Destination Road Trips
Click on the Trip to See Photos & Descriptions
This was my first real attempt at a destination road trip. I had no idea what to expect—no plan, and barely a clue about what I wanted to see or where I’d stay. Honestly, I didn’t know much about New Mexico at all, other than it felt like a far-off place that nobody ever really talked about visiting. But that’s exactly what made it perfect. It became the spark for something bigger—a sense of discovery, that turned into a yearly tradition. What better way to begin than by jumping in headfirst?
Yellowstone had always been one of those bucket list destinations. I didn’t know much, and with limited funds, camping seemed like the best—and only—option. The only catch? I had never camped before.
I made plenty of mistakes, but every one of them became part of the story. It was an amazing experience—raw, beautiful, and totally unforgettable. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a whole new appreciation for nature, resilience, and the magic of just figuring it out as you go.
New Orleans was at the top of my mom’s bucket list. Since I had already been, we decided to spend our 10 days exploring as much of Louisiana as possible — and that’s exactly what we did! This was also the only year we did two trips.
Another bucket list destination for me was the Olympic Peninsula. Have you ever stood in a rainforest or near a volcano? Washington State has both—and so much more. We rode the ferry across Puget Sound, sipped wine at Chateau Ste. Michelle, and gazed in awe at the snow-capped peak of Mount Rainier.
Utah was one of the most amazing places I could have imagined. Ten days was not nearly enough. I discovered the Mighty Five and Monument Valley—which, unfortunately, was closed due to COVID. Now that I’ve gotten a taste of it, I know I’ll be going back!
This was my first solo road trip, and while I missed my usual travel partner—my mom—it turned out to be an incredible journey of growth and discovery. From the awe-inspiring beauty of the Rocky Mountains to the unforgettable ride on the COG Railway to the summit of Pikes Peak, every mile brought something new.
Traveling alone challenged me in ways I hadn’t expected, but it also gave me the freedom to truly connect with the places I visited—and with myself. It was a journey I’ll never forget.
Glacier NP turned out to be one of the greatest experiences of my life. I walked on a glacier, stood in awe of the engineering marvel that is Going-to-the-Sun Road, and witnessed breathtaking sunrises and unforgettable wildlife encounters. But what made the trip truly transformative wasn’t just the scenery-it was the personal journey. I tent camped under the stars and hiked distances I had never attempted, all on my own. I faced fears I didn’t even know I had and came back a changed person.
This was my first solo trip lasting over three weeks, and it was absolutely amazing. The idea for the trip was born after my earlier attempt to visit the Navajo Nation was cut short due to COVID. This time,
I watched the sun rise over Monument Valley, spent a picture-perfect day at Canyon de Chelly, and hiked alongside a thousand-year-old lava flow and through the landscapes of Canyons of the Ancients. I even took boat ride through Glen Canyon all the way to the awe-inspiring Rainbow Bridge.
H is back! Our first trip together since 2020. After losing my father toward the end of 2023, H (my mom) and I decided to spend October 2024 traveling through Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Unfortunately, our journey began just a week after Hurricane Helene swept through the region. The biggest impact was in Virginia, where several of the hikes planned were completely shut down. But we’re nothing if not flexible travelers there’s always something interesting to discover.