Karilyn Owen

9 Beautiful Joshua Tree Hikes For Unforgettable Views

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Looking for the best Joshua Tree hikes? You have come to the right place. Joshua Tree National Park in California has become one of our favorite go-to trips – either as a day trip or for a last minute weekend getaway. Through our many visits, we have found a few trails that we return to … Read more

Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend 1-4 Days For First Time Visitors

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Are you planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park? If so you have come to the right place. Here we share our ideal Yellowstone itinerary for one to four days. From visiting bubbling mud pots to spewing geysers and wildlife galore you will find everything you need to plan your perfect trip.  For most families … Read more

7 Big Mistakes to Avoid in Planning a Trip to Yellowstone

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There is a plethora of information on the web about planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, but most of it focuses on what you should do and see. But this guide is different. Here I am going to tell you what you should AVOID when planning a trip to Yellowstone.  Yellowstone National Park is … Read more

Where to Find Snow Near Los Angeles That Kids Will Love

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Are you looking for the best places to find snow near Los Angeles? So were we! Now we have found all the best places in Southern California to play and share them here with you. The beauty of living in Los Angeles is having access to both the sea and the snow. Have you ever … Read more

A Practical Guide to Visiting Christmas Markets in Germany

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One of the most magical times to visit Germany is during the festive holiday season. Christmas markets in Germany take over the landscape in late November through the Christmas season making it the best place to visit for those looking to transport themselves to a what feels like a winter wonderland fairytale. Yes, the weather … Read more

10 Things to Do in Kings Canyon National Park You Will Love

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One of my favorite national parks that is often overlooked is Kings Canyon National Park. Most visitors see only a tiny portion of the park from the top entrance, never taking the time to get down into the deepest canyon in the US. If we can inspire you to do anything, it is to get down into the canyon where you find so many amazing things to do in Kings Canyon National Park that you will fall in love just like we did!

If you are planning a joint trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon, make sure to check out our extensive post on visiting Sequoia which includes visiting the General Sherman Tree and other well known giant sequoias as well as tips on how to see both parks in a short amount of time. 

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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Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Traveling Families

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Travelers can be tough to buy for – they either don’t want anything because they are on the go or what they do want is too expensive or unattainable (flights, cameras, more vacation time!). Personally I love travel experiences, but every traveling expert also needs an arsenal of products to make their journeys smoother. Even though what we all really want is the time and money to travel more, there are still some great gift ideas most every traveling family will appreciate!

Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Traveling Families

 

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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Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide For Outdoor Kids For 2022

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The holiday’s are quickly approaching, which inevitably means the family will start asking for your kid’s wish lists. If you have an nature loving kiddo to buy for, this is your go-to guide! My son is an outdoor fanatic and loves everything that relates to the outdoors from gear, to toys and even art supplies that can be used outside. Here are some of his (and our) favorite holiday gift ideas for outdoor kids.

Holiday Gift Guide for Outdoor Kids

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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20 Useful Tips For Visiting Sequoia National Park In Winter

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If you are looking for a magical getaway, consider visiting Sequoia National Park in winter. The majestic red giants are covered in glistening white snow creating a breathtaking landscape that is hard to beat.

Sequoia National Park is one of our favorite national parks during the busy summer months, but now that we have visited in winter we are even more in love.  Have you been to see the giants of Sequoia National Park in winter? If not, put it on your bucket list and get busy planning your trip with our tips below.

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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Holiday Volunteering in Los Angeles with Kids

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Volunteerism has been a part of my life since I was a young elementary school kid visiting the nursing home in my neighborhood. I don’t remember how I got started – maybe through holiday caroling or because I wanted to earn a Girls Scouts patch – either way I kept doing it well after I no … Read more

20+ Things To Do In Sequoia National Park That You’ll Love

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There are so many amazing things to do in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon. If you are planning a trip there, we have everything you need to know to get you started from where to stay, what the best activities in Sequoia are and more.  Often dwarfed by the magical and heavily touristed Yosemite … Read more

9 Spectacular Day Trips from Dublin Everyone Should Do

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Are you visiting Dublin? If so, you need to check out these spectacular Dublin day trips during your stay. Ireland is not a large country so many visitors base themselves in Dublin with plans to explore the country on day trips. While I do not recommend going as far as Galway or the Ring of Kerry on a day trip, it is certainly doable.

However, what we offer here are some of the best day trips from Dublin for visitors looking to get off the beaten path a bit, experience Ireland as many locals do without spending hours on a bus while also getting in some epic nature scenery, history and food along the way.

After visiting the Dublin and Ireland for the last 20 years, we have made our share of mistakes and have come up with a great list of spectacular day trips from Dublin that will be worth the effort and time.

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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Backpacking the Beautiful Little Lakes Valley Trail (Near Rock Creek)

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Little Lakes Valley in the Eastern Sierras is one of the most beautiful hikes in the high sierra and one our favorite backpacking hikes in California with kids and for beginners. This beautiful hike follows along a creek, passes several pristine alpine lakes and offers gorgeous scenery without too much hard work. This is almost … Read more

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

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This summer, 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 outdoor accomplishment, … Read more

Seeking Out the Beauty of Mammoth Lakes Fall Colors

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Did you know that you can find fall colors in California? While New England wins hand down for the best fall colors, those of us on the west coast can also cash in on this fall favorite. Mammoth Lakes fall colors lures visitors from near and far for their yearly display of bright yellow aspen trees and beautiful fall colors in California’s eastern sierras. The best fall colors are typically popping around mid Sept to the end of October, making it the ideal destination for a fall leaf peeping trip.

For those of us in Southern California, sometimes it’s hard to imagine that the seasons are really changing elsewhere in the US. We have heat waves and fires all through the fall, often making the changing of temperatures further up north a distant thought. If you are like me and try to bring a little bit of fall foliage into your autumn, head up the 395 where you can experience the beauty of fall from Bishop to Mammoth Lakes and even further north to the South Lake Tahoe area.

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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

5 Reasons You Will Love Uganda: Africa’s Most Underrated Safari Destination

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When you think of going on a safari, Uganda most likely does not pop into your head first thing. Instead you are imagining driving along the plains of the Serengeti or through Kruger National Park in South Africa. While this trip to Uganda did not start off with the intent of being a safari destination, I learned along the way what an amazing place it is for not only seeing mountain gorillas in the wild, but for seeing a myriad of other wildlife including big game.

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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50+ Amazing Spots for Camping in Southern California

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Best beach camping in Southern California

Camping in Southern California is one of the best outdoor, social distance activities available. Lakes, mountains, and beaches – a multitude of campgrounds in Southern California offer an incredible array of places to match the season and everyone’s interests. With vacations being cancelled and people worried about gathering in groups, camping is the in thing to do! Below is a collection of our favorite campgrounds in Southern California that we will continue to update as we come across more.

If you have some favorites that we have missed, please share them with us as we would love to check out more off the beaten path sites around the state.

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Everything You Need To Know About Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

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We went to Uganda for the sole purpose of gorilla trekking. It exceeded all of our expectations plus some. Seeing these majestic animals in their natural habitat (because they don’t live in zoos anywhere in the world!) is truly a remarkable experience that should be on every animal lovers bucket list. Here I will share as much information as I can on planning gorilla safaris so that you can experience this for yourself!

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Zion Narrows Hike: 5 Useful Things to Know Before You Go

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Zion National Park is known for one of it’s most beautiful and distinctive trails, the Zion Narrows hike. It brings visitors of all ages, shapes and forms, as it is one of the most popular hikes in the park.

What is the Narrows? It is a “trail” through the middle of the Virgin River leading you through 10+ miles of dramatic cliffs, narrow slot canyons and gorgeous scenery. This hike lets you experience, rather than just view, what makes Zion so special.

For most visitors to Zion, the Narrows hike is a lasting favorite no matter how far up river they managed to go. It is one of the most unique hikes with breathtaking scenery and one that cools you down along the way. What more could you ask for on a hike?

In this article we will share all you need to know about permits, campsites, getting to the trailhead, the best time to visit & more.

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