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Grah Life
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Road Trip All 3 National Parks in Washington State
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Silver Falls State Park: Everything You Need to Know
The Trail of Ten Falls at Silver Falls State Park is the most beautiful trail we’ve hiked in Oregon so far. Visit and you’ll quickly lose count of the waterfalls you’ll see, get to admire lush rainforests, and icy blue rivers. Spend one to two days here to enjoy everything the park, and surrounding towns, have to offer.
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Where to Stay in Helsinki for Every Budget
Helsinki is such a fantastic city! It sits on the shore of the Baltic Sea, boasts of a thriving arts scene, is full of public parks, museums, and cathedrals, all served by extremely convenient public transportation.
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7 Fears We Had Traveling to Finland in Winter
Traveling to Finland during winter was so far outside our comfort zone. We’re from the Pacific Northwest, where we have moderate weather and a Mediterranean climate — nothing like the snowy, cold weather you’re guaranteed traveling north into the Arctic Circle.
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Lapland Winter Packing List
Visiting Lapland is a bucket list trip, but the below-freezing temperatures are intimidating to pack for! In fact, this trip was so far outside our comfort zone that we wrote an entire blog on everything we feared and how we fared. You can rest assured every item on this packing list was combed through, debated, and tested before, and during, our trip.
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Guide to Winter in Lapland: 10+ Day Itinerary
Visiting the Finnish Lapland is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. Once you hop off a Santa Claus Express train into a winter wonderland, the holiday season will never feel the same. The landscapes are covered in snowy trees, frozen buildings, and views you won’t find anywhere else. If you can brave the cold temperatures, you’re in for so many once-in-a-lifetime experiences!
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Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival
Taking place over the first weekend of March each year, the Winthrop Balloon Roundup makes for the perfect winter weekend getaway. Winthrop is four hours from Seattle, located at the base of the North Cascades National Park on the eastern side of the mountains. It has extremely beautiful scenery, a western theme in town, and tons of activities to fill your time between the ballooning festivities.
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Sedona’s Must-See Native American Heritage Sites
Upon returning from our trip to Sedona, we were stunned to have heard so little about Sedona’s heritage sites before our trip. We knew the area’s main attractions — hiking to the vortexes, the Pink Jeep Tour, and shopping at the Tlaquepaque Arts and Shopping Village — but we felt lucky to stumble upon the area’s rich indigenous history.
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Washington State Backpacking Permits Explained
Permits have never meant to be a barrier to entry, but we know first-hand that they can be confusing and difficult to secure. We can’t help how quickly permits sell out, but we hope this blog clears up details making backpacking more accessible to all.
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How to Backpack the Enchantments in Washington
Backpacking in the Enchantments is a highly coveted privilege. It’s full of some of Washington’s best scenery, including alpine lakes, beautiful waterfalls, rugged peaks, and larches. To help preserve the environment, there is a permit lottery to backpack, and the area is regularly patrolled by rangers.
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Mount Rainier Timed Entry Reservations Explained
Mount Rainier National Park is piloting timed entry requirements in 2024. Due to a heavy increase in visitation and damage to park ecosystems, the park is hoping timed reservations will improve the visitor experience by reducing traffic, waiting times, and negative impacts on trails.
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Where to Stay in Sedona for Every Budget
Sedona is such an incredible place to visit. However, it’s known for being pricey, and finding a place to stay within budget is intimidating for most. This blog outlines where to stay or camp in and near Sedona based on various preferences, including price, walkability, and proximity to activities.
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How to Photograph Havasupai Falls: Gear, Tips, and Advice
Visiting Havasupai Falls is an incredible opportunity to see, and photograph, some of the U.S.’s most distinct landscapes. When we visited in 2018, there was little information about visiting online, and nothing about photographing the five waterfalls there.
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Perfect Four Day Havasupai Falls Itinerary
This blog not only walks you through the ideal itinerary for your time at Havasupai Falls but also covers what you’ll need to do upon arriving in Arizona to make your trip a success.
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What to Know About Havasupai Falls’ Five Waterfalls
With limited permits and accessibility, seeing the waterfalls at Havasupai Falls is a bucket list item. The waters are a stunning turquoise blue, made even more magnificent by the surrounding red rocks of the Grand Canyon. There are five waterfalls in total, each unique, and a few come with their own challenges.
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Havasupai Falls Packing List: Camping and Lodge Stays
By now, you’ve secured permits to Havasupai Falls, read up on what to expect, and need to start planning what to pack. Whether you’re new to backpacking or not, this can be intimidating. You’ll be responsible for bringing everything you need to survive in the Grand Canyon for four days.
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Havasupai Camping and Lodge Permits Explained for 2025
Visiting Havasupai Falls requires a permit and they’re highly sought after. This blog tells how to purchase them, and what to do if they’re already sold out, with the most up-to-date information.
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The Complete Guide to Visiting Havasupai Falls in 2025
Hiking to Havasupai Falls is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You’ll get to trek through the Grand Canyon, swim in turquoise waters, and see five incredible waterfalls. That is if you can get a permit.
Best Activities on the Oregon Coast
There are stunning sights all along the Oregon Coast, including some of the Pacific Northwest’s best beaches, coastal hikes, and tide pools. Find out when and where to do each here, along with other unique activities, such as visiting the Sea Lion Caves, lighthouses, and more.
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The Hiker’s Gift Guide — 90 Best Gifts in 2024
This is the ultimate gift list for the hiker in your life, not only for the holiday season but for birthdays and other occasions as well. These gifts will aid, inspire, and help your hiker get outside!
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25 Stunning Hikes on the Oregon Coast
There are so many beautiful hikes along the Oregon coast. Wander inland and you’ll find towering waterfalls and summits or stick to the coastline for the best seaside views.
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