Category: Outdoor Adventures
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Visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument {Idaho}
On our way from Utah into Idaho, we decided to make a detour to Craters of the Moon National Monument—a place I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from. It’s strange to me that I had never visited this site before for all the many times that I had been in the area over the…
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Five Favorites : Lesser Known U.S. National Parks
As a family, we love visiting national parks across the country. We carry our annual park pass everywhere, tuck our national park book into backpacks, and never miss a chance to collect stamps and stickers. You could say we’re committed. Over the years, we’ve explored quite a few parks, and each one leaves us in…
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Fall Leaves & Natural Bridges- Exploring Head of the Crow State Park
Tennessee seems to be running a little late with the fall colors this year. All through October we kept watching the trees, waiting for any sign of autumn to peek through. And then, almost overnight, the colors arrived — the brilliant golds and fiery reds painting the hillsides in that unmistakable fall glow. But with…
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Five Favorites : Autumn Hikes in Tennessee
Fall is officially here! It’s my favorite season—the hot, heavy days of summer give way to cooler air, vibrant colors, and the chance to finally step outside without hiding in the comfort of air conditioning. This time of year, you can usually find us on the trails of Tennessee’s state parks, soaking in the crisp…
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Fairy Tales & Alpine Coasters in Oberammergau {Germany}
You may remember our visit to Mittenwald a few days earlier. After a sudden bout of heat exhaustion sent us ducking into a small grocery store for air conditioning and water, we ended up talking with a lovely couple for over an hour. What began as a necessary break became one of those unexpected travel…
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Hiking the Sigmud Thun Gorge in Hohe Tauern National Park {Austria}
Our family has a deep love for national parks. There’s something about heading out onto a trail, not quite knowing what waits around the next bend, that feels like pure adventure. Visiting a national park in another country adds an extra layer of excitement — stepping into a landscape with no expectations, no familiar landmarks,…
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Summer Beauty & Hiking Trails of Shenandoah National Park {Virginia}
With a long weekend ahead, we were looking for a quick getaway—somewhere to spend a couple of days outdoors. Logically, we probably should have stayed home to prepare for our big trip to Europe in a few weeks. But the call of a weekend escape was too strong to resist. We finally settled on Shenandoah…
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Hiking at Lost Creek Falls- Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park {Tennessee}
Summer has arrived in Tennessee, and the state parks are calling. Recently, Tennessee State Parks announced the designation of several new parks, bringing the total number to an impressive sixty. We’re still working toward our goal of visiting them all, so we couldn’t pass up the chance to explore one of the newest additions. Scott’s…
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Hiking Greeter Loop Trail- Savage Gulf State Park {Tennessee}
With the weather finally beginning to thaw after the frozen temperatures of winter, it felt like the perfect time to get outside and go hiking in Savage Gulf State Park. And of course, for us there is no better place to welcome the coming of spring than at a Tennessee state park. When we first…
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Bald Eagles & Snowy Trails- Winter Beauty at Radnor Lake {Tennessee}
There are two kinds of people when it snows in Tennessee. The first rush to the grocery stores, stocking up on supplies to hibernate for a few days. The second head straight outside, eager to enjoy the rare winter wonderland. It should come as no surprise that we fall into the second group. When we…