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The Unbound Blog

even introverts are social sometimes...

Arches National Park vs Canyonlands National Park: which one should you visit?

May 28, 2021
5 min

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 14, 2021
6 min

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...

A Lesson in Cheap Camping Gear: The 5 Best and 5 Worst Camping Items You Can Buy From Walmart

Hannah Smentkowski

Apr 30, 2021
6 min

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...

A San Diego Hidden Gem For The True Nature Lovers Out There: The San Diego Botanical Garden

Hannah Smentkowski

Apr 16, 2021
3 min

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...

Backpacking Catalina Island: Day 1, Two Harbors to Little Harbor

Hannah Smentkowski

Apr 9, 2021
10 min

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...

Camping Catalina Island, California: Everything You Need to Know for Planning Your Island Adventure

Hannah Smentkowski

Apr 2, 2021
7 min

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...

Hiking 101: The 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Start Hiking

Hannah Smentkowski

Mar 26, 2021
4 min

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...

Camping 101: The 10 Things You Need to Go Camping

Hannah Smentkowski

Mar 19, 2021
7 min

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...

Hiking Etiquette 101: The 5 Rules of Being a Polite Hiker

Hannah Smentkowski

Mar 12, 2021
4 min

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...

Mission Beach San Diego: The Classic California Vacation

Hannah Smentkowski

Mar 5, 2021
3 min

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...

Idyllwild, California: The Colorado of Southern California?

Hannah Smentkowski

Feb 26, 2021
5 min

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...

The 4 Things You Must See Around Downtown San Diego, California

Hannah Smentkowski

Feb 19, 2021
4 min

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,...

Julian, California: A Town Where You Can Get The Best Pie, Pickles, and Hikes

Hannah Smentkowski

Feb 12, 2021
3 min

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...

The Most Popular Hike in San Diego: Potato Chip Rock

Hannah Smentkowski

Feb 5, 2021
4 min

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...

The Most Unique Hike in San Diego: The Seven Bridges Trail

Hannah Smentkowski

Jan 29, 2021
7 min

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...

Palm Springs During Covid-19: Is It Worth The Trip?

Hannah Smentkowski

Jan 22, 2021
4 min

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...

Torrey Pines San Diego, California: Hike Amongst the Rarest Pine Tree in The World:

Hannah Smentkowski

Jan 15, 2021
5 min

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....

The Salton Sea, Imperial County California: A Toxic Wasteland

Hannah Smentkowski

Jan 8, 2021
3 min

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...

East Jesus, California: A Habitable Art Instillation in the Desert

Hannah Smentkowski

Dec 18, 2020
3 min

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...

Slab City: Off-Grid Living in Southern California

Hannah Smentkowski

Dec 11, 2020
3 min

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...

Blog | Adventure Photography | Hannah Unbound

Hey there! My name is Hannah Smentkowski, I'm the photographer, writer, hiker, camper, and craft beer drinker of this blog!

Here, I share my travel, camping, and hiking tips to help anxious explorers get outdoors with confidence!

more about me

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The Unbound Blog

even introverts are social sometimes...

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