Before the Havasupai Falls Hike: Where We Stayed, How We Prepped, and Why Parks, AZ Was Perfect
Today, I went full potato. I napped, I vegged, I cooked beautiful and delicious food, and watched the sunset with my husband before indulging in some hot cocoa while reading. It was a good day. Today marked the first actual day of being fully in Arizona, in which we typically use to prep our gear and fuel our bodies with rest and good grub before backpacking 60-70 miles with dehydrated meals on our backs for the next 4 days. Here’s a quick bit about our time in chilly, amazing, perfect Parks, Arizona. Back in September of 2024, we were scheduled to hike the incredible trek to Havasupai Falls. (We can call it Havasu though since “Havasu” means “blue-green water” and “Pai” means “people.”) If you’ve been following the Habitual Balance journey, you’ll know that we were forced to reschedule only a few weeks before our trip due to a tragic flash flood. Although we considered traveling elsewhere when we found this out, it was eventually decided that we would stick with the original plan and work around those few days we were to be at the falls. I couldn’t be more pleased with how that trip worked out. We camped for several days at different locations that had totally different weather. First outside of Sedona where we found a small swimming hole that we could kayak into a cave on the other side, and next here in Parks, at an awesome little Hipcamp spot that we got to enjoy in the wilderness right outside of Coconino National Forest. Our Tiny Home Stay Before the Havasupai Falls Hike Since we were the only ones present at the time, it was quiet, almost eerie how silent it was at night when we got up to go to the outhouse. We heard coyotes and horses and woke up to frost on the ground which was much different than sleeping super hot outside of our sleeping bags the previous day near Sedona. However, we loved the area so much that we immediately booked a tiny home that they had on the property for 2025 when our Havasu trip was rescheduled. We planned to use it as a recovery day from traveling and to get out of the work mindset, to relax and unwind and cook yummy food, and to get a small active recovery hike in before the big one in a few days time. …Which leads us to the here and now! The owners of the property have made this place 100% one to remember. It has been just as amazing as last time and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to stay here again. The tiny home was perfect and since no one was in the other unit they even upgraded us to a bigger one! Which ended up working great for the space we needed to organize our gear and hang out for a while. If you’re wanting to check out what they offer, check out their site at thetinyhomeinn.com! Although the weather could have been slightly warmer so I could have stayed on the hammock longer (boo!) I still got to enjoy it for a little while and we were able to immerse ourselves in the beauty of Humphreys Peak which we hiked last time as well. Check out these incredible views just a 1 minute walk from our spot!! Not only could we enjoy the sunrise, (check out one of the pics above to see the sunrise from the bedroom!) sunset, and mountain nearby on this property, but they have also allowed us into another magical place nearby just a short hike away. Sycamore Canyon is an underrated Arizona bucket list place in my opinion. It’s vast and wondrous just like its bigger sister only a few hours away, but I’ve never heard anything about it until coming here! While the spot they mention that you can go to is quite perfect with its swimming hole and epic scenery with the rocks and pines, I challenge you to check out the rest of the canyon as well if you ever make it here. (Which you totally should). We decided to keep going and did about a 5 mile trek mid morning when it was warmer and crisp. This is my absolute favorite kind of hiking weather. Cool enough that I’m not super sweaty, but warm enough that I’m not shivering the entire time. I thought it was cool that these rock piles were kind of like the same idea as the cairns you see out in Sedona and other areas with the red rock and less vegetation. Also, check out this neat bone we stumbled upon during our hike! *Did you know? Mineral precipitates, such as salts, present in the soil matrix may crystalize on the bone surface resulting in calcium carbonate encrustations, which may bleach the bone causing a white discoloration. According to Google…A bone that is completely bleached white throughout, meaning even on the inside, indicates that it has been heated to a high temperature (over 600°C) for a sufficient time, burning away all organic matter like collagen, fats, and proteins, rather than being a measure of its age. 🧐 Why We Prepped Early for the Havasupai Falls Backpacking Trip Once we were back from the hike, we got our gear ready for the upcoming trip by placing everything on the floor from our luggage and organizing it into the backpacks. (Which we decided we would be doing FIRST next time, due to spending less time organizing while on vacay!) We also realized that if we would have packed the backpacks before leaving home, that we would likely have packed less clothes due to recognizing that we needed less than we actually brought. Supes annoying. *eye roll* I always have a tendency to overpack but I’ve been getting probably 10% better with every trip. If you worry about over packing or overthinking your items needed for an upcoming
Havasu Falls Hike Preparation: Our Backpacking To-Do List
Hey friends! Soon, we will be soaring across the skies again on our way to sunny Arizona. This will be our fourth time in the last few years because we just love it so much! It’s one of my favorite states at this point in my life because of the sunshine, epic views, and different scenery we get to experience from Sedona to the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff! Today I wanted to touch base on what our weeks (and months) leading up to trips like this look like, because although it is still a vacation, a TON of preparation needs to go into it to ensure all plans run smoothly especially on a trip like a Havasu Falls hike. Shall we?! Prep and Planning for the Havasu Falls Hike and Other Adventures So before we even know where we’re going, we usually apply for multiple permits to places that are nearby one another just in case we end up getting all of them so we can hit them up at the same time! Then, once permits are approved (or not approved, boo!), we create the rest of our travel plans from there. This time though, we knew where we were going since early last year when we got permits for the one and only Havasu Falls. If you’re not sure what this is, I highly recommend checking out some pics online because it is a sight to behold, and one I’m very grateful that we soon get to see in person! We were scheduled for our Havasu Falls hike for September of last year, until the tragic 2024 flash flood wiped out most of the area only 2 weeks before our trip. It was a unexpected but we readjusted and made plans around the area anyway. We still had a wonderful time and I actually enjoyed just winging it! Check out this post if you’re up for hearing about our trek up Humphrey’s Peak! We actually found a place outside Flagstaff to camp for one of the nights, and loved it so much that we booked a tiny home there to prep for our way down into the canyon this time! We’re going to use the first two days to prepare hearty meals, make sure we have everything we need for our 4 day backpacking adventure into the Grand Canyon (where Havasu Falls is at), and enjoy some peace and quiet before being surrounded by 374 permits per day that are accepted there! Luckily, we were able to snag an early morning flight, and although it’ll suck getting up around 1:30am, it’ll be amazing to touch down in Phoenix right after breakfast! (Matt’s Big Breakfast in Scottsdale is usually our go-to!) We will then have the entire day to grab our rental car, find good food, enjoy our few hours drive, gear up at the REI in Flagstaff and checkout any cool stops along the way. Then when we check into our tiny home, we can just take one whole day to simply chill and prep before hitting the trail a few days later. On the third day, we are heading to a boutique hotel in Seligman, Arizona. This is one of the closest places you can get to the entrance for the hike. We’ll need to grab our permits and head out early so we can beat the heat of the sun as we descend into the canyon. Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? Have you hiked it? What’re your thoughts if so? Would you go back? Gear, Prep, and Post-Trail Recovery Once we’re there, we will live out of our Osprey backpacks for 4 days and 3 nights. We are loving our 48 liter Eja and Exos which carry everything we need for our trips thus far. This is probably the part I’m most excited about. We’ll be grabbing a bear canister at that previously mentioned REI and some dehydrated meals for this part of the trip, and using water from the sole water source once we get to camp. (From what we read online, there is only one area to get potable water from). *Potable water, also known as drinking water, is water that is safe and suitable for human consumption, meeting standards for purity and freedom from contaminants. I’m most eager for this part because I love being off grid and away from the notification world. Although there will be hundreds of people traveling to the same area at the same time, it’s still immersed in nature and living outdoors which is something I truly can’t get enough of. If you’d like to hear more about how this trip went, check back in the next few weeks to hear a post that goes into more detail about how everything worked out! 🙂 As for today’s post, we’re simply covering how we prepare and execute a week long backpacking-centered trip (in this case Havasu Falls), so let’s get into more of that. Once we make our way back out of the canyon, we’ll most likely be stinky, muddy, and sweaty. Ew. We are hopeful to complete our backpacking early on in the day before the sun comes up too much, and get on the road to the next adventure. (This time, being the hotel we have booked in Phoenix!) This is something we make sure to include at the end of any long hiking trail. ESPECIALLY if said hiking trail includes any backpacking. We learned quickly after exiting the Bright Angel Trail that we would need much more than just half of one day to recover before flying back home and working the next day. Not only does this allow us more recovery time, but it also gives us time and space to reorganize our messy packs, wash off any lingering dirt or mud before reorganizing our luggage, and showering like, a BUNCH so we can get back to smelling like our normal selves. After at least two days
Here’s A Few Ideas On Where You Should Start Your Backpacking Adventures
So, you’re fed up with mediocre adventures and are ready to step it up in the hiking world. I see you. No matter if you’re ready to conquer small or big backpacking trips, I wanted to drop in today to talk about my favorite ways to prepare for them, as well as list off a handful of my favorite trails to do so! I swear I could add dreads to my hair tomorrow and go for days out into the wilderness. Give me a water filter and a JetBoil and I’ll be good to go. Being fully immersed into nature’s beauty is more than ever at the top of my priority list. I’m all in for making my days easier, more colorful and fuller with any adventure outdoors that I can get my toes in. Where do you stand? Childhood Hikes to Adult Backpacking Exploration I never grew up backpacking or having backpacking adventures. I didn’t even have a single clue about what it was until maybe 5-7 years ago. (I can’t remember the exact date we shopped for backpacks, but I do recall the exciting experience of fitting and finding the perfect pack. More about how to fit a pack later in the post!) When I would go hiking with my parents as a toddler and adolescent, and as a young adult with my friends, I absolutely loved every minute of it. Looking back, I actually don’t think I realized just how much it was a genuinely loved part of my life. I remember distinctly this one memory as a 15/16 year old. I had this tiny child sized colorful backpack that I stuffed full of peanut butter sandwiches (hold the jelly, please), and smarties. (Two of my favorite snacks to this day). My best friend and I actually stayed up all night so that we didn’t miss the sunrise. This has to be one of the first sunrises I actually remembering being present with and enjoying. It’s an amazing thing, our human memory, isn’t it? My Tiny House We started out of my playhouse (a cool little mini house that was more like a shed that my dad built for me near our home), early when the sun was rising. I can still feel that memory so strongly that I could paint you a picture of looking into my tiny home to make sure I remembered everything, pulling the door knob closed after I shut off the fan, and looking out to the east where the most beautiful colors began coming up on the horizon between the woods. I remember smiling to myself as we stepped off the porch into the shale, and started up the logging road to the beautiful nature behind my childhood home. Only now can I recognize what an important part of this life that memory would be. If I had to choose a specific time and place where I truly felt in tune with my hiking aura, it would have to be this morning. Although I have a ton of memories hiking with my parents beforehand, for some reason, going out on my own (with my friend of course), felt truly like it was the first of many to come as an individual. I love that memory. Do you have something similar? At the time I didn’t realize I’d actually been halfass “backpacking.” I had even remembered to bring a safety and first aid kit, besides the snacks and water that I carried in my pack for my friend and I. We trekked out a ways until it felt like far enough, gathered some sticks and started a teeny tiny fire. I enjoyed my sandwiches around the smell of the fire (my all-time favorite smell to this day, ESPECIALLY in the morning), and made sure it was out before heading back down the trail. We were gone for hours. That was the longest of my hikes at that time, something I wish I would have made an effort to do more often as I grew into adulthood. Where To Start and the Lessons I Learned So aside from the sappy teeny me story, it’s that time in the post to share some tidbits about where and how you may consider starting your own backpacking journey. Let’s get into that. I mentioned that about 5-7 years ago is really where it began to transform my adult life. It was at this time that my husband and I decided to start to travel more (for adventure, not for relaxation). We were out in Arizona with our day packs (actually, I believe we had just camelbacks at the time, pssh, newbs…) and trekked down into the Grand Canyon a bit past Skeleton Point on the South Kaibab trail. I knew we could keep going, but knowing the dangers of the Canyon that a lot of people ignore, we made the choice to turn around and try again the next year with better preparation and training. We also booked Angels Landing in Zion National Park (for a daytrip) in Utah the year after. We had Havasupai Falls scheduled as well, but with the flash flood that came through, caused us to reschedule (for two weeks from now, actually, yay!). (Check out the videos below to get a glimpse of the before and after). And we just finished backpacking the Napali Coast in Kauai this past December. Since then, we’ve learned that getting permits is hella hard, backpacking can be intimidating if you don’t plan properly, and preparing your body for carrying 30-40 pounds up a crap ton of elevation is MUCH harder than it looks on paper. Check Out AllTrails for Your Adventure Therefore, I recommend starting out small. Get the AllTrails app and find some fun trails near you that you can practice on. Check out your nearest outdoor store to get fitted for a pack, (something else I never realized you had to do!). Our favorite store is REI, but if there are none near your city,
Tips For Maintaining Healthy Eating While Traveling
Years ago, I would have never even begun to think about trying to eat healthy on vacations. They’re vacations! Why on earth did I want to limit myself to a strict meal plan (or the dreaded word, “diet”), while enjoying my time away with my loved ones? Over time though, I began to learn more about how healthy eating truly affects the entirety of those trips, and how I have made significant changes up until now and ongoing so that I can feel my best if I’m just laying on the beach or conquering the next best mountain on foot. How do you eat while you travel? Do you realize that it adjusts how you feel overall? Let’s discuss the best options to choose for healthy eating while traveling when your options are limited. Staying Nourished While on the Go I used to hate healthy eating. Like literally, loathe it. I ate fried chicken tenders before softball games and indulged in Dairy Queen to refuel after. Sure, most teenagers will do this. It’s fun, it tastes awesome, and we’re able to bond over delicious cheese-covered food with our family and friends. But some days while I soak in my homemade smoothies, I think back and wonder how much better I could have performed if I’d only known how to fuel my body properly? Although this is just something that most of us learn over time, I’d like to point out that Gen Z is doing a much better job at this than us Millennials. It seems that everyday I notice more and more teens opting for healthy snacks or smoothies and green juice over milkshakes and burgers. Of course, there is more available knowledge out there with the internet at their fingertips, so I am pleased to say that those such as my 17 year old sister are one of them who are learning what’s best to put on their plates early in the game of life. She even makes “nice cream!” Check out the recipe below if you’re wanting a frozen, healthy treat after a long morning run. (She runs 7 miles EVERY MORNING….gulp.) Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream Unfortunately for us ladies in our 30s and 40s, we are now just learning about all the benefits of eating healthy and maintaining a well-balanced diet. Of course we learned some things along the way through health class and other methods, but I’ve found much more valuable information on my own, not to mention that finding the right meal plan that works for you is the absolute hardest part! These days, I don’t try to force myself into making things I’m just kind of “meh” about. My husband has a different meal plan than me now, and it took me a long time to be okay with that. For years I would fight it and feel inadequate about not cooking for us both, but today, I embrace that we have different diets, because we are in fact different people. And that is okayyyy my friend. Something I also noticed yesterday even is that I really love eating big breakfasts and lunches, then snack or just have a small dinner in the late afternoon or early evening. He’s the total opposite. He likes to have big dinners and if I didn’t heat something up for him for breakfast, he probably wouldn’t have it at all! Fortunately though, we’ve managed to find some meals that work best for us both on the weekends, but when we’re traveling, those diets that we’re used to can be hard to balance. Finding Healthy Food Options While Traveling It all depends what the trip we’re going on entails. Will there be an REI for dehydrated options? Or will we have to suffer and choose from the limited options that are at the nearest Wal-Mart? (That’s what we had to do during our Kauai trip, before finding Pitch-A-Tent on Google!) Sometimes we look for Whole Foods, or out west there’s a similar store named Natural Grocers (found this gem in Saint George, Utah before hitting up Angels Landing in Zion!) I just read that Sprouts Farmers Markets have also opened up in some areas. Speaking of which, farmers markets are a great place to stop for fresh fruits and veggies during your trips, with an added bonus of them typically being a TON less expensive than your regular grocery store! Three cheers for supporting small businesses! <3 (Psst, like this one!) When we’re on the trails, I pack completely different. I have however adopted a few dehydrated meals to keep in the pantry at home when I’m feeling hungry but not up to cooking a whole meal. My favorite healthy eating while traveling go-to’s are: Strawberries & Granola by Peak Refuel Chicken & Rice by Mountain House Chicken Alfredo Pasta by Peak Refuel I now purchase two 6-packs every other week of the granola to take with me to work. That and my Quantum Energy Squares fill me up for a few hours until I need to recharge with some sourdough toast or a Nuun electrolytes/caffeine tablet. It’s also pretty great that Mountain House offers canned options, which means that you can buy those meals in bulk instead of individual bags! Yay for savings! So I always keep a serving of the chicken and rice on me when I’m at work or running errands since all I need is hot water to make it ready to eat! Healthy Eating at Airports But what about airports?? Ah yes, the dreaded airport cafeteria food… No lie, that’s what most of it used to remind me of. Blah looking options, meh tasting meals, and just okay “healthy” juices. BUT NOW?! Guyzzzzzz. They have SO many options to choose from! At least in most of your larger airports. My two favorite to travel through is Pittsburgh and Phoenix. I love both of these locations and their airports have provided the best experiences for setup, and
We Are All Just Robots Living In An AI-Inspired World (But It Doesn’t Have To Be That Way)
Sometimes it seems like the day takes forever when you’re not in control of it, doesn’t it? The day ticks slowly away as you move through the motions of work, school, or whatever it may be that you’re not enjoying at the moment. But then the bell rings, the workday ends, and the rest of your life outside of those walls begin. I like to embrace these hours dearly, so much so that I make sure to make the utmost use of those minutes, forcing myself to get healthier, stronger, more knowledgeable and more understanding of the ways I can eventually be within the walls of my choosing, all day every day. However, most of the world operates a little differently. Most of the world decides to do the same exact thing, every single day, day after day, for the rest of their lives. Which path do you see yourself on?? How is it that most of us on earth never see more than the four corners of our cubicles? Speaking of the four corners, the four corners monument is a monument I’d like to visit someday… Getting Stuck on Autopilot How is it that we drone on from day to day without an actual end in sight of what we are working toward? A lot of people will do the same thing day in and day out, with minimal efforts toward growth or exploration of themselves or the world around them. For most people, there is no wonder of what lies outside of their nearest town. There is no path to ending the rat race and expecting more of themselves in entrepreneurship. There are no gains at the gym because the workout is repeated the same exact way every time they go, and although going in itself is important nonetheless, we cannot as humans experience growth without the right mindset in the first place. A lot of people will wake up with their alarm, scroll on their phone to absorb news that doesn’t even pertain to them, roll out of bed groggy and annoyed with the day already, then do the same routine before going to work. The workday consists of similar acts each day as most of us in the universe don’t understand how to actually push ourselves. And once the workday ends, we will forge the same path home, picking up the same fast food or ordering in so that we can spend more time watching our beloved Netflix shows to chill to, before hobbling our achy and tight bodies into our mediocre beds that we don’t take more seriously even though we should. Then, we hit repeat. Over, and over, and over again. Does this sound familiar? Two Steps Forward I’m writing this post today to encourage you to take more steps forward instead of back. Instead of walking along the same path as others before you, try stepping outside of bounds and making your own path alongside it. There is no reason that we have to be forced into the same routine each day (unless of course that is what we’re looking for out of this life). And there is nothing wrong with that. Plenty of shorts online these days are highlighting how it is much less stressful to be immersed in the 9 to 5 world because it’s still getting the job done and the bills paid. I’m not for that life. Are you? Although I do my best to create routines and habits (clearly, since this site is based on creating habits and balance), I still want to push the boundary of what I can accomplish in this life. I don’t want to sit idle and never understand my greater purpose because I’m “content” with working for someone else I don’t really like, in a job I don’t really care for, to create a lifestyle I’m not really fond of. My point is that it’s okay to want more. To want to see new places. What’s your four corners monument that you want to visit? It’s okay to embrace what you truly desire and to find ways to work for yourself if you so choose or travel the world more often or sell everything and plop a tiny home on some property instead of the typical cul-de-sac life. Let’s break free of this robotic lifestyle and become what we were truly set out to be. Are you with me? Ways to Implement To help you create a new side-journey to your current one, I’ve added a few simple points that are important to highlight. Just carving room in your day for at least one of these will do a little more to change your life every day. You just have to want to do them. Practice a new skill for 5 minutes a day Learn a new language Learn an instrument Take up crocheting or woodworking Find a new hobby that forces you to be uncomfortable Get certified in scuba diving Start singing lessons at your local school (or try some out on Teachable) Take up BJJ or grappling of some kind that is close contact Create more time for thinking that is a notification-free zone Schedule in meditation to your day Set boundaries with family and friends to make time for yourself Set alarms on your electronics to shut off at certain points As we move through this life, we make millions of tiny choices. We struggle in some things and excel in others. I believe one thing for sure. The struggle IS real. It IS that extra push we need sometimes to figure out our next steps. Life isn’t always going to be on easy mode, and frankly, I don’t want it to be. Continue with me on this journey to embrace new challenges and take on new tasks that can show us how to be more human instead of another robotic mind in motion. Four Corners Monument | Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation Discover the Four Corners Monument of
Discovering How To Have Gratitude For Any And All Of Life’s Bounties
Hello my friends! As I was in the Lowes parking lot today, I had no intention of coming out with anything but a few cases of water. You see, I missed our last water delivery, so I’ve been needing to pick more before the next drop off. (I know I know, #firstworldproblems). However, I ended up leaving with an entire flat cart full of natures bounties. Although Lowes isn’t my go-to stop for indulging in new nature-inspired decor or plant-life, it just happened to be the best place I could have ended up today, because it taught me something. Let me tell you what that something is. Discovering how to have gratitude. What Does Gratitude Mean to You? Many moons ago, I relished in materialistic things as I made more and more financially. I didn’t grow up this way, and I don’t really need much to get by. But I did go through a short phase (which I’m sure a lot of us do), where I continued to raise my income and along with it, continued to raise my expenses on useless things. Sure, some of those items are still around, but as my husband and I chatted about this last night, (ironically enough), we both agreed that most of those things we purchased back then are basically nonexistent in our current lives. We’ve learned a lot over the years, not just about one another, but about ourselves as well. And, when we come together in a thought process like that, it’s really cool to be able to embrace the same feelings together to know that I’m not alone in thinking something. I’m not really sure what is so enticing about spending your hard-earned moolah, but hindsight is 20/20, and lemmmeee tell ya. There’s not a whole lot from my past self’s purchases that I would consider purchasing as my 33 year old self. Although I try to practice the whole, “it brought you joy at the time,” phrase…it doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t change things if I could go back. This way of living taught me more about who I am today, so it was beneficial, don’t get me wrong. BUT, I would have definitely indulged way less if I’d have known that the joy those things brought me would soon fade away. What are some instances that you have done the same? Do you have any regrets from past purchases or things you wish you would have done differently? Where I Found My Gratitude These days, I’ve noticed that I enjoy experiences MUCH more than anything else in the world. When I say “experiences,” you may be thinking things like concerts, events, dinners, double dates…but no. My perfect version of a great experience is simply one that I can travel somewhere adventurous with my partner. And, if I can’t go anywhere at the moment due to work obligations, family to-dos, or even just because we want to stay home for a bit, my next favorite experience is to stay home and enjoy my (now 6) furballs. I’ve worked a little bit every day at making it more inviting, more relaxing, and a more comforting space so that when I come home from wherever I was that day, I can simply sink into my comfy clothes and cuddle with my spouse and my pets. Lately, I’ve realized that there’s not enough nature and “life” living inside, (which is probably because we’re so immersed in it when we’re out hiking incredible trails). Because of those adventures, I feel an addiction to get more, but when I can’t go somewhere, I decide to add a little touch of it into my home instead. Adding things like new plant life, a cool fish, a leopard gecko or a bearded dragon (hopefully both of which to come), or even just as simple as grabbing some bags of dirt to breathe in the outside while I’m indoors, or planting tiny seeds into new trays for the spring time. Every year I grow tired of gardening by November, only to then crave doing more of it come February. This is the time that seeds begin to become available again, and my wants to create a beautiful garden once again arise. Today was that day. But not only did I realize that I was excited for planting soon, but just to smell the dirt and feel it with my hands was something that called to me. And, as I was driving home multiple plants in tow, I realized something else…I am so much different than I used to be. Find Gratitude In Yourself Finding yourself is basically the hardest thing you’ll ever do. I speak of this from my own experiences, as I’ve gone through quite a few of those “aha” moments. It’s accepting that change is okay, and that being your complete authentic self is freaking awesome, and when you do so, a whole new world awakens. I found gratitude on that drive home for recognizing the growth in my life. Not only in the difference of purchases, but in the difference of how I perceive things. No more am I led by decisions of others or worry, but finally by decisions of sureness and acceptance. I want you to start feeling the same. Start understanding when it’s okay to pivot and make a change that feels right. Recognize that gratitude can hold many forms and that becoming your best self doesn’t have to look like what you think it does or what the world is telling you it should. Once that feeling flowed through me today, I realized that I am truly happy in my home, with life all around me, and with nature in every corner that I can fit it in. I don’t think that this is embraced enough in the fast-paced, screen-filled world. Even though we’ve made huge strides in the last few decades, I think that millennials especially need to realize that self-love and slowing down is enough. This life
Time To Start Thriving In Life Instead Of Simply Surviving: Kauai, Part 2
Someone asked me about my recent trip today. I think they were more excited than I was to talk about it. People keep telling me they’re trying to live vicariously through my travel adventures. And all I can keep thinking of is like, then why not just go yourself? There’s something to think about with all of this. I want to encourage you to stop surviving and start thriving. Don’t just live, start LIVING. Let’s talk about Part 2 of our Kauai adventures today and stop setting limits on ourselves to enjoy more of this beautiful life we’re all a tiny but significant part of. Our last sunrise in Kauai at our hotel before catching our flight home. What Does Surviving Look Like? Guys, we only have this life, so why are we sitting around on our phones just wasting it? Doom scrolling for days in a revolving door not ever pushing forward into the next challenge or adventure. We make mundane tasks last hours just to get through our career. We pretend to like everyone around us just to save face. We don’t even enjoy what we’re doing but we do it anyway for LIFE because we feel as though we’re doing the best we can. Are we?? I sit here today, as one of you. As a human who feels there is more to get out of life than a bi-weekly paycheck. I’m looking to create more ways every damn day. Looking for ways to create more flexibility in my life, more ways to live freely without risk of being without a job by wanting to travel more, and more ways to find supportive avenues to raise a family than just the daily grind of the rat race. What are your thoughts about these things? Drop a comment if you’d care to share. <3 What Stops Us From Thriving? Just 2 weeks ago, I was on a returning flight from The Garden Island of Hawaii. It was a long flight yes, but enthralling nonetheless. I’m the kind of person that loves airplanes and airports, despite the annoyances that they come along with. Once I step foot out of my home, in my mind, I’m technically “on vacation.” So I soaked up every minute of that 9+ hour flight back, just to be able to mindlessly watch free movies (which you can on the Southwest app!), receive text pics of my furballs from the dog sitter, (also free!), and not think about work while napping next to strangers who breathed loudly and elbowed me off my armrest. (or is it theirs? I never know). And now, that I’m officially back at it with my full-time gig, immersed in my somewhat cluttered home, I’m already counting down the days until we have the opportunity to hike into Havasupai Falls. (We were scheduled for last fall, but unfortunately the flooding forced us to reschedule for spring. Stay tuned for a post all about it after we visit this coming April!) What is it about vacationing that haunts us when we’re back home? Why can’t we feel that bliss every day of our lives instead of just on blue moons? (Which if you’re wondering and are a space nerd like myself, is only every 2-3 YEARS.) Which from my experience, is about how often people actually schedule decent vacations for. That’s not enough. We have to do better. We have to make time and space to create more breaks and save for rainy days so that we can have the chance to embrace the feeling more often instead of less. Are you with me in figuring out new ways to do so? Read Part 1 of my trip to Kauai The Na Pali Coast in Kauai We trekked up and down the Na Pali coast in Kauai. We spoke to each other more intentionally without phones buzzing in our back pockets and we enjoyed each other’s company more vividly over JetBoiled coffee and dehydrated meals in the mud. We hiked through slippery trails and leaf-covered jungle to get to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. We shared our trail with mountain goats, centipedes, feral pigs, and so many amazing birds. We sat through rainstorms and enjoyed the mist on sweaty days to cool us down, and smiled from ear to ear even when we put on wet quilts at night and wet clothes in the morning. We crossed creeks and mountaintops and developed new memories that only we get to share with one another. I want more of this. In fact, I crave it. One of the many creek crossings throughout our journey on the Kalalau Trail. Trust me, no one really notices or cares if you take 3 vacations a decade or 3 vacations a year. Which by the way, is our new minimum. One vacation (of some sort) every 4 months. We do our best to include some kind of adventure at the start of the trip, and some chill mode at the end of it. We shoot for at least 3-4 days (depending on the location of said adventure), at minimum, and up to 9-12 days as our current maximum. We also like to do our best to camp out of our car or backpack at least once each month, no matter the weather. Although we are currently considering a cabin for our February plans… Breaks are healthy, refreshing and necessary. We are not meant to work our lives away. Rainbows are basically in Kauai all day, every day. What an amazing thing to see so often here. This was one of our faves right over the Kalalau Beach. Here are some of our favorite stops in Kauai (and why, of course!): Anini Beach Park Check this link out to see the Kauai County Parks & Rec site! This was one of our favorite campgrounds. We decided
Escape Vs. Experience: The Journey To Becoming Self-Aware: Kauai, Part 1
Did you ever just melt into your bed after even a short day of work? Well, that’s exactly what happened to me today. On my first day back to the daily grind waiting tables, I was lucky enough to get off early…only to find time to work on a new project (which I’ll be introducing to you guys very soon!), and then order an entire pizza just for me, myself and I. It’s only after pounding away on the keyboard for hours (and maybe one or two too many slices), that my eyes finally hit “go the eff to sleep” mode. So, into the bedroom I came to get some shuteye, only to then find my brain in overdrive getting what it finally needed most…time to think. Waimea Canyon State Park (rainy and cloudy) some haze is from the previous volcano eruption on the Big Island just 3 days earlier! Vacationing in Nature Adventures You see, that’s what I love most of all about getting away. About vacationing in nature and getting a full dose of sunshine, rain, mud, and adventure each and every day. It’s the time when I can finally shut off “work” brain and focus on what I love most, creation. As the clouds roll away from my mind, the time approaches when I can finally jot down things that come to me that I have had no time previously to do so. This (and the middle of the night) are when my best ideas come through from the other side. Why don’t we schedule more time to be unscheduled? What is it that makes us so involved in the daily routine that we forget to immerse ourselves in being human? Kokee State Park, Kauai. Campground #2 of our trip! One of my all-time favorites in the country thus far. DEFINITELY going back. So I write to you today not from my laptop, but from my phone, in the dark, on my bed. You know, away from the big light. Neurodivergents where you attttt. “The big light” is a term used by neurodivergent individuals to describe overly bright or harsh lighting, which can often cause significant discomfort, anxiety, and sensory overload due to heightened sensitivity to light that many neurodivergent people experience; essentially, it refers to a major trigger related to lighting that can negatively impact their daily lives. -Thanks for explaining, AI Overview of the big light on Google I don’t know why my brain works in this way, but it just does. I live for these moments, I thrive in being outdoors and breathing earth’s beauty, it’s when I think my best and most clearly. Where do those feelings come for you? Do you have a special place or setting or room that comes to mind? Go ahead. Close your eyes and envision that feeling you get when you’re there. Beautiful, isn’t it? Related: How Traveling and Adventure Changed My Attitude Toward Life Backpacking down the trail into the Kalalau beach campground on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. <3 Haze and mist still present on Day 2 of our trek. Our Escape to Kauai As you may have noticed, I took a teeny tiny sabbatical from writing the last two weeks. And I freaking missed you guys. That’s because we were blessed to be able to have not only spent some time with the family away from our jobs for a few days, but also to have gotten to spend 9 days (including a whole lot of travel time) in the most amazing island of Hawaii. I’m talking about “The Garden Island,” Kauai. If you haven’t heard of it or you’re too busy talking about going to the more popular islands such as O’ahu and Maui, I promise you, Kauai takes the cake. It’s one of the prettiest places I’ve ever been, including one of the most inspiring, and epic adventures I’ve ever been on. Yes we did do the whole resort thing for a handful of days at the tail end of our trip, but we spent many more nights before that camping along the coast on beaches and in its badass rainforest. If you’ve never camped in a jungle with pigs behind your tent…guys, go get yourself some gear. (Check out places like REI or Public Lands for some perfect first time gear sets! We even hit up Dick’s Sporting Goods for last minute athletic wear on sale). And if you decided to not fly with a ton of extra weight from dehydrated meals, I recommend checking out Pitch-A-Tent for a local online reservation backpacking and camping equipment rental service. It’s amazing! No, seriously. Not only were we able to quickly choose what we needed on their website, but got the items shortly after in their pickup box labeled with our name. We just needed some one-time use dehydrated food packets, but they have a plethora of other products to choose from if you want to pack less and rent more! Trust me, cleaning backpacks is NOT fun…just ask my mom. 🙂 Below is the instructions straight from Osprey themselves on how to properly clean your backpack. Thank me later when you see all the gunk washed off! Hawaii or Costa Rica Not able to decide on Costa Rica or Hawaii 4 months ago, we pondered which would be the best bet. As we were in Hawaii many years ago, we were leaning on Costa Rica…that is until we learned about backpacking the Na Pali Coast. Clearly, that won. And I’m so glad it did. Because it was life changing. You may have heard me say that about a hike previously, but I challenge you to go on any of the ones mentioned in this blog and not feel the same. Each forces you to take a new outlook on life, to embrace your being in a whole new light. It makes you uncomfortable in ways you never thought possible and realize that you CAN do the hard things your
Have You Embraced The Secluded & Serene Beauty Of Seneca Rocks, West Virginia?
Recently, I went on a long weekend trip with my spouse of now 10 years. We traveled to a beautiful place in the mountains of West Virginia called Seneca Rocks. If you’ve heard of it before, or have even had the opportunity to visit there in the past, you’ll understand that it has some seriously awesome hikes and scenery. Let’s talk about those. Introduction to Seneca Rocks and Its Hiking Trail So often we would plan these big trips for our anniversary. Other times, we would just let it roll on by if it was in the middle of the week or say “it wasn’t a big deal” to celebrate. But this year, we finally threw in the towel of “not caring,” and decided that since we were lucky enough to have it fall on a Saturday, we’d do our best to spend the weekend by ourselves even though we just went somewhere shortly beforehand. It was one of the best experiences of my relationship thus far. I had high expectations that I tried to squash, (which typically happens if I start getting in my head too much). Seriously, this can be detrimental so I highly recommend going with the flow instead! “A campground” was something I wasn’t too sure of, since we’d been backpacking more recently and got to experience the feeling of being totally alone. I liked that. I also was not super keen about being a hundred yards next to a pack of yelling coyotes 4 times in one dark and quiet night. (We’ll keep that for another post!) *PS! If you’re getting into camping more remote, or just don’t want as many peeps around you, I highly recommend checking out the app, Hipcamp! It’s been super helpful in finding us some next level spots (even for same day booking!) Sign up to get $10 off your first night under the stars! And if you’ve ever thought about hosting on your own property, check it! You can start listing your land on Hipcamp as soon as today. Very cool. Get to the Seneca Rocks Campground Early…Real Early So anyway, I was cool with a campground and let the hubs do the choosing. Seneca Rocks was something he’d brought up in the past. Something I recalled him talking about but alas, a place we never really decided on. When he found the campground, we knew that it would work and planned that we would just get there early to choose a spot. …Don’t do that. For reals, if you’re thinking about going to a campground around this beautiful place, consider Seneca Rocks Shadows. It’s epic. BUT, DO book a site ahead of time!! Or make sure you arrive super early to choose your perfect spot. I have no complaints about ours, but we arrived (for what we thought was early) around 2/3pm, and were lucky enough to snag THE LAST SPOT. Phew! Please note that if you do decide to choose this awesome campground (which you totally should), that you’ll need a 2 night minimum weekend booking if you decide to book online ahead of time (which you also totally should). You can even stay up to 14 nights if you choose to!! Which is really great to have as a backup option if you would decide to do some nearby backpacking and want to use this as a base camp. We definitely plan to do this in the future, since Dolly Sods Wilderness is known for great backpacking trails! So, let’s talk car camping at Seneca Rocks. What is it? And how is it different than backpacking? We Backpacked Rim-River-Rim Of The Grand Canyon In 2 Days: Here’s A Few Things We Learned Car camping is much different than backpacking. 1. It’s so nice because you have so much more stuff to use when you need it! 2. It’s so annoying because you have so much more stuff when you don’t need it! Yes, each statement is true! If you’ve done either of these kinds of camping, you may understand what I mean. I think if I had to choose one or the other, it would be backpacking all the way. Sure, you have to carry things on your back for miles on end and hope to the heavens that there’s some kind of water source along the way (or just research where your water sources are), but over car camping? Sign me up. Why? Because I’m a minimalist in a hoarders body. Because I loathe the idea of possibly forgetting something and I swear that the more space and time I have to fill with extra stuff, the more stuff that makes its way along with us. (Which is why I ALWAYS procrastinate on packing for anything). And guess what? Even with a rented Bronco full of groceries and items we thought we’d need for the weekend long trip, we STILL had to stop at the little store to grab some last minute forgotten items. With backpacking, I KNOW for a fact that I will have everything I need. For several days in the Grand Canyon, I survived on water sources and dehydrated meals. No bars, no extra fluff, just chilling with my weightless packable gear and a tiny packet of hot chocolate. (Because why not). BONUS – Path To Productivity: My Struggle With Planning And The Perfect Hot Cocoa Recipe But I did not have the chance to overthink my items to pack, I did not need to look at my piles and wonder if I had remembered everything, because with backpacking, everything I need for days or weeks even is packed nicely into one solid pack I can carry anywhere. (There’s even a system to packing it correctly, so I literally cannot mess it up.) No boxes of food, no bags for a ton of garbage, no pots and pans and extra camping gear or firewood. Just us, the packs, and the trail. It’s awesome. 5 Must Have Items for Trips to Seneca
We Backpacked Rim-River-Rim Of The Grand Canyon In 2 Days: Here’s A Few Things We Learned
Hey friends! If you’ve been following along for a while, you’ll know that more and more travel tips will be coming your way as we move forward on this blog. Although there are many trips I’d like to share with you, I think starting with one of the hardest feels like the best way to begin. In this post you’ll hear about what permits we needed to acquire, what our level of preparation was, and a few things we plan to do differently in the future at the iconic Grand Canyon. So, let’s get started, shall we?! (P.S., I’ll be adding our very own shots from the trips in these kinds of posts. So, if you have any questions about the places in the photos drop a comment!) Prepping for Rim to River to Rim Adding more travel into our lives has been huge lately. The hubs and I kept saying we would do this, but you know how that goes. Work pressures you to do more, family obligations arise at inconvenient times, and well, travel can be quite expensive, so there’s that whole monster on its own. Fortunately, we remembered to apply for permits last year and were lucky enough to snag some for May to hike the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We had a few months to plan, shop for essentials, and train for the heavy hike we were about to embark upon. If you’re looking to grab a permit yourself, check out this site to apply. We started out thinking that we would be okay with most of our gear, only to realize that a lot of shopping would still need to be done. As the trip got closer and closer, we recognized the need for more packable, ultra lightweight items to ensure we’d be able to carry everything we needed on our backs. As this was going to be a quick in-and-out, we wanted to make sure we packed light as well to make the whole travel process more manageable. We reserved a little hotel room on the South Rim for the night before, and then scheduled a nice hotel in Phoenix for the day after. We ended up with 1 large suitcase for camping and hiking supplies, 2 small carry-ons for each of our things, and 2 Osprey backpacks. (This is our favorite brand of backpacks. We’re even thinking about upgrading to their luggage for our upcoming trip this December!) It was an interesting first backpacking experience. We were not sure what to expect with the trail, with the Bright Angel Campground being shut down for construction, we anticipated it to be less busy. There were loads of people however, with smaller daypacks and a few with larger ones, but most of our fellow hikers carried nothing but a bottle of water. *Before you go into a hike like this, be sure to know your (and your companions) limits! Hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back can be deadly if you are not properly prepared to handle its conditions. Like, seriously. How Traveling and Adventure Changed My Attitude Toward Life Research Your Hike Ahead of Time Which is exactly why it is pertinent to research your specific hike and plan for a time of year that you won’t get too baked by the hot Arizona sun. Make sure you have layers as the temperature can vary GREATLY depending on where you are at in the canyon. Here is what we recommend bringing (at the bare minimum) for a short 2 day backpacking trip to the bottom and back up. An ultralight tent (we have 2 people in our party but opted for the 3 person so we could allow room for our essentials along the inside. A sleeping bag that is also ultralight, making sure to find one that suits your need for whatever time of year you go. (We chose ones that would keep us warm down to 30 degrees fahrenheit.) Electrolytes. This is no joke. We brought 1 tube of NUUN tablets thinking it would be more than enough, we used them all and ran out just before the top. (Remember, we were only in the canyon for TWO days!) I would bring 1 tube, per day, per person moving forward to be on the safe side. They help recovery and soreness immensely. I was actually never a fan of them until that day. I’ve been using them everyday ever since. Water bladders and filters. This was really helpful to have as a backup for when water was just okay looking or potable water was nonexistent. We prefer the Sawyer brand but it’s truly up to your preference. Dehydrated food or homemade meals to heat up. I really like to opt for the ones that are high in calories, carbs and protein. These kept us fully fed and satisfied for several days without having anything else to eat or snack on. (Check out your local outdoor store or hit up REI online for seasonal deals! Not to mention if you become a member, you’ll rack up some points that you can use the year to come!) Here is a list of items that we brought for personal comfort or luxury items that are not deemed 100% necessary: Ultralight camping chairs (these were a small fortune but kept us super comfy when we got to the campsite.) The campground actually provided picnic tables but these were a much more enjoyable option. Books to read when we stopped for breaks or before bed for winding down. A few extra plastic REI water bottles for mixing electrolytes or filtering water easier. Hot chocolate, because of course. Flip Flops, our feet were totally thankful. Guys, this is the Grand Canyon. The one and only massive hole in the ground that will *and I repeat,* WILL kick your butt if you don’t set yourself up for success. Make sure to make ample lists ahead of time of what you need to bring, and definitely