kayak Rental I wanted it all. Meaning plain and simply that I wanted the space and time to finally complete the tasks that mattered most to me. Which included: -Spending more time with loved ones & fur-friends 🐾 -Spending more time on my health & wellness goals -Spending more time doing things that brought me joy -Including nature in my days way more than just 5 minutes on the way to the car and back I finally grew tired of working on other peoples goals and decided it was time to take the leap of faith I kept talking about. And although it was anxiety-inducing not knowing what would be on the other side, it’s been the most freeing few weeks so far of my life. …which brings us to this post.     I no longer wanted to spend most of my days indoors. I even bring a raincoat with me everywhere now just in case it rains because the weather is no longer going to stop me from becoming a better version of myself. (My favorite is this Patagonia jacket we got before our Havasupai trip!) So, I planned out a practice course for the week and if you’ve already read up on the North Park trail post, you’ll have seen the first steps of this journey. Today, we are going to chat about the options that North Park Lake itself offers—and my experience booking a Venture Outdoors kayak rental as part of this new rhythm. Soon, I’ll drop another chatting up the Pittsburgh Premium Bike Rental self-service kiosk. (It was refreshing not having to wait in line and for a rep to help you get moving!)     What You Can Rent from Venture Outdoors at North Park Lake The lake at North Park in western PA offers a plethora of water activities. Although it’s not one that you can swim in, it has many different other rentals to offer. It’s run by Venture Outdoors, and booking a kayak rental online is super easy—you can reserve your time, pay, and sign the waiver in advance… on their website in advance, (including paying and signing the waiver) so that you can just walk in and get on the water as soon as possible. Here are the rentals they currently offer in July 2025: Kayak (they also have a fancy *upgraded* version if you’re feeling bougie) –

Mastering the Mind: Emotional Maturity in Everyday Life

As we take a quick break away from a travel post, I’d like to chat with you about something that’s been on my mind recently. The world has evolved into a place where mindfulness matters and feelings are important, and making sense of them all can be a trying process if it’s your first time dealing with a situation where putting yourself first is the best choice. Let’s talk today about how becoming more comfortable with yourself is actually quite an uncomfortable experience.         Learning Emotional Maturity Years ago I thought I knew who I was. I was under the impression that I was content and happy with who I’d become, only to learn later on that it was basically just a stepping stone. Hogwash, if you will. Related: Dealing With Change An Uncomfortable Shift In Mindset And A Lesson Learned A stepping stone that was necessary, nonetheless. Because without that stone, or a handful of others, I’d have never had the opportunity to overcome new obstacles that put me in different, more uncomfortable mindsets. I would have become stuck, frozen in time without the hopes of future growth or understanding of who is truly the “real me.” So today, I’d like to reflect on a few of those stones, and relay my own experience to you in hopes that you’ll find those stones as well when the universe feels you’re ready. It can be a bumpy ride sometimes, but I’d take all the bumps in the world to get to the world I live in today. Let’s chat then.       Recognizing Emotional Maturity in Yourself and Others When you begin to figure out the way of your own self-growth, a few lightbulbs slowly flicker on and a handful of doors open for you. Doors that may lead to more extravagant experiences, more intriguing thoughts, and even more intricate relationships. But when you feel stuck, you may think that these things just aren’t a possibility. You feel trapped. Being aware of your own emotional maturity is no joke. It takes work, hard work. And recognizing it in yourself is the first step to becoming a better friend, spouse, and human being in general. Once you are able to see it in the mirror, it becomes easier and easier to see it in others that you love and support. Which in turn, allows you to help guide them onto the same journey for their own emotional maturity. Related: You Don’t Have To Do It All Alone: The Road To Finding Your Accountability Partner However, sometimes loved ones don’t know how or maybe don’t want to change. They stay stagnant in the current way they are living, because stepping outside of those bounds can be scary. I want you to know that doing so is okay. It’s okay to be afraid of the future and not know everything that’s planned out on your course through this life. Finding yourself and knowing it’s authentic is the best feeling on the planet. It’s getting up each and every day, knowing that you are comfortable in your own skin. It’s feeling free, full, and fabulous with each choice you make, because you are confident in what you’re doing and know deep down that the path you’re on is finally the right one. That also means knowing the difference of who makes you uneasy, not feel like yourself, or even a little bullied for feeling too free. They may put you down for not leaning into what they want, or try to sabotage a plan just because they claim you’ve changed. That’s okay, too. Don’t let it get to you, friend. We’ve got this.     When the Lightbulbs Start to Flicker On Becoming emotionally mature is one hundred percent a strength. If you’ve never fully understood what it is, here’s a brief definition from the web: Emotional maturity refers to the ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, respond thoughtfully to others, and take responsibility for one’s actions. It’s not just about controlling emotions, but also about understanding them, expressing them appropriately, and using them to build self-awareness and strong relationships. It involves traits like empathy, self-regulation, and the capacity to navigate challenging situations constructively. So, let’s break that down a little more. Being able to express feelings appropriately, as adults, may seem trivial. We’ve been doing this for 20, 30, 40 or 50 years, and surely we should be able to showcase our feelings in the best way possible, right? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. When’s the last time you’ve gotten angry at someone while driving? Or in the grocery store line, or maybe at a family function even? Were those feelings actually anger? Or a lack of understanding how to properly navigate the uncomfortable situation that you were currently in? It’s easy to make a decision that will affect others negatively, such as getting anxious and irritable when you have to wait a little longer than you’re used to. Perhaps you feel rushed in traffic when you hit every red light. If only you’d have planned accordingly and made time to not rush, you’d be less upset with those around you causing the hold up. Building up this self-awareness is not a simple task. It takes time, practice even, to perfect or to grow. It takes slowing down and planning ahead, so that you can properly prepare for those unexpected situations that will drive you to anger. It takes practicing breathwork, meditation and implementing self-care more often so that you don’t feel pressured by the world to complete every task immediately. It takes putting yourself first. And yes, that is okay, too. Emotional Growth Is a Team Effort, Too When we respond more thoughtfully, instead of impulsively, it allows us to remain calm in situations that may have caused us more angst. Or, caused additional angst to those around us. As we learn to regulate our emotions and become more aware of how our surroundings are affecting us, we may

Witnessing Horseshoe Bend IRL & Four – Wheeling To The Willis Creek Slot Canyon

Hi ladies and gents! I said Witnessing Horseshoe Bend “in real life” in the title for this post because I feel like I see it on the Tube ALL the time. It’s plastered all over social media and other places in Page are the same. Let’s take for instance, Antelope Canyon. If you’re following any hiking or desert-themed channels, you’ve more than likely seen pictures of this beautiful and unique slot canyon…but it’s not the only one. So let me get into a few of the places we went while passing through Page and why you don’t have to stand in tour groups to experience all of what northern Arizona has to offer. 🤷‍♀️     Horseshoe Bend Trail Tips + Things to Do in Page, Arizona Page is located in the very tippy top of the state, near Lake Powell (one of the largest man-made lakes in the entire world!) and about 2.5 hours from St. George, Utah (which is where we were staying when we visited this area). Page is a nice place to stop for a day trip since it’s not a super long trip and has so many activities to offer. Check out the link above to read about how many water sports and other activities are available at Lake Powell specifically! If you want to check out Horseshoe Bend, it’s a short walk from a parking lot right off the highway, on a nice boarded walkway with little shade huts along the 1.5-ish mile trail. This is a huge stop for tourists since it’s so easy to get to, so be prepared to see large crowds and a full parking lot. Speaking of the parking lot, this is the only stop to use the bathrooms, so make sure you go before you head onto the trail!   Horseshoe Bend in Real Life: Hot, Busy, and Still Worth It I would recommend going early if you’re able, since the sun beats on you the entire time you’re walking. You can pop in and out of the shade structures to get a sun break, but I wouldn’t rely on them being empty with all of the people coming and going from all over the world. We were only here for about an hour, but I’m happy to have included it in our travels and not skipped it over because of it being busy. Once you get to the end of the walkway, there’s a little area to overlook Horseshoe Bend. It really is awe-inspiring especially after you see how much bigger it is than in the pictures online. You could even see tiny boats on the Colorado River (see pic above), making their way through the Bend on a tour, while others stopped on the little beach to get some rest. Get Your Guide is a great site to book tickets to tours and other activities on, check it out when you have time to book your next adventure outdoors!😎🤙 Would I go here again? Maybe. If my future kids wanted to stop and if we were passing through. It was a nice, quick stop to view something epic, but if I had no reason to, I probably wouldn’t make a second trip. There’s just so much more to see that doesn’t require crowds. So, if you’re in the area and want a quick hour or so activity, check it out and snap some pics of your own to share online like I did. 🙂👇     Willis Creek Over Antelope Canyon? Here’s Why Page, Arizona has so much more to offer than Antelope Canyon though, which I feel like is the only thing I usually see it associated with. Although we did not visit this canyon, we do plan on making reservations for it in the future when we’re back out that way. (Yes, reservations are required, which you will need to book in advance through a Navajo-approved tour company). We have done some research though which I’ll share with you briefly since we’re already on the subject. 🥳 The upper part of the canyon is recommended for those looking to see those epic shots in person, and typically offer a less intense walk/hike through the trail. (Just an FYI, most of the shots you see online have been altered in color or filters. While the hike still looks awesome, don’t get your hopes up to see the intense colors you may see in photos). Another Option… While you can visit the Lower section instead to save a little on reservations, you may not see as many cool areas in the canyon, but what you will be offered is a more adventurous and unique experience sprinkled with a little bit of scrambling. (This sounds way more fun and less crowded in my opinion!) Instead, I recommend checking out Willis Creek Slot Canyon. It’s accessed by four-wheeling down a rugged gravel road, where you come to a small parking lot. Then, you can hike down into the dry creek bed that offers views of its own slot canyon sections and wide washes. Honestly, the drive was half the fun. One of my favorite things to do while in these areas (as long as we have gas, water, and downloaded maps before losing cell service), is finding these far-out rugged roads that allow us to get to less busy hikes.   Willis Creek Trail Details: Distance, Access & Timing Tips Just make sure when renting a vehicle from wherever you choose, (we currently use Enterprise), that you opt for the 4×4 option just in case you find cool places to go like this one that requires a little more of a rugged road. This canyon was awesome to hike into. We only saw 1 or 2 other couples that passed us coming out, as we started this a little later in the day around 1pm. (If you do end up trying this hike, I’d recommend starting sooner so that you have more time to allow for the

The North Park Purple/Black Dot Hiking Trail In Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Hey friends! I wanted to introduce you to the start of a new series. (Don’t worry, we’ll get back into the rest of the Utah series after this post!) As a Pittsburgh native, I wanted to share with you the vast amount of awesome trails we have nearby. Introducing, the Pittsburgh Area Trails & Parks Series! They are so often overlooked, (as are most in unexpected areas), but I want to make sure that you don’t discount the ones that you live by. Of course there are WAY more epic hikes in places like Arizona or Utah or Hawaii, etc, but I think a lot of us (my past self included), used to think that we needed to travel far away to get in a cool hike, and that’s just not the case. So today, let’s talk about how this short and sweet trail in one of my favorite parks was perfect for squeezing in between a gym sesh and getting groceries. 💪🥾🛒 (Interested in a future meal plan prep list? Drop a comment and I’ll be sure to focus some energy on this moving forward).🥗       Why I Hike at 7AM As we move further and further into summer I’m constantly reminded why getting up early is a blessing. As someone who does *not* do well with high heat and high humidity, I do my best to get outside as early as possible so that I’m not completely drenched in sweat by the end of my activity. Even though I did this hike around 7-8am, I was *still* sweaty af afterwards, but I have no regrets. 🤷‍♀️ It was perfectly beautiful, peaceful and the trail was completely empty. That’s the second bonus of starting early, most peeps are still sunk into their comfy blankets at home, warming up with a cup of joe. (or tea, why can’t tea have a cool name like Bob, or Frank, or Sundance?) 😂     I used to be that person. I’d sleep in til 10 or 11am, only to roll out of bed with no energy and feeling like absolute 💩 because I drank after work and stayed up until 3am. No more of that nonsense for me, and I couldn’t be any happier with the transition. If you never considered being an early riser, trust me, just give it a chance for a month or two and then tell me how much you hate it👇 if you must. Not only are places less busy and less hot, but as previously mentioned, they’re more quiet! This allows time to meditate if you wish on a log in the middle of the woods. (I may or may not have done this).🪵🧘‍♀️ As well as take a few breaks to stretch, read, you name it. Especially in places like North Park (the one we’re talking about today), that have several pavilions and shelters set up along the trail like this one. 👇       Although this one doesn’t have a picnic table underneath, a lot of them actually do, as well as a trash can for your healthy snack wrappers or a disposal spot for pet waste if you choose to bring along the furballs. 🐾   Exploring the Purple/Black Dot Trail in Pittsburgh Now, the Purple/Black Dot Trail is one of my top 3 favorites at North Park, and that’s because it’s short but packs a punch with the steep inclines thrown throughout. It has two road crossings (shown below) and several off-shoots though, (see one of the pics above for an example), so you’ll have to be sure to pay attention to the purple markers on the trees along the trail. (See the last pic at the end of the post for an example). Wanna see the trails I go on? Follow me on AllTrails! I just started back up with tracking these and I’d love to share more photos and details with you which are featured on the app. Let me know if you have any questions on how to sign up or get started tracking your own hikes! 🥾🥳 Everyone hikes or runs trails differently, but I’ve found (despite trying to keep up with the hubs) that I enjoy running on the downhills and the flat spots, (being super careful to not trip over my big feet on the downhill). Then, I walk the uphill and save my energy for pushing myself on the next flat part.     Running the Trail Together… Emotionally, Not Physically My husband on the other hand will just straight up run the entire time, I swear he never gets tired. For years while trail running I’ve tried my best to keep up with him, complaining of my shorter legs and how women are naturally slower. While this may have some truth to it, it was just an excuse I would make over and over because I was annoyed with how far behind I always got so quickly. Check out this cool article if you want to read more in depth about the differences of men and women running speeds! So recently, when he asked if I wanted to trail run or hike with a weighted pack together, I explained how I’d much rather do the trail run alone, so that I can stay out of my head and focus on the journey. When I’m so far behind, I start doubting my ability to do well instead of realizing that I’m still on the path to becoming my best self. I needed to be honest with him and it allowed me to become more comfortable and have less frustration with him for not understanding. He now supports this idea since he has had the opportunity to recognize why I would get upset. Yay for healthy communication! 🙌 It’s not that he intentionally tries to run out in front, he’s just faster and I don’t want to hinder his growth either as that wouldn’t be fair. So I’ve found that running alone

How We Camp Comfortably For Less Than $100/Day In 2025

Heyyyoooo. Guess what. Camping shiznit has gotten EX.PEN.SIVE. 😳 And the things that are available nowadays? Awesome, epic, and amazing. BUT. They come with a hefty price tag, especially if you’re shopping at the big box stores for your gear and goods. Now, I’m not saying to avoid these stores altogether, I’m just saying to plan around holiday deals and clearance sections to snag yourself some of the best items at bargain prices. When it comes to the basics though, we try to keep it budget-friendly while sneaking in some luxuries at the same time. (Like hot cocoa and sparkling water). ☕️ Read on to find out why $100/day is our happy point for a camping trip in 2025.   Wait, $100/Day Is Budget Camping?! You may be thinking I’m crazy for considering $100 per day as “budget-friendly.” But guys and gals of the camping world, there are A LOT of things that go into a comfy camping trip and pairing those things down to what’s actually needed is harder than it sounds. There’s of course your basic gear and equipment that you’ll get beforehand (which aren’t included in this post’s costs), but we’re just talking today about what you can bring or skimp on to save a little cheddar. (That’s moolah, or cash-money for you Gen Z’ers out there)…actually I just googled this, “guap or paper,” my bad. 🧐 Camping costs have come up quite a bit since my childhood, where you could camp for significantly less. Today however, especially after a world that went through COVID, more and more families and couples are heading outdoors to spend more time in nature. (Which I totally encourage and am so here for). The downside for us OGs though is that costs of camping supplies, campgrounds and other things associated with campgrounds like eggs, (jk), are now way higher than before due to the rising demand of folks frolicking through the fantastic fields of fun. 🙂   Hammocks Over Hotels Any Day Now, we need to think and plan ahead of time to reduce costs where we’re able because it’s no longer a cheap trip compared to staying in a hotel. (If you don’t believe me, just check out your nearest Airbnb rentals, most sit in the few hundred dollar range and give you less amenities and luxuries than a hotel room. (That’s because us nature-lovers out here would rather pay up for that perfect A-frame with a full window of the woods and no running water than a cheeky jet tub in the middle of the city. Like this one outside of Hocking Hills, Ohio). Don’t get me wrong, I like those jet tubs very much after a long weekend of hiking or backpacking. (Check out this post if you want to see one of my favorite Arizona stays). But I will always prefer an affordable, hammock-filled reading and hiking expedition and I’m willing to say I’m not alone in that. The rain hitting the tent, the outdoor cooking and fresh air all around, there’s nothing quite like it to have a total mental reset. So, let me finally get into how we love to scale down when hitting the outdoors and what our experience has taught us (so far at least).   How We Grocery Shop for Camping Under $100/Day First of all, we prefer to shop at affordable places like Aldi or Trader Joes for healthy and wallet-friendly deals. We’ll typically stop there first to grab the essential groceries and snacks we’d like to take with us. We may also use water from our 5 gallon jugs from home, or if we forget (like this past trip), we’ll snag a pack of water bottles while we’re in the store. I would recommend staying away from purchasing water at gas stations or at the lodge when you get there, since these will be way higher priced than bringing it in bulk from somewhere else. As for snack and grocery options, we usually stick to simple things such as: Ground beef, boneless/skinless chicken breasts, steak or steak tips Eggs A whole freaking bag of Yukon gold potatoes Onions, peppers and one veggie such as broccoli or asparagus Apples, bananas, a handful of snack bars or one bag of chips Butter and EVOO (shout out to Rachael Ray) Hot chocolate and coffee/tea A salt and pepper mix (like this one in the pic below that had a bonus addition of garlic) Berries and sparkling water   Yes, I know. Sparkling water is not a necessity. But since we stopped drinking alcohol, this is a nice replacement to have with meals or while we’re just chilling at the campsite. I also brought electrolyte tablets along so we could enhance our water bottles if we really needed some extra flavor and hydration. I love having berries or apples to snack on between meals, but usually we’re not hungry for them since we have time to actually sit and enjoy real meals 3x a day.       Propane, Pit Fires, and Deals Of course, you’ll need propane and fuel for your grill and for traveling to said campsite, so I’ve added those into the $100/day as well. We only traveled a little under 2 hours, and get decent mileage so we didn’t have to dedicate too much to the fuel category. We went through approximately 1.5 larger tanks of propane which allowed us to cook 5 meals on the Blackstone (including using a pot for water on the top for our hot drinks). (We picked up a 4-pack of propane at Dunhams since it was more affordable than buying them individually). You’ll also need to consider if you want to have a fire while you’re there. Some people never have one the whole time they stay, but I prefer one like legit, ALL the time we’re at the site. I love the smell and the vibes you get from being by a campfire so we stock up when we get to the

Coopers Rock Car Camping & The Henry Clay Furnace Trail

Heyyoooo! We’re going to take a quick break from the Utah series to highlight our recent camping trip to West Virginia. If you’re ever traveling through the mountain state, be sure to check out Coopers Rock State Park. In this post, I’ll highlight our chill time there for a 2 day trip, and our favorite short, but sweet trails to hike. Legoooo!         Truck Camping vs. Tent Camping: What We’re Planning Next They call it car camping, but since we have a truck it’s technically truck camping…but that just doesn’t sound as cool, right? There are so many ways you can camp these days, including out of a cab on your truck bed like the neighbors we had at the park! It was pretty cool to see the build out IRL, (in real life), showing that if you wanted to bring a friend, you don’t always have to make sure there are two tent spots! We’d like to consider this option someday, especially when we plan travel to grizzly country. Your girl is NOT trying to get her tent stomped (or herself) by a bear, mmkay. So at that point, we hope to have a vanlife or trucklife build out that will be used to camp in not so tent-friendly areas. Stay tuned, friends!     When Plans Change: Swapping the Grand Canyon for Coopers Rock As for Coopers Rock, you may be wondering how this came about, so allow me to explain. We had obtained permits for hiking the North to South Rim of the Grand Canyon, a trip I was seriously looking forward to. HOWEVER. As the dates got closer and closer, we knew deep down we were not trained enough or prepared enough to embark on this extremely hot journey in the start of July. (Check out this link if you’re looking how to snag a permit for the Grand Canyon) We went back and forth for 2 months deciding whether or not to push ourselves to keep our plan, but in the end we decided that it would be much more enjoyed later in summer or early fall when the heat isn’t so crazy and we have a little more training under our belts. Life has put a lot on our plate lately, so therefore we didn’t get in the training we would have liked to do. (And that happens sometimes! Learning to ebb and flow with the cycles of life is just something we as humans need to learn to adapt to). I’d like to point out that it’s okay to say no to things as well. Even though we talk all the time on this blog about being okay with being uncomfortable, it’s best to weigh the pros and cons, too, and make sure you’re not putting yourself or your loved ones in a comprising position. It still remains on our near future to-do list, but we are content with the decision to let our bodies and minds rest instead of pushing them yet again to their limits when we’re already pretty burned out.     From Dolly Sods to Coopers Rock: A Stormy Detour Coopers Rock came into play after we planned to backpack the Dolly Sods Wilderness. We went to Seneca Rocks last fall and it was absolutely beautiful, so we’ve been itching to go back to the area to get some backpacking in. Butttt then a whole bunch of rain decided it was coming that way and so yet again, we were forced to rethink our plans. Although it rained heavily the first night with lightning and thunder at Coopers Rock, it was blissful to be able to enjoy the nature around us and listen to the storm instead of our neighbors. (Please, please, please be mindful of others while in campgrounds peeps, everyone is there to enjoy their time and space, so please be considerate with your music, lights, and semi-excessive noise). 🙂 We worked on Friday, which meant we had to be packed and ready to leave when we got home. (Which actually pushed me to pack way less because of the lack of time I had to dedicate to it). And although there are a few things that were left behind, it was super easy to pack back up and less stressful than having forty different totes and bags to remember everything we brought along. For reference, we packed one backpack each (using our handy-dandy Osprey day packs), which held our clothes, chargers and toiletries. One tote for room-temp items such as utensils, cookware and snacks. One tote for camping gear, and one cooler to hold our cold food items. (And sparkling water, of course. My favorite is Topo-Chico). 😌       Here’s what we packed in the camping tote if you’re wondering: Two ultra-light camping chairs (for when the picnic table was drenched) Two couch pillows since yours truly forgot where the camping pillows were, no judging 🤷‍♀️ Sleeping pad (definitely brought the smaller one by mistake). 🤦‍♀️ Medium sized quilt & sheet set for the pad (may or may not have forgotten the fitted sheet) Two hammocks (please remember to unhook yours before a storm so they stay dry! obvs speaking from experience) First aid kit Citronella candles Propane for the grill Matches (Bring a spare…and don’t get them rained on). 😁 And we also brought our new portable Blackstone grill (which I’m still deciding on if I like…but the hubs insisted).     Here’s a few things that are on our list for next time to invest in: Lightweight camping plates and/or bowls (You’ll see the ceramic ones I brought this time instead in the next post) A pop-up tent to go over the picnic table when it storms 🙈 A tent organizer like this one from Amazon to curate the chaos Slip on sandals (so I can wear my socks with them instead of flip flops)…this may seem ridiculous, but it’s the little things, okay? Wind/waterproof matches so we

Surfing The Coral Pink Sand Dunes & The Unexpected Moqui Cave Exploration in Kanab, Utah

Did I ever think about trying out surfing? Yes. Have I done it *yet?* No…but I can say that I’ve surfed the sands of the of the Utah State Park, “Coral Pink Sand Dunes.” As this was just one of our last minute adventures during a week long trip centered around Zion National Park, I can excitedly say that it was one of my favorite and most memorable few hours yet, especially since we unexpectedly got to check out the Moqui Cave Museum nearby. Let’s get into it, shall we? First Impressions of Coral Pink Sand Dunes: Way Bigger Than Expected Let me begin by stating that they blew my mind much more than I’d anticipated. Both, for that matter. But particularly the sand dunes, which I thought would be pretty epic, but they were simply on a next level. It was such an intense shift of scenery and so incredibly different from back home, that it took the entire time walking up to them to actually realize how vast they were. You see, from pictures, they look cool, okay. And from the roadside, well they of course look big. (It was also cool how we got glimpses of the pink sand on the road leading up to them!) But if you’ve never saw a sand dune up close, DUDE, they are MASSIVE.   From Michigan to Utah: Comparing Dunes and Dreaming Bigger The only sand dunes I ever remember being beside were in Michigan with my dad when I was a teenager. I remember them being beautiful by the great lake and so majestic blowing with the wind. I never even thought about how much more massive ones must be that were actually in a desert or on a different continent, (which I hope to plan on visiting one day!) Of course, these can’t compare to the ones in the Sahara or other massive deserts. So I’ll give some examples, mmkay? Coral Pink Sand Dunes of Kanab, Utah: The tallest dune is estimated to reach around 75-100ft The entire park covers around 15.1 square kilometers Fun fact – This state park is home to the tiger beetle, which is found *no where else* in the entire world! Sahara Desert Sand Dunes (North Africa): The tallest dune is estimated to reach around 600-1,000ft The entire desert covers around 9.2 MILLION kilometers. (Gulp). Fun fact – These dunes are STILL not even the tallest on earth. You’ll have to head Northwest Argentina where the tallest dune stands at a jaw-dropping 4,035ft tall. 😳 As you can tell, they have some giant differences. But I think about them sort of like our hikes…as we grow into hiking further and more incredible trails, we have the luxury of researching and finding more and more awe-inspiring ones to travel to next. When I was younger, I got to experience a small sand dune that still managed to wow me. And now, these ones in Utah blew my mind all over again. Maybe someday, we’ll have the opportunity to travel to others as well and be inspired and amazed even more. Trying Sandboarding for the First Time at Coral Pink Sand Dunes If you’ve never surfed before on either a sand dune or in the water, you may be wondering what all it entails. I really had no idea what to expect (notice a pattern on this trip 😅), but it was a really cool experience through and through. We made our way out onto State Highway 59, for our little over an hour drive out to the park. On the way, your girl *really* had too much water and electrolytes, (of course trying my best to stay hydrated in the desert), and so we needed to find a pit stop with a bathroom nearby. I’ll get more into this shortly and how freaking cool of a stop it actually ended up being… Until then, let me talk about the process of renting boards and if they’re needed.   I’ve talked a few times about surfing, but sandboarding is actually a lot more like snowboarding. Sandboards however, are usually wider and shorter but still need waxed just like snowboards do. If you fall in the sand though, prepare for a bit more impact as the snow typically cushions you much more than the grainy sand does. (I learned this after every single run!) Entrance to the park itself is only $10, and renting a board is $25. They give you a wax bar as well to keep with you for reapplying after each go. We rented a board each, but you could always rent just one to share and save some moolah.💸 After we paid and grabbed our boards, we headed out of the station and into the dunes. There was a walkway on part of the trail, but most of it was just sand. PLEASE DO remember to bring sandals or flip flops because holy guacamole that sand is hot on the feet. 🥑🦶 It’s actually suggested to wear closed toe shoes or legit hiking sandals to ensure your feet don’t get burned by the extreme heat. Although we didn’t realize it at the time, (again, bad planning), it’s not advised to go barefoot because of the critters such as the previously mentioned tiger beetle and SCORPIONS that may be hiding beneath the sand. Oh my gawwwdd guys, this is why we now do extreme research ahead of time! To make sure we are safe and secure in all of our activities. Please make sure to do the same! <3 Climbing the Dunes: Exhausting, Exhilarating, and 100% Worth It We hiked up the first smaller ones to get an understanding of what it would be like, and of course, it was MUCH harder than we’d thought. Once we got the hang of it though, we ventured out to the biggest one, (because why not), where we made our way to the top. It was a HARD climb straight up the dune, but totally

What I Loved About Bryce Canyon & Why It’s Worth Visiting If You’re On The Fence

Bryce Canyon is one of those not so widely known places (such as the Grand Canyon or Zion), but is highly underrated for a quick day trip if you’re in the area. Today I want to touch on a few of the reasons why I’d go back, and what I’d bring with me to better prepare! Here we go! Yay! 🕺 Bonus Tip! Don’t forget to stop and take in the Bristlecone Pines. These guys are the oldest living organisms on EARTH friends, and although we didn’t have a chance to take them in like we would have liked to, someday we will definitely be back to embrace their majestic and ancient beauty. 🪾💜   Why We Added Bryce Canyon to Our Zion Adventure During our trip that was centered around Zion National Park, we made space for a few day trips just in case we decided to leave our super cute *and affordable* ✨ resort. Bryce Canyon was one that the hubs kept bringing up, and while I wasn’t all that sure of what it entailed, I decided to agree in giving it a go. If you do a quick Google search, you’ll see that it has epic spires called “hoodoos” that create such an incredible scenery you’re unlikely to see anywhere else. Unless you take a deeper dive though, you’ll likely miss all of what it has to offer. Did you know? The word “hoodoo” means to “bewitch.” Something that a lot of us travel-junkies would definitely agree with when entering the Bryce Canyon amphitheater. This area is comprised of tons of individual hoodoos, which were carved over the course of millions of years from the elements such as rain, snow and ice. (Yes! There is ice and snow here during parts of the year, and I’ve read that it’s even more beautiful to see during this time). Have you gone during that time? Let me know in the comment section! 👇     Canyon Shuttle Tips and Where to Park You’re able to park in the lot near the main part of the park which is what we did, (which is called Sunrise Point) but you’re welcome to get a shuttle as well, which you can learn more about by clicking here. This will take you on a giant loop that will stop at several points of interest including the Amphitheater and some of the trailheads. Be sure to read up on where you’d like to go beforehand so you know where you’ll want to be spending the most time! You can use the shuttle service free of charge, since the fee you pay to enter the park itself will cover that. If you’re interested in snagging an annual pass like we did, check out this site to learn how to get one for yourself and your party.       Early Morning Arrival at Bryce Canyon National Park We chose to start our day super early, getting up when it was dark to drive the roughly 2.5 hours from Saint George, Utah where we were staying, out to Bryce Canyon National Park. One thing we didn’t consider though, was packing beanies, gloves, and colder weather clothing. 🤦‍♀️ Since the park is at a significantly higher elevation than where we were coming from, we experienced a drop in temperature by around 15-25 degrees! It was super unexpected and bad planning on our part. Because of this, we stopped at local shop along the way to pick up some new cold weather gear before we got to the park. (Read on to the end of the post to find out the 100+ year old Inn that I’m talking about!)     Once we got to the parking lot, we made our way to Sunset Point, which is where the Navajo Loop Trail starts and ends. We decided to combine this with the Queen’s Garden Trail, that descends down into the canyon and allows you to view the hoodoos from the bottom up. It was a unique experience that I’m so grateful we embarked on. We were sore and tired from the previous hikes during this trip, but these short ones were still manageable especially given the sights we were able to take in. When we started planning our day trip to this park, we discussed skipping it altogether since it was pretty far out of the way. But, kind of like The Painted Desert (where the Petrified Forest National Park is), it was 110% worth the extra miles and effort to go a little further in getting there. I mean, just look at these freaking pictures, guys. I can’t with the awesomeness.   Psst! We hiked through the Painted Desert last year when we visited the Grand Canyon, so stay tuned for a future post discussing in more detail why we fell in love with it and can’t wait to go back, DESPITE it being way out of the way. If you want to learn more about what activities are nearby, check out Ruby’s Inn which has been around for over a hundred years! (Since 1916!) You can check into their info on guided ATV tours, horseback riding, mountain biking and more, even helicopter rides! Like, what?!     Stocking Up Before Bryce Canyon: What We Forgot and What We Found As previously mentioned, we desperately needed colder weather gear and a few more snacks, which we were able to purchase here at Ruby’s. It was such a cute little stop where we could get everything we needed, and grab some souvenirs at the same time. Would highly recommend stopping here even just to check it out! Here’s a map of the surrounding area, to give you an idea of how far everything is that I’ve already mentioned, and some other stops that I haven’t! Capitol Reef (shown in the pic below) is somewhere that’s also on our bucket list, so I’ll make sure to drop some hints when we’re headed back to visit it in the

The Narrows in Zion National Park & Our Favorite Place To Stay In Saint George, Utah

Hey fammm. Coming at you today from this beautiful office. It’s messy, it’s green, and it’s perfect. If you’re wanting to learn about these cute little beauties on the ground, check out some future posts where I’ll dive more into our gardening system this year. Although we haven’t touched on it as much as I’d like, Habitual Balance will focus as well on homesteading, gardening and growing beautiful foods to fuel your family at home or on the trail. Stay tuned for the future friends, I’ve got you. 😌❤️🥬 Until then, let’s talk about the fabulously awesome Narrows trail in Zion National Park, and where we stayed during our time in Utah. (My SECOND favorite state!) 😍   (Link for planters!💚)   (As mentioned in the previous post, apologies again for the poorer photo quality in advance! These were taken in October of 2022 when we had less awesome phones! I still wanted to include them however to give perspective of how beautiful the time we spent there was. We have way more Angels Landing pics than Narrows photos since it was a last-minute decision, so I’ll be including some of those in the post today instead).   Our Favorite Zion Stay (and the Secret to Booking It Cheaper) Utah was on our bucket list as soon as we got back from Arizona the first time around. We fell in love with the desert immediately and knew we’d be back stat, but noticed that Zion National Park had so much to offer as well, and therefore decided to check that out when we headed west for the second go around. ✈️ While we were sorting through places to stay, we came across this seriously amazing resort by the name of Coral Springs. Since this was before our days of checking into Airbnbs, I was flabbergasted to learn that this resort was not only exactly where we needed it to be, but also EXTREMELY affordable compared to other options nearby. Even up until now, (about 2.5 years later), we still rave about how wonderful this stay was and how much we saved on the financial side of things because of booking Coral Springs through privatevacations.com. I have no idea how I even found it, but we were overly thrilled with our entire stay and have zero complaints. If you’re looking for something near Zion, this resort in Saint George is the absolute best that I’d recommend. (Use code PVSUMMER at checkout for an extra 20% off your next getaway.) Since we arrived here before the park, let me preface this post with a little more detail about our stay there… As we were planning this trip, we decided to focus on being more budget-friendly, removing takeout and dining options (with the exception of one beautiful dinner spot which I’ll mention later), and sought out a place where we could cook 90% of the time that was comfy and allowed us to do our laundry as well. (Loved this option since that allowed us to pack way less, too!) 🧳 I loved that it was a keyless entry, with a digital pad and no “go to this desk and see this person for 30 minutes” kind of deal. We strive for efficiency and comfort on our trips, so being able to do this without having to interact with additional personnel really made it more home-y. We pulled our rental into the covered garage (bougie, right?!), and carried our luggage up the outdoor stairs to our room.   Affordable Luxury Near Zion: Coral Springs Resort in St. George At the front door we were already blown away. It had a fantastic patio with a view of the land, aesthetic decor for desert-vibe peeps like myself, and instructions on everything and anything you could think of as soon as we walked in. It was super clean, perfectly laid out, (so much so that we talked about modeling our future home as such!), and included more than we could imagine. (Which were luxuries such as!) A full (GIANT) kitchen that was so freaking gorgeous I wasn’t even a bit inclined to leave for meals Two (2!) bathrooms including one that had a jet tub and his & her sinks (jet tubs are ESSENTIAL for us especially after hiking or backpacking, and are increasingly harder to come by as hotels slowly do away with them…sad face.) A full laundry room with all supplies necessary 🧺 A comfy king bed and spacious couch in a huge living room where we streamed our YouTube onto so we could watch one last Angels Landing vlog before heading to hike it! (Want to hear about our experience there? Check out this post to read more) An indoor AND outdoor fireplace (it wasn’t needed yet as it was early October, but when we go back someday (which we definitely will be), we will be hopefully able to indulge in using both! I turned them on really quick for a photo-op, of course!) The outdoor patio had a perfect view of the moon that week, and a grill as well were we to want to step away from the amazing kitchen space. (Which your girl was completely content in.)   As you can tell, this place was a dream. We would usually stay in hotels up until this point, being kind of cramped unless we wanted to pay up, and without an option to do laundry or cook meals (without a hefty price tag). Coral Spring Resorts paved the way for us to begin booking with Airbnb and local more affordable options, and now I couldn’t imagine life without it. I’d never heard of privatevacations.com before, but I’m so grateful to have stumbled upon it since it was nearly the same price for an entire week that we would have paid at a hotel chain for one or two nights! This allowed us to save almost half of what we usually spend (on hotel rooms and eating at restaurants) and gave us

I Almost Gave Up: Practicing Breathwork While Hiking Angels Landing In Zion

Hey friends! While breaks are necessary in all things, (travel posts included), I’m bringing an oldie but goodie up today that was accomplished at the start of our harder hikes. Before hiking Angels Landing in Zion National Park, we were much less experienced in scary, sketchy, and frankly a teeny bit crazy kind of hiking trails. But this one opened up a new part of me and allowed me to prove to myself a thought that I had believed, but never implemented…I *can* do hard things. (Apologies for the poorer photo quality in advance! These were taken in October of 2022 when we had less awesome phones! I still wanted to include them however to give perspective of how beautiful the day was.) My First Time Hiking Angels Landing: Fear, Breathwork & Finding Strength on the Trail The year or so leading up to us traversing this trail had me laughing at videos that the hubs would show me, saying, “Yeahhh, I won’t be doing that.” Or, “Nope.” I was anything but okay with doing something so insane (like hiking a sketchy trail to the tippy top of a jagged old rock formation that someone had carved into the rockface way back in 1926.) Guys….I think maybe we should do a revisiting on the 100 year reunion of this?! Drop a comment if you agree!! But then, as time went on and I accomplished smaller but achievable goals around home in my personal and other areas of my life, I figured, what’s the hurt in trying? We signed up for Angels Landing hike, (with me not really knowing fully what I was getting myself into,) and set up a trip around the permit dates that we were so lucky to receive. If you’re wanting to know where to look, check out this link to get you to the right place! While we were there, we decided to hike a few other nearby trails in the park, but this one was by far my absolute favorite. It was the perfect challenge that I needed at that exact moment in my life, and if you’ve ever been on the fence about traveling to check it out for yourself, I would highly recommend doing so!     Prepping for the Climb: One Step (and Freak-Out) at a Time In the months leading up to hiking Angels Landing, we started training like we usually do for harder, longer hikes. And although it isn’t a super long trail at just 5.4 miles round trip, the way up can be intimidating and coming down may be harder than you anticipate. For me, hiking Angels Landing was much more of a mental challenge than physical though, pushing through my fears one *baby* step at a time. While we knew we were more than physically prepared, we still went almost all of the way the first day there, to check out how steep “steep” actually looked from up close. ….it was freaking insane. As I looked up at the jagged rock from Scout Lookout (the furthest you can go without encountering 1500ft drop offs and sectioned portions with chains for support), I glanced at Ben and knew for sure I probably wasn’t going to make it, and while he was more than understanding, I think we both knew it was at least worth a solid try. The day of, we had an morning permit time so we got to the parking lot early and geared up with our little camelbacks. (This was before the days of the Osprey packs we now know and love WAY more). We brought a handful of snacks and about 1.5-2 liters of water to ensure we’d have plenty for this hot and uncomfy trip. Our Epic Hike Into Havasupai Falls: What to Know Before You Go   Scout Lookout We made our way back up to Scout Lookout pretty quickly, and had only a few other hikers in front of us. We started out on the first section which was kind of terrifying but also exhilarating, and then moved onto a little section where some others sat and waited to cross the more narrow areas of the trail. Once we got to this section though, I froze. Even though I was feeling fearless and awesome up until this point, the steep cliffside to my left was freaking me out and getting in my head. As I slowly and carefully turned to the hubs to get some confirmation on what to do next, he reassured me that if we turned back, it would be absolutely okay. So as we went back to sit on the side of the path where there was more room, dozens of hikers proceeded past us, including backpackers with giant packs and even kids and preteens! I was so impressed. It was at that moment, that I knew if these other hikers could push forward, then so could I.     Chains, Courage, and Crawling As we moved ahead up the trail, we passed section after section of chains to grab onto. PLEASE always use the same idea as the Mooney Falls chains in Arizona and make sure you’re always keeping more than 1 point of contact on the chain at all times! Be mindful, present and make sure to get a good nights sleep the night before so that you can focus 110% on what you’re doing. This trail is no joke, so be prepared and be aware of your surroundings! (Which includes fellow hikers!) At one point, I noticed I was practically crawling up the rock. I was nearly on my hands and feet and probably had a giant line behind me waiting for my slowpoke-ness to move upward. But as I creeped along, my accountability partner made sure to remind me that I need not think about the people behind me, but remember to go slow and go at my own pace. Seriously, don’t let others bully you into moving ahead of the speed you want