Happy holidays to each and every one of you! I'll keep this very short, as this is a longer newsletter.

We're sticking around Denver for Christmas. When we moved here, I somewhat figured it would be a white Christmas... or at least some white stuff on the ground. But nope! It's highs in the mid-50s to 60s, and we're getting our tan on!

Lastly, I want to say thanks for reading and supporting this newsletter. All I want is to help you guys get outside and enjoy time in nature. I hope I've inspired a little adventure over the last 12 months, and you have fun plans coming up in 2026.

Road Tripping to Moab from Denver

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Last week was a return to the desert southwest! I spent the entire week in Moab, Utah, with my dad, exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and other beautiful places in the area. We caught it on a lovely week, with temperatures 10 degrees warmer than usual. I hadn't been since January 2020, so this was long overdue.

I picked up Roadsurfer's Couple Condo camper van in Denver and made the easy 5.5-hour drive to Moab. I say easy, because Denver's been unusually warm and dry. Thankfully, I had zero issues going over the mountain passes.

Where to go in Moab (within 45 minutes)

Have Moab on your mind? Here's where I'd prioritize:

Fisher Towers: Great views out along the Colorado River, with top-tier climbing if you're into that. There's also a nice 4-mile moderate trail to take as well.

Corona Arch: About 20 minutes outside Moab to the west along the Colorado River, Corona Arch is super popular, but on our Tuesday evening, we were the only ones there! (The benefit of going for sunset and in winter.) This is an easy-moderate 2-mile round-trip hike.

Arches National Park: The entrance is a mere 15 minutes from Moab, but to reach the end of the park takes much longer. I'd prioritize Delicate Arch, The Windows, and Double-O Arch if you want a good 8-mile hike. It's so easy to get around, and if you spend 12 hours here, you can see a TON.

Canyonlands National Park: While I enjoy Canyonlands, the Island in the Sky section is not particularly hiker-friendly. There are a bunch of overlooks and 1-3-mile walks, but nothing overly grand. Green River Overlook is fun, and we just did the White Rim hike, which was 2.5 miles long and relatively flat. I'm convinced you can see every overlook in the park in a single day with no issue.

Make sure to spend sunrise at Mesa Arch. It's a 10/10 place, and you'll love it!

Dead Horse Point State Park: Right next to Canyonlands, DHPSP is beautiful for sunrise as the canyon walls light up with the rising sun. There are a couple of shorter hikes, but it's mostly an overlook spot. My dad and I did a quick 1.5-mile loop along the rim, which offers views on both sides of the bottleneck.

Why Moab in December is great

It's going to sound crazy, but it was basically empty. No one visits Moab this time of the year, which means you have two National Parks open for exploration with no crowds.

Plus, hotels are uber cheap. I was curious about the pricing and found spots between $45 and $75 at almost every place. Even the Westin was under $85.

Why it's perfect in a camper van

The desert southwest is the perfect place for a campervan. Around Moab, there are legitimately 12-15 campgrounds to stay at, or you can find BLM land for dispersed camping (free). Being in a Roadsurfer, you have a heater, a bed, a two-burner stove, a refrigerator, a toilet, and a shower. So, if you want to go off the grid, you can!

Even though lows were around 32°F, I slept great and enjoyed making breakfast and coffee in the National Parks after photographing sunrise. The convenience and ease are unrivaled.

Looking to book your next trip and want to use a campervan?
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Scenic Calendars On Sale!

My 2026 Scenic Calendars are available and going quickly. I've sold just under half so far and would love to keep this momentum going.

They're $29 with/ free shipping. If you book before December 18, there's a decent chance it'll arrive before Christmas.

>> Click here to purchase.<<

Thank you for all the support and for hanging my calendar in your homes!

Gear Corner: Last Minute Gifts Under $80

Somehow, it's December 16, and I've done... well... no holiday shopping. At least I have planning a wedding to blame for my lack of Christmas spirit. If you're like me and need some last-minute gift ideas for travelers or outdoor types, these should do the trick. Away we go!

• $20 Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth - Get it here - I've heard from so many women that they love using this when hiking.
• $25 goodr OG Sunglasses - Get it here - These are my go-to sunglasses as of late. There's no need to spend gobs of money on sunglasses when odds are, I'm going to either sit on them or scratch them within 4 weeks.
• $33 LifeStraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter System - Get it here - This won't ever be your primary water filter for backpacking trips, but it's really nice for quick pitstops at a creek or lake when you want a quick liter of water. I added one of these last year, and it's convenient.
• $69 The North Face Traction Booties - Get them here: Men's | Women's - We got these for Iceland back in 2023, and they're a staple of our cold-weather attire. I even wore these while photographing the northern lights in -25F in Alaska, and they kept my feet warmer than my hiking boots. They're perfect for wearing before snowboarding/skiing or snowshoeing, or just walking the dog in the neighborhood.
• $79 Peak Design Capture 3.0 Camera Clip - Get it here - A staple for hikes and backpacking trips to easily access my camera without having to stop, pull it out, and then shoot. It clips onto your backpack strap, and I so highly recommend this for the photographer in your life.
• 10% off 1:1 Online Photography Lesson with me! If there's someone in your life who would like to improve their photography or better understand their camera, I'd love to meet with them. Lessons are usually $80, but I am offering a 10% holiday discount. Buy it here.​

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