Category: Recreation

Virginia encapsulates some of the best landscapes on the East Coast. You can experience the Appalachian Mountains on one side of the state and the glittering Atlantic Ocean on the other!

With camping season in full swing, there are a lot of well-known and hidden gems to explore in Virginia. From getting out there and visiting places like the largest caverns on this side of the United States or an island where wild horses roam free, camping allows you to immerse in the state’s uninhibited beauty.

Here are some of the best of what Virginia has to offer:

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah is arguably the most famous park in Virginia. It’s a long sliver of land that sizes up to around 200,000 acres on Virginia’s northern side.  While admission to the park and its well-known valley costs $30 for a single vehicle, the fee covers unlimited entry for seven

Welcome to Washington state, the kind of place where we’re so spoiled for choice that any visit will result in multiple heartbreaking decisions.

OK yes, I’m being dramatic, but there are so many mountain trails to choose from, it would take months just to scratch the surface.

But most of us don’t have months, we only have days!

I visited Washington at the end of August with one goal in mind: See as many of the national parks – Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades – as I could with only eight days.

Under a similar time crunch? Just want to see the best in the state has to offer? I got you! This is one epic Washington national parks road trip itinerary:

Mount Rainier National Park

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that there is no real right or wrong order to do this national parks itinerary in. I

We’ve finally made it to the last post in our chakras series! Today it’s all about the crown chakra! As the final chakra in the system, it has a unique role in human spirituality, connection, and consciousness.

If you want to start at the beginning, check out the first post in this series on the root chakra, followed by the sacral chakra, solar plexus chakra, heart chakra, throat chakra, and third eye chakra.

The Crown Chakra at a Glance

The crown chakra, or sahasrāra chakra in Sanskrit, is known as “the bridge to the cosmos.” It is the most spiritual in nature of all seven chakras. Located above the crown of the head, it acts as the individual’s center of spirit, enlightenment, wisdom, universal consciousness, and connection to higher guidance. In a sense, the crown chakra is our highest potential. It governs interaction &

Mount Rainier rises like a behemoth above the Washington skyline. Towering at over 14,400 feet in elevation, it might not be the tallest mountain in the world, or even close, but in comparison to the surrounding peaks, it is a sight to behold. 

Mount Rainier is an active volcano and the most glaciated peak in the lower 48. During my Washington exploration, I was always delighted when I could see this incredible mountain coming out to play.

I only had 48 hours to explore Mount Rainier National Park, but if you play it right, you can see a lot of great stuff during a short period of time. There is plenty of variety from waterfalls, to reflective lakes and of course, mountain hikes for glorious sunrises and sunsets.

If you’re exploring mount Rainier National Park and you’re short on time, let me guide you towards an amazing experience:

Sunset on

The Golden State has more to see than most countries, and it’s larger than many as well. With so many different landscapes from forests to deserts, mountains, and coastline running along the entire western side, I’ve spent most of my life exploring this state and still find new points of interest constantly.

So what are the best places to see in California? As a native Californian, photography junkie, and perpetual traveler, this is the ultimate California bucket list from south to north:

1. Surf’s up in San Diego

San Diego is the third largest city in California and probably has the best weather of anywhere in the world. Given its proximity to Mexico, you can plan on some of the best food in the state and a nice mix of cultures, though that’s true all over California. The beaches of La Jolla, Coronado Island, and the funky culture of Hillcrest

Part six of the Chakras 101 series brings us to the third eye chakra! (If you’re just now checking out this series, start with my first post on the root chakra, followed by the posts on the sacral, solar plexus, heart, and throat chakras.)

The Third Eye Chakra at a Glance

The third eye chakra, or ajna chakra in Sanskrit, is known as “the seat of intuition.” Translations of the Sanskrit name include, “perceive,” “beyond wisdom,” and “command.” Located in the center of the forehead, it acts as the individual’s center of wisdom, conscience, and higher consciousness.

The third eye allows for clear thought, spiritual contemplation, and self-reflection. It is the highest chakra in the physical body, allowing it to provide visionary perspective. The third eye also helps to determine one’s reality and beliefs based on what one chooses to see in the world.

The