Karilyn Owen

7 Surprising Reasons Iraq Should Be on Your Bucket List

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Bits of conversions and names swirl in my head as I dizzily walk half asleep from one plane to the other. Abu Haider “Shall I follow you” Noor!! Pst pst pst It’s hard to imagine the fear I felt just 14 days ago. Of leaving my son, of going to a “war zone”.  Now, tears … Read more

10 Unexpected Life Lessons From My 11 Year Old on the John Muir Trail

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A few years ago, I hiked 180 miles of the 211+ mile John Muir Trail (JMT) with my 11 year old son. The JMT runs through the Eastern Sierra mountains in California, starting from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous US. For many this isn’t a huge … Read more

Backpacking the Rae Lakes Loop: Everything You Need to Know

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Backpacking the Rae Lakes Loop in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI) is one of the best multi-day backpacking trips you can do in California. This is an awesome and challenging backpacking route – perfect for backpackers looking for a 4 or 5 day summer backpacking trip in California. The SEKI National Park website … Read more

Hiking the John Muir Trail: Everything You Need to Know for 2024

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More than 1,500 people attempt to walk the entire John Muir Trail every year. A bit more than half of them succeed in a good year, with less than a third making it through in a year with natural challenges – high snow, monsoonal rains or wildfires. This guide from a JMT thru-hiker provides key … Read more

Backpacking In California: 23 Amazing Spots You Must Visit

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Our two favorite things to do in the outdoors in California is hike and camp. Why not combine the two with a backpack camping trip? We know camping in Southern California is very popular with families to couples and folks with their dogs, but for the more adventurous, finding cool spots for backpacking in California is even more exciting.

There are some amazing spots for backpacking in California, from the Bay Area of San Francisco to Southern California and everywhere in between. Some favorite places for backpack camping include Joshua Tree, the Lake Tahoe area, Yosemite National Park and the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park areas. Much of these wilderness areas are more ‘hard core backpacking’ for those with experience and the legs to carry themselves further than a couple of mile hike.

For those of you who are new to this outdoor adventure, we share relatively easy, doable backpacking trails here in California to consider for your first (or second or third!) backpacking camping trip with or without kids. As we explore more of the backcountry camping options throughout California, we will update this list.

Don’t miss our top tips and backpacking hacks for beginners!

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25 Magical Mammoth Lakes Hikes You Must Do

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Mammoth Lakes in the Eastern Sierras is an outdoor adventurer’s year round playground. From skiing in the winter, hot springs and a variety of Mammoth Lakes hikes the rest of the year, there is no shortage of fun. With everyone looking for safe outdoor fun these days, we have compiled a list of our favorite Mammoth Lakes hikes that all ages can enjoy. There are an unlimited number of amazing hikes to do from multi-day treks to simple lake walks.  There really is a trail (or few) for everyone no matter your fitness level.

The combination of majestic mountains, lakes and relatively cool summer weather make hiking in Mammoth Lakes one of our favorite things to do every year. Not to mention that this is also where two of the most famous California trails pass through. The John Muir Trail goes from Yosemite Valley to Mount Whitney passing near to Mammoth Lakes (more specifically Devil’s Postpile) which is also near to where the famous Mexico to Canada Pacific Crest Trail goes. 

Below I outline some of our favorite hikes in Mammoth Lakes by area to help you plan your next visit.

Don’t forget to check out all the other amazing things to do in Mammoth while you are in town!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Zion National Park with Kids

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Are you thinking of going to Zion National Park with kids? Zion National Park located in Southern Utah was one of the best kept secrets of the national park system. These days, the secret is out about what a fabulous destination Zion is for a family vacation. When visitors discover the beauty and magic of Zion Canyon, they are hooked! While the park doesn’t have that one eye catching feature that sells postcards or pressed pennies, but it does have is a spectacular cliff and canyon landscape, an abundance of wildlife and a gorgeous river running through it all beckoning you to get in and experience it for yourself. 

Our recent visit to Zion National Park with kids was a bit of a surprise. After being wow’ed at the Grand Canyon and inspired at Antelope Canyon, we were taken aback by how beautiful and encompassing Zion was. Here we could all really be in nature, experience and feel it. It’s just what we needed.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

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Antarctica Cruise Review: Antarctica21 Cruise with Adventure Life Travel

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Antarctica has been on the top of my dream wish list for decades now. But honestly I didn’t think I would ever have the opportunity to visit because I just didn’t know when I would have the tens of thousands of extra cash laying around. Enter Adventure Life Travel. I was working with Adventure Life … Read more

13 Exciting Things to Do in El Salvador (in 1 Week)

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El Salvador was one of the last countries in Central America I had not yet visited. I have flown through it several times, but never stopped. While looking for somewhere to go for my yearly birthday trip, a cheap flight to El Salvador called out to me. Ignoring the naysayers, I am so glad I … Read more

Hawaii with UnCruise: A Unique, Off the Beaten Path Adventure

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What is the best way to see Hawaii? In the past I would have told you that it was by car and/or foot – our two favorite modes of transportation. However, after our recent small ship sailing with UnCruise Adventures, I just may be singing to a different tune! Are you like me, always visualizing … Read more