Finding a good campground can sometimes feel like a gamble. You can look at photos online, read through the campground description, and hope that the site you reserve looks anything like the pictures when you arrive. Sometimes you end up pleasantly surprised, and other times you spend the entire trip wishing you had booked somewhere else. Our stay at Alpine North Loop Campground near Alpine, Wyoming, ended up being somewhere in between. We had a beautiful campsite surrounded

I didn’t go to San Sebastián planning to learn how to surf. That was not part of the plan. The plan was food, ocean views, wandering the city, and pretending I was going to “take it slow.” And then I got to Zurriola Beach. Watched surfers make it look way too easy. Then booked a surf lesson. Why San Sebastián Is a Great Place to Learn Surfing San Sebastián sits on Spain’s northern coast in the Basque Country, and it has a very specific kind of energy: relaxed, coastal, and qu

Paddle boarding in Utah is one of the easiest ways to experience the state’s mix of mountains, desert light, and wide-open water. With dozens of reservoirs and lakes scattered across the state, it is one of the best places in the Mountain West for stand up paddle boarding. Whether you are looking for calm beginner-friendly water or more scenic, remote paddles, these are the best places to paddle board in Utah based on accessibility, scenery, and water conditions. Here are the

Tucked between Long Island’s North and South Forks and only reachable by ferry, Shelter Island feels like one of New York’s best-kept secrets. It’s the kind of place where time slows down a little. Marshland and sea meet in quiet rhythm, and every beach, trail, and small shop feels like it belongs exactly where it is. It sits only a few miles from the Hamptons, but the energy couldn’t be more different. Where the Hamptons lean polished and busy, Shelter Island feels softer, m

There’s something about arriving at Chatfield Reservoir just after sunrise that keeps drawing me back. As the first light stretches across the water, the reservoir takes on a quiet glow. The distant Front Range peaks reflect on the surface, prairie grasses sway in the breeze, and for a few moments, it feels like you have the entire place to yourself. Even though Chatfield Reservoir is only a short drive from Denver, it has always felt like an escape from the city for me. I've

Growing up, some of my most treasured memories come from sailing to Martha’s Vineyard. After hours of sailing, the moment the island’s shoreline appears on the horizon feels like a quiet celebration. The salty breeze, the gentle rocking of the boat, and the sight of the island’s familiar contours bring a deep sense of peace and excitement all at once. That first glimpse of Martha’s Vineyard always signals the start of an unforgettable escape to one of New England’s most charm

Welcome to Part 2 of my Chengdu, China blog! If you haven't read Part 1 yet, you can read it here! In Part 1, I talked about my first impressions of Chengdu, the incredible Sichuan food, and the biggest culture shocks I experienced when I first arrived in China. While the food was one of my favorite parts of my time abroad, there was so much more to discover. Living in Chengdu gave me the opportunity to see everyday life in China, explore places I never could have seen on a s

Traveling to China is an experience I'll never forget. While I was in college, I had the opportunity to spend the summer living in Chengdu, China, through a study abroad program where I studied International Business and Coding. Before arriving, I intentionally wanted to travel somewhere completely different from what I was used to. I wanted to experience a culture where I knew very little about the customs, daily life, or even the language. Looking back, I couldn't have pick