Exploration

Travel has always been part of our lives. Growing up, we learned early on that you didn’t need a big budget or a far-off destination to explore somewhere meaningful. Some of our favorite memories came from places close to home, where wandering a little further led to discovering something new.

This Explore page is a collection of those moments — local spots, long drives, quiet places, and destinations we didn’t plan but ended up loving. Whether you’re exploring nearby or heading somewhere far away, we hope these stories inspire you to slow down and see what’s around you.

Explore Our National Parks

Our latest Exploration blogs

Arches National Park in One Day

Arches National Park in One Day

We visited Arches National Park in May with blue skies and 70-degree weather, one of the reasons spring is a great time to visit. If you’re planning to explore Arches in one day, getting there early makes a big difference, even though there was a line when we arrived, it moved quickly.

After entering the park, we stopped at the visitor center for a quick look around before heading up the scenic, winding road toward our first viewpoint, Courthouse Towers.

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Park Guide: Lincoln Parish Park | Ruston, Louisiana Feature

Park Guide: Lincoln Parish Park | Ruston, Louisiana

Overview of Lincoln Parish Park A quiet, clean, and well-kept campground right off I-20 between Dallas and Jackson. Lincoln Parish Park in Ruston, Louisiana is your perfect stopover. Lincoln Parish Park centers around a peaceful lake surrounded by wooded campsites. The park also has a day-use area, and a scenic walking trail that loops the water’s edge. The campground includes: 👉 Check out 18 Vanlife FAQs About Lincoln Parish Park in Louisiana before you book! Easy Pasta Recipe: Taco Pasta Booking Details Here’s what you’ll find when reserving a spot at Lincoln Parish Park: Reservations: Can be made by phone or directly through the local park office. Check-in/out: Check-in at 2 PM, check-out at noon. Pets: Allowed on leash. Curious about vanlife camping at Lincoln Parish Park? 👉 Read Our 18 Vanlife FAQs Blog The Park Experience The 10-mile mountain bike trail is a local favorite — known for its flowing terrain and lake views. Hikers and runners can enjoy the lakeside walking trail, dotted with benches for sunrise coffee or sunset reflection. Other highlights include: Weekend Reset Idea: Start your morning slow, sip coffee beside the lake, hit the forest trails mid-day, and wind down with a golden-hour paddle. It’s the kind of place that makes you forget you’re just a few minutes from Ruston. Connectivity If you’re traveling or working remotely, Lincoln Parish Park is surprisingly well-connected. The T-Mobile service was stable and strong signal our entire stay. We didn’t even need to use our starlink. But we did test it and had clear sky view. The look of other sites, seemed that alot of the RV spots have open skies. The park also has a campground Wi-Fi and it’s pretty decent too! 👉 Planning to work remotely? Check out our guide to Remote Working in Lincoln Parish Park Nearby Essentials  One of the best things about this campground is how close it is to town. And the beauty of being in the van is you can come and go pretty easily. Expect a 10-minute drive to Ruston. Nearby favorites include: Practical Tips Weather: Expect humid summers and mild winters.Bugs: Bring repellent — mosquitoes love the lake.Best Sites: 18–25 offer the best sunrise lake views.Rules: Quiet hours start at 9 PM; trash must be carried out or placed in designated bins. Final Thoughts Lincoln Parish Park is one of those rare finds. A peaceful, affordable campground that offers scenic beauty, solid amenities, and reliable connectivity. It was the perfect place to test run everything, before we start to put walls up. Would stay here again – actually we will definitely stay here again.

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Aguadilla, PR Street Art

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

How did we get to stay for 30 days Honestly, it’s all about who you know that made this possible for us. We have a family member in the Army, who was stationed in Puerto Rico. They invited us to stay as long as we want. We might have taken a little advantage of being there a month, but honestly it wasn’t enough time with her. While we were there and she wasn’t we basically got to live like locals in Aguadilla, PR. Moral of the story is knowing people is the best and cheapest way to travel!  Some Places We Found in Aguadilla to stay If you don’t have family or friends in Puerto Rico don’t let that stop you from visiting this wonderful island and this super fun town! Here are some places we found that we would stay out when/if our family moves from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Our favorite thing about Aguadilla is the food! We ate so much great food while in Puerto Rico that when came back home…. let’s just say our body got mad at us! 😂 We can’t wrap up our blog without mentioning all the amazing food we had. Between lobster every day and explore every item on the menus over the course of a month, we were eating good!  ARTe Rooftop Experience At ARTe Rooftop Experience in Aguadilla presents a unique fusion of art, music, and food, with what seems like movie scenes from every direction. This rooftop restaurant celebrates what Puerto Rican culture is all about, offering an eclectic mix of live performances, art exhibitions, and the best food in town. I found this restaurant while exploring the area on Google Earth and it was the best find! We ended up being regulars by the end of our trip, and we can’t wait to go back! Directions To ARTe Rooftop ExperienceARTe Rooftop Experience Menu The Beach House The most west you can go on the Island is a restaurant called The Beach House. On non cloudy days, you will get the best view of the sunset here, along with great food and drinks and live music. We spent many nights here and can’t it’s going to be one of those places we will forever go to when we go to the island. Also like to mention I had the best Mahi Mahi in my life at this restaurant for their dinner special! Directions To The Beach HouseThe Beach House Menu

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Forks, WA

Forks, WA: More Than Twilight

Why Forks, Washington? In our opinion, there are a million reasons on why Forks should be on your bucket list, but our favorite reason is the scenery! Scroll down to see some of our favorite pictures from Forks. We can’t get over the hiking trails, rivers and waterfalls and mountain backdrops. It’s also a short drive to the Pacific Coast. Twilight Forks, Washington is home of the infamous book/movie series “Twilight”. When you explore the area, it’s easy to see why a moody vampire series would be located in the PNW. Not only did the movies pick the best small town to place the story in – but it also helped the town’s economy. Even though the books came out in the early mid 2000’s – the town still sees the Twilight fandom come and go to see all the hotspots that were highlighted by Twilight. Places To Stay In Forks Washington Nestled in the vibrant heart of Forks, Washington, Forks Motel offers a tranquil and pristine sanctuary for travelers seeking the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. As you plan your journey to explore the enchanting landscapes and rich history of this iconic town, let Forks Motel be your home away from home. A Gentle Reminder for Digital Nomads We understand the crucial need for connectivity in today’s digital world. Especially for remote workers who, like us, rely on internet access. It’s important to note that while Forks Motel strives to provide the best services, WiFi connectivity might occasionally take a back seat to nature’s embrace. However, fear not, digital adventurers! Our experience was lit by the reliable beacon of 5G network coverage, ensuring that our work and online explorations were uninterrupted through personal hotspots.A tip for the modern traveler: Forks’ embrace of nature includes a digital detox, with a safety net of 5G connectivity for those essential online moments. Book Your Stay at Forks Motel Ready to dive into the heart of Forks with the comfort of knowing your nights will be spent in clean, serene accommodations? Booking your stay at Forks Motel is just a click away. Visit www.forksmotel.com for direct reservations or leverage our partnership with booking.com through our affiliate link for a seamless booking experience. Embrace the tranquility, explore the wilderness, and immerse yourself in the captivating lore of Forks, all while enjoying the cozy, quiet comfort of Forks Motel.Whether you’re here to follow the trails of your favorite “Twilight” characters, marvel at the untouched beauty of the Pacific Northwest or simply retreat into the calm of small-town America, Forks Motel is your gateway to an unforgettable experience. Photo from TripAdvisor The In Place Conveniently situated just across the street from Forks Motel, The In Place stands as a beacon for food enthusiasts exploring Forks, Washington. Whether you’re craving an early breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or a cozy dinner, The In Place caters to all tastes and times. It’s remarkably one of the few establishments open past 7pm in this charming small town. Navigating Small Town Dining

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