Travel – Wonder. Wander. Repeat.

The Importance of Travel Photos

There’s a controversial statement swirling around, one I’m sure almost everyone has heard:

Taking photos takes away from the actual experience.

The bold statement is backed by sub-statements that suggest that when attention should be focused on the present surroundings and the focus is instead distorted through a viewfinder, the moment is ruined and cannot be fully enjoyed or savored. Less details will be absorbed, and therefore the overall experience is diminished because you spent your time hiding behind a shutter.

Well, I’m here to make an equally bold statement:

Taking photos enhances your overall experience.

And I’m going to tell you why.

Day Hike With 22 Waterfalls

Plentiful waterfalls are scattered all over the world. Some lie at the end of grueling hikes, presented as a welcoming prize; others roar right at the beginning of a trail and require little to no physical effort. No matter the height, location, volume, or trail it rests in, waterfalls are some of nature’s most precious gifts. Commonly, cataract trails will contain one major waterfall, possibly with a few small, surprise ones sprinkled along the path; others flaunt multiple impressive falls. But what if I told you there is a seven mile hike in Pennsylvania that will take you past twenty-two waterfalls?

Sun, Sand, and Surf in the Midwest

When you think of the Midwest, your mind probably wanders through a highlight reel of endless rows of corn, fried foods smeared with grease and ranch dressing, small towns with three-digit populations, farmers with John Deeres backing up traffic on two-lane country roads, and flat, boring landscapes for miles. If you’re familiar with my blog, you are no stranger to my adamant, pro-Midwest posts. Since I was born and raised in the Midwest, I have made it my mission to debunk the stereotypes that ride alongside our country’s heart and soul. Though we do love country music, backyard barbecues, and star-studded bonfires, the middle of the country is filled with some of the most incredible landscapes that will leave you stunned. We may not have mountains or oceans, but we have incredible beaches and sand dunes along our Great Lakes, breathtaking waterfalls, and surprisingly hilly trails with towering ledges, cliffs and overlooks that will have you thinking you may’ve just stepped into the American West.

Chasing Tennessee Waterfalls

Waterfall chasing is one of my favorite pastimes. Though I’ve seen dozens over the years, I never grow tiresome of standing in front of tumbling water. To me, standing in front of or listening to or splashing in a waterfall is equivalent to how most people feel when they slip into bed with freshly-laundered sheets. The warmth, security, and contentment that you feel when those cozy, crisp sheets envelope your body is identical to my reaction when I glimpse a waterfall cascading off a cliff. Many endorphins release from my pores, causing euphoria to pour through my veins. This may sound dramatic to many, but anytime I’m stressed or overwhelmed, I won’t talk to a therapist; I will step into nature and listen to all the sounds of the water, birds, and crunching leaves, feel the encompassing mountain air, and sniff the sweet-smelling pines. Comfort immediately wraps around me like a blanket when I am in the midst of nature; there’s just no other way to describe my incredible passion and overwhelming emotions that I am overcome with when I am in nature or in the vicinity of a waterfall.

If you’re in dire need of some free nature therapy and live in or around Tennessee, let me show you some of my favorite waterfalls in the state!

Adventures in Eastern Upper Peninsula

When you think of Michigan, your mind most likely wanders to the mitten-shaped state just north of Indiana, also known as the Lower Peninsula. You may think of things like cherries, sand dunes, or Motown. But what sits on top of Michigan’s “mitten” contains some of the most beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, mountains, and outdoor adventure hotspots. That’s right, I’m referring to the Upper Peninsula. This 16,377 square-mile piece of land that is separated by Lakes Michigan and Huron is packed full of terrains to admire and adventures to embark, no matter the season. Whether you want to paddle, fish, or jet one of the three bordering Great Lakes, hop on a ferry to visit an island, view the Northern Lights, lounge on a beach, summit a mountain, snowmobile down unpaved backroads, axe your way through an ice cave, or chase waterfalls, head on up to the UP!

Paddling Pictured Rocks

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore stretches 42 miles along the coast of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. From Munising to Grand Marais, there is no shortage of sights to see, coastlines to paddle, and trails to hike. Its fifteen miles of 200-foot picturesque cliffs have been naturally sculptured into impressive formations such as arches, castle turrets, and caves. With 73,236 acres of land and a hundred miles of trail systems to explore, Pictured Rocks is an essential addition to your ever-growing bucket list.

Enjoying Nature Responsibly

When I first began hiking nearly five years ago, I had little to no knowledge of what a responsible hiker looked like. Of course, I knew the basics: don’t litter, give fellow hikers personal space, and don’t pluck souvenirs from the trail. But aside from the basic knowledge, I wasn’t aware of the major principles that provided the backbone for outdoor activity, and just how crucial these regulations were. Ignorance can be just as dangerous as belligerent noncompliance. Both could lead to endangering our natural spaces. Now that I am fully versed in the widespread recreational principles and wholeheartedly immersed in the outdoor culture, I am going to share them with you now, so that you may enjoy nature responsibly, whether in the backcountry, within city limits, or in your own backyard.

What To Wear While Hiking

Comfort is absolutely essential while hiking. Everything from sunglasses and hiking boots to layers and outerwear need to be considered before you set foot on the trail. My first official hike was in the summer of 2015. I have a post detailing this wild adventure here, but to say I was underprepared would be an understatement. I was a beach girl up until that point in my life; suntan lotion and flip flops accompanied me on my ideal, saltwater-speckled vacation. But for our honeymoon, we decided to step out of our comfort zone and into the backwoods. That being said, we weren’t prepared for everything that hiking entails. Had we started on a more moderate trail (or say, not a National Park), we might’ve come out unscathed. Don’t get me wrong; the cuts, the bruises, and the ruined shoes were all part of the unforgettable experience that caused our passion for hiking to bloom. My low-rise Converse sneakers, jean shorts, cotton tees, and massive camera bag looped around my shoulder with unnecessary gear that accompanied me on that trip most certainly would not prove to cut it on the trail. Alas, we miraculously pushed through and conquered one of the most difficult trails in the Smoky Mountains!

Elephant Rocks, Shut-Ins and the Arch

This is such an unusual, heartbreaking time in our country. A pandemic swirls around us, causing businesses to close–some never to reopen again–millions of citizens to become unemployed, and sadly, even the outdoor spaces that we use as our escape from the world have shut their gates. Luckily, our country has seen some light at the end of the tunnel, and places have begun the slow process of reopening, including state and national parks. While thousands flocked to beaches and overcrowded pools over Memorial Day weekend, my wife and I chose to spend our holiday weekend in the woods.

Cumberland Falls: Niagara of the South

There is a hikers’ dreamland tucked into the adventurous state of Kentucky. Between the trees and in the middle of the Cumberland River, there lies a 125-foot waterfall that has been compared time and time again to the famous Niagara Falls that roars along the Canadian/US Border. With similar height, volume and ferocity, this southern gem, infamously called “Niagara of the South,” is a sight that you don’t want to miss. It’s no surprise that Cumberland Falls State Park draws in over a million visitors each year. With its roaring waterfalls, quiet hiking trails, campground, fishing hotspots, gem mining, horseback riding, and rafting, this state park has no shortage of activities that will surely fill up your day or weekend!