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Arches National Park vs Canyonlands National Park: which one should you visit?
In Colorado, there are a couple of spring months where the trees are still leafless, the grass is yellow, and we're constantly on and off...
Hannah Smentkowski
May 28, 20215 min read
424
The 7 Best Places to Buy Camping Gear
While I usually pride myself on being pretty minimalist with most of the items in my life, I have a bit of an issue when it comes to...
Hannah Smentkowski
May 14, 20216 min read
277
A Lesson in Cheap Camping Gear: The 5 Best and 5 Worst Camping Items You Can Buy From Walmart
I used to be one of those people that worked at a camping store and received amazing discounts, like 50% off $300 backpacks kind of...
Hannah Smentkowski
Apr 30, 20216 min read
959
A San Diego Hidden Gem For The True Nature Lovers Out There: The San Diego Botanical Garden
If you didn't know already, I love plants. I love everything to do with them, from how they work to how they look, plants are one of my...
Hannah Smentkowski
Apr 16, 20213 min read
861
Backpacking Catalina Island: Day 1, Two Harbors to Little Harbor
I hate boats, I hate being on, around, or even talking about them. Not for the typical fear of sinking or drowning, but there's an...
Hannah Smentkowski
Apr 9, 202110 min read
547
Camping Catalina Island, California: Everything You Need to Know for Planning Your Island Adventure
While my knowledge of Catalina originally began with the movie Step Brother's and the "Freakin' Catalina Wine Mixer", I now know that...
Hannah Smentkowski
Apr 2, 20217 min read
1,897
Hiking 101: The 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Hiking
While hiking in itself is really a simple task, find a trail and walk, you should always be prepared when heading out into nature. You'd...
Hannah Smentkowski
Mar 26, 20214 min read
87
Camping 101: The 10 Things You Need to Go Camping
While I believe it is best to be almost overly prepared when camping in the wilderness, there are ways to make it happen with only the...
Hannah Smentkowski
Mar 19, 20217 min read
346
Hiking Etiquette 101: The 5 Rules of Being a Polite Hiker
When I go hiking, I am at my most peaceful, I feel one with nature, the sun is shining and I couldn't be happier. Until I hear the roar...
Hannah Smentkowski
Mar 12, 20214 min read
1,238
Mission Beach San Diego: The Classic California Vacation
Mission beach is what I would call the epicenter for ocean fun. In Mission, you can go from paddleboarding to jet skis and from arcade...
Hannah Smentkowski
Mar 5, 20213 min read
2,360
Idyllwild, California: The Colorado of Southern California?
When I first heard of Idyllwild, my first thought was what did you just say? Once I realized it was a real town, then I heard it was...
Hannah Smentkowski
Feb 26, 20215 min read
1,045
The 4 Things You Must See Around Downtown San Diego, California
Most people visiting San Diego, only consider laying on the beach all day. And with the sun, sand, and endless fish tacos and margaritas,...
Hannah Smentkowski
Feb 19, 20214 min read
147
Julian, California: A Town Where You Can Get The Best Pie, Pickles, and Hikes
Julian California is a world-famous (more California famous) town known for having delicious apple pies, but what most people don't know...
Hannah Smentkowski
Feb 12, 20213 min read
1,158
The Most Popular Hike in San Diego: Potato Chip Rock
You can't look at one Sandiegan's Facebook page without at least one picture of them on potato chip rock. Since this hike is short, and...
Hannah Smentkowski
Feb 5, 20214 min read
631
The Most Unique Hike in San Diego: The Seven Bridges Trail
Before I took the seven bridges hike I had no idea what an urban hike was, to me it sounds like just a walk around town. A hike should...
Hannah Smentkowski
Jan 29, 20217 min read
16,550
Palm Springs During Covid-19: Is It Worth The Trip?
During this weird time, my boyfriend and I have been trying to keep our travels close to San Diego. With Palm Springs only a two-hour...
Hannah Smentkowski
Jan 22, 20214 min read
59
Torrey Pines San Diego, California: Hike Amongst the Rarest Pine Tree in The World:
Located just north of La Jolla, Torrey Pines, San Diego is home to the Torrey Pines State Reserve and the rarest pine tree in the world....
Hannah Smentkowski
Jan 15, 20215 min read
973
The Salton Sea, Imperial County California: A Toxic Wasteland
The Salton Sea, what used to be the number one vacation spot in Southern California is now a toxic wasteland. The once sandy beach is now...
Hannah Smentkowski
Jan 8, 20213 min read
212
East Jesus, California: A Habitable Art Instillation in the Desert
If you dream of simply living free, making art all day, and being out in nature, the neighborhood of East Jesus just might be the place...
Hannah Smentkowski
Dec 18, 20203 min read
81
Slab City: Off-Grid Living in Southern California
Slab City is an actual municipality in Southern California that basically looks like one of the modern art pieces where someone piled a...
Hannah Smentkowski
Dec 11, 20203 min read
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