Sand Dunes — Ad-van-tures

The John Dellenback Dunes Trail is the Best Day Hike on the Oregon Coast

Ian and I have been traveling for almost a year now, and we have hiked thousands of miles of trails across the country. The Oregon Coast was one of the most unexpected places that we have discovered during our travels. The biggest surprise of all was the John Dellenback Dunes Trail, which is one of our favorite day hikes we have ever done.

National Parks, Oregon, Travel, VanlifeKaylee ThornleyJanuary 17, 2019Beaches, Frugal Travel, Geology, Highway 101, Hiking, John Dellenback Dunes Trail, Ocean, Oregon, Oregon Coast, Oregon Dunes, Photography, Public Land, Road Trip, Sand Dunes, Trails, Travel, Trees, Vanlife, Florence, Reedsport, Coos Bay, Sunsets Comment

Cape Kiwanda State Park and Hart’s Cove at Cascade Head

With sandstone cliffs sculpted by wave action and Oregon’s largest sand dune, Cape Kiwanda State Park should not be missed on any Oregon Coast road trip. Nearby Cascade Head and the Harts Cove Trail is the perfect experience to discover a mossy, green coastal rain forest and to hear sea lions barking.

Exploring Snow Canyon State Park

In October, we spent a day enjoying Snow Canyon State Park, near St. George, Utah. One of the neatest parts about Snow Canyon is that there is volcanic rock, lava tubes, and extinct cinder cones, alongside water-carved Navajo sandstone and sand dunes.

Grimes Point Archaeological Site and Sand Mountain

In the middle of the desert near Fallon, Nevada there are two very unexpected sights… and no they are not related to aliens. One is a field of rocks darkened by years of sun with ancient art pecked in their surfaces. The other is a massive natural mountain of sand.

Three Days in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is a land of contrasts, and it is probably one of the most unique national parks that we have visited. It holds the honor of being the hottest place on Earth. The lowest place in North America, Badwater Basin, is found in the park at 282 below sea level, but the mountains in the park rise to over 11,000 feet in elevation. There are white salt flats, gargoyle-esque formations of salt crystals, massive sand dunes, eroded badlands, and colorful mountains.

California, Free Camping, National Parks, Nevada, Roadside Attractions, Travel, VanlifeKaylee ThornleyNovember 10, 2018Abandoned Places, Arches, Badlands, BLM Land, California, Canyons, Desert, Free Camping, Geology, Hiking, Mountains, Museums, National Parks, Natural Bridges, Nevada, Petroglyphs, Photography, Public Land, Road Trip, Roadside Attractions, Running, Salt Flats, Sand Dunes, Sunsets, Trail Running, Trails, Travel, Trees, Vanlife, Wilderness, Movie Locations, Star Wars, Death Valley National Park, Badwater Basin, Racetrack Playa, Beatty NV, Goldwell Open Air Museum, Rhyolite Ghost Town, Ghost Towns, Joshua Trees, Tom Kellys Bottle House, Titus Canyon, Leadfield Ghost Town, Grapevine Mountains, Red Pass, Thimble Peak, Klare Spring, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Stovepipe Wells, Furnace Creek, Devil's Golf Course, Artist's Drive, Artist's Palette, Zabriskie Point, Badlands Trail, Golden Canyon, Red Cathedral, Dante's View, Panamint Mountains, ArchaeologyComment

Three Days of Backpacking on the Ä’äy Chù West Trail and Observation Mountain

When your home can be parked at any trailhead, it’s easy to forego backpacking trips in favor of day hikes. However, in the Yukon, where the beautiful sites are less accessible, and there are few developed trails and even fewer roads, we decided it was time to dig the backpacks and our tent out from under the bed for a longer excursion.