TRAVELTRAVEL NOTES:
MADE IN THE USA.
From East to West, North to South,
adventure surrounds us, right here. 
The Best Things to Do in Crested Butte: My Favorite Places and Experiences
After spending two weeks in Crested Butte, I found plenty to love beyond the mountain biking. From exploring Elk Avenue and visiting Gothic to hiking, camping along the Slate River, watching for wildlife, and learning the town's history, these are my favorite things to do in Crested Butte.
The History of Crested Butte: How a Mining Town Became a Mountain Bike Destination
Crested Butte wasn't always known for skiing and mountain biking. Before the trails and ski lifts, it was a thriving coal mining town. Learn how Crested Butte evolved from a mining community into one of Colorado's most iconic mountain towns while preserving the character that makes it so special today.
My First Visit to Crested Butte: Why I Already Want to Go Back
Crested Butte had been on my mountain biking bucket list for years. After finally spending a week there, I discovered it was more than incredible trails. The town, the people, and its unique character made it one of my favorite mountain towns I've ever visited.
Newspaper Rock: One of Utah's Most Incredible Petroglyph Sites
Located along Highway 211 in Bears Ears National Monument, Newspaper Rock is home to hundreds of petroglyphs carved over centuries. This easy roadside stop offers a fascinating glimpse into the people who traveled through southeastern Utah long before modern roads existed.
Shafer Trail: The Famous Road Through Canyonlands National Park
From ranchers and uranium miners to modern-day visitors, Shafer Trail has played an important role in Canyonlands history. Learn how this famous road descends 1,500 feet from Island in the Sky and became one of Utah's most photographed views.
Why Delicate Arch Lived Up to the Hype
Some famous places lose something after you finally see them in person. Delicate Arch was not one of them. After seeing photos of it for years, it still felt bigger, more exposed, and more unreal than I expected standing there in person.
Why Delicate Arch Became the Symbol of Utah
Delicate Arch is more than the famous view in Arches National Park. Here’s why this freestanding sandstone arch became the symbol of Utah — and why seeing it in person feels so different than seeing it in photos.
Is Mesa Verde National Park Worth Visiting? My Take After Exploring It
Mesa Verde National Park in southern Colorado surprised me more than almost anywhere else in the Southwest. From Cliff Palace and ancient cliff dwellings hidden within sandstone cliffs to historic park roads, overlooks, and archaeological sites spread across the mesa tops, Mesa Verde feels completely different from most national parks in the region.
Utah Desert Plants and Wildflowers: What You’ll See Across the State
A field guide to Utah desert plants, from blooming cactus and wildflowers to juniper trees and shrubs found along trails in Moab and beyond.
Utah Rock Formations: A Guide to What You’re Seeing Across the State
After spending nearly three months in Utah, I started seeing the same patterns show up across the landscape. From arches and hoodoos to domes, fins, monoliths, and petrified sand dunes, this guide breaks down the rock formations that define Utah—and what you’re really looking at when you see them.