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This post is about Capitol Reef National Park. We explored this park in two full days, which we felt was enough time to see Cathedral Valley, the Waterpocket Fold, and drive the scenic drive through the park. The first day, I got up to be in line for pies! So, here's the deal with the pies. The Gifford House is located inside Capitol Reef National Park. It was once the home of several different families, but the Gifford Family were its longest occupants. It is now owned by th

Our third day was a long day! We checked out of the hotel in Moab and made a quick stop at McDonald's to grab something for breakfast to go. Driving Potash Road/Shafer Canyon Road to Canyonlands National Park was on our agenda for today. Get an early start if you decide to do this drive. I underestimated just a smidge, and be sure you have a 4WD rental, preferably one with high clearance. Check for recent or forecasted rain in the area,  because my understanding is this is no

The highlight of our second day in Moab was Arches National Park. From April to October, a timed-entry ticket is required if you are visiting the park between 7am-4pm, and our entry time was between 12pm-1pm. You obtain this ticket through this website,  https://www.recreation.gov/ , and pay a $1 processing fee. Be sure to have this saved on your phone in an email or print out the ticket because the staff at the entrance booth will ask for it when you enter the park. For furt

On our first full day, we had reservations at 8:00am for the Economy Tour of Hell's Revenge with Dan Mick's Guided Jeep Tours. Hell's Revenge is an off-road trail located in Sand Flats Recreation Area. We were fortunate to have Richard, the son of Dan Mick, as our tour guide. Richard's father, Dan, is the pioneer of this trail and many others in the area, and he still does tours with the company. Our tour was 90 minutes and needless to say, I had some white knuckles throughou

The town of Fruita is about 26 miles from the Utah state line and provides easy access to National Scenic Byway 128. This drive is a must do! It isn't a fast drive, but there are lots of beautiful stops along the way. We saw a herd of pronghorn antelope grazing, which excited me as I love seeing wildlife in their natural habitats. I saw antelope in Yellowstone, but from a good distance away. Here's a picture: I recommend setting your odometer to zero when you begin this drive

Colorado National Monument is operated by the National Park Service  and is near Grand Junction, Colorado . Canyons and red rock formations make up the landscape of this monument.  There are scenic views from trails and  Rim Rock Drive . The monument's feature attraction is  Monument Canyon , which runs the width of the park and includes rock formations such as  Independence Monument , the  Kissing Couple , and  Coke Ovens . The monument includes 20,500 acres. One plus to vis

My husband and I just recently visited Southeast Utah from September 25, 2025-October 4, 2025. We had a fabulous time, and I wanted to provide an overview of what we did. You have probably seen a lot of Facebook posts, and You Tube videos about Utah’s “Mighty Five” and people planning one trip to see all five National Parks in Utah. While that seems like a great idea if you have the time, I found it would be easier to break them up into two trips. There are so many other stat

My first time in NYC was in May 2003. I went with my mom and two of my cousins/best friends. I was 22 years old, and this city really loomed large, coming from a small rural community in North Carolina.  Our first stop was to the Empire State Building. At that time, one ticket to the top was $11.00. According to their website, a ticket in 2025 is $44 to go to the 86th floor observatory!!! Of course, the views of New York City and the Manhattan skyline were spectacular. We wer

After Thanksgiving in 2004, my mother and grandmother went with me on my first outing to Biltmore Estate in Asheville. This 250-room French Chateau (the largest private residence in America) is a sight to behold especially during Christmas when it is decorated for the holidays. I have never visited during the springs when the flowers, especially the tulips, are in bloom, but I hear it is a gorgeous time to visit.    What's in a name? Bilt is a Dutch town and more = open, roll

Growing up in North Carolina, there are not many places I haven't been to in this great state. One place that never disappoints is the beautiful mountains. I grew up in the eastern part of the state and still reside a little over one hour from the coast. The mountains, on the other hand, are about four hours from my home, depending on which area of the mountains one wants to visit.  In the fall of 2004 (before smart phones when all of my pictures were actual film), Bobby and

Back in January 2025, my mom and I took my 9-year-old cousin to Walt Disney World. We went with my cousin's wife and three-year-old daughter, my cousin's wife's mom, and her soon to be sister-in-law. There were 5 adults and 2 children. We rented a Dodge Caravan and let me tell you, we were packed in there like sardines. My cousin's wife, Karmen, and I took turns driving.  Around 4:30am on January 16th, we left home and began the 580-mile journey to Orlando. For anyone who has

The third island we visited is Hawaii's oldest island, Kauai. It is known as the "Garden Isle." We left Maui and flew inter-island on Hawaiian Airlines, arriving on the island of Kauai at 1:25pm. We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in a Deluxe Ocean Front Room. This room was very spacious, and I would recommend staying here if you ever get the chance to visit Kauai. The views of Kiahuna Beach were amazing. We also rented a car on this island as well.  In route to the hotel

On Sunday, we left Oahu and flew to the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui, known as the "Valley Isle." We flew Hawaiian Airlines for our short inner-island flight and were pleasantly surprised to find the plane was very nice. At the airport, we picked up our reserved rented Jeeps. Key point: you will need a rental for Maui!  We arrived around lunch and ate at Teddy's Burger. Then we drove the 40-minute drive to our hotel and were able to check-in. We stayed at Roya

When people say our pets are like our family, they were telling the 100%, absolute truth! Growing up, we had a dog when I was a toddler. His name was Brownie, but I don't really remember much about him. My daddy also had a horse, Ringo when I was 5 or 6, but I think he sold him. Through the years, we would fed and nurtured a kitten, but he got ran over by a car. So, I really never had a pet. Mama despised cats, and it was just never something we thought was a good idea. When

I grew up (and still live) in a very small town-we're talking 750 people! It's where my heart is and always will be, and, I think, because of this small town, I have always had the urge to travel-to just see the world and what God created. So, blogging has been something I have thought about for years as a way to document or journal my travels. Now that I have taken several more trips and still have no blog to document them, I thought why not start? And... I am in a Facebook

So, our first stop in Hawaii was the island of Oahu, the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Oahu means "the gathering place." To me, Oahu was like Manhattan with palm trees, very bustling and people everywhere. As your plane starts to land, you can see Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach.  Once we landed and received our lei, we were transferred to our hotel. We stayed at the Sheraton Waikiki, and our room had a partial ocean view and a private lanai with table and chairs.  Ou

In February 2019, Bobby and I, along with my parents and my first cousin and his new wife went to Hawaii. It was actually my cousin's honeymoon! We chose to see Oahu, Maui, and Kauai on this trip. A local travel agent arranged our hotels and flights, because we really were not sure how to manage the logistics of moving from one island to another. But, having been, I think it is manageable to do on your own. Lesson learned, and this is an important lesson: do not fly home from

North Carolina is a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be explored. While many travelers flock to the well-known attractions like the Great Smoky Mountains or the beaches of the Outer Banks, there are countless lesser-known spots that offer unique experiences. Whether you're a local Tar Heel or a visitor looking to uncover the state's secrets, this guide will help you discover some of the best hidden gems North Carolina has to offer. A peaceful mountain lake reflecting

Traveling is more than just visiting new places; it's about immersing yourself in the culture, history, and experiences that each destination has to offer. For those who bleed Carolina blue or Hurricanes red, traveling like a Tar Heel-Caniac means embracing the spirit of North Carolina, its rich traditions, and its vibrant communities. This guide will help you navigate your travels with the enthusiasm and pride of a true Tar Heel and Hurricane. A breathtaking view of the Blue

North Carolina is a treasure trove of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. From the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains to the stunning coastline of the Outer Banks, this state offers a plethora of adventures for every type of traveler. Whether you are a thrill-seeker, a history buff, or someone looking to relax in nature, North Carolina has something special waiting for you. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best spots to visit in North Carolina, ensurin