Sturgeon Bay, Whitefish Dunes, Door County, Wisconsin, RebeccaWanderlusting

A Door County Road Trip – Part 2

On March 24, 2020 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, WisconsinLeave a comment

**please note this trip was quite a while ago, but it was unfinished so here we are.**

The best part of passing out early on vacation is getting an early start the next day. I had a lot of exploring left to do, and I wanted to drive through Door County, making stops at all the places that had been recommended to me or that I had noted for myself to check out.

The Holiday Music Motel had a continental breakfast set up in their little diner nook on the first floor, so I helped myself to some muffins and coffee. The whole hotel had a fun retro look, and I very much enjoyed sitting at the singular table in the kitchen and watching people filter in and out to grab coffee and baked goods.

Once I had my fill, I headed over to Potawatomi State Park for a brisk morning hike. I bought the out of state pass for $11 so that I could go back to Whitefish Dunes later that day too. The ranger that sold it to me recommended the Ice Age Hike, so that’s where I started.

The path ran right along the shore, halfway between the lake and the road. The majority of the lake over here was frozen over still, but the sun warmed me as I walked. Because it was still early, I didn’t run into anyone on the trail. It was so peaceful. The views of the lake popped up intermittently between the trees, creating a very picturesque scene.

After walking a ways down the path, little yellow markers led me up stone stairs to the road. The path picked up on the other side, but the terrain was very different. There were no more pine trees, just birch and ash trees that were still barren from the winter. I was planning on hiking to the old fire tower, but only got fifteen minutes into the hike before I lost my nerve. The forest was deserted and I couldn’t get the Blair With Project out of my head! There was also a bird whose call sounded like a crazy woman laughing, and that was the final straw. I hightailed it out of there and went back the way I came. Much better. I got back to the car and drove past the boat launch just to take in the view before continuing my Door County road trip towards Bailey’s Harbor.

Once there, I stopped at Cornerstone Pub for lunch, where I was one of the only patrons, so I chose a table with a view of the water. I ordered a solidly Wisconsin meal of cheese curds, seafood chowder and a New Glarus Moon Man – it was super heavy, but also super worth it.

My next stop was Island Orchard Cider in Ellison Bay, but I made a quick detour to the Ridges Sanctuary to see the view I had from the restaurant up close.

The cider house was on my list of Door County must-sees, and I was so glad I stopped in. It was very cute and the cider was delicious. I tried the tasting portions of the Lavender, Pear, Cherry, and Brut Ciders and sat outside to enjoy them. The Cherry and Lavender were the best, so I bought a large bottle of each to take home with me!

After making my cider purchase, I jumped back in the car and moved towards the Ellison Bluff Overlook. I had to turn off the main road onto a dirt one to get there, fearing for my rental car as I hit multiple potholes on the way. The view that awaited me once I parked and walked down a set of wooden stairs though was one for the books. It was the kind of view that might make you cry.. or puke.. or do whatever you had to do to not move from that spot. The small wooden path jutted out from the bluff and looked over Lake Michigan, lined on one side with pine trees and limestone cliffs.

The gradient in the water moved from a brilliant emerald green to the deepest blue; it was stunning. I didn’t want to leave that view, but I still had more to see. So I tore myself away and took the very scenic drive to Fish Creek, a town of many cute shops and restaurants.

I needed a new book for the rest of my trip, so I stopped into the Peninsula Bookman. The store was chock-full of new and used books, which made it very fun to browse through. After searching for twenty minutes or so, I landed on “The Lord of the Flies”, which I’d never read before. I walked around Fish Creek a bit, but a lot of the stores weren’t quite open for the season yet, so I made my way back toward Sturgeon Bay.

I wanted one more hike at Whitefish Dunes before dinner, and decided to walk the other way around the lake from the day before. This trail kept near to the lake, but the dunes hid most of the view. A ways down, I came to a board walk that lead to a beautiful view of the lake.

There was quite a bit of snow on this trail, which made it extra adventurous in my mind. I decided to take the trail up to “Old Baldy”, the tallest dune in the park that boasted a GREAT view from it’s observation deck. It was a long hike, and there was nobody else on the trail. All I could hear were the waves on the other side of the dunes and the occasional crow. It was actually really peaceful. Until I finally made it to Old Baldy and it was CLOSED.

I was so frustrated by this sign that I marched myself right passed it and up to the observation deck anyways. I wish I could say the view was worth it.

On the way back down, the light was perfectly golden and it made the forest around me look so dang pretty. The smell of the pine trees was almost enough to make me pack my bags and move up North. All of my senses were content with the rest of the hike.

By the time I made it back to the car, I was very happy with my day but also pretty exhausted. I went back to the hotel to freshen up and then went to The Inn at Cedar Crossing for dinner. It was mediocre in service and cuisine, but I did enjoy the wine and reading my new book. Despite the so-so end to my trip, Door County was everything I wanted and more. The hiking, ciders, and cheese curds were enough to make me wish I was a permanent resident. I can’t wait to make the drive up again!

Have you explored Door County? Which Door County town is your favorite to stay in?

Top Five Friday, Where to Find Nature Near Chicago | RebeccaWanderlusting

Top Five Friday #23

On October 13, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Chicago, Top Five FridayLeave a comment

Where to Find Nature Near Chicago

There are so many great parks within the city of Chicago. We have an abundance of green space in our city and it’s one of my favorite things about it. That being said, sometimes you need a little more nature than Chicago can offer. Luckily, there are a ton of really great areas that are close to the city in which you can soak up all the nature you need. All of the places I’ve chosen to find nature near Chicago would make for great day trips or weekend trips if you’re really in need of some fresh air and hiking and are all within 100 miles of the city.

Starved Rock State Park & Matthiessen State Park: These two state parks are so close to each other that I counted them as one. Both of these parks are so pretty, I wouldn’t be able to choose a favorite, but luckily, they can be paired together for a weekend of excellent hiking. Starved Rock has a ton of trails for all levels of hikers, with waterfalls, high flying views of the Illinois River and a beautiful lodge that’s perfect for staying the night or grabbing a meal. Matthiessen also has gorgeous waterfalls and really fun hiking trails with interesting, obstacle-like features.
Rock Cut State Park: Located near Rockford, IL, this park is HUGE and has any sort of outdoor activity you could want. It’s very close to the city, but would also make for a great weekend of camping. There are beautiful hiking trails, 40 miles of trails, to be exact, equestrian trails and mountain bike trails. throughout the park. We enjoyed their lake, Pierce Lake, and the scenery around it as we paddle-boated our way through.
New Buffalo, MI: While there are plenty of amazing places to enjoy Lake Michigan, New Buffalo is, in my humble opinion, the prettiest. The beach there is pristine and uncrowded, includes a lighthouse, and the best skipping stones. Behind the beach are paths that wind up the dunes, through the tall grass up to a vantage point that shows the entire beach and most of the town. Nearby, the Galien River County Park boasts beautiful hiking trails and other outdoor activities.
Glacial Park: This little known park is located near my hometown in Northwestern Illinois. It has such a diverse landscape, featuring prairies, wetlands, tall hills and subsequent valleys. It’s a nature preserve home to numerous endangered plants and animals. The hiking there is top notch. When I was young, I used to go to a summer camp there and we would spend all day running through the park, learning about the landscape and the species that lived there. I loved it so much, that I always want to visit the park when I’m home and we have some spare time.
Columbus Park: Columbus Park is perhaps the closest one on this list to the city of Chicago. It’s just a town away, in Oak Park, which technically makes it a part of the Chicago Park District. It’s about a twenty-five minute drive from the city. Columbus Park includes a sportier line up of activities, such as a small golf course, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and an outdoor swimming pool. It’s also a gorgeous event venue, with a lovely view of the pond behind it and a short hiking trail just beyond.

Where do you find nature near Chicago? What is your favorite park near your hometown?

My Ten Favorite U.S. Hikes, RebeccaWanderlusting

My 10 Favorite U.S. Hikes

On March 5, 2017 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Top Ten, US TravelLeave a comment

It’s no secret that I’m a fan of the State and National Parks and all that they offer, so I think it’s high time I share a round-up of my favorite U.S. hikes within these parks. As you may or may not know, the National Park Service is offering ten free admission days this year to celebrate its centennial.

I’ve written about this momentous occasion before, but was reminded of it by Cotopaxi, the socially-conscious, Gear for Good creators that specialize in adventure-wear, like these backpacks, and donate some of their revenue towards making the world better. This inspiring company reminded me of the upcoming free-entry days for the National Parks. The next free days are on April 15 & 16 and on April 22 & 23, so hopefully my favorite U.S. hikes will inspire you to get out and find your own.

Clingman’s Dome, Smoky Mountains National Park: The top of this steep hike and cement overlook features one of the best views in the Smoky Mountains. We visited Gatlinburg, TN last summer with my family and it was one of my favorite trips. All of the hikes we took through the park were fantastic, but this one stands out in my memory for its view and its crossing of the Appalachian Trail.
Matthiessen State Park: Any hike at Matthiessen State Park is guaranteed to give you beautiful views and at least one waterfall. This state park is about an hour and half outside of Chicago and gives a much needed dose of natural beauty to us city dwellers. The trails wind through canyons and over bridges suspended over creeks and waterfalls, and sometimes hopping over stepping stones to clear pools of water filled by yet more waterfalls.
Starved Rock State Park: Starved Rock is very close to Matthiessen State Park and equally as pretty, making it possible to visit both in one day. There are sixteen different trails, but the Lover’s Leap hike and view are my favorite. We tried a good number of the trails and each held their own beauty. There’s also a beautiful lodge on one end of the park that is the perfect spot for a well-earned, mid-hike meal.
Muir Woods: On a visit to San Francisco, we rented a car and drove to Muir Woods to hike for a day. This beautiful park includes multiple amazing hikes, and we chose the Fern path. The hike was steep and we had to stop to catch our breath more than once, but the view from the top was so worth it. Fun fact: Muir Woods also served as the set of the film Return of the Jedi, so if you hike here, you’re hiking through Endor.
Kettle Moraine State Park: Every winter, the Wisconsin State Parks host candlelit hikes across the state in which they line the paths with candles in white paper bags. I enjoyed one of these hikes at Kettle Moraine State Park, which is just a little ways north from Lake Geneva. The hike, with the candles and sporadic bonfires along the way, is gorgeous and unique.
Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park: My family and I visited this area when I was young, driving from San Francisco up to Seattle and stopping at National Parks in between. This rainforest was the most exotic thing I had seen to date and it instantly captured me. I did not love hiking when I was a kid, but this particular hike amazed me.
Wave Organ to Baker Beach, Golden Gate National Park: One of my favorite memories of San Francisco was walking from the Wave Organ (just pass the Yacht Club on the harbor) to the Golden Gate Bridge and then on to Baker Beach and Presidio. This hike took much longer than we had originally planned, and it started to rain halfway through, but the beauty of the ocean and the bridge and the area surrounding it made it perfect.
Barataria Preserve, Jean Lafitte National Forest: Located near New Orleans, LA, this mystical boardwalk crosses over the home of alligators, lizards, snakes, egrets, and the biggest spiders you’ve ever seen. We traipsed through the humid swamp, searching through the mossy surroundings for a gator. We eventually spotted one, which made our whole trip. This park is other-worldly and provided a scenery like I’ve never experienced before.
Chimney Rock State Park: This state park is a little ways outside of Asheville, North Carolina and holds a special place in my heart as my first solo travel hike. The park is famous for its fantastic view from the top of the rock, which shows the canyon below and a portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I also hiked the trail that leads to Hickory Nut Falls; the scenic waterfall and it’s cool, clear water were the perfect cure for after the hot, tiring hike up the many, many steps to Chimney Rock.
Donut Falls, Big Cottonwood Canyon: Utah is chock-full of beautiful parks and scenery, but this hike will forever be my favorite. I visited this particular trail in November, when there was snow on the ground and falls were frozen, which just so happened to be the best time to see it. The trail to Donut Falls was gorgeous in of itself, but the main attraction was breath-taking. We climbed up the frozen waterfall and inside the cave at the top to see the actual “donut”. It was so worth the treacherous trip back down.

What are your favorite U.S. hikes? Which National Park do you love most?

Reykjanes Peninsula Tour

On October 12, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Iceland, International TravelLeave a comment

The Reykjanes Peninsula may be known as the home of the Blue Lagoon, but the rest of this amazing landscape should not be missed! Because it is also the home of Keflavik Airport, so it’s typically the first glimpse of Iceland that most people get. The Peninsula is a geothermally active, otherworldly landscape full of wonders. I’m so glad that I got an in-depth look.

I booked this tour on a whim after enjoying the South Coast tour so much. It was relatively inexpensive and only took the afternoon, so it was a perfect choice for my last day in Iceland. A Grayline Bus picked me up from Hotel Holt and shuttled me and the other passengers to the main bus terminal (right near the AirBnB I stayed at!). From there, I took another bus to the Blue Lagoon to catch yet another bus, which would take us on the actual tour.

I didn’t feel the pull to actually visit the Blue Lagoon, but I’m really happy that I got to see it at least because it is BEAUTIFUL. I checked in with the tour guide, DeeDee, to make sure I had time, and then ran off to take some photos of the bright blue water. There’s a path that winds around the Blue Lagoon Spa where other people were also wandering around in awe like me. It was such a gorgeous site to behold.

I was smiling so hard that my cheeks hurt by the time I boarded the bus to get on with the tour. I really enjoyed this tour guide because she was quirky and talkative (her first line of the tour was “BUCKLE UP EVERYBODY, THERE’S A WOMAN DRIVING!”), and made sure to stop anywhere and everywhere that we might want to take pictures. So, naturally, our first stop was a scenic overlook of the lava fields that cover a lot of the area.

We did a quick driving tour of the fishing village of Grindavik, which DeeDee narrated, spouting out interesting facts as we went. Like, did you know that fishing was the #1 industry in Iceland until last year, when tourism took its place? The drive along the peninsula was stunning. We had volcanoes to our left and the Atlantic Ocean to our right. Our next stop(s) were in the geothermal area, starting with the Green Lake and moving on to Krysuvik, a bubbling, sulfuric area.

The green lake was beautiful and its smooth surface resembled blue and green agate; it was amazing. We hopped back in the bus after taking our pictures and drove across the street to the active geothermal area. We walked through it on a boardwalk that zigzagged over the steaming ground.

The colors were gorgeous, from shades of orange and red to deep purple. The sulfur smell made us all try to breathe exclusively through our mouths, but it was a beautiful place to explore. From there, we drove down the road a ways to Kleifarvatn Lake, one of the largest lakes in Iceland. It was freezing and windy over by the water, so we ran to take our pictures of the moody, choppy lake set amongst the green-topped hills.

Recently (in 2000), an earthquake caused the lake to drain a bit and the water level went down a significant amount. This, plus murder of course, became the plot of a famous crime novel written by one of Iceland’s most well-known authors. We also stopped up the mountainside so we could take in the view of the lake from above, which was a thoughtful addition to the tour.

Our last stop of the tour was a whole area of the peninsula devoted to drying fish heads to be shipped out to whoever buys dried fish heads. It was quite the sight to see; all those fish heads dangling from wooden posts.

Deedee drove us back to Reykjavik and dropped us off wherever we wanted to go. And where I wanted to go was the Sea Baron in the Old Harbor, but more on that later…

Have you visited the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland? What was your favorite spot there?

Solo Trip Snapshots, Iceland, RebeccaWanderlusting

Hiking Mount Esja, Iceland

On September 20, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Iceland, International Travel3 Comments

Mount Esja, which can be seen in the background of Reykjavik in most photos, is just a quick hop, skip and jump from downtown. I was very lucky to have such amazing AirBnb hosts that drove me there on their way to a family event. As we got close, Hulda pointed out her old neighborhood, school and stomping grounds; this area was where she grew up.

When they dropped me off in the parking lot, they explained how I would get back and were off. When I reached the trail head, I made my best guess as to which trail was the scenic route to the top, as the sign was in Icelandic.

I chose a path to my right and walked happily along, realizing about a half mile in that I was headed in the opposite direction as the mountain I wanted to be on top of. The walk was beautiful, taking me through fields of wild flowers, wooded areas, and on wobbly bridges over streams.

Eventually I made it to the top of a hill where a couple were taking photos, and I asked them how to get to the top of Mount Esja. They pointed me in the direction from which they came and said I would come to a fork in the trail, which would put me on the right path. While the detour was very pretty, I was happy to be on my way.

The path consisted of loose gravel and was extremely steep, and after each switchback it became even steeper than before. I had to bribe myself with water and bites of cliff bar to keep going. Truth be told, this is probably one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever done. The views from each switchback was gorgeous, especially with the sun coming up, reflecting off the lake below and making it look metallic.

There were two paths that went to the top, and I chose to go up the steeper trail and down the longer, more scenic trail. I thought the steeper trail might be quicker, and maybe it was, but it was also pretty rough. The terrain was rocky and a little precarious in places, so much so that I had to move in an awkward crawl, pulling myself up the steep hill with my hands.

When I reached Steinn, the first summit, I stopped for some water and tried to decide if I wanted to keep going. The wind had picked up and the path to the very top looked a little intimidating. I asked a man passing by if it was safe to keep going up with the wind as it was, and he said “Ehhhh yeah, is not so bad.” Then I asked him if it was OK for beginner hikers and he said “Sure it is.”

So I started climbing up. The path was tricky, with multiple paths sprouting from what I thought was the main trail. I saw a climber above me slip, and slide down the gravel until he caught himself on a rock, which was my cue to head back down. I wasn’t confident that my legs, which felt like jelly, wouldn’t betray me and send my clumsy butt tumbling down the mountain.

As I turned to go, I saw the gentleman I was speaking with earlier pass me going up a different path. I waved and kept moving. As soon as I started down the longer path back down to the bottom, I slipped on the gravel and fell right on my ass, scraping my hands on the way down. I brushed myself off and kept moving, glaring at the super humans that were actually jogging past me like it was a high school track and not a rocky slip’n’slide.

The scenery was so beautiful that I felt like I had accidentally walked onto a movie set. There was a creek that ran along the path that was crossed a couple of times along the way over the most picturesque bridges and stepping stones. I really couldn’t believe how stunning the view was, which was probably why I kept tripping over my feet.

The last 15 minutes of my hike were probably the most tiring, a feeling that was made worse by the sight of the bus back downtown pulling out of the parking lot as I was getting so close to the ground. The next one was an hour and a half away, so I stopped into the café at the bottom of the mountain for a late lunch. Esjustofa Restaurant opens daily at 11:00am and serves soups, sandwiches, pizza and beverages. I got a sandwich and a latte and settled in to write for a bit. The food was typical café fare, but the guy behind the counter was very kind and helpful.

I caught the #57 bus to a bus terminal closer to downtown, and then the #12 bus back to the Airbnb (which can also be taken to downtown Reykjavik). When I got back, Hulda explained that it was probably good that I didn’t hike to the top because a few people fall down the mountain and break a couple bones each year. So I guess I made the right decision! Mount Esja was a wonderful, beautiful, challenging hike, and, with its close proximity to the city, it is a perfect day trip from Reykjavik. Here are a couple of tips if you choose to visit Mount Esja:

Bring plenty of water and a snack, you will need it
Wear good hiking boots or gym shoes and warm clothes
Bring a hat that will cover your ears and fight the wind
Enjoy the scenery! But maybe stop walking to do so
It’s okay to only make it up to Steinn, most people turn around there too

Have you ever hiked in Iceland? Where’s your favorite hiking spot there?

Matthiessen State Park, Hiking, RebeccaWanderlusting

Hiking in Matthiessen State Park

On August 2, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Illinois, US Travel4 Comments

Located in the town of Oglesby, IL, Matthiessen State Park is about an hour and a half drive from Chicago. We arrived in the very cute town of Utica at just around lunch time. We stopped in their tiny but picturesque downtown area to have lunch at Canal Port, a restaurant/bar with a great beer and whiskey selection. We both ordered sandwiches, which served as excellent pre-hike fuel.

We also stopped at Mill Street Market to pick up some ice and firewood for our campsite. The store had general grocery items and all the last minute camping supplies you could want/didn’t know you needed, like extendable forks for cooking over the fire. From there, we drove to the park, which is just past Starved Rock State Park. We had to park in the overflow parking lot in the Delta Area of the park, so we went into our hike knowing that it might be a little crowded. And it was, near the entrance to the trail and at the base of the waterfalls, but along the trails, we didn’t pass very many people.

As we walked up to the trails, we passed the “fort”, a log cabin building that was currently hosting a graduation party, and walked down a flight of stairs and across a bridge to a fork in the road. We chose to hike the Upper Dells trail first, a path that took us up past one canyon and down into another. The stairs led down into the moss-covered rock canyons, the walls rippling upwards, pockmarked with small caves. The creek running through the canyon was shallow and clear.

We followed the creek towards a small waterfall that we had to cross rocks and 2x4s to get too, only to realize that there was another, larger waterfall beyond it. To get the larger waterfall, we stripped off our shoes and socks and walked through the creek. We zigzagged across to each side until we got up to the bottom of the waterfall, the view was absolutely stunning. At the moment we reached the waterfall, it started to rain, and it didn’t fully stop for the rest of our time in the state park.

Luckily, the foliage above provided great coverage for most of the trails. After slipping our shoes back on, we climbed up a set of stairs that led out of the canyon and over a bridge that stood directly above the falls. On the other side of this bridge, there is a dirt, illegitimate path that takes you up to the side of the waterfall and provides a gorgeous view, too good to miss. The actual path from the bridge leads through the woods back to the fort again, in a roundabout way.

We took the other path next, to the Lower Dells. The path brought us directly to yet another set of stairs, leading down to another bridge. We crossed, went down another set of stairs, and that’s when it really started to rain. The bottom of this canyon was 100% mud, and the rain made it one big mess.

After a pep talk from Michael, we went through it towards the next waterfall anyways, despite the obstacle. It really is a miracle that neither of us didn’t fall face first into the muck. We picked our way carefully across the well trampled path, and splashed through the streams to rinse off our shoes. The last waterfall seemed to be the most beautiful because it was the hardest to get to.

It had the largest pool at the bottom of it, people were swimming, kids were sliding down the rocks and everyone seemed determined to ignore the rain. The caves around the cave were climbable and fun to explore. We crawled through them, dodging ankle-twisting holes and daddy long legs.

The way back to the head of the trail was just as slippery and treacherous, but we made it! Those stairs were a little bit harder on the way up then down, and by the time we made it back to the fort, we were exhausted. We headed back to the car, ready to start the second leg of our adventure, camping at KOA campground.

Have you ever been to Matthiessen State Park? Which trail was your favorite?

Camping Essentials

On July 23, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Travel Tips, Trip Planning1 Comment

Next weekend, Mike and I will be trundling down to Utica, IL with a carful of camping equipment for a night under the stars (sort of). We’re camping near Matthiessen State Park, where we will be exploring during the day. I have not been camping in a very long time, but lucky for me, I’m dating a former boy scout. With Mike’s wilderness knowledge, my camping expert sister’s advice and all of our borrowed supplies, I think we will be just fine. The plan is to hike at Matthiessen during the day, check into our campsite in the late afternoon to set up, and spend the night cooking various items over the campfire. I have to say, I am very excited for this little weekend trip enjoying the great outdoors. Especially with all of the fun camping accessories that come with it. Here are the camping essentials I wouldn’t go without (*please note: this is not a professional camping adventure, just one bougie night in a tent):

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Iron – Our dinner will be happily cooked over the fire with these handy little sandwich irons and no grilled cheese will ever taste better. My parents have hauled these with us to every camping trip, so it’s kind of a tradition.
Photo via Amazon
Wine Tote + Glasses – In order for me to fall asleep without my brain hearing the tell-tale twig snapping that horror movies are made of, we will need to have wine in cute plastic glasses. I’ve been really into rosé lately, so that is what we will be bringing with us into the woods.
Lantern – This is needed to light our way to and from the bathrooms and brighten up the tent after we put the fire out. This particular lantern is quite bright and clips to the top of our tent for maximum efficiency.
French Press – The French press is a must-have for a couple of caffeine addicts our in the wilderness. It’s perfect for preparing our morning fix fireside. Add a couple of mugs and we’re good to go.
Photo via REI
Bug Repellent Candle – We’re bringing a couple of these beauties to keep the insects at bay while we sit by the fire. We purchased them at target for a couple of bucks each and I’m sure they will be invaluable after the sun goes down.

In addition to these camping essentials, we will also be bringing a pretty large tent (leftover from Mike’s Boy Scout days), sleeping bags, pillows, rain covers, tarps, food, water, and other basic woodsy supplies like sunscreen and bug spray. I am beyond excited to try my hand at camping again, especially since it was on my 26 in 26 list. Right now, it looks like it will be a little stormy next weekend, but I fully intend to power through. Feel free to share your favorite camping tips and tricks in the comments!

What are your must-have camping essentials?

Favorite Travel Memories, Top Five Friday, RebeccaWanderlusting

10 Tips for Hiking The Smoky Mountains National Park

On July 12, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Tennessee, US Travel2 Comments

Last month, I traveled with my family and Mike to the Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. While we happily hiked through the wilderness, to waterfalls and up mountains, we ran into some interesting situations. Some of them we were prepared for, like the bugs and heat, and some were unpleasant surprises, like the hoards of people on each trail. This particular National Park is huge; it has multiple entrances and crosses state lines. There are plenty of hikes to enjoy, but also plenty of research and planning to do beforehand. After spending a few (not nearly enough) days exploring the park, I amassed a few tips to help you lovely readers plan a trip to the beautiful Smoky Mountains:

Obtain a Vehicle: Because the park is so big, it’s pretty necessary to have your own way of getting around. It was extremely helpful to be able to choose our own routes through the park based on what we wanted to see and do. There is a trolley service that runs through Gatlinburg and into Smoky Mountains National Park, but it limits your options as far as hikes go.
Stay in a Cabin: Staying in a beautiful cabin in the mountains really made this trip for me. There are plenty of hotels in downtown Gatlinburg, but none have as much charm as the cabins. If you have the means to do so, there are plenty of options for cabins of all budgets. We found our amazing cabin through Elk Springs Resort.
Wear Proper Shoes: This is key! I can’t tell you how long it took me to learn this lesson: Chuck Taylors are not suitable shoes for hiking. Wear gym shoes or hiking boots, your feet will thank you for the comfort and your hiking buddies will thank you for the lack of moaning.
Grab a Map and Plan Your Hikes: As stated above, Smoky Mountains National Park is big. Look into what hikes are available for the time of year you’re visiting and pick the ones that interest you the most. Maps are available at all of the visitor centers and usually cost just a dollar donation.
Get Going Early: Despite its size, this park can get very crowded. We thought we were the early birds, starting at 9 or 10am, but we were sorely mistaken. Try to get going early to beat the crowds, otherwise you’re apt to be waiting in line just to move down the trails.
Be Patient: Keeping #5 in mind, though it does get crowded, you are in a beautiful place and (mostly) everyone else is there to take in the beauty too. Don’t let this ruin your time, be patient and enjoy the park.
Bring Bug Spray and Hand Sanitizer: Because we were visiting in the middle of summer, the mosquitoes were out in full force. We slathered bug spray on before each hike to keep them at bay. And… if you have ever used a wilderness bathroom, the hand sanitizer is self-explanatory.
Pack a Picnic: If you are planning on hiking all day, there won’t be anywhere for you to purchase a meal. Bring your own picnic lunch and stop at one of the many picnic/scenic areas to enjoy it. Be sure to dispose of all food garbage properly to protect the bears!
Hydrate: This may go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyways. Don’t get too distracted by the gorgeous scenery and make sure you’re taking plenty of water breaks!
Stop at Scenic Overlooks: Most importantly, stop at all of the scenic overlooks you can find. They all have fantastic views and can double as your picnic area! My favorite was New Foundland Gap Lookout: great view, North Carolina – Tennessee State Line and plenty of seating for snacking.

Have you ever hiked in Smoky Mountains National Park? Which hike was your favorite?

Adventures in Gatlinburg, Part 2

On June 28, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn Tennessee, US Travel1 Comment

We started off our last day in Gatlinburg, TN started off at The Pancake Pantry, the oldest pancake house in Gatlinburg. This is an impressive title considering how many breakfast joints there are just in Downtown Gatlinburg alone. Somehow, we beat the breakfast rush and got seated right away, just as the line was starting to form. They had a HUGE selection of crepes and pancakes; I chose the mountain blueberry pancakes. They came with a delightful blueberry syrup and were absolutely delicious.

The coffee here was also very good, and the service was great and fast. We all really enjoyed the family atmosphere of the Pancake Pantry, especially having the baby with us. From breakfast, we headed to a different entrance to the Smoky Mountains National Park than the day before to hike the Grotto Falls trail. Unfortunately, when we got there, the trail was closed for a couple of hours while they did maintenance, so we occupied ourselves at the Ogle Farm Houses until it reopened. The houses have been there since the 1800’s and are empty save for the tourists snapping pictures in their open rooms. The grounds surrounding the houses are gorgeous, with a small stream running behind them and the trees stretching up above.

Once we were able to get to the trail it was already a little crowded, but we’d find out later on that we actually beat most of the crowd. Even so, the parking lot was full, so we were forced to park along the one way street heading out of the lot. The hike was a little less than three miles to Grotto Falls and back. The trail was riddled with rocks and knotty roots, and it crossed small streams that snaked their way down the mountains. There were some steep drop-offs coupled with beautiful views. Clumsy me tripped just about a hundred times because I was so distracted by the gorgeous scenery.

As we got closer to the falls, the path became rocky and tad treacherous and the bugs became a little more prevalent. Grotto Falls itself was absolutely gorgeous. You can walk behind the waterfall, but be prepared to wait in line behind hikers wanting photo ops. The trail was crowded with hikers, with more and more coming up the path. The Falls pooled in a few separate places, which spread the crowd out a bit. We were able to get one to ourselves to stick our sweaty feet into without too much trouble.

The water was very cold and refreshing. On our way back down, we picked up the pace due to some thunder rumbling close by. We ended up being safe from the storm for a while, so we drove the scenic route around the park, driving by more waterfalls, across wooden bridges and alongside beautiful creeks. I won’t lie, I made everyone stop a couple of times so i could get out of the car and take pictures, but the photos are certainly worth it. We had another picnic lunch, which is really the only option if you’re spending the day in the Park.

After lunch, we drove to the Arts and Crafts Community, which is a neighborhood of stores featuring local artisans. There were quilters, weavers, glass blowers, candle makers and more. It was fun to look around, but prepare to spend some time here if you go because you have to drive between small groups of the shops to find the good stuff. It is very possible to find some unique souvenirs and treasures here.

Close to the Arts and Crafts Community is Gray Hawk Enterprises, where you can find hand woven blankets and rugs, handmade dream catchers, and beautiful turquoise jewelry. Mike and I got a rug for home, which we still have yet to put out, but it is very pretty! Our plan for our last night in Tennessee was to make dinner and hang out enjoying the amazing cabin. We were celebrating my parents’ 36^th Anniversary, so us kids were in charge of cooking. While Mike and my brother-in-law, David, went to grab the ingredients, my sister, niece and parents and I made good use of the game room.

We played pool and Centipede and Pacman, and while it would have been silly to sit inside playing games amongst all this natural beauty… it was really fun. Soon after the boys came back, dark clouds started rolling in over the Smoky Mountains. It looked like something out of Lord of the Rings; it was beautiful and a little frightening. We sat out on the porch for a bit to watch, until it started pouring. We were grilling for dinner, so we took turns running out into the rain to check on the steaks. And then the power went out.

Everyone had to scramble around to find our phones and flashlights and attempted to figure out how to continue cooking. Before we could even begin to Macgyver our way to a cooked dinner, the power came back. The storm rumbled on as we sat down at the huge dining room table to enjoy our steaks, baked potatoes, grilled onions, asparagus, and salad. It turned out to be an amazing dinner, which we followed up with some rummy and wine. The next morning we had breakfast at the cabin and finished packing up to go our separate ways. All in all, it was a perfect Smoky Mountain vacation. I wouldn’t change a single thing we did. The scenery was beautiful, the hikes were solid, and my family was amazing as always.

Have you ever been to Smoky Mountains National Park? Which was your favorite hike?

**A special thank you to my very generous Mom and Dad, who gifted us this trip for Christmas. Love you guys!**

Hiking by Candlelight

On January 20, 2016 By rebeccawanderlustingIn US Travel, WisconsinLeave a comment

Last month, my parents asked me if I had any interest in going on a candlelit hike with them in Kettle Moraine State Park. Of course I said yes, it sounded so intriguing. So this past Saturday, the time came to take the Metra train out to Fox Lake and, from there, drive the 30 minutes north to Kettle Moraine.

I love Wisconsin. Life seems simpler and more genuine there (yeah, I know, we are all watching “Making a Murderer”, but don’t let that ruin the whole state for you, ok?) After the sun set, which happened as we drove, the temperature dropped a good ten degrees. We bundled up in the car before going out to brave the icy weather for the hike. At the start of the trail, there was a small lodge, surrounded by candles that were nestled into cylinders of ice.

The lodge offered some respite from the cold as well as hot chocolate and other goodies. Around back, a bonfire burned, warming people’s fingers and lending some more light to the area. Just beyond the hot chocolate house was the trail head, which was lined with twinkling lights. The trail itself cut through the forest and was lined down the middle with candles in white paper bags. It was fairly dark along the trail, save for the light coming from the interspersed candles. The snow crunched beneath our feet and cross-country skiers whizzed by us, headlamps lighting their way.

Favorite U.S. Hikes, RebeccaWanderlusting

One of my favorite things about getting out of the city and closer to nature is how crisp and clean the air is in the country. It smells so delicious, and I breathed as deeply as I could, despite the cold I was (and still am) sporting. About halfway through our walk, we came upon another bonfire, where we stood around to try and warm our freezing fingers. It seemed that all the other hikers and skiers were as happy to be there as we were and there was a nice sense of community, especially around the bonfires.

We moved on down the path and came to a little clearing in the trees where the half-moon shone brightly. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening and the candlelight added a whimsical touch. After about an hour’s walk, we reached the end of our hike. It really was a wonderful experience that I would absolutely recommend to anyone. The candlelit hikes go on through the end of February in different State Parks all across Wisconsin. You can find the complete schedule here.

After we left Kettle Moraine, we stopped by Holi Canoli in Elkhorn, WI. Their coal-fired pizza is so damn delicious. We had the Margherita pizza with prosciutto and kalamata olives paired with some Montepulciano wine. It was perfect. So, if you do find yourself catching one of the candlelit hikes in Wisconsin and it happens to be at Kettle Moraine State Park (the next one is on February 6), stop into Holi Canoli too, and you won’t be disappointed.

A big thank you to my parents for taking me along with them on what has become their yearly tradition. They are the original wanderlusters, and without their adventurous spirits I’d never be the travel-crazed woman I am today. So, thanks guys – for everything.