The Arco de Santa Catalina in Antigua, Guatemala frames the Volcán de Agua on a clear day. Unfortunately when I snapped this shot the top of the volcano was blanketed in clouds🌋☁️
Exactly a week ago from today, I purposely slept in my car (at a free campground) in Oregon so I could witness Mt. Hood at sunrise reflected in Lake Trillium. Unfortunately, the entire mountain was covered in clouds. See the expectation vs. reality in my stories 😂😭
Have your hopes ever been squashed by less than favorable weather? Share with me in the comments below! #go4theglobe
Thankfully, the purpose of my trip to Guatemala wasn't specifically to see this volcano through the arch (although I had high hopes to) and I did get to see it from the roof of my hostel later in the trip. And the purpose of my trip to Oregon wasn't just to see the Mt. Hood (at least I saw it the night before on my drive). I was heading there to celebrate my best friend’s bachelorette party and we had a blast - check out a little snippet of the fun in my stories!
Today I find myself back up in Whistler, Canada. Even I can't keep up 😝 I find myself taking full advantage of opportunities to explore as they pop up. But I don't know when I'll ever catch up on stories at this point 😂
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#girlpowertravel #antigua #guatemala #guatemalacom #arcosantacatalina #santacatalina #visitguatemala #guate #arch #yellowarch #street #travelgirl #solofemaletravel #backpackerdiary #backpacker #discoverguatemala #viajes #womenwhoexplore #citizenfemme
📍Windy Pass, The Enchantments, Washington 🇺🇸 🌬🏔🌲
Over the weekend I went on a backpacking trip in The Enchantments in the Central Cascades with friends 🏕 The Enchantments are open to everyone for day use but a permit is required to camp overnight in the area. I didn't realize how difficult this permit is to obtain (there is an annual lottery), and it ranks on lists as one of the toughest outdoor permits to acquire in the US (along with overnight access to the rim of the Grand Canyon). There are five zones you can obtain permits to in The Enchantments, our permit for was the Eightmile/Caroline Zone.
Have you ever scored a permit for a sought-after recreational area? #go4theglobe
Our group of seven camped at Eightmile Lake the first night & planned to camp at Lake Caroline the second night, but the bugs were so bad at Caroline we decided to return to Eightmile Lake to camp (this was after we had trekked with all our gear for miles in the heat of the day on a predominantly uphill hike). Half of the group decided to head back to our original campsite, while the other half us dropped our bags and hiked onward to Windy Pass (to return to the campsite later).
It added extra miles and hours onto our day, but it was definitely worth it for the expansive views and wildlife we came across (marmots and deer!). 🙌
I felt light as a feather and fully supported up at the top of Windy Pass trekking in my new #thefeatherbra! There's no need to carry any more weight than necessary to the top a mountain!! Thanks @thefeatherbra for sending me the most comfortable bra that is now mountain approved! 💕 #gifted
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#wanderwashington #pnwlife #mountaingirl #hikingram #hikingbangers #theenchantments #windypass #backpacking #lowaboots #trekking #mountaingirls #girlswhohike #yogagirl #pnwusa #camping #backpackingtheglobe #thegreatoutdoors #pnwoutdoorwomen #upperleftusa #northwestisbest
Where is the last place you visited that made you want to pinch yourself because you couldn't believe it was real? 💙#go4theglobe
That was Joffre Lakes for me over the weekend! The water really was that blue!! 💦
There are three (brilliantly blue) lakes at Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. The one pictured here is the second - the first is just a five minute stroll from the parking lot, while this one requires a bit more of an uphill effort with lots of stairs! It took us about an hour to reach the second lake from the first.
Joffre Lakes is just under an hour drive north of Whistler, Canada 🇨🇦
As with most gorgeous hikes near popular tourist destinations, I recommend going early & on a week day, which is the opposite of what we ended up doing 🤦🏽♀️ 😂 My friend actually did go on a week day a few days before, but since she knew I really wanted to go & she loved the hike, she went again with me just two days later (thanks Nikki!). We had a late night out in Whistler (see a glimpse in my stories) so we didn't make it out for our early start on Saturday. When we arrived just before 11am, the main parking lot was full so we had to park in the overflow lot across the street. There were lots of people, but it's a big enough place that it wasn't too unbearable.
I did have to wait almost 30 minutes in a line to get a photo on this log (see my stories), whereas when my friend went on a weekday morning she walked right up on it after someone else took a photo. The early bird might get the worm, the party bird just has to be more patient! 😜 At least when my turn came to get on the log, the sun came out in full force, making the color of the water really shine! ☀️
I’m excited to share even more shots from these gorgeous lakes (and a bonus waterfall!).
I hope you love seeing alpine adventures because today I’m heading off to backpack The Enchantments in Washington with friends (I’m lucky to have a friend that scored a rare permit!). I’ll be off the grid up in the mountains 🏕💦🏔 see ya Monday IG ✌️ #go4theglobe
Flower Power 🌹 🌸 🌹
When I was in San Diego last week for an event I planned, the team was looking for a café to continue working in the evening. Little did I know the café I found (Coffee & Talk) would have this gorgeous rose wall 😍 I didn't have my camera with me, so the next morning at 6:45am I literally ran over with my tripod and camera before the event started to grab a few quick shots 📸💁🏽♀️#doitforthegram
Transparency: I photoshopped the roses all the way to the floor for a little extra flower power 🌹 (see the original in my story)
Today, I'm putting my passport back to good use as I'm heading up to Whistler, Canada🇨🇦 to reunite with my favorite Aussie🇦🇺! We used to work together when I lived in Sydney & became close friends. It's been five years since I've seen her, last in New York City! I'm excited to spend a little time with her and her sister in beautiful BC 🏔
Solo road trip across the border, let's gooooo! 🚗 Have you ever driven across an international border?
What adventures are you up to this weekend? 🙌 #go4theglobe
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#roses #flowerwall #sandiego #coffeeandtalk #cafe #travelblogger #rosewall #visitsandiego #visitsd #californiadreaming #iamtb #flowerstagram #acolorstory #visitcalifornia #citizenfemme #walltraveled #visittheusa #ootd #fridayfeeling #flowerfriday
Exploring my backyard🌲🏔 #pnw
While taking photos at Trap Lake, a group of hikers from Portugal passed me on the PCT.
Are you on a day hike? They asked. Do you live around here?
Yes, I replied with pride💚
The other weekend I was out east for a wedding & decided to go on a hike on my way home Sunday. I thought the plan might be a little ambitious considering the amount of fun I'd have the night before, but I packed my hiking boots & told everyone I was going to hold myself accountable. Sunday morning rolled around & friends bailed to nurse hangovers, but it was a ☀️day & I was determined to get out in the⛰
The hike I planned is a popular one that you need to get to early & is categorized as difficult, which I was intimidated by in my morning-after condition. On my way there, I ended up in a Safeway parking lot where I took a much needed nap in my backseat🤣 I contemplated driving home (2+hrs) but decided on an alternate hike.
I chose Trap Lake (11.5miles RT) & finally got to the trail at 3:30pm. I lost service before I could inform anyone of my plans & my📱was nearly dead, which made me a little nervous for a solo hike. Luckily the permit system at the trailhead made me feel better in case the worst happened, people would know my general whereabouts.
It felt good to be out in the late afternoon sun filtered through the evergreen trees, although my body was moving at a 🐌pace. I took many breaks, each time contemplating turning back, considering it enough of a victory that I made it out at all. I'm sure no one would think any less of me, but I was hiking for myself & pushed myself to keep going.
The views were glorious w/ jagged, snowy🏔 peaks & 🌸🌼 in bloom. But I began to worry I would end up hiking back in the dark w/o a light. After a few hours I knew I had to turn around soon & just as I decided to, I saw the lake! The last bit of sun illuminated a portion of the alpine lake, showing off the brilliantly clear teal water. I hiked back at golden hour & drove home through sunset. I was exhausted but grateful I held myself accountable to what I wanted to achieve. How do you hold yourself accountable? #go4theglobe
It's #Monday morning and a new week in Seattle...✨
I want to talk about the concept of newness. I'm someone who values & seeks out new experiences, exploring new places, & meeting new people, which I think many travelers have in common. I typically prefer new & different over a set routine. Can you relate or do you love having a solid routine?
Yesterday was a gorgeous hot summer day in Seattle & my brother needed a ride home from the airport in the afternoon. On my way to pick him up, I remembered back when I was 16 and the very first time I was driving alone after I got my license. It was also a beautiful summer day & I was driving down the same road. I was so excited & giddy with the sunroof open, windows down, & music blasting on the speakers. On that first drive I was only going a short distance to my friend's house, but I was squealing, singing, & dancing with excitement of my newfound freedom. Yesterday I thought of how the prospect of driving to the airport back at that time in my life would’ve been soo exciting & also probably mildly terrifying, driving that far on the highway.
Now that I've had my drivers license for over a decade, the newness & excitement of driving a car has faded. My thoughts yesterday were originally occupied by the amount of time taken from the sunny day (I live about 40 mins away from the airport) & the cost of the gas guzzled. But the memory reminded me to bring a bit of the joy back to my drive with my windows down & music up. And to also acknowledge the gratitude that I have a car to drive & the ability to drive it (and constantly dance in it 💃🏽). I decided to take a more scenic route, across Lake Washington & through #Seattle with gorgeous views of Mt. Rainier as I drove south on I5.
Nothing can stay new forever, from experiences to relationships, but the power of our perspective and attitude can keep things exciting, or at least grateful for their presence. And there's always a way to make something old new in a new way (you might just have to get a little creative).
Where can you adopt a renewed attitude to something that isn't quite new anymore into your new week? #go4thetheglobe
✨We travel to fall in love with the unknown,
to fall in love with the kindness of strangers,
the colorful streets and mountain peaks.
To find comfort in discomfort,
to learn and to grow,
to eat and drink and dance in the unknown,
to face fears and prove to ourselves that we can.
We can move, we can fly, we can climb.
We are alive.
We pack ourselves into crowded spaces -
buses, trains, ferries, and planes.
We find ourselves in the expansiveness of the open road,
soaring above clouds, sailing across seas.
We arrive with open hearts & open minds
in new places where no one knows our faces,
waking up to the freedom of the unknown,
with nothing but opportunity and possibility ahead of us.
We create bonds over belly laughs and bad stomaches,
We capture moments and feelings,
we reach new heights.
We may lose belongings,
earrings and water bottles, lovers and friends,
but what we gain is always more than we've lost.
We find ourselves along the way.
We find we are all more alike than we are different,
we find we are all beautifully broken,
we find we are stronger than we think,
we find hope and connection and strength and love.
We travel to live in the present, in the here and in the now.
At least that's why I travel// ❤️🤷🏽♀️
Why do you #travel? Can you relate?
This photo gives me the feels. It's travel and it's home. My two favorite (albeit perhaps contradictory) places.
Thanks @armandanorthwest 📸 for capturing my vision here. Thanks to anyone still reading ❤️ #go4theglobe
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#Seattle #trainstation #unionstation #SoNorthwest #pnw_shooters #do206 #visitseattle #travelgirl #wanderwashington #map #wheretonext #girlslovetravel #pnwlife #travelwriter #pnwonderland #downtownseattle #upperleftusa #emeraldcity #bluejeans #liveinit
And it was all yellow (ooh) 💛✨🎶
What's the most creative setup you've orchestrated to get a photo? 📸
To capture this shot on my solo trip in Antigua, Guatemala I...
1) Opened the front metal barred door to someone's home so I could balance my Panasonic @Lumix G85 camera inside one of the bar frames 🚪
2) Placed my journal under my camera and a pen under my 14-140mm lens to position the shot and add height 📓
3) Turned on the self timer and ran back to the wall to take photos 📸
4) Prayed my camera wouldn't come crashing to the ground in the process 🙏
In case you're confused AF, I've posted a little behind the scenes video of the set up in my story 🤷🏽♀️😝
At one point, the woman in the home opened her front door, very confused, and I explained I was using her door frame to take photos. 🙈 She looked at me like I was crazy, but also seemed relieved I was doing something harmless and told me to make sure to close the door before I left. 😂
My tripod didn't fit into my 55L backpack for this solo trip and as "fun" as it can be to set up a creative tripod alternative, I know I'll always be prioritizing space for a tripod on solo trips going forward. #go4theglobe
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#yellowwall #greendress #yellowhouse #travelgirl #guatemala #visitguatemala #antigua #antiguaguatemala #antiguaenguatemala #guate #guatemalacom #solotravel #yellow #centralamerica #latinamerica #walltraveled #travelblogger #lumix #lumixg85 #panasonic #citizenfemme #SoFeTravel
