inspiration – Page 5

Two Week Out West Trip Itinerary: Colorado and Utah

Published on March 22, 2023January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Last Summer, I went on my first cross country road to explore five different National Parks within Colorado and Utah. Traveling from Ohio, I knew very little about States out west and I spent several months doing research, making reservations in advance, and planning out a two week itinerary for my boyfriend and I. This trip included time in the Rocky Mountains National Park and time within Utah exploring 4 out of the 5 National Parks in the state. If you’re planning a similar trip, I hope this itinerary I developed is useful or gives some ideas to add to your own road trip itinerary!

Two Week Itinerary

Day One: Travel Day

Since we were traveling from Ohio, we decided to break the drive out to Colorado into two days. We stopped in Nebraska on our way after about 13 hours of driving. We found a hotel near Omaha, NE for the night.

🌛 Hotel in Omaha, NE

Day Two: Travel Day

On our second day, we left Omaha bright and early for a 7 hour drive to Boulder, CO. Once we arrived in Boulder we spent time walking around town and exploring Pearl St. which is an iconic spot in downtown Boulder that features fun shops and restaurants. My favorite part of this day was spending time at a free campsite we found just outside of Boulder, CO. This campsite was about an hour from downtown Boulder and 45 minutes to Rocky Mountains National Park.

Tips:

I found all of our free campsites off the Campendium or freecampsites.net
We purchased the America the Beautiful National Park pass which was $80 and covers entrances to all National Parks.

🌛 Beaver Reservoir Dispersed Camping

Day Three: Rocky Mountains National Park

On day three, we woke up bright and early to enjoy sunrise at our campsite before heading into Rocky Mountains National Park. On our way into the park, we stop in downtown Estes Park for some breakfast. We found Kind Coffee which was definitely a favorite stop of ours! After some coffee and breakfast we spent our first day hiking in the Bear Lake area and hiked to Bear, Nymph and Dream lakes. After hiking in this area, we stop at the visitor’s center and explored more of Estes Park. For the next two nights we stayed at one of the campgrounds in the Park, Glacier Basin.

Tips:

I wrote a blog post about our experience in RMNP if you’re looking for an in depth guide, read here.
Campground reservations can be made 6 months in advance, so if you know your dates book as soon as you can!
Rocky Mountains National Park requires a vehicle reservation to enter the park during certain hours. I discuss this in depth in my post dedicate to RMNP.

🌛 Glacier Basin Campground

Day Four: Rocky Mountains National Park

Our second full day in RMNP was a busy one! We spent our entire morning hiking to Mount Ida. From the Glacier Basin campground, this trailhead is about an hour away. The best part about the drive there is driving along the iconic Trail Ridge Road which is the highest highway road in the country! It was incredible to experience the views and the road during sunrise. We saw so much wildlife and almost had the entire road to ourselves since it was so early. To hike Mount Ida, you can park at Milner Pass parking lot. This hike was a strenuous 9 mile hike but the views were some of the best I’ve ever seen! After this hike, we went into town to take a shower. We found a local laundry mat that had showers for visitors that cost $4. That evening we had dinner in town at the Bird & Jim, which was delicious!

🌛 Glacier Basin Campground

Day Five: Travel Day

We were pretty exhausted after a long hike the day before so we slept in and took our time leaving Colorado. We stopped in Estes Park for the last time and got another cup of Kind Coffee before starting a 6 hour drive to Moab, UT. We planned to car camp once we arrived to Moab and we were surprised to find several camping areas off the main road that were first come first serve. We picked the first one we could find which was Upper Big Bend Campground and paid $20 for a spot that night. This night was extremely hot compared to the nights we just experienced in Colorado. The campsite we chose was about 15 minutes from Arches National Park which was super convenient.

Tips:

I have a blog post dedicated to our time in Arches National Park with more details of our experiences, read here.
Arches National Park requires a vehicle reservation to enter the park during certain hours. I discuss this in depth in my post dedicated to ANP.
All campgrounds in the area we stayed were $20 per night for a camp spot.
The campgrounds off the main road that we found had no running water, no showers, and no flush toilets.
Moab, UT is known as boondocking country, meaning there’s a lot of free camp spots surrounding Moab! Check out Campendium or freecampsites.net to find a free spot. Most are quite a drive from the park which is why we decided to pay $20 to be close.

🌛 Upper Big Bend Campground

Day Six: Arches National Park

We woke up around 3:30am tired but excited to drive into Arches National Park for the day. We drove to Delicate Arch trailhead to begin a sunrise hike to this iconic arch. It took about an hour to hike to the top and we made it just before the sun started to rise. Delicate arch is incredible in person and much bigger than I imagined. We spent a couple hours admiring Delicate Arch before hiking back down. Afterwards, we explored more Arches in the park. It was extremely hot so we didn’t last long out in the heat. This night we ended up booking a hotel room to escape the heat and it was definitely worth it!

🌛 Scenic View Inn and Suites Moab

Day Seven: Arches National Park/Travel Day

We slept in and explored downtown Moab before heading back into Arches National Park. We spent some more time driving through Arches National Park admiring Arches from a distance and stopping along viewpoints. We also took some time to explore Park Avenue which was one of the coolest spots we visited in the park. Afterwards, we prepared for a 4.5 hour drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. Once we arrived, we stayed at a free camp spot, Tom’s Best Spring Dispersed Camping which is about 15 minutes from the park.

🌛 Tom’s Best Spring Dispersed Camping

Day Eight: Bryce Canyon National Park

We only planned for one day in Bryce Canyon so we woke up early to make the most of our time. We started the morning at Inspiration Point for sunrise, this was an incredible spot but I imagine any spot in the park is amazing to watch sunrise. After sunrise, we drove to Sunset Point to hike the Navajo and Queen’s Garden loop trail. This was the perfect hike to do with only a day in the park. We were able to see the highlights of the park and spend time admiring all of the hoodoos! We ended the day by driving to Zion National Park which was a 2 hour drive.

Once we arrived in Zion, we went to Zion Outfitters to pick up rented gear for the Narrows hike. We then went to a free camp spot we found but ended up booking a reservation at Gooseberry Lodges last minute due to extreme heat temperatures and a thunder storm that was predicted. This was a great decision and gave us a comfortable place to sleep each night while visiting Zion. Gooseberry Lodges offer small private cabins for an affordable price and the location is about 45 minutes from the park.

Tips:

I have a blog post dedicated to our time in Bryce Canyon National park, read here.
Tom’s Best Spring Dispersed Camping was an awesome free spot, the spaces were spread out and there was cell service which was a first!
I have a dedicated post to our time in Zion, read here.

🌛 Gooseberry Lodges

Day Nine: Zion National Park

Our first day in Zion was a full day! We started the day bright and early with a sunrise hike to Canyon Overlook which was one of my favorite memories, the views from this one mile hike were amazing. Afterwards we drove into Springsdale which is the closest town to Zion and got breakfast sandwiches from Deep Creek Coffee. Our next hike was The Narrows which was one I was most looking forward to as we planned our trip. We had already picked up our gear the night before which saved time. We got on the shuttle near the visitor’s center to begin our hike to The Narrows and got off at shuttle stop #9. We spent about 4 hours hiking in the Narrows. That night, we ordered dinner from a local spot near our cabin and enjoyed some time out by the fire after a long day of adventuring!

Tips:

During busy season, Zion requires visitors to use their shuttle system to access most trailheads. The shuttle is free and the easiest spot to pick up the shuttle is at the visitor’s center.
Canyon Overlook is one of the only areas you can drive in your personal vehicle to get to.
I would definitely recommended renting the gear if you plan to hike the Narrows.

🌛 Gooseberry Lodges

Day Ten: Zion National Park

On our second full day in Zion, we planned to hike to Observation Point. This hike offers one of the best views in Zion and a lot safer then Angel’s Landing! Be sure to read my blog post about Zion if you’re planning to hike to Observation Point as there’s a lot to know in advance. After an afternoon hike to Observation Point we spent the rest of the day walking around Springsdale, souvenir shopping and catching up on laundry.

🌛 Gooseberry Lodges

Day Eleven: Travel Day

We slept in and drove into Springsdale to stop at our favorite coffee shop one last time, Deep Creek Coffee. Our last National Park on this road trip was Capitol Reef National Park, which is about 3.5 hours from Zion National Park. The drive to Capitol Reef from Zion is a bit boring and as you enter the nearby towns to Capitol Reef, it feels like you’re in a Western movie. Capitol Reef is quite literally in the middle of nowhere so restaurants and shops are very limited. Since we arrived to the park later in the afternoon, we didn’t hike but spent time exploring the scenic drive which is about 8 miles one way to Capitol Gorge. This is a historic drive that offers stunning views of the park, definitely a must see. After a long day of traveling, we checked into our hotel for the next two nights, Capitol Reef Resort.

Tips:

I wrote a separate blog post about our time in Capitol Reef that provides more information about our time in the park, read here.

🌛 Capitol Reef Resort

Day Twelve: Capitol Reef National Park

Our first full day in Capitol Reef was actually my birthday so I picked the activities we did this day! I was most looking forward to hiking to Cassidy Arch which is an iconic spot in Capitol Reef. The hike to Cassidy Arch was tough but definitely worth the view at the end. Afterwards, we explored the fruita district of the park and stopped by Gifford Homestead for fresh pies, which were amazing! We also planned to hike the grand wash trail which is another popular spot in the park, but due to extreme heat temperatures we only hiked the beginning on this trail before turning back.

🌛 Capitol Reef Resort

Day Thirteen: Travel Day

We woke up early and enjoyed breakfast at the hotel before leaving Capitol Reef. We started our trip back to Colorado with a plan to stop in Vail, CO for the night. Vail is about 5.5 hours from Capitol Reef National Park. This trip felt longer than other days, most likely due to general exhaustion from a long road trip! Once we arrived in Vail, we camped at Camp Hale Memorial campground. This campground was stunning and so scenic and quiet. It truly was the perfect way to end our road trip. This campground was about $30 for the night and it was available to reserve in advance but when we arrived there were plenty of empty spots available as well.

🌛 Camp Hale Memorial Campground

Day Fourteen: Travel Day

From Vail, CO we woke up around 4am to drive towards Des Moines, IA for our stopping point. We drove about 12 hours to get to a hotel for the night. We arrived around dinner time and ordered in food at a nearby restaurant and went to bed early to prepare for another long travel day!

🌛 Hotel near Des Moines, IA

Day Fifteen: Travel Day

We left Des Moines bright and early and headed back towards Ohio which was about an 10 hour drive. We arrived home mid afternoon after a long two week road trip! This road trip gave me some of my best memories and it was definitely worth all the early mornings, days without service, heat exhaustion, and long days in the car.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Published on February 28, 2023January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

Our third National Park on our road trip last year was Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce Canyon is a smaller park, known for their iconic “hoodoos” which are rock formations that populate most of the park. We only spent a day in Bryce Canyon and this was enough time to see some highlights. Someday, I would like to revisit and hike other trails but visiting this park in a day is definitely possible! Here’s an outline of how we spent a day in Bryce Canyon.

An Afternoon with Hoodoos

We drove from Arches National Park to Bryce Canyon National Park and spent the night car camping at a free camp spot outside the park (Tom’s Best Spring Dispersed Camping). This campsite was about 15 minutes from the park entrance and we had a quiet evening camping before a full day of exploring. The next morning we drove into the park early so we could watch the sunrise. We decided to watch the sunrise at Inspiration Point which was stunning! We got to the top just before the sun rose and were able to see all of the hoodoos come to light.

After sunrise, we made coffee and breakfast in the parking lot before heading to our first hike. When researching Bryce Canyon, I was most excited to hike along the Navajo and Queen’s Garden Loop trail. The two trails can be separated but if you connect them it ends up being a 3 mile hike that offers the best views for a quick trip in this park. The park has two major points Sunrise Point and Sunset Point. Both are equally beautiful views and lead you to the trail head of Navajo loop.

There are a couple ways to start the Navajo/Queen’s Garden Loop trail. If you start at Sunset Point, like us, there are signs that direct you towards the Navajo trail. As you hike along the Navajo trail there’s a fork soon after starting and you’ll need to decide if you want to hike to Wall Street first or Two Bridges which are two well known sights on this trail. Keep in mind, you will see both eventually since it’s a loop trail. We decided to start with Wall Street. This is an iconic view of the park and involves several tight switchbacks. When we hiked down Wall Street it was extremely crowded so be prepared for that. From Wall Street we continued on the trail, admiring hoodoos along the way. We felt like we were walking in a different planet, the scenery in Bryce Canyon is so surreal. The hike itself isn’t too difficult but it is steep in some areas. If you start from Wall Street like we did, eventually there will be signs that point towards the Queen’s Garden loop trail. There are a couple fun hoodoos I would recommend keeping an eye out for as you hike this trail:

Queen Victoria (near the Queen’s Garden loop)
Thor’s Hammer (near sunrise point)

Tips

Bryce Canyon is a popular. Be prepared for crowds! When we went, there were several tour buses and so many people on the trails.
If you plan to have a picnic or snacks and want to sit somewhere during a hike, be aware the orange sand throughout the park can stain clothes! We brought a towel we could sit on which was helpful.
There are a few campgrounds within Bryce Canyon National Park [North campground and Sunset campground]. There are also a lot of free camp spots in the area like the one we found.
Bryce Canyon feels like it’s in the middle of “nowhere” so there aren’t many restaurants and shops in the area.
Bryce Canyon is close to other National Parks. Bryce is about 2 hours from Zion National Park and 4.5 hours from Arches National Park. If you’re planning on visiting several National Parks on one trip like us, this is super convenient to do!

Zion National Park, Utah

Published on February 23, 2023January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck3 Comments

One of my favorite National Parks is definitely Zion National Park. It offers incredible natural beauty and breath taking views. We were able to spend two full days exploring the park which was a nice introduction. I would recommend 3-4 days in the park to fully experience everything Zion has to offer. Here’s an outline of the hikes and activities we did within our two day trip.

Things to Know About Zion National Park

During peak season, the park requires use of their shuttle system. There are only certain areas of the park you are able to drive with your personal vehicle. For most of the hikes and activities, the shuttle is required. The shuttle is free and is easily accessible. There are nine stops within the park and the easiest place to get on the shuttle is the visitor’s center which is stop #1. On the park’s website, there is a list of all shuttle stops you can download. The park also provides this map to all visitors upon entering the park.

If you plan to hike Angels Landing, you’ll need to enter the lottery system. This is the park’s way of limiting traffic on this congested trail. Visit the park’s website to find out more information.

If you plan to hike the Narrows, I would highly recommend renting the gear which includes neoprene socks, boots, and a walking stick. In the summer months it’s about $32 to rent the gear for the day. We rented the gear from Zion Outfitters which is near the visitor’s center.

If you plan to hike to Observation Point, there’s a few things you’ll need to know. This hike used to be accessible through the East Rim Trail which started at the Weeping Rock shuttle stop. However, due to falling rocks a few years ago, the trail is closed until further notice. Luckily, there’s other ways to hike to Observation Point. We hiked to Observation Point via the East Mesa trail which is on the other side of the park, it’s actually outside of the entrance of Zion so you can hike it without even entering the park! The parking lot at East Mesa is very limited and the road to get there is rocky and rough. It’s advised that only cars with 4×4 drive should take a risk to access the parking lot. If that’s not possible for you, there is a shuttle that takes hikers which is accessible from Zion Ponderosa Resort. The shuttle is $7. Keep in mind, the shuttle takes you to the road above the parking lot not the trail head itself so you’ll have to walk a .5mi walk to the actual trailhead after being dropped off.

The heat at Zion, like many other parks in Utah during the summer, is extreme. We originally planned to car and tent camp but decided to find a lodge instead due to high temperatures even at night. Last minute, we found Gooseberry Lodges located in Apple Valley, UT which is about 45 minutes from the park. I can’t recommend Gooseberry enough! It was extremely comfortable and affordable.

Day One

We started our first day in the park, bright and early for a sunrise hike to Canyon Overlook. I always recommend starting hikes before sunrise while visiting any National Park, but especially if you’re planning to hike Canyon Overlook in Zion. The parking lot is very limited and this is one of the most popular hikes in Zion! It’s also one of the only hikes that does not require the shuttle to access. The parking lot is located right after you pass through the Mount Carmel tunnel and you have to walk across the street to begin the hike. This hike is a simple 1 mile hike and it provides one of the most stunning views in the park! We arrived to the top just before the sun rose and it was one of my favorite memories watching the sun come up over the canyon.

After our sunrise hike, we drove into the nearest town which is Springsdale, UT. We stopped by Deep Creek Coffee for some breakfast sandwiches and espresso which tasted so great after a hike!

Our next adventure involved hiking the Narrows! The Narrows hike is only accessible from the shuttle in the park during peak season. The hike begins at shuttle stop #9 which is called Temple of Sinawava. From the shuttle drop off, you have to walk a paved path (Riverside Walk) that’s at least a mile to get to the start of the Narrows. The Narrows is a popular hike within Zion National Park so be prepared for crowds, especially at the beginning of the hike. The beginning was the most populated but as you continue through, the crowds definitely thin out. We hiked a little past”Wall Street” and turned back which was about 6 miles total. The Narrows was an incredible hike and so unique, I’d highly recommend adding this to your Zion Itinerary.

Narrows Notes & Tips:

If you decide not to rent the gear, I would at least recommend buying or renting neoprene socks. The Narrows is a challenging hike for many reasons. One reason being the water temperature. Even with the summer heat, the water is typically cold and after spending hours in the water, your feet will be wet and cold!
You will get wet. The rented socks and boots do not prevent your feet from getting wet, but ensure your feet stay warm.
The walking stick provided with the rental is another pro of renting gear. Since there is so much traffic through the Narrows, the water when we went was a brown color and impossible to see through. The hike is entirely water and rocks so walking and balancing is challenging. The walking stick helped us navigate the rocky terrain.
Try and go during lunch hour. The park recommends waiting at least until noon to begin hiking the Narrows. That way, the sun will be above the Narrows and allow some sunlight in between the canyons. Otherwise, it may be a chilly hike since the water is already cold. If you decide to go early, wear layers if possible.
The park determines each morning if there is any flood risk and if the water is safe to hike through. It’s always a little unpredictable if you’ll be able to hike the Narrows so be prepared to be flexible.
Pack snacks! Similarly to any long hike, you’ll want plenty of snacks and water to have when you take breaks. This hike is particularly more challenging since it’s all through water. You’ll want to keep energy up!
There are restrooms when you arrive at the shuttle stop but no restrooms along the hike.
The water in the Narrows contains cyanobacteria, which means it’s not safe to consume the water or submerge your head beneath the water.

After a long day of hiking, we headed back into town and found ice cream before heading to camp. We originally planned to camp out at a free camp spot we found, however, due to extreme heat temperatures we decided to find a place to sleep with air conditioning. We booked a two night stay at Gooseberry Lodge and it was one of the best over night accommodations we experienced on our road trip! Gooseberry offers private small cabins with a kitchenette and outdoor area. These cabins are super affordable and perfect for a place to sleep after a long day of hiking. Gooseberry Lodges is located in Apple Valley, UT which is about 45 minutes from Zion National Park. Even though it was a drive to the park, we had so much fun exploring Apple Valley and experiencing another small town.

Day Two

During our second day in the park, our only plan was to hike to Observation Point. Many compare this hike’s view to the one you could have at the top of Angel’s Landing. Observation Point’s view is actually behind Angel’s landing so in my opinion, it’s an even grander view (plus much safer to the top!). This hike is about 6.7 miles round trip and not too challenging. The first half of the hike is through a forest like trail but the rest of the hike is pretty exposed so be prepared for strong heat if visiting during summer months. The view at Observation Point is stunning and definitely a must see while visiting Zion! We packed a lunch and spent hours at the top soaking in the view.

As I mentioned earlier, this hike is accessible a few different ways. We accessed the trail via East Mesa which is on the other side of the park. The road that leads to the trailhead is rocky and uneven and unless you have a 4×4 car, it’s not recommended you drive the road but instead take the shuttle which is located at Zion Ponderosa resort. Our vehicle was equipped for the road so we drove there ourselves. The parking lot is extremely small and there are several signs that state if you are unable to find a parking spot, you’ll have to drive back and take the shuttle so also keep that in mind. Luckily we found a parking spot but it was very limited.

After another long afternoon of hiking, we drove back into town and did some souvenir shopping. To end the night we drove along the Mt. Carmel highway which is the scenic drive offered in Zion National Park.

Lessons I Learned On My Road Trip

Published on February 6, 2023January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Last summer I went on my first long road trip. From Ohio, Patrick and I drove through the flat lands of Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska to arrive in Colorado. After spending a few memorable days in Colorado, we drove into Utah and spent a week traveling around to four national parks. We spent countless hours in the car, many nights sleeping under the stars, and we were pushed out of our comfort zone on a daily basis. This road trip was memorable for so many reasons. Besides experiencing new places and seeing so much beauty the United States has to offer, I learned lessons that I’ll keep for a life time. Here’s my list of five lessons I learned while road tripping across the country.

It’s possible to live less

In a world that can be so materialistic and consumer focused, it was hard to imagine at times I would have to live with less on a two week road trip. This was one of the biggest lessons I learned throughout the trip. I couldn’t pack everything and I realized did not need to. One of the most beautiful parts of the road trip was experiencing and making do with what nature and the surroundings had to offer. It was inspiring to experience how quickly we could adapt to our new surroundings and fall into a routine while making the car our home for two weeks.

The small things become big things

With any experience that’s out of the comfort zone, the small things begin to feel like big things. For me, it was paying for a hot shower after a long day of hiking, a hot cup of coffee in the morning, shelter from rain, a flush toilet and a home cooked meal even when we thought we were too tired to make one. The things I often took for granted suddenly felt so seen throughout the trip.

Flexibility is key

Speaking as someone who enjoys having a routine and a plan, I learned most times on the trip this wasn’t always possible. I learned to make some room throughout the days of our itinerary so we could have time to rest or time to adjust for the unexpected. There were several days we experienced unexpected weather, trail closures and overall fatigue we didn’t plan for but we were able to adjust.

It’s not always about capturing the moment

Throughout the road trip we were constantly surrounded by incredible beauty. As someone who loves to capture the scenery behind the camera lens, I found myself becoming consumed with ensuring I got the picture instead of truly taking in the moment and enjoying the scenery. By the end of the trip, I caught myself enjoying the surroundings first, then getting the “perfect” shot.

The experiences I had in between the bucket list items

There were so many things on our itinerary and bucket list we wanted to be sure and see. Those sights, towns, and parks were amazing but I also remember all of the in between moments and experiences we didn’t expect. We met so many friendly and kind people in every place and park we visited. These encounters were just as much of a highlight as the sights and parks we visited.

Arches National Park, Utah

Published on January 31, 2023January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

Last summer Patrick and I had the opportunity to visit Arches National Park during our out west road trip. Arches National Park is located outside Moab, Utah. We only had about a day and a half in the park but we were able to experience some of the park’s highlights. Here’s my small guide to Arches National Park.

Things to know before visiting ANP

Timed Entry Reservation system: Currently ANP requires visitors to have a timed entry reservation pass throughout the months of April-October.
- Timed entry tickets are required to enter the park between the hours of 7am- 4pm (MDT).
- The timed entry reservations can be purchased on the ANP park’s website and they cost $2 per vehicle. Note, you’ll need a timed reservation pass for each day you plan to visit the park.
Exceptions for the timed entry reservations tickets:
- If you have a reservation with a campground in the National Park, you can show your campground reservation in place of having a timed entry reservation and enter at any time as long as the dates of the campground reservation match the dates you want to enter the park.
- You can enter the park before or after the allowed times! If you are unable to get a reservation, you can enter the park before 7am. However, keep in mind if you enter the park this way, once you leave the park you will not be allowed back in during the hours required for a timed entry ticket. Similarly, you may enter the park after required hours (i.e., after 4pm).
Fees: It costs $30 per vehicle to enter the park which covers the cost of 7 days. We bought the America the Beautiful pass which is $80 for the year and covers entrance fees for all National Parks. I would highly recommend this if you plan to visit multiple National Parks!
Camping: There is only one campground within Arches National Park, Devils Garden Campground. If this is a campground you’d like to stay in, I recommended booking as far in advance as possible.
Boondocking; If you’re traveling in a van or a car like us, there are several free camp spots surrounding the national park in Moab, Utah. We used Campendium to search free camp spots or areas to park and sleep with a small fee. Note, majority of these areas are first come first serve rather than reservation based.
Heat: The heat in this part of Utah and Arches National Park during the summer months is extreme. There were nights we couldn’t sleep in our car set up or tent. This is worth putting in some research especially if you plan to camp like we attempted to. Surprisingly the hotels in Moab weren’t too pricey and definitely worth booking to have a break from the heat. We booked a night at Scenic Views Inn and Suites Moab and it was incredible!
Area. Moab, UT is the closet town to the park. This is where you’ll find restaurants, hotels, and grocery shops.

Things to Do

Hike to Delicate Arch (park at delicate arch trail head) for sunrise. This was my absolute favorite thing we did while visiting Arches National Park. This arch is one of the most popular so it was well worth it to hike at sunrise and enjoy the views in peace before the crowds!
Drive to double arch trailhead and walk to see Double Arch.
Continue walking the loop path to see North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch
Drive along scenic drive & stop to see various viewpoints:
- petrified dunes
- panorama point
- fiery furnace/salt valley
Stop at visitor’s center
Take time to explore Park Avenue

My Tips

Start hikes in the dark to catch the sunrise and avoid crowds. We used head lights and our offline All Trails map while hiking in the early morning hours. Arches National Park is a very busy place so hiking early ensures some peace before crowds. We hiked to Delicate Arch before sunrise and it was our favorite experience while visiting the park.
Carry plenty of water. As I mentioned, Arches National Park can be extremely hot during the day if you’re visiting during the summer time. Be prepared to continuously hydrate! The visitor’s center has free water you can utilize to fill up water bottles.

How to Travel During the Pandemic

Published on May 28, 2020May 28, 2020 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

With everything going on in the world due to coronavirus, I thought I would share ways I’ve been “traveling” without leaving my home. This is a scary and unusual time all of us are facing but I believe brighter days are ahead! Being stuck at home may feel a bit suffocating to my fellow travelers out there, especially when the weather warms up and the travel bug really starts bitting… BUT being stuck at home prevents further cases and deaths which is a much better alternative. Thankfully, being stuck at home means there’s internet. The internet opens all kinds of doors for ways to travel while at home.

Virtual Tours

There are many virtual tours available which provide an excellent way to travel from home. Some of a favorites include: The Van Gogh Museum , The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre, The British Museum, and The Anne Frank House. These virtual tours are such a unique way to experience rich history, culture, and art. I’ve been to all of these museums in person and I’m thrilled I can tour them without a crowd and whenever I want from home.

Make a Travel Bucket List

Personally, I love making travel bucket lists. There’s something so satisfying about making a list of all your dream destinations and being able to cross one off the list once you finally visit. Making a travel bucket list during the pandemic also gives you something to look forward to and even start planning! A dedicated blog post of my 2021 travel bucket list is coming soon.

Cook an International Dish

Have a night dedicated to a favorite meal from country or city you’ve visited. I love recreating meals I used to find while living in Italy. This could be a fun way to virtually have a meal with friends and family through video chat!

Organize Travel Photos

Organizing my travel photos is something I love to do in my free time. Going through travel pictures, is a fun way to reminisce on travel adventures. Another idea is to print out pictures to put in a book or create a travel journal!

Watch a Movie with a Travel Theme

Have a travel themed night, maybe along with an international dish and dive into a movie inspired by travel. Some of my favorite travel inspired movies are: Under the Tucsan Sun, Eat, Pray, Love, Midnight in Paris, Wild, and Julie and Julia.

Go for a Walk or Hike

Go for a walk or hike near home! I’ve been finding new places on the weekends to explore and enjoy the fresh air. This is a perfect time to explore where you live in a new way.

Visit Cities Virtually

This is my favorite experience that is available! From the comfort of your home you can experience the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night, Times Square without a crowd, and Rome’s historic Colosseum! This is a unique way to travel and experience different major cities around the world.

30 Things to do in Quarantine

Published on April 1, 2020April 1, 2020 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Hi everybody! Long time no post. I think we can all agree 2020 has been one of the strangest years. The only comforting part about this whole situation is that everyone is going through the same thing. We are all trying our best to social distance, stay at home, and keep up with our health during this uncertainty. Although my blog is primarily a travel blog, during this time I thought it would be fun to share things to do and ways to see the positive side of this temporary situation!

Here’s 30 things to do in quarantine:

Have facetime dates with friends and family. My family has been using zoom, the video quality is amazing and you can zoom up to 100 people!
Create and listen to a mood boosting playlist. Music has really been my saving grace during this. Here’s the playlist I made on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7JeJosg5uRd733Wrowf1cX?si=wtLMRc2ERqS0Kp2U1CTF1Q
Spend time outside! One of the positive outcomes of this pandemic is everyone seems to be spending more time outdoors. Fresh air can do wonders when you’re stuck inside all day.
Take rides! Another solution I’ve been taking advantage of to change up my scenery.
Journal. This is a once in a lifetime event that could be interesting to read back on years from now.
Clean. Clean. Clean. This is the time to finally declutter that spot in your closet or a box of random stuff that’s collected over time, we all have something. Now’s the time to tackle it!
Catch up on some new shows. Lately I’ve been enjoying The Tiger King, The Good Place, and I hope to watch The Morning Show next.
Try out some new recipes. I’ve been baking more than usual and it’s been fun having new treats in the house.
Do a home workout. Just because the gyms are closed doesn’t mean you can’t get a nice workout in at home. I’ve been taking advantage of home workouts on Youtube. I recently finished Heather Robertson’s 12 week workout challenge, it was amazing!
Go through clothes and shoes and donate! Now more than ever people are in need of clothes and shoes.
Boost immune system. I’ve been making ginger shots and taking one a day to help my immune system. I will share the recipe on instagram soon!
Read. Now’s the time to start a new book. If you’d rather listen to a book, right now Audible is offering any book for free, worth taking advantage of!
Make a list of things you can’t wait to do once the stay at home orders aren’t in place.
Support local businesses. Local places need the most support right now and most offer curbside, delivery, or take out options. Also be sure to tip!
Have a game night. Break out the board and card games.
Swap your winter and summer clothes out. By the time this is over, the warm weather will be here.
Start a blog or another creative outlet!
Take naps. This pandemic is a reset for the world and all of us experiencing it. Take the time to rest.
Practice self care. Paint your nails, give yourself a facial, deep condition your hair, go makeup free for a week.
Keep a routine. This is probably the hardest thing to keep doing when all you can do is stay inside. But, waking up and going to bed at similar time is good to continue to feel some normalcy.
Pick a home project to do. Paint a room, organize the cabinets, clean out the basement or garage.
Watch a motivational video. Despite all the negativity circling the internet during this pandemic, there are positive things to watch as well. This will help you feel good and stay optimist about the situation.
Go through old pictures. I have so many pictures to organize and go through. It’s also fun to look back on old photos.
Have a movie binge night. Watch all eight Harry Potters!
Learn a new language.
Take creative indoor photos. Document what you’re doing in quarantine through photos.
Cook a fancy meal. A friend of mine made a thanksgiving spread just because!
Build a fort out of blankets and pillows.
Have a picnic in your backyard.
Go technology or social media free for a few days or a week.

Favorite Travel Photos 2019

Published on December 16, 2019December 14, 2019 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

It’s hard to believe 2019 is quickly coming to an end. As I reflect on the past year, I have so many wonderful travel moments to look back on. In 2019 I traveled to ten countries and countless cities in between. 2019 has been one of my favorite travel years yet. This year was special for several reasons, I was able to travel to places that have been at the top of my bucket list. I swam in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, paraglided over the Swiss Alps, had a picnic underneath the Eiffel Tower, tasted an authentic Belgium waffle and took a Harry Potter walking tour in Edinburgh, Scotland. Of course every place I went this year, my camera was in hand. Being able to reminisce through the photos I collect is something very special to me. So to wrap up 2019, I’m sharing my favorite travel photos from this past year.

Happy New Year everyone!

Favorite Travel Moments

Published on September 4, 2019September 6, 2019 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Recently I’ve been reflecting on all the incredible places I’ve traveled to over the last couple years. I made a list of my top five most memorable travel moments and experiences. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to look back on photos and moments captured while traveling. Here’s my most memorable travel moments yet:

Basalt Columns

Cinque Terre, Italy

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Iceland, West Coast. I dreamed of visiting Iceland for several years and this past spring I finally made it there for a week long visit. While I was there, I wanted to see as much of the country as I possibly could. One day during my trip, I drove along the West coast. This full day of traveling along the coast was the most memorable day. The scenery from my car window felt unreal, and as cheesy as it sounds, I felt like I was dreaming. It was as if the scenery around me was too good to be true.

Cinque Terre, Italy. When I reminisce on Cinque Terre, the postcard photo of Manarola flashes in my mind. The beautiful colored houses all stacked on top of each other perfectly framing the mediterranean sea. Over the past year I went to Cinque Terre twice. The most memorable moment for me was the day a friend and I decided to have a picnic in the second town, Vernazza. We were determined to find a picturesque view that overlooked the town from above. The spot was along the walking trail towards Monterroso. It took us so long to find the spot and at one point before finding it, I was hot, frustrated, and ready to give up and have our picnic somewhere else. At the last moment, we found the spot and I immediately felt silly for becoming so upset. This is one of my favorite travel moments, It served as a reminder to be more present and focus on things other than getting the prettiest photo. It ended up being a lovely afternoon with a friend, a small picnic, and a stunning view.
Interlaken, Switzerland. Last winter I went to Switzerland with a goal to paraglide over the alps. Paragliding over the town and through the alps will always be a special travel moment of mine. I felt so calm and stable gliding so high above. I truly felt present and aware of what was going around me without any distractions, pure bliss.
New Zealand, Tongario Alpine Crossing. Almost two years ago I traveled throughout New Zealand for three weeks. I made so many incredible memories during this trip but my favorite day is when I went on a ten mile hike. Tongario Alpine Crossing is a stunning hike that highlights several stunning views and landmarks of New Zealand. I felt more accomplished than I had in months when I made it to the top.

5. Cliffs of Moher, Ireland. I still remember the first time I visited Ireland. I was traveling alone and at the time feeling homesick and ready to return home. On one of my last days in Ireland, I decided to take a day trip to see the Cliffs of Moher. Taking this day trip was the best decision I made during my solo travel. The cliffs were beyond stunning and like nothing I had ever seen before. There was a sense of calm air blowing all around the tourists walking along the steep edge. I could have spent hours starring in amazement at the cliffs. So green, tall, and full of mystery. The cliffs reminded me how big and beautiful the world is and it should be continuously explored.