Blog Index
Explore my curated travel guides organized by state and destination, featuring detailed itineraries, boutique hotel recommendations, coastal getaways, and national park adventures. From weekend escapes in Florida and California to in-depth guides for places like Nashville, Key West, Santa Barbara, and Channel Islands National Park, each destination is designed to help you plan a thoughtful, experience-driven trip.
Alabama
Smith Lake
Fire Tower Camp - Sleep in the Trees at Smith Lake
Arizona
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon - North Rim Must Sees - The Lesser Known Tranquil Side
Grand Canyon - South Rim Must Sees - Where the Earth Gives Way to an Expanse of Endless Vistas & Breathtaking Views
Grand Canyon - Running the Wild Colorado - The Ties that Bind the Grand Canyon River Rafting Community
Grand Canyon - “Brighty” the Burro - The Legend of Grand Canyon’s Most Spirited Wild Burro
Monument Valley
Monument Valley - Things to Do - The Sacred Navajo Tribal Park
Monument Valley - Road Trippin’ Near Monument Valley (Horsehoe Bend, Antelope Valley, Valley of the Gods & More)
Off Grid Living in a Hogan - An Incredibly Rare Glimpse of Life Within the Mounument Valley Tribal Park
Sedona
The Ultimate Sedona Itinerary - How to Spend 5 Days in Red Rock Country
Sedona - RekindleYour Soul & Spirit in Sedona - Arabella Resort
More on Sedona
Flagstaff & Nearby
Sunset Crater & Wupatki - Where Fire Meets Sandstone
California
California’s Top 5 National Parks on The Travel Titans
10 of the Best State Parks in Southern California
The Most Charming Cities in Southern California - Coastal Communities, Mountain Towns & Orchards
Anza-Borrego
Things to Do at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - The Best California Desert Vacation
Catalina Island
Things to Do on Catalina Island with Kids
A Weekend Guide to Catalina Island on We on We Are Travel Girls
Channel Islands National Park
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Channel Islands National Park - Explore the “Galapagos of North America”
Which Channel Island Should You Visit? A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right One
Santa Cruz Island Guide - The Best Channel Island for First-Time Visitors
Dana Point
15 Fun Things to Do in Dana Point, California - A Laid Back Beach City Under the Southern California Sun
Dana Point’s Ocean Institute - Leading the Way in Marine Science
Death Valley National Park
Best Things to Do in Death Valley National Park - Where Nature Pushes Every Limit
Death Valley Super Bloom 2026 - Proof That Nature Is Never Truly Barren
Death Valley Top 5 - Feature on GapBeetle
Eastern Sierra
Bodie Ghost Town - Road Trip Back in Time to the Heyday of the California Gold Rush
The “Bodie Curse” - Tales of Badluck that Befell Those Who Have Stolen Its Artifacts
The Ultimate Eastern Sierra Road Trip - Exploring Highway 395
Top 5 Things to Do in Inyo County - Must See Attractions in a County Full of Incredible Extremes and Gateway to Death Valley
Santa Barbara
How to Explore Santa Barbara in a Week - The Perfect Itinerary for Visiting this Charming Seaside Town
California Dreaming - The Historic & Charming Santa Barbara Inn
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Bucket List - Things to do for families, couples, the adventerous, and those who love surfing.
The Ultimate Guide to Santa Cruz - Everything you need to know for visiting this California beach community surrounded by redwood forests including tips for visiting.
Santa Cruz - The Chaminade Resort & Spa - A Luxury Resort for Those Seeking Adventure
Yosemite National Park
The Ultimate Yosemite National Park Travel Guide
A Guide to Experiencing Yosemite’s Most Fascinating Phenomenon - Firefall
5 Incredible Days in Yosemite National Park - The Only Itinerary & Guide You’ll Need
Yosemite’s Glamorous Side - The World-Class Spa at Rush Creek
The Most Unique Place to Stay in Yosemite - Rush Creek Lodge & Spa
Colorado
Golden
Golden, Colorado - Table Mountain Inn - Capturing the Golden Essence of the Southwest
Glenwood Springs
Ultimate Guide to Glenwood Springs, Colorado - The Quintessential Colorado Mountain Town
How to See the Best of Glenwood Springs - The Ultimate One Week Itinerary
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort - The Best Place to Stay and Play in Colorado
Experience the Thrill of the Rapids - River Rafting with Defiance Rafting
Iron Mountain Hot Springs - Explore Hot Springs from All Over the World in One Location, No Passport Required
Florida
Jacksonville
Jacksonville at a Glance - The Travel Guide You Need
Jacksonville - The Flip Side of Florida
How to Spend a Long Weekend in Jacksonville - The Perfect Itinerary
Margaritaville Jacksonville Beach - An Island Inspired Getaway
PADL Rentals - Kayak rentals near Jacksonville and Miami
Key West
Discover Roosters, Rum & Coastal Charm - Your Guide for Getting to Know Key West
Boutique Luxury and Island Vibes - Hyatt Centric Key West Resort & Spa
Where Oceans Meet - Complete Travel Guide to Dry Tortugas National Park
Kentucky
Bowling Green
Bowling Green - Lost River Cave
Mammoth Caves
Mammoth Caves National Park
Red River Gorge
Red River Gorge - Long Weekend Itinerary
The Hideaways’ Cooper Pines - A Hidden Gem Near Red River Gorge
Montana
Glacier National Park
Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road - The Ultimate Guide to Glacier National Park
Nevada
Las Vegas & Nearby
Las Vegas - Hidden Gems in Las Vegas - Sin City’s Best Kept Secrets
Las Vegas - Outdoor Adventures Off the Beaten Path Near Sin City
North Carolina
Asheville
Timeless Elegance - A Guide to Exploring Biltmore Estate’s Enduring Beauty (Asheville, NC)
Discovering Ancient Egypt in Asheville - King Tut Comes to Biltmore Estate
Blowing Rock
The Embers - A Hidden Gem in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Blowing Rock, NC)
Robbinsville
Historic Tapoco Lodge - Where Historic Charm Meets Southern Comfort
Tennessee
Chattanooga
Treetop Hideaways - Escape Your Concrete Jungle for a Secluded Getaway in the Trees (Chattanooga and Georgia)
Nashville & Nearby
From Bridles to Barrells - How a Famous Thoroughbred Farm Became Nashville’s Oldest Winery - Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Coalmont Cabin in Tennessee - My Introduction to Tiny Homes
Quick Guide to Music City - A Dozen Things to do in Nashville
Fleurs de Villes ARTISTE Comes to Nashville
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens - Nashville
Enchanted Castles - New at Cheekwood in Nashville
Cheekwood Harvest - A Seasonal Fall Celebration in Nashville
Whitwell
Bolt Farm Treehouse - A Treehouse Unlike Any Other
Utah
Arches National Park
Arches National Park Guide - The World’s Largest Concentration of Natural Stone Arches
Arches National Park - A Student’s Recollection Working There
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon in the Summer - Guest Blogger Anthony Curione
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park - A Maze of Desolate Canyons
Canyonlands National Park - Visiting - Colorful Landscapes & Vast Lonely Canyons
Capitol Reef National Park
Capitol Reef National Park - Utah’s Hidden Treasure for Gear.com
Zion National Park
Ultimate Guide to Visiting Zion National Park - A Landscape Dominated by Steep Red Cliffs & The Virgin River
Zion National Park - How to Spend 5 Days Without the Crowds - The Itinerary You Need
Zion National Park Top 5 Hikes on GapBeetle
Zion National Park Shuttle System - Everything You Need to Know
Zion National Park - Open Sky Zion - Luxury Glamping
Zion National Park - One of the World’s Most Climate Friendly Parks
Zion National Park - Climate Change Endangers Beloved Park
Zion - Open Sky Zion Luxury Glamping
More About National Parks
Tips for Visiting U.S. National Parks
Best National Parks to Visit in the Fall for Gear.com
Interesting Facts About US National Parks
National Park Passport Books - Collect Stamps to Remember Trips
More Articles
How to Travel for a Week With Only a Carry-On
Travel Trends You’ve Probably Never Heard of - Quirky and Unusual Travel Fads
First Time Rappelling - Getting Back to My Adventurous Roots
Via Ferrata - The Latest Trend in Outdoor Adventure
Dollar Flight Club - How to Save up to $500 per Flight for $1
Pin Traveler - A Must Have New Travel App
Wheelchair Accessible Outdoor Adventures for Families - Guest Blogger Jennifer Allen @wonderswithinreach
How to Spend a Gap Year - Guest Blogger Karen Brown @gapbeetl
Other Countries
Kilkenny, Ireland - The Mysterious Happenings at Kyteler’s Inn - Witches, Poison & Heresy
Sacred Valley Peru - Things to Do including Machu Picchu and Cusco - A Mystical Journey into the Land of the Incas
12-Day Peru Itinerary - How to Visit Machu Picchu
Interesting People
The Kindness Diaries - How one man’s journey to feel connected took him around the globe relying solely on the kindness of strangers
Grandma Joy’s Road Trip Adventure - 91-Year old Grandma Joy is proof that it is never too late to live your dreams
The Long & Winding Road - Guest Blogger Ruth Taylor
Sailing Coastal Waters - Life From a Different Perspective
Olamendi’s Family Restaurant Since 1973 - How Jorge Olamendi’s “Mi Casa Es Su Casa” Attitude Led to a Community Giving Back
