Welcome!

My name is Val, and I am a hiker, photographer, and adventurer. This blog is a place for me to share my travels and provide information to help you take awesome trips of your own. I’ll also share helpful tips for people who want to explore more and get off the beaten path!

Who am I?

I’ve always considered myself a “collector” of hobbies. I’ve taught myself calligraphy, painting, and jewelry making, each hobby I would pursue for a few months, until eventually my interest would subside and I would move on to the next thing.

That was until I began my journey with photography. In 2017, I bought myself my first camera and was instantly hooked. The challenge of learning the technical aspects combined with creativity and seeking beautiful locations thrilled me, and I’ve been taking photos ever since.

Unlike photography, I’ve loved to travel as long as I can remember. However, it has only recently been that I’ve been able to pursue it more.

In 2019, I had one of the best experiences of my life when my boyfriend and I went on a two and a half week road trip, visiting some of the most beautiful places in America. We hiked some of the muddiest trails, got drenched by waterfalls, and drove through several snowstorms… and I loved every second of it. (Except for maybe the snowstorms, driving through a blizzard in the Rocky’s was terrifying for a girl from the Midwest).

Since then I’ve decided to prioritize travel and adventure, and hope to inspire others to do the same! I live in the beautiful state of Oregon, and love to share info on the Pacific Northwest, as well as other destinations around the US and worldwide.

My top:

National Parks

  • Mount Rainier
  • Bryce
  • Yosemite
  • Glacier
  • Zion

States

  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • Colorado
  • New Hampshire
  • Massachusetts

Goals

  • Hike Mount Saint Helens
  • Stay in a Treehouse
  • Camp on the Beach
  • Witness a Cloud Inversion
  • See the Northern Lights

Dream Destinations

  • Antarctica
  • Iceland
  • New Zealand
  • Switzerland
  • Argentina