Exploring The Great Outdoors

July 26, 2020

National Parks...Exploring The Great Outdoors!

Summer is here and in full swing. Because of the devastating effects of the pandemic, many travelers are opting to stay closer to home. Paired with an understandable hesitation to be in large crowds, spending the summer in the great outdoors is sounding better and better. If you are looking for a destination for a summer road trip or hoping to check some natural wonders off your bucket list, there is a U.S. National Park for you to explore. 

National Parks aren’t just for adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers, they’re also incredible for anyone craving a little bit of relaxation. They are the perfect place to unwind in solitude and meditate. Here’s a look at four national parks that are waiting to welcome you this summer.













Redwood National Park


Home to the tallest trees on Earth, Redwood National Park in northern California is a bucket list destination for nature lovers! Along with giant sequoias, the park is also home to a variety of landscapes, like prairies, riverways and over 40 miles of coastline along the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect place to spend a few days hiking and exploring the many trails that weave through the trees.


Bryce Canyon National Park


‘Breathtaking’ is one common way to describe the scenery and spectacle of Bryce Canyon National Park. Located in Southern Utah, this sprawling national park is home to many Instagram-worthy sights. The canyon and its rock formations have been carved by erosion. This leaves behind stone spires and arches that seem to defy gravity. Along with hiking trails, guests can go horseback riding, mountain biking, and even skiing in the winter months!











Yellowstone National Park


Always a family favorite, Yellowstone National Park is one of the United States’ largest national parks with over 3,500 square miles. The majority of the park is in Wyoming, but it also stretches into Idaho and Montana.

Nature’s wonder and beauty are on display in Yellowstone National Park. It is home to many famous examples of geological wonders like the Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring. Along with visiting these sites, hiking, animal watching, and rafting are a few of the activities that families enjoy on their trip to Yellowstone National Park.




Mammoth Cave National Park


For over 200 years, people have been exploring the Mammoth Cave system in Kentucky. Mammoth Cave is the largest known cave in the world stretching over 400 miles underground. In recent decades, the importance of early 1800s cave guides, including slaves and emancipated men like Stephen Bishop, has become more widely known. Today, they are recognized for their contributions to understanding the cave system as we know it today. What if exploring underground isn’t for you? This national park also has nearly 70 miles of trails on the surface to hike, bike, and explore!




This list is not all-inclusive, however, it is a good starting point. If you are in the market for a good ole’ road trip enjoying the great outdoors, this is for you. Each park carries its own unique sights and adventures and is sure to quench your outdoor thirst. Happy traveling!



Travel Insurance

By Angela Lindsey • February 20, 2022
Should I or should I not purchase travel insurance? That is the popular question these days. Whenever you purchase plane tickets, cruise tickets, or book a hotel, you are usually asked if you want to purchase travel insurance. Due to the purchase of travel insurance being an additional cost, many travelers usually opt out of it. It is often thought of as an unnecessary add-on like extended warranties and generally considered not worth it.

Let Me Upgrade You

By Angela Lindsey • January 14, 2022
When planning a client's trip, we always consider all the information given to us for a full personalized experience. This includes a client's budget. Every attempt is made to operate within the limits of the budget and still provide an amazing and unforgettable experience. But, it's a proven fact that a super tight budget forces you to miss some great vacation experiences. The next time you are creating your vacation budget, consider some of these small and affordable upgrades that are sure to improve your all-around vacation experience.

Preparing For The Unexpected

By Angela Lindsey • December 2, 2021
Preparing for the unexpected is an important part of taking trips, and as a Travel Advisor, working hard to stay on top of situations that might affect your health and safety is an essential aspect of my job. Here are 3 travel preparation recommendations.

Waiting On Your Passport?

By Angela Lindsey • August 13, 2021
According to the State Department, the passport application process is taking more than four months (18 weeks), and “expedited” service may only shorten the wait to three months. This means that passport processing times are three times as long as the average wait time prior to the pandemic. The State Department website indicates the dramatic delays are the result of COVID-related issues…not to mention the drastic uptick in travel which is causing a high demand for passports. If you need to renew your passports immediately, unfortunately you are no longer able to book last-minute appointments online. The State Department announced this change on July 22nd, 2021. For emergency appointments, you can refer to the table on the “ Get It Fast ” passport section of the State Department’s website.

Get Ready For Travel

By Angela Lindsey • April 19, 2021
Demand for future travel is increasing and will likely outpace supply, even as more options reopen. One of the most important preparations for future travel is ensuring you have the appropriate travel ID. You don’t want to arrive at the airport for your long-awaited vacation, only to be denied boarding because of an identification issue! Now is the time to make sure your identification documents are ready. The COVID-19 pandemic is causing delays in passport processing. Standard processing for new and renewal applications is currently 10-12 weeks, or 4-6 weeks if paying an additional $60 expedite fee.* Even flying to U.S. destinations, you need to be ready for the new REAL ID requirements going into effect on October 1, 2021. What should you know about getting your IDs ready to travel? I’ve highlighted a few key points.

Planning Romantic Road Trips

By Angela Lindsey • March 5, 2021
Road trips are back at the top of travel lists, as more people opt to explore the United States. For couples, taking a road trip together offers a chance to reconnect and make new memories together. If you’re a honeymooner, celebrating your anniversary, or first-time travel partners who are considering a road trip, here are some ideas to help you find romance on the road. As a romance specialist and one who loves and values romance in my personal life, I have tested all of these. Navigating Together On a road trip, navigating is part of the fun. Tracing the route, taking an impromptu detour to see a roadside attraction, and refueling at a locally-owned diner, are reminders that the journey is as important as the destination. My husband and I took a road trip to visit family and on the return trip, we mapped out a route to make a stop in Mississippi to celebrate our anniversary. We ate at local restaurants and checked out a few attractions. Oh, you didn’t think I was going to skip out on the beach did you? Yes, we spent a little time on the beach, enjoying the amazing views and sunsets.

Top Travel Trends For 2021

December 23, 2020
It’s no secret that we are dreaming about our next vacation. For many of us, 2020 meant delays and/or cancellations of our long-awaited vacations. After the stressful and challenging year, we’ve all been through…we need a change of scenery. With a percentage of next year’s vacations already in the books, the year’s travel trends and must-visit destinations are starting to emerge. Whether they are barbecue enthusiasts or book lovers, the below lists of locations, near and far from home, are a perfect starting place for 2021 vacation inspiration!

Wellness Travel

By Angela Lindsey • November 17, 2020
Turmoil, challenges and stress…nothing could more accurately sum up 2020 than this. Canceled events, working from home while homeschooling, higher health risks for going out in public, job loss, etc. are all reasons why 2020 has been extremely stressful. All the stress has taken a toll on our mental health. With all the turbulence this year has brought, travelers are focusing on ways to enhance their wellbeing. This includes physical, mental and spiritual wellness.

Romance on a River Cruise

By Angela Lindsey • July 30, 2020
Though travel to Europe is on hold for the moment, we know that many travelers are eager to visit its cities again. Thinking about the experiences of European travel will help you look ahead and inspire your future vacation. Those of us with a passion for travel often daydream about the cities and places we want to visit someday. And in these daydreams, we think about the person we love most and traveling the world with them. For couples who dream of checking off destinations around the world together, there’s a way to see and do more with your vacation time: take a river cruise! River cruising is one of the best ways to visit multiple cities without the stress of travel days, unpacking and repacking, or getting lost trying to find your hotel. From panoramic suites, themed excursions, and incredible itineraries, river cruising is the ideal vacation for couples looking for a romantic trip through Europe and beyond.

Helpful Travel Apps

By Angela Lindsey • July 30, 2020
 Travel is one of the fastest growing industries. Stay organized and prepared with the following travel apps. Mobile Passport - Allows you to upload your passport and fill out customs forms on your phone to speed you through U.S. Customs and Border Protection at 30+ airports and cruise ports. PackPoint – alleviates the stress associated with packing. Advises you of what to wear based on where you’re going, length of your stay, projected weather and activities you’re planning. Waze - Live maps include voice-guided navigation to easily guide you. You get community-based data on traffic jams and other information so that you can find points of interest like the cheapest gas stations and the fastest routes to your destination. Trail Wallet – A tool that allows you to organize and track your travel expenses.
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