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Grah Life
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Road Trip All 3 National Parks in Washington State
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Yosemite Winter Packing List (Plus Road Trip Supplies)
Visiting Yosemite National Park in the winter has so many upsides! You’ll have moderate daytime temperatures, snow, and much fewer crowds than the summer months. Packing for such a versatile climate can be a bit overwhelming, but this blog has you covered.
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17 Stunning Winter Hikes in Yosemite National Park
We were impressed with how many incredible hikes were accessible in Yosemite throughout the winter. You can traipse through impressive sequoia groves, hike for grand views, snowshoe, or just explore the valley floor. You can’t go wrong no matter what hike you choose here!
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Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park
With five park entrances, choosing where to stay near Yosemite National Park can be intimidating. This blog has insights on each area, as well as the best lodging options for every budget.
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Yosemite Valley Itinerary
Yosemite National Park is known for having incredible waterfalls, impressive cliffs, rock formations, and beautiful meadows. Amazingly, all of these can be seen in one small area of the park – the Yosemite Valley.
The Yosemite Valley is the most visited location within the park. This blog covers everything you need to know to visit and all the best sights.
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Yosemite Winter Itinerary – Your Complete Guide
Yosemite National Park is the sixth most visited National Park in the United States, but nearly 90% of its visitors visit between spring and fall and most never explore beyond the Yosemite Valley. We admit that Yosemite Valley is the park’s star attraction, but it’s completely accessible throughout the year. Winter is, without a doubt, the best time to visit this area if you’re looking to beat the crowds.
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Ultimate Oregon Road Trip Guide; 9+ Days
Known for its Icelandic landscapes along the coast, towering waterfalls, rugged mountains, and beautiful greenery – Oregon is one of the most beautiful destinations in the United States. This blog covers how to see the best of Oregon in as little as nine days.
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Where to stay in Bend
If you’re visiting Oregon, staying in Bend is a must! As avid outdoor enthusiasts, it’s one of our favorite areas to visit year-round because there is always something to do. The surrounding towns all have unique offerings, so we’ve provided overviews of each and covered the best lodging in Bend, Sunriver, Sisters, and Redmond.
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Where to camp near Bend Oregon
Whenever we visit Bend, our goal is to spend as much time as possible outdoors, and there is no better way to do this than by camping. There are bucket list-worthy campsites all over the area, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
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40 Best Hiking Trails near Bend Oregon
Multiple wilderness areas and national forests full of hiking trails surround Bend, Oregon. You don’t have to wander far from town to find great views of mountains, forests, lakes, and unusual landscapes. With over 150 trails to choose from nearby, we’ve narrowed this blog down to the top 40.
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Guide to Bend, Oregon – A 3 to 5 Day Itinerary
Bend, Oregon is one of our favorite places in the Pacific Northwest. It’s full of year-round outdoor activities and has an incredible food scene. There is so much to do and see here that we’ve visited multiple times and rarely have repeated the same activities!
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How to Use a Sauna 101: a Beginner's Guide
Prior to visiting Finland, we were excited and a bit nervous about trying a sauna for the first time. Post-trip, we sauna every chance we get! We absolutely love it and want this blog to break down any barriers there may be for others to try it.
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25 Best Small Towns in Washington
Sure, you’ve heard of Washington’s national parks, and maybe even the Columbia River Gorge, but we’re sure there are towns on this list that are still under the radar. Each of these destinations makes for a great weekend trip by itself or a fantastic addition to any adventure you already have planned.
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The Backpackers Gift Guide –– 50 Best Gifts in 2024
This is your go-to gift list for the backpackers in your life. It’s full of essential gear, fun items, and extra add-ons to make gifts extra personal.
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Road Trip All 3 National Parks in Washington State
With nearly 100 different ecosystems, Washington is one of the most diverse and interesting states to visit. Its national parks – Olympic, Mount Rainier, and the North Cascades, are three of Washington’s top destinations. This blog covers how to see all the best sights at each park in one trip.
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Moab's Best Campgrounds and Dispersed Campsites
There is no better way to enjoy Moab’s outdoors than by camping. You’ll have star-filled skies after dark and witness beautiful sunrises and sunsets daily. Camping is a more affordable, but popular way to visit, so reserve your stay in advance or try your luck with finding a dispersed site.
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Arches National Park Timed Entry Reservations Explained
Arches National Park’s response to peak season congestion, limited parking, poor user experience, and damage to the delicate desert ecosystem has been to implement a timed entry reservation system. It’s been in place since 2021 and has seen positive results.
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Best Hikes in Moab, Utah (30+ Stunning Trails)
If you’re visiting Moab, hiking should be on the list of must-do's. There is a trail here for everyone, with varying landscapes that include streams, waterfalls, canyons, and the most incredible natural rock arches and formations.
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How to Waterproof Your Tent
Taking care of your backpacking gear shouldn’t be intimidating! That’s why we’ve written this blog, with video tutorials, on how to re-waterproof your tent. We were relieved to find that waterproofing our tent wasn’t difficult, and we love having the peace of mind that we’ll continue to have a dry place to sleep for all our adventures!
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How to Drive the Shafer Trail – Two Route Options
Tucked between Moab and Canyonlands National Park, the Shafer Trail is a must-drive for those craving adventure. It’s 19 miles of dirt road that requires a high clearance 4x4 vehicle, and it’s not for the faint of heart – steep switchbacks and narrow roads will have you on the edge of your seat!
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Enchanted Valley Backpacking
Known as the “Valley of 10,000 waterfalls”, Enchanted Valley is a beautiful backpacking destination in the Olympic National Park featuring the Enchanted Valley Chalet. The trail follows the bright blue Quinault River through old-growth forests and features trees up to 1,000 years old. The forest is so impressive it reminded us of Redwood National Park.
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