There's a lot of new folks here. If you're one of them, getting this for the first or second time, welcome! I'm grateful to have you here. As you've probably noticed, newsletters have been slower this summer. I've been out hiking in the Rockies, spent 5 days on the Oregon Coast (more below), and spent 9 days in Belize as a second honeymoon.

When the weather is this good, I prefer to be in nature vs typing away at a computer. Buuut, I wanted to give a little update of where I've been and hopefully inspire your next trip.

What's inside:

• A breakdown of my Oregon Coast trip
• Fun wildflower hikes so far in Colorado (with photos)
• Recent Articles
• Visiting Iceland? I have a guide for that!

Adventures on the Oregon Coast

At the end of June, I had a phenomenal trip to the Oregon Coast. During the summer, United has direct flights from Denver to Coos Bay/North Bend. In three hours, I traded the Rocky Mountains for the lush, cool, green of the Pacific Northwest.

This was my first time being back in the PNW since leaving Seattle last summer, and it felt so nice to return!

Highlights of the trip

• I went crabbing for the first time! This was a fun experience, albeit a little boring considering there's not much to do when the crab pot is in the water. Thankfully, some seals were nearby playing with a fish, so that proved to be our entertainment.
• Eating seafood. In addition to fresh fish along the coast that I indulged in, I got to eat the crabs we caught! So yummy!
• ​Bandon Food Tours - I had never done a Culinary Tour before, but I had a blast! I learned about Bandon's history, got to try tasty foods from local businesses, and chatted with other visitors. A fun time and worth it!
• Hiking on the Oregon Dunes! These are the largest dunes in North America, spanning 40+ miles up the coast from Coos Bay. There's amazing hiking and other activities on them.
• ​Kayaking and foraging tour in Port Orford. This was my first time going sea kayaking since 2022, and we added on a snorkeling/foraging component too. Granted, the water was incredibly murky, so I didn't do anything. But my guide Grant caught us urchins and a scallop. Then we made rice and added some kelp for a freaking delicious meal before kayaking back. What a FUN adventure day!

Why you should visit

If you enjoy cooler temperatures and a slower pace, without sacrificing pretty views and activities, I think you'll really like this portion of the Oregon Coast. Coos Bay/North Bend is the economic hub with the most populated city (around 15,000), and as you go further south, the towns are smaller and more rural. Still, they have all that you would need to stay for a long weekend or even more!

As you consider end-of-summer 2026 plans or look towards summer 2027, you'll love a trip to Oregon!

Few Crowds

This section of the coast is magical, and there are hardly any crowds or long lines to visit popular areas. Instead of going to a crowded national park, you can slow things down and explore the Southern Oregon coast with rugged coastlines, state parks, lighthouses, lush forests, and even some waterfalls!

When's the best time to explore the Oregon Coast

Summer, hands down! This is when the weather is at its best and the days are long. Now, you might be wondering, but won't there be crowds? There could be (though more likely further north near Cannon Beach or Astoria), but for the most part, the Oregon Coast is far less crowded than you'd imagine for such a pristine and beautiful region.

Even in summer, the temperatures may not break 70 degrees, which for me is perfect! This is especially incredible for those in Arizona, Texas, or any other state where summer feels suffocating. My aunt and uncle who live in Arizona spent a month in this region a couple of years ago and had the best time!

​Here's my entire itinerary to guide you. ​

My Favorite Summer Hikes (So Far) in Colorado

Last summer, some may remember, was a bit rocky for me. We moved to Colorado at the end of June, and a month later, I hurt my hip (found out I have a torn labrum), and I barely hiked. It was pretty depressing. Thankfully, the hip is doing much, much better, and I've been hiking at least once per week, if not two to three times.

My parents even came to visit for a week and got to do a couple of treks with them.

Below are some of my favorite hikes and photos from the summer:

Gore Lake and Snow Lake (Vail region)

Shrine Ridge via Vail Pass (Vail region)

Mitchell Trail to Blue Lake (Indian Peaks Wilderness)

Maroon Bells and Buckskin Pass (Aspen)

Mayflower Gulch (Breck/Copper Mountain area)

Mohawk Lake (Breckenridge)

Can I ask you a favor?

If you're not already following me on Instagram, would you consider giving me a follow to support my work? And while you're there, add me as a "Favorite." This will tell the algorithm that you want to see my posts and continue to see my photos and travels. Thank you in advance!

​Follow along here.​

Recent Articles You May Have Missed

Been busy like me? Here are some recent articles I've written!

​These are the Best Cameras for Wildlife Photography​

​Visiting Maroon Bells and Photographing Sunrise Near Aspen, Colorado​

​Snowmass Lake Via Buckskin Pass: Hiking and Backpacking into the Maroon Bells​

​25 Best Things To Do in Belize on Your Next Trip​

​How to Plan An Adventurous 9-Day Itinerary to Belize​

​The 13 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park​

​Visiting McArthur-Burney Falls State Park: A Complete Guide​

​An Oasis in Texas: Exploring the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center​

​12 MUST-HAVE Backpacking Gear Essentials for this Summer​

Planning a visit to Iceland?

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