Long time no chat, y'all! I hope summer is treating you well. Jaimie and I recently moved from Seattle to Denver, where she'll start her fellowship program at the children's hospital. It was a LOOOOONG three days of driving, but we did it safely. Now, we're all unboxed (thanks to my parents' help) and trying to move the final random boxes into their new homes.

For me, I'm excited to explore a new region of the country, but at the same time, very sad to leave Seattle. The mountains up there are far and away the most pristine and stunning I have seen in the Lower 48. Thankfully, not much else will change. I'm still freelancing and will continue sharing beautiful destinations, hoping to inspire your next trip.

For those new here over the last few months, welcome! If you're interested in adding some photography to your walls, you can browse here. I'd LOVE to see more prints out in the world and it's a great way to support photographers you like. And if you're looking for photography lessons (online right now), shoot me an email and we'll chat!

Sponsorship with Overlook Maps

I've teamed up with Overlook Maps to highlight some of my favorite hikes, places to eat, and spots to grab a drink. I find that personal recommendations are the best way to explore.

Check out my lists here and explore Overlook Maps.

Overlook Maps isn’t just for outdoor lovers; it’s for travelers who want to explore smarter and eat better. With beautifully designed interactive maps and overlays featuring top-rated restaurants from The New York Times, Eater, Thrillist, and Michelin, you can discover the best hikes and meals in one place.

4 Destinations That Surprised Me

Kauai

Sometimes, life gets in the way, and you don't do as much research as you would like before taking a trip. This was one of those instances (granted, it was also a family trip, so I wasn't the one doing the planning). I knew Kauai was aesthetically pleasing, but I had no idea how green, mountainous, and beautiful the island was.

After spending nine days on the island in April, it honestly blew me away, and I cannot wait to return. The hiking there is superb, the beaches and snorkeling are awesome (though maybe not as good as some have said), and the slow-down and enjoy yourself vibe was much needed.

Thinking of visiting? I have resources to assist.

Where to stay || Things to do || Kauai Itinerary

Katmai National Park

I knew about the bears. So that didn't surprise me. But what I didn't realize was how incredible the coastline of Katmai NP was. On our final day at Lake Clark Resort, we took a flightseeing and bear-watching combo that took us to the coast, east of Brooks Falls. The water looked Caribbean, the peaks and glaciers immaculate, and thanks to clear skies, multiple volcanoes were visible. All in all, it was one of the most outstanding days I've ever had.

Thinking of visiting? I have resources to assist.

5 day itinerary || Visiting Brooks Falls || Photos of Katmai National Park || Youtube video of my trip

Tasmania

After spending 6 days in the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory, my brother and I headed south to Tasmania. Compared to what we just experienced in the NT, it was a complete 180. Tassie is rugged, wild, and beautiful. I had no idea how mountainous the area was, and it was also relatively uncrowded. (Granted, it was heading into fall.)

If you're into hiking, lakes, and feeling out there, I highly recommend Tasmania as a vacation. Yes, it's a heckuva flight from the US, but it's worth it! The exchange rate of the US dollar to the Australian dollar is VERY favorable for Americans.

Thinking of visiting? I have resources to assist.

6 day roadtrip in Tassie || Hiking Mt Amos in Freycinet NP || Nelson Falls

Kananaskis Country

After a couple of visits, this region of the Canadian Rockies is rising fast to one of my favorite places in the world. South of Banff National Park, this section is far more rugged, full of glaciated valleys with jagged peaks and way fewer crowds. One reason it doesn't see the crowds is that there is almost no lodging outside of camping. It's for the true outdoors person.

If you want epic hiking, great wildlife potential, and fewer crowds (not no crowds, just less), Kananaskis Country is right for you.

Thinking of visiting? I have resources to assist.

6-day roadtrip YT video || Top Fall hikes in Kanaskis Country || My two favorite hikes: Smutwood Peak and Sarrail Ridge