I love Santa Fe and New Mexico culture. It truly is like nothing in the world! The combination of Pueblo people influence, beautiful scenery, and a thriving art and distinct culinary taste makes Santa Fe a destination for thousands every year.

I have divided my suggestions by inside and outside city limits. Obviously to get the natural elements of the Santa Fe area you will need to travel outside the city, but nothing is too far out of reach! I will also give some of my thoughts on where to stay in Santa Fe.

Where to stay:

It is no secret that Santa Fe can be EXPENSIVE. Don’t let this deter you from this wonderful place! There are plenty of ways to cut costs on your trip and housing is my first tip.

Staying within Santa Fe city limits will increase your costs. I have stayed in a hotel in Santa Fe, don’t get me wrong it was NICE, but we also payed a pretty penny for it. I would suggest to cut costs staying in an Air Bnb. The Air Bnb pictured below my husband and I stayed in last weekend. It was a bit off the beaten track in Pecos NM, but ya’ll it was beautiful, private, in the Santa Fe National Forrest area, and an easy 20 minute drive to the city. We saved a ton of money doing it this way! So don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path, especially if you are wanting to cut costs a bit!

Inside Santa Fe City Limits:

While I think many of my suggestions are good starting points, I would suggest picking a spot and wandering. Santa Fe during the day is very safe, so wander through side streets, into courtyards of old churches, and through the shops of town. My favorite parts of traveling are the little surprises that happen when you wander!

The Chapels of Santa Fe:

Take a step back in time by exploring and touring the old missions and churches of Santa Fe. Each one is either free or only costs a dollar or two to tour. There are guided tours that happen throughout the day, so visit their websites or walk by the gift shop for this information. Pictured above is the largest in town, The Cathedral Basillica of St. Francis of Assisi. This one is entirely free to tour and very beautiful.

The other two are the Loretto Chapel and The San Miguel Chapel. San Miguel is considered the oldest church in the continental United States (pretty cool right?) and The Loretto Chapel is home to the “Miraculous Staircase” which has been a source of legend and mystery for decades. Loretto Chapel is actually where I conducted my first ever choir performance so this place is very special to me. Both are very inexpensive to visit and so worth it!

Shop Till You Drop in Santa Fe:

Grab the girlfriends or the significant other and hit the main plaza and surrounding areas for some interesting window shopping. There are tons of art galleries, upscale shops, Pueblo People hand crafted pieces, handmade turquoise jewelry, and much more! So much to see in such a small area.

Must Do: Visit An Art Museum:

There are so many art museums in Santa Fe. I try to visit a new one every time I go! The first one I visited was the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. I have loved her art since I was a little girl, so this was a wonderful experience for me!

This last weekend I visited the New Mexico Museum of Art and the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. The IAIA was only $5 with a student ID and The New Mexico Museum of Art has free concerts all the time, so be on the look out for these events! This is a great way to honor the Pueblo people of the area and support local artists.

Must Do: Meow Wolf:

If you are wary of meow wolf, don’t worry your not alone. I did not visit the first two times I went to Santa Fe because it freaked me out. What is it? Why is it so expensive? Is it worth the hype and the wait? Yes. Yes it is. Just go I promise you won’t regret it. My husband and I loved meow wolf. It is perfect for people of all ages, young to old. What is it you might ask? Its kind of an interactive art experience, kind of an immersive story experience. Its hard to describe. But go. Just go. You won’t regret it. Pro Tip: Buy tickets online, this place gets very very busy on the weekends!

My Santa Fe Wish List:

Here are a few things I have not done but are still on my list for the Santa Fe area:

• Ojo Calliente
• El Santuario de Chimayo
• Ghost Ranch
• High Road to Taos
• The Santa Fe Railyard Arts District
• Ten Thousand Waves Spa

Outside Santa Fe City Limits:

A few things to note about these next suggestions: I will be sorting these next suggestions by distance/ accessibility. If you are here for a few days, by all means do some of these things! But if you just have a day and its your first time in Santa Fe, do the within city limits items listed above. Also note that many of these places are Pueblo people historic lands and should be treated with the respect that they deserve.

Pecos National Historical Park:

Distance/ Accessibility: 30 minutes from Santa Fe, about a mile of hiking on level paved trails. Considered easy by All Trails.

Seriously, we loved this. If you want to visually see the history of Santa Fe (Pueblo people, Spanish conquistadors, the rise of Christianity etc.) this place has it all! It is very interesting, does not take very long ( we were in and out in less than an hour), and did I mention its free to visit (what what?). Located in Pecos, NM if you are coming from Texas this would be an easy stop on your way back to Texas!

Hike Grasshopper Canyon in Santa Fe National Forrest:

Distance/ Accessibility: 15 minutes from Santa Fe, Trail begins right off the Highway 25. 3 Miles round trip, labeled moderate on All Trails. Fairly flat until the final scramble.

My Husband and I hiked Grasshopper Canyon last weekend and really enjoyed it. Its a little off the beaten path and the head of the trail is not super clearly labeled (has a small worn down sign) but the trail itself is pretty well maintained and after about ten minutes the sound of the road disappears and you really feel like your in the wilderness. The creek was not really running when we went, so the creek crossings were very simple but at other times of year you might get a bit wet at the crossings. Pro Tip: at the end of the trail you see a fork. Going to the left ends at the real trail ending, a small blue pool, but if you head to the right and do a little scramble up some loose rocks you end at a beautiful view!

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument:

Distance/ Accessibility: 53 minutes from Santa Fe. Slot Canyon trail is 3 miles, heavily trafficked, and rated moderate on All Trails. Allow 3 hours for the hike.

If I could only pick one of these trails, this would be my choice. This place is unlike anything I have ever visited. This is a sacred place to the Pueblo People and is run by the BLM. Because of this, entrance into the park can be very limited, so I highly suggest getting here early or you might end up waiting in a long line to get in. But once you are in you will be very glad for the limits on the number of people. The trail through the slot canyon is very narrow and you will be happy to not be running into other people every five seconds. Seriously such a beautiful and special place! The hike is not too difficult and is instantly rewarding right up until the end. The rock formations are so unique and the slot canyons so fun to navigate.

Bandelier National Monument:

Distance/ Accessibility: 55 minutes, 44 miles from Santa Fe. Multiple trails rated easy to moderate on All Trails. Consider camping at Bandelier!

My husband and I also really enjoyed Bandelier. Bandelier feels split into two sections, the trails to see ancient ruins and trails to see beautiful nature. My husband and I did three while we were here: The Main Ruin/ Alcove House trail and The Upper Falls Trail.

The trails to the ruins are very flat and easy, very interesting and historical with the ruins, but also very crowded and busy. Be prepared for crowds on these trails. My favorite part was climbing all the ladders to get to the Alcove House, but again we had to wait as many others went up and down the ladders causing traffic jams. But be aware, if you are afraid of heights the ladders might not be for you!

After seeing the ruins, we hiked the Upper Falls Trail. This was a great change of pace, because there was hardly anyone on this trail. I am not sure why because it is so beautiful! We loved this hike and if you have time I would highly suggest it.

After this hike we camped at Bandelier. The campsites are well maintained, beautiful in the mountains, plenty of tree cover, and not crowded at all. If you are a camper this is a lovely place to camp!

The Santa Fe area is so beautiful and unique. I hope you enjoy exploring the culture, history, scenery of the area.

I had heard about the Marfa mystery lights ever since I was a little girl. I remember sitting in the third grade reading about these lights and thinking “why?”. Why here? In the middle of nowhere, in Texas, in the desert, why here? After visiting Marfa, the lights are not the only mysterious thing about this dusty town.

Marfa has had a wild history. From the set of spaghetti westerns, the home of historic hotels and operas, to a ghost town, to an alien hunter paradise, and then theres Marfa now. Marfa is now considered one of the art capitols of Texas, after being wrecked by intense gentrification from rich Houston lawyers and cool hipsters who will buy painted rocks for $1200 (Yes. I did see a rock with a $1200 dollar price tag). All I kept thinking was why here? Why Marfa? There are a million little towns in Texas just like Marfa, but here they are selling Air Bnb’s for $600 dollars a night and Beyonce is posting pictures on Instagram in front of the Marfa water tower. This long and twisted history has made Marfa the capitol of Quirky, and worthy of a day or weekend stop. Here is how I spent a day in Marfa.

A Morning In Marfa:

If you are balling on a budget (Like us) you will want to stay in Alpine and drive in to Marfa. Its only 15 miles away, but in Marfa city limits hotels and Air bnb’s are ridiculously expensive. We stayed at a comfy Air bnb in Alpine then went to the center of town to our first stop, Hotel Paisano. This hotel opened in 1930 and is best known for being the headquarters of the film Giant (1956). It feels like a step back in time! There are also many little shops to stroll through, as well as the beautiful courtyard and free art gallery.

After this we encountered the problem that many people encounter when visiting Marfa, most things do not have set hours! We tried to go to many shops or breakfast places and nothing was open (very frustrating). Don’t be shocked if you arrive and it feels like a ghost town, especially if you are here on a week day.

Finally we strolled into Aster, a perfect brunch spot for us weary travelers. Cozy european style comfort food, shelter from the cold, natural light and house plants tucked in every corner. The food was farm to table, fresh, and delicious.

My favorite thing I did at Marfa was seeing an incredible Andy Warhol piece, a spin off of The Last Supper in his classic pop art political commentary way. I was not allowed to take pictures inside, so you will have to go and see it for your self!

We then headed to The Ballroom. This is a free art gallery that includes up and coming artists from all over the world. Be warned, this may not be your cup of tea if you do not appreciate super modern art. It was an unforgettable experience for sure!

There are tons and tons of small art galleries all over Marfa, start walking and you are sure to run into one. These galleries feature super modern pieces being sold for incredible amounts of money, but they are fun to look at! A can’t miss item for me was an art exhibit made out of a vending machine that would dispense painted horseshoes and topo chico (you can’t make this stuff up).

An Afternoon in Marfa:

We stopped for an afternoon coffee at Do Your Thing Coffee. They make a mean latte and have a fun and warm atmosphere.

When I think of Marfa, my first thought is the Prada Store. An art exhibit, It is a stand alone building made to look like a Prada store in the middle of the Texas wilderness on the side of the road. But don’t be fooled! This is not actually in Marfa. It is technically in Valentine, thirty miles from Marfa! I would still make the trip if you made it all the way to Marfa, but be mentally prepared for the hour round trip drive.

On your way to the Prada Store, you will pass large wooden murals from Giant! They are beautiful and worth a stop and a look.

Finally, you have reached the Prada store. Get out, take your pictures, drive back. Thats about it haha.

Mystery Lights in Marfa:

A few miles outside of city limits is the light viewing areas. Be prepared for the cold, the temperature drops drastically at night so it can be very cold and windy. You will be sitting with people from all over the world, people with telescopes, peering off into the distance trying to decide “Is that a car or a ghost light” for hours. While we do not think we saw “the lights” it is always fun to believe and wonder “what is truly out there”.

While these are all good suggestions to get you started, my favorite part of Marfa was just the thrill of discovery. Finding quirky art galleries or seeing unique air bnb’s, reading murals about the history of buildings, or enjoying unique food.The greatest way to enjoy Marfa is to go with the flow, be ready for new experiences, and open your mind to the mysteries of Marfa.

This is a little love letter to a city I love and a shout out to a sweet friend that just moved here! Every kid that grew up in DFW and moved away has had this exact conversation before:

“Hey! Nice to meet you. Where are you from?”

“I’m from the Dallas area”

“Me too! Which part?”

Anyone who has lived in DFW knows that it is huge and there are a million little cities that are apart of it. If you were to drive from one side to the other, expect two hours of driving or three with traffic! DFW is such a big area and has so much to do, but it has always had the reputation of being devoid of any type of culture. Just a soul-less city full of chain restaurants and soccer moms. And honestly, depending where you go, this can sometimes be true. Plano TX (where I am from) sometimes felt like this. But especially since I moved to Lubbock, I have really come to appreciate Dallas and what it brings to the table. There are so many areas to enjoy and beautiful enriching things to do! In this article, I hope to give you a few ideas of ways to enjoy the Dallas area and maybe even experience the true heart of Dallas! I love this city and it will always be home.

A Scavenger Hunt to Every BIG Sign:

Dallas has adopted the nickname “The Big D” (You can laugh, we know its funny), and all over Dallas in some of its most iconic locations are BIG signs (You stand in the middle and become the I). The signs move periodically, but you can google where they are currently located and go find each one! While the sign itself is cool, what is even cooler are all the places this little adventure will take you. If you are new to Dallas, this can help you visit some cool iconic spots all over the city!

White Rock Lake and Dallas Arboretum:

One big thing I have always heard from people is how difficult it can be to get outside in Dallas. While there is not tons of hiking like in the Austin area, Dallas does have a very large park called White Rock Lake. To walk all the way around the lake is 9 miles, there are marathons that happen yearly that go around it and tons of nature trails that shoot off from the lake.

Get outside and enjoy the lake and walking trails! Is it the summer and its just too hot? You can rent paddle boards at White Rock Lake as well! Take a dip and paddle with friends for a very reasonable rental fee.

Right next to white rock lake is the Dallas Arboretum and botanical Gardens! Ya’ll it is beautiful in here no matter what season you go. In the fall they have pumpkin mazes everywhere, in the winter they have large scale holiday displays, and in the spring all of the giant blooming plants! This is a can’t miss item.

Watch Some Sport Ball in Dallas, TX:

Dallas has a huge number of major and minor league sports, and many of the games are not crazy expensive to attend! Get a $15 dollar ticket to a Texas Rangers game, or hit up the minor league team in Frisco, the Rough Riders (There is a lazy river that goes around the out field that you can watch the game from!!).

The Dallas Stars Hockey games are a ton of fun to go to as well! Dallas Maverick Basketball happens in the AA Center and The Dallas Cowboys play at Cowboy stadium too (These tickets are much more expensive, but are so so fun!).

Take a Weekend Trip to Fort Worth:

Fort Worth is like Dallas’s more country cousin. Spend the day shopping and eating at Sundance Square then head over to the Fort Worth Stock Yards.

Wander the little country stores, eat some BBQ at Coopers, and go two stepping and see a country concert at Billy Bob’s (The worlds largest honkey tonk). Huge country stars like Willie Nelson play at billy bob’s regularly !

Don’t sleep on the art scene around Fort Worth either! The Kimbell Art Museum can’t be missed and the Fort Worth Water Gardens is free and beautiful!

Deep Ellum and The Dallas Farmer’s Market:

The Dallas Farmers Market is open everyday, but its at its BIGGEST on Saturday! Tons of vendors of everything from homemade candles to beef jerky. The venue is covered so it goes on rain or shine! There are also many places inside that are specialty food restaurants (we got crab cakes that were ah-mazing).

Just a few blocks from the Farmers Market is an up and coming neighborhood called Deep Ellum. This is probably one of my favorite areas downtown. Street murals and art on every corner, hole in the wall restaurants, the deep ellum brewery, vintage shops, and great music venues like the bomb factory! Deep Ellum in the 90’s was one of the most run down places in Dallas, but over the past ten years it has really developed a life of its own. You go Deep Ellum!

Klyde Warren Park and The DMA:

This combination is a winner. Klyde Warren is a small park built on top of a highway in the middle of the skyscrapers of downtown Dallas. This park is small but mighty!! Food trucks of all kinds, free games that can be played and rented as well as books and ping pong, a putting green, a play scape for kidos, and walking trails under beautifully lit trees and arches. Sometimes they even have free concerts or yoga in the park, so watch out for events!

Right next to Klyde Warren is The Dallas Museum of Art. Guys, it is FREE to go!! Stroll the rows and rows of art, or pay a small fee to attend one of the many traveling exhibits. The art ranges from medieval to modern with artists like Picasso and Monet.

Bishop Arts District:

In the heart of Oak Cliff is a sweet little area called Bishop Arts. Similar to Deep Ellum, the area around Bishop arts was so run down, but now it is full of thriving specialty shops and restaurants. Many artists sell there handmade art here, and don’t forget to grab a crackberry cider at the bishop arts cider brewery!

Lower Greenville and Uptown:

If you are looking for a good night out look no further than uptown and lower greenville! My favorite bar is Truck Yard, a large open air patio complete with an adult bar tree house, taco truck, and a stage for live music!

If you are feeling more like coffee, stop by Houndstooth Coffee for an incredible latte!

Fossil Rim Drive Thru Zoo and Dinosaur Valley State Park:

Both of these items are in Glen Rose, Texas making for a great weekend trip!

For me personally, animals in small enclosures make me depressed so I do not enjoy going to zoos, but this one is different! Fossil Rim is a giant open ranch where many exotic animals such as giraffes, rhinos, and emus live. Our climate and landscape is very similar to that of parts of Africa, so the animals can thrive in the climate and live happy healthy lives free from poaching but without being in cages. For a fee, you can drive through the ranch with a bag of food feeding the animals from your car along the way. I loved this as a kid and still love it now!

While you are in Glen Rose, stop on over at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Take a hike through a beautiful tree covered river valley and check out some genuine dinosaur tracks while you do it!

Katy Trail and Katy Trail Icehouse:

A run is always better when beer is at the end right? Break out the bikes and bring the dog, head to The Katy Trail! Miles of beautiful paved trails through trees, over rivers, and across multiple Dallas parks. At The end of the trail, stop at Katy Trail for a margarita and tacos (The patio is dog friendly and they bring your furry friend a doggy bowl!)

Music In Dallas TX:

The last item I have is just the variety of ways to see live music in the Dallas area. There are hundreds of venues and festivals that happen through out the year so get googling and see who is coming when! Broadway shows are always coming to either Fair Park or Bass Hall, catch the Dallas Symphony Orchestra at The Myerson, see a country artist at the Toyota music factory, and catch the biggest names in music like Taylor Swift at Cowboy Stadium. Music is everywhere, just be looking for it!

I am sure there are hundreds of other things to do in DFW, but thats what I have for you today! I love Dallas and its people, I hope this gave you a few ideas on how to spend a weekend in The Big D!

I consider myself one lucky gal because my sweet grandparents live in beautiful Boulder, CO. I have visited Boulder more times in my life than I can count, so it was hard to narrow down what all there is to do in and around Boulder. One thing I love about Boulder is something my grandparents always tried to teach my sister and I when we were there, and that is just a love and appreciation for the earth and our bodies. My grandparents eat healthy, exercise (whether thats hike, bike or, swim) everyday, and always use public transit or ride bikes when possible. Many people in Boulder live in a very similar way!

So much of Boulder is set aside as “public land” so there is hiking everywhere! Where do you start? In this article you will find 5 really fun things to do in and around Boulder. While there are hundreds more, this list can help get you started! Some of these items get very crowded and busy, others are more off the beaten path. Hopefully when you visit Boulder, you too will find a greater appreciation for the world we live in and for our bodies that can do amazing things!

#1: Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park:

Theres a reason why this is the number one thing on my list. Rocky Mountain just can’t be missed! Estes Park is only 45 minutes from Boulder, so this is a great jumping off point for rocky mountain. Now, this park is HUGE and can get very very crowded especially in the summer months, so be prepared for shuttle busses and busy parking lots in the summer. For first time visitors, I would suggest two different areas: hikes from the Alpine visitor and from the Bear Lake area.

From the Bear Lake trailhead, there are so many options! Take the trail from bear lake, nymph lake, and emerald lake (the people really thin out the further you get). Don’t miss Alberta Falls! A huge gushing waterfall only a half mile from the Bear lake parking lot.

The drive from the front gate to The Alpine Visitor center will be an hour of winding up the sides of the rocky mountains, but his is half of the fun! There are many places you will want to stop at and take roadside pictures, the views are just breath taking. Once you get above the tree line, you will begin to see large green fields, stray leftover snow fields, and if you are lucky like us maybe even a heard of alpine elk! WARNING: The top is typically thirty degrees cooler than the base, so bring your warm clothes!

Estes Park the town is also very fun to explore! Check out the little sidewalk shops of this small mountain town or take a tour of the historic Stanley Hotel (The inspiration for “The Shining”). For my coffee lovers, check out “Coffee on The Rocks” for a great latte, mountain views, and feed the friendly ducks while lounging by the pond.

#2: Pearl Street Mall:

Now for something in actual Boulder! If you are looking for unique shopping, delicious food, street vendors and performers, and festivals of all kind, Pearl Street is the place for you! I love love pearl street, its a great place to experience Boulder “culture”. Head out to the saturday farmers market for some local produce or homemade kombucha! Sit out on a patio at lunch time with a brick oven pizza. Or go to one of the many bars for a local craft beer (Maybe even catch a fire eater or a tight rope walker on the street!)

One thing that can’t be missed at Pearl Street is The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. The Teahouse was a gift to the city of Boulder from its sister city Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Ya’ll… this place is freaking beautiful! Sit at low tables on cushions and admire the handcrafted wall to ceiling art as you sip tea and eat tea-infused eggs benedict- YUM!

#3: Boulder Falls:

This hike is quick, easy and rewarding. It was closed for many years due to damage from floods, but it has since been repaired and is now open! Located 10 minutes up Boulder canyon, you will park on the side of the road near the sign that says “Boulder Falls” and begin your hike from the road. This is an unpaved narrow hike going over a few large boulders, but the hike is very short (took us about ten minutes to get to the falls). Its loud, its beautiful, and its very quick (I suggest combining this with a day trip to Nederland).

#4: Nederland, CO:

This is another great little day trip from Boulder off the beaten path! As I said above, combine this with Boulder Falls for a great day! Nederland is a cool, quirky place famous for its “frozen dead guy” festival (A Nederland resident who froze his body in a block of ice to be thawed and brought back to life once science has improved).

Nederland had an art festival going on when we were there and I bought multiple hand painted post cards! Take a hike around the town lake, drink a local beer, head to a festival, or wander through the artisan shops.

#5: Eldorado Canyon State Park:

This is one of my “Off the beaten path” picks as well. There are tons of hikes you can take for free through the boulder public lands, so because there is an entrance fee for this park it is sometimes less crowded. For any of my friends into rock climbing, this is an amazing spot to do that! There are tons of hikes through the flat irons great for all skill levels.

After a sweaty summer hike, you will want to cool off at the Eldorado Springs Pool! This is a beautiful spring fed pool, created in 1904. It will take you back in time with its retro feels! The water stays very cold all year around because it is spring fed, but after a hot hike you will love cooling off with the mountain views. The entrance fee is $12 a person and is located very close to the state park entrance.

If you have any other questions about your trip to Boulder, feel free to reach out! Again, there are so many things to do in and around Boulder, so if you need more suggestions let me know! I hope you enjoy your trip to Boulder and colorful Colorado!

My husband and I live in Lubbock Texas! Many people have asked “how could you live out there?” “Is there anything to do??” etc. Well, we have LOVED living in Lubbock.

We met at Texas Tech (Wreck em’), I am graduated and teaching elementary music and he is finishing up his mechanical engineering degree .

As much as we love Lubbock, it is nice to be able to get out of town and do something different! Lubbock can be very flat and dusty, but within easy driving distance are many locations that can satisfy anyones thirst for adventure. Here are seven easy day or weekend trips you can make from Lubbock, Texas (organized by distance). Each of these offer a variety of sites that will make you say “We sure aren’t in Lubbock anymore”!

Buffalo Springs Lake and Ransom Canyon:

Distance from Lubbock: 25 minutes

Didn’t think there was anything this beautiful this close to Lubbock did you? If you need a quick escape from Lubbock this is a great one! It really feels like you have left Lubbock once you start descending down into the canyon. Buffalo Springs and Ransom canyon are interconnected and next to each other, but very distinct and offer different things.

Buffalo Springs lake is a neighborhood and recreation area that can be accessed by a small fee ( $11 for adults, $10 with a valid college ID for general entry). At buffalo springs, there is hiking, swimming in the lake from a small beach area, off roading, fishing, boating, and camping. Buffalo springs also has many festivals, firework shows, and other events so check out the website for more information on these!

Ransom canyon is a sleepy upscale neighborhood located right next to Buffalo Springs. Technically, only homeowners have access to these next items but as long as you are quiet and respectful of the neighborhood no one will look at you twice. Drive to the Ransom Canyon chapel for some beautiful canyon hikes along cobble stone and then dirt trails through a small bird sanctuary. Or drive along the rim and check out this “Out of this world” house!

Caprock Canyon State Park:

Distance from Lubbock: 1 hour and 40 minutes

Caprock Canyon is the first of the Texas panhandle parks we will be looking at. Home to red rock cliffs and Texas’s largest bison heard it is a park that should not be skipped! With how close it is to Lubbock it is a perfect day trip or weekend trip if you are ready to camp (extra fees apply). Caprock entry fees are very reasonable ($5 per adult) and offer a wide variety of hikes for all skill levels. Bring your fishing pools and come fish at the lake near the park entrance, slap on your back packs and back pack into the Caprock backcountry, take a day hike to the fern cave, or ooo and ahhh at some cute baby bison (PSA bison are wild and unpredictable, keep your distance or prepare to be bison toast). If you are spending the night, talk to a ranger about seeing bats at Clarity Tunnel!

Palo Duro Canyon State Park:

Distance from Lubbock: 1 hour and 42 minutes

Palo Duro has been consistently ranked in the top three state parks in Texas for a good reason. Ya’ll, its freaking beautiful.

Entrance into the park is $8 per person, there are many different camping locations around the park, and cabins if your looking to glamp. If you only have a day to spend at Palo Duro, I suggest hiking the lighthouse trail. It is very iconic at Palo Duro and is such a unique rock formation! If you have more time, go hike the rock garden trail. This trail really gives you a feel for the landscape and takes you to the top of the canyon walls. Check out the different visitors centers and art galleries offered here. And if you are visiting in the summer, don’t miss The Texas Show. People travel from all over the country to see this hundred year old musical portraying Texas in the 1800’s. This is sure to be fun for the whole family and is a great way to end a weekend at Palo Duro.

Monahans Sandhills State Park:

Distance from Lubbock: 2 hours and 34 minutes

Monahans State Park is a really fun day trip! I wouldn’t suggest turning it into a weekend trip unless you have family in the area or you just really really love sand haha. Entrance into the dunes is only $4 but you will want to rent or purchase a sand disk for an additional fee to maximize your fun here. Hiking on the dunes is very difficult and tiring because of the sand but it is so fun to slide down the hills, especially if you have little ones. This park is typically less busy than the dunes in New Mexico or Colorado, costs less, and is closer. So even though it is smaller, I think it is very much worth the trip!

Carlsbad Caverns National Park:

Distance from Lubbock: 3 hours and 13 minutes

This is an essential weekend trip if you live in Lubbock. People drive across the country to see this park, and you have it in striking distance so take advantage. The cave is one of the largest in the entire world! Take a hike down the paved switchbacks a mile and a half long or take the elevator 750 feet down into the earth and explore “The Big Room” of the caverns.

The entire self guided tour only took us about an hour and a half, but be aware! The elevator line to get out of the caverns can sometimes get very long especially during the summer. Start early and beat the crowds! If you are at Carlsbad in the late spring or summer, you must come back at night to see the bats fly out of the caverns. It truly is a natural wonder and something I will never forget, so make it a priority. Talk to a ranger about when you should arrive (They are animals not performers, so it is never 100 percent certain if or when the bats will emerge but they can make very good estimates).

Guadalupe National Park:

Distance from Lubbock: 3 hours and 28 minutes

Guadalupe National Park is only located 40 minutes away from Carlsbad Caverns, so I would suggest doing both on a three day weekend and camping at Guadalupe! The big attraction at Guadalupe is Guadalupe Peak (the highest geologic point in Texas). This is not a hike for the faint of heart! 9 miles round trip and 3,000 feet elevation change. It took us about 6-7 hours to complete start to finish.

It is well worth the hike, but if you don’t have the time or energy the Devil’s Hall hike is also an awesome one that is much shorter and less steep. There is a ton of back country camping, but be careful! It can get so so hot in the summer. I came across some hikers when I did Guadalupe peak who were backpacking, ran out of water, then had to distill and drink their own urine (ew) so don’t let that be you!

Ruidoso, NM:

Distance from Lubbock: 3 hours and 55 minutes

Personally, this is my favorite weekend getaway from Lubbock. I have been multiple times with my husband, friends, and even planned my best friends bachelorette party here. I love Ruidoso because you really get such a great combination of factors:

1: Ruidoso the town is so cute. The little mountain town feel, wineries, gift shops, coffee shops, all with the mountain views make it such a gem

2: If you are balling on a budget, you can do Ruidoso cheap. This is much harder in other places like Colorado

3: If you want to hike, Lincoln national forest is here! If you want to gamble, head to Inn of the Mountain Gods. Want to escape into the wilderness, there are so many cute rental properties. Want to hit the ski slopes, head to ski apache only 30 minutes from Ruidoso

I love love love the mountains, so if the mountains are calling and you NEED to escape the flatlands of Lubbock, Ruidoso is close enough for a weekend trip and can be done without breaking the bank!

To all my Lubbockites, we know you either “Lubbock or Leave It”, but sometimes we all need to leave it. I hope you have some new fresh ideas for weekend escapes!

Big Bend National Park is located on the very tip of Texas, butting right up to the Texas- Mexico border.I have been to Big Bend twice (My husband has been four times) and each time has had such a different feeling and experience. I will give some ideas of things to do based off of time (are you spending 1-2 days? 3-5? a full week?) and a few things still on my bucket list at this national park!

How To get Here/ Where to Stay:

Big Bend truly is in the middle of nowhere. It is one of the darkest places in the United States because of its complete isolation. If you are coming from anywhere in Texas you will most likely come in the northern entrance traveling south from Marathon (Get gas here, there is only one gas station inside the park and it is very expensive), unless you are planing on staying in the Terlingua area (there are gas stations here).

If you are planning your Big Bend trip far in advance, I would suggest to camp or stay at the lodge inside Big Bend if at all possible. I don’t always suggest this but here is why: Big Bend is massive! Especially if you have a limited amount of time, you will have spent so much time just getting to big bend, then driving in Big Bend it will really take away from your trip.

I have camped in Terlingua Ghost Town, Chisos Basin, and in Boot Canyon in the back country. Terlingua is a good option if there is no lodging inside the park, our campsite was well maintained, had clean showers and bathrooms, and had a community area with covered picnic tables and a grill. They also had small cabins with air conditioning for my glamping friends! Chisos Basin is very small and fills up quickly, so if you want a spot here plan far in advance! Both of these can be reserved online. Back country spots can only be reserved in person at a visitor center. These can also fill up very quickly at high traffic times of the year so get there early to get a spot. There are also many motel options in Terlingua.

Weather at Big Bend National Park:

Weather can play a big factor in your Big Bend trip. Big Bend is unique in the fact that its busiest times of year are the colder months (November- March). Big Bend is very much so a desert, so if you don’t want to be hiking in severe heat conditions I would suggest going during cooler months. But be warned, because it is the desert it gets very very cold at night. Our first trip we were sleeping in below freezing conditions the entire week. Do your research on the highs and lows and pack accordingly. Spring Break is one of the busiest times at Big Bend, but for good reason! The weather was very mild at this time and the Blue Bonnets were in full bloom. It was a desert wonderland!

Things To Do:

Again, Big Bend is massive! You won’t be able to see and do everything in a day. But here are some ways you can get the most bang for your buck.

1-2 Days in Big Bend:

The Window Trail:

Beginning from The Chisos Basin campground, the window hike is an easy to moderate out and back. If you have a limited amount of time, this hike will give you a taste of the back country without being too long or taxing. The scenery changes from mountains, to forrest, to a dry river wash, ending with sweeping views of the desert. It changes elevation by 900 feet and is about 3 hours round trip. I would suggest doing this hike first, especially in the summer, it can get crowded and has very little shade from the Texas sun.

Santa Elena Canyon:

One of the most impressive canyons in all of Texas! Santa Elena was created by the Rio Grande, and has cut massive walls along the Texas- Mexico border. This is a great spot for a picnic lunch, looking at the river, feeling the nice breeze coming off the water, and has picnic tables and bathrooms at the trail entrance. The trail is a very easy and flat stroll along the river, less than a mile out and back. Part of the trail is paved and part of it is not. This is a can’t miss spot at Big Bend!

Boquillas Canyon and Nature Trail:

Boquillas Canyon is another beautiful canyon at big bend. There are multiple easy trails that are less than a mile that can take you along the river as well as a nature trail that takes you to beautiful panoramic views of the desert mountains (if you look very close, you can see the town of Boquillas across the river). As you walk on this trail, you will most likely see trinkets made by the people of Boquillas with prices and a money jar. It is technically illegal to purchase these items, but it is not typically monitored (I bought a koozie while here shhhhh)

The Hot Springs:

Near Boquillas canyon, down a narrow mile long dirt road is a natural hot spring enjoyed by many at Big Bend! This is a fun oasis in the middle of the desert. As you walk to the springs there are palm trees, the ruins of a 20th century hotel that claimed the healing power of the springs, and even a small trail to some pictographs! This hot spring feels like a bit of a hippie hole. There were many college students, little babies swimming in their birthday suits, and various other interesting characters. Many people will jump into the Rio from the hot spring and swim to the other side (Mexico) although this is frowned upon (again shhh).

Lost Mine Trail:

This is the last item on my 1-2 day list, but one of my favorite trails in the entire park. Depending on your time or fitness level, this trail might not be for you. According to the legend, at certain times of the year when the sun shines in just the right way, you can see the gleam of gold and silver from and abandoned or “lost” mine (But typically, there is no mine haha). This is my favorite trail because it is the closest to seeing south rim views without taking the time to hike the south rim. Lost Mine is a 4.2 mile heavily trafficked out and back. The trail gains over 1,000 feet in elevation and took us close to 3 hours with many stops for picture taking. It begins with a steep paved portion through the thick chisos forest, then levels out a bit into a saddle with a lovely sweeping meadow full of flowers. After the last steep push to the top you are met with spectacular views similar to ones you could see at the south rim. The parking for this trail is a very very small roadside lot, so get here early or be prepared to walk a bit to get to the trail head. If you are looking for flora or fauna, this trail is a good bet to see some! We saw mule deer when we hiked it.

3-5 Days in Big Bend:

Many of these next items require more time commitment, which is why they fall into the 3-4 day list. If you can, these items are so so worth it to do!

Hike and Back Country Camp at The South Rim:

This is truly the pinnacle of Big Bend. People travel from all over the world to see the south rim. With that said, the south rim is quite the undertaking. To hike the entire thing is about 13 miles round trip and a change in elevation of about 2,000 feet. It toes the line of a day hike and a backpack trail. No matter which you plan to do, please keep these things in mind.

• There are no places for water. please, make sure you bring enough water!
• Know your limits. I was not comfortable doing this hike in one day, but splitting it between two days made it very doable for me
• check the weather and your route before heading out. There is no cellphone service.

Begin hiking from The Chisos Mountain Lodge. I suggest follow the signs towards Laguna Meadow/ South rim first (This route is slightly longer but less steep, the pinnacle trail route is incredibly steep so save this for your way back down).

It begins very flat until you encounter a series of seemingly endless switch backs that last until Laguna Meadow (which is a great spot for a lunch or rest break). After this the trail gets slightly less steep and begins passing many different back country campsites. These campsites come with compost toilets and bear boxes. The last big climb goes through a very steep dry river bed, until you finally reach the beautiful south rim!

On the way back down via the pinnacle trail you will begin to enter into Boot Canyon. This is where we set up camp for the night! Our spot was quiet, but not too isolated to feel creepy. It had a compost toilet not too far from us and came with a bear box, logs to sit on, and flat areas to pitch a tent. I love how shady this area was, it was a very relaxing spot.

The next day, we began our real descent back to Chisos Basin. You will pass by the turn off for Emory Peak on the way back down (The highest point in Big Bend). It is an additonal 2 miles and 1,000 feet of climbing but with beautiful views! If you are tackling The South Rim in a single day, I do not suggest this add on, but after a night of sleep you will be well equipped to add this if you desire.

You will then see the second set of switch backs (But this time you are heading down them and not up, woo hoo!). After the switch backs, you are home free! The south rim is truly one of a kind and almost a right of passage for Texas hikers, but come prepared, bring tons of water, and take your time!

Boquillas, Mexico:

This is another activity I highly suggest. My husband and I had so much fun doing this! If you plan on going to Boquillas, here are a few things to know:

• They do not take credit or debit cards. Bring cash, especially small american bills
• You will need your passport to go to Boquillas
• The gate is open at different hours through out the year, check when the gate will be open while you are there

When you arrive at the Boquillas gate, you will enter a building with customs officers and passport scanners. You will show your passport, they will go over the rules, when you need to be back etc. with you and then send you out the door. You will walk a short distance along a shady sandy trail until you reach The Rio Grande. At this point, you are greeted by people from the town of Boquillas to row you across the river in a small boat for a $5 fee (My husband and I chose to wade across the river!) You then have the option of ridding a burro to the town of Boquillas ($5 round trip) or walking the mile to the town (I highly suggest the burro ride, the burros are very tame, anyone no matter your skill level could ride one).

After arriving to Boquillas, there are many people in the streets selling crafts such as koozies, wire art, and pottery. Many of the people know very little english, so if you know any spanish this is a good time to practice! There is a single bar in town and two restaurants. We took tequilla shots at the local bar then headed over for some authentic Mexican food. We had some delicious enchilladas and authentic Mexican sugar coke and topo chico on a patio overlooking the Rio Grande

My favorite places to shop were in the two shops connected to the restaurant. They had a very large selection of clothing, dishes, pottery, and other hand made crafts. The prices for everything was very resonable ( my meal was $6, I bought a hand made plate for $10, our tequilla shot was $1 etc.) When you are ready to go, if you paid the $5, hop back on an empty burro and ride it back to the river and head back to big bend. You are allowed to bring back any items you bought from Boquillas EXCEPT: rocks or minerals, anything with seeds, or drugs (duh). You will be checked back in through the custom office using your passport again, which does not take very long. We LOVED Boquillas, I have never done anything like this at any other national park. If you have time, take the trip!

Bucket List Items at Big Bend National Park:

These are things that are still on my big bend bucket list:

• Take a rafting tour down the Rio Grande through big bend. Many are multiple day trips where you camp along the way
• Jeep tour! There are tons of off roading spots, so bring the 4 wheel drive vehichle and get lost down a dirt road!

Day Trips from Big Bend:

Be on the look out for another post describing some of these in more detail, but here are day trips to make when you are in the Big Bend Area:

• Marfa, Texas: Home to mysterious lights and quirky hipsters, this is a day trip you can’t miss!
• Fort Davis National Historic Site: want to see actual cannons be fired, want to see what a fort would be like during the civil war? Head to Fort Davis and step back in time!
• Davis Observatory: Big Bend area is one of the darkest places in The United states, making for great star gazing! Look up and wonder at Davis observatory, sign up for a star party if you have time!
• Terlingua TX: Terlingua is a very quirky spot right outside of Big Bend. If you want a step back into the wild west or visit the ruins of a ghost town, Terlingua is the place for you!
• Lajitas Resort: Home to one of the best golf courses in Texas, Laijtas is doing Big Bend in style! Located 45 minutes from big bend, this is a wonderful family friendly resort with beautiful food stops, swimming pools, options for different tours, golfing, and a private airport.

I hope you enjoy your trip to this beautiful part of the country!

Truth be told, this is one of my favorite parks I have ever visited. The combination of forest, ocean, and mountains is just unlike anything in the United States. Below I will be discussing some highlights to hit if you have a limited amount of time here, some things I wish we could have done, and how to get here and where to stay.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind:

1: Be prepared to drive! The sheer size of Olympic can seem very daunting. Have no fear! You can still see and do many things even in a short amount of time. Just be prepared to drive around 30 minutes between each stop

2: Be prepared for the weather. Olympic has a series of “Micro-climates”, which means the temperature could change by 30 degrees between each stop, and it could be raining or not raining from stop to stop. Have clothing for all seasons and dress in layers.

3: Olympic seems very isolated at times. Keep in mind where gas stations are and places to stop and eat. Cellphone service can be spotty so I would do your research before entering the park. Or just make sure you have a full tank of gas and food in your car! Forks is a great place to stop if you are passing through.

4: If you plan on visiting any other national parks this year, I would highly suggest investing in the America The Beautiful Pass. Two visits to any national parks that calendar year and it is paid for! It gets your entire car into any park for free, speeds up your time spent at the ranger booths, and can be used at national monuments, forests and a variety of other areas (it is only 80 dollars for the year and two people can be put as owners on it, so worth it).

5: You might notice that we did not go to Hurricane Ridge (One of the most popular attractions at Olympic). Hurricane ridge has a very small number of clear view days, so the national park service has a live stream to show visitors the conditions at the top. On the day we visited, it was storming at the top of the ridge on the live stream, so we chose not to spend the hour driving to the top. Check the conditions at the top before making this drive or you could be in for a nasty weather surprise. Just because it is beautiful at the bottom does not mean it will be at the top (remember the “micro-climates).

How To Get Here/ Where to Stay:

Most people traveling to Olympic are coming from the Seattle Area. You will most likely take a Ferry (see map below) across to Kingston or Bainbridge Island. Don’t be fooled by your Apple Map, it took us about four hours to get to Port Angles. Port Angeles is a small port town with some touristy food stops and hotels. If you are balling on a budget like us, I would suggest looking into Air B&B. Our stay was $30 in Port Angles. Our host was very kind, our room clean, and breakfast provided! Many of the food stops were touristy and over priced for what it was, but many places were right on the water which was nice!

Our Day in Olympic National Park:

1: Hoh Rainforest

We began our day early driving from Port Angeles to the Hoh Rainforest. This was our farthest drive of the day, taking about an hour and a half to get to the visitor center. I like to start by going to the farthest thing I am going to do that day or starting at the busiest attraction to beat crowds (which Hoh is both). The Hoh Rainforest is the only rainforest in The continental United States. Hoh is typically the coldest and rainiest area of the park, so bundle up for your hike! There are two short nature walks through the forest from the visitor center (Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail), after filling your water bottle I would do both! This is a place unlike anything I have ever seen, so green and beautiful! If you are looking for backpacking opportunities, The Hoh River Trail is a 17 mile trail that goes all the way to Glacier Valley!

2: Ruby Beach

After The Hoh, we packed up and headed for the beach! Expect a big temperature jump as you head west. Heading south towards Kalaloch, there are stops for beach access for miles! We chose Ruby Beach because it is home to “The Tree of Life” as seen below. Head down the trail and hang out on the beach, head south along the beach to find this off the beaten track location. There was no one at the tree when we were there! After Ruby, head further south for lodging, food and coffee options.

3: Soleduck Falls

This is an easy trail .8 miles long to a lovely rambling falls. The colors are so vibrant and beautiful! After leaving Ruby Beach we headed back north toward Port Angeles to get to Soleduck. Don’t skip this accessible and beautiful hike!

4: Crescent Lake

Close to the northern entrance of Olympic is Crescent lake. This is a great place to stop and find some solitude or enjoy a picnic lunch. The water is so clear you can see logs at the bottom of the lake! This is an easy roadside stop that you can spend as much or little time at as you want.

If you have more time to spend at this beautiful park this is where I would suggest going:

• Hurricane Ridge: See my weather warning at the top. Weather permitting, this is a must see spot!
• Deer Park: a beautiful spot to camp and hike!
• Spend more time at any of the beaches. There are even small cabins you can rent that overlook the ocean! This would be a great family or romantic getaway
• Take a Ferry to Victoria in British Columbia! While not in Olympic, this is easily done in a day from Port Angeles
• There are so many more hiking trails, but many require multiple miles of hiking. If you spend a week here, choose some longer day hikes to escape the crowdsI

I hope you enjoy your time exploring this beautiful and unique park!

Welcome! My name is Holly Reents. I am an elementary music teacher, a brand new wife, a crazy dog lady, and a lover of all things travel! I love to travel so much I had a destination wedding in Zion National Park ( Canyon Overlook Trail at Zion National Park pictured above). I hope you enjoy my tips, pictures, and that it motivates you to get out there!

The day was June 15th, 2019. I was walking away from my car ready to explore Zion National Park for the very first time with a few of my closest friends. As we were walking, I found myself making comments about which hikes I thought would be the most unique, what time of day to do them, how the shuttle system would work, how the valley was formed etc.

” You must have been coming to this park all your life, you know so much about it!”

“No, I have never been before”.

“Really?? How do you know so much about it? Your’e like a tour guide!!”

Well, I enjoy reading. I enjoy the research involved in traveling. I enjoy traveling and getting the most out of it. Later as we were walking, I had strangers approach me and ask me what trail they should hike that day haha.

One thing I have noticed is that other people don’t enjoy planning trips as much as I do. Take my husband for example. When we were planning our honeymoon, we knew that we wanted to visit many of the national parks in Arizona and Utah. I was obsessed with looking at maps, planning our route, typing up a schedule, figuring out cool food trucks or interesting hikes etc. My husband could not understand it. He got tired of looking stuff up within five minutes. But, once we got on our honeymoon, he told me over and over how happy he was that I had done the research. Because knowing the cool stuff, where to go, where to eat, what to do makes a trip more enjoyable! Otherwise you might miss out on an incredible thing just because you didn’t look it up.

I want to help others travel and travel well! Travel doesn’t have to break the bank. Travel doesn’t have to make you frustrated. My husband and I are straight chilling on my teacher salary, and while we don’t have a ton of disposable income we still travel! I want to help make the world just a bit more accessible, and let you benefit from my travel research obsession! If you have any questions about me or any of the places I have been to, feel free to reach out and ask for advice!

“Traveling- It leaves you speechless then turns you into a storyteller”