Travel · Photography · Life with a camera
I've always enjoyed coming home from a trip with photos and stories to share. This is where I write about the places we explore, what we enjoyed, and what I'd want someone to know before going. You'll also find things I've learned about photography along the way.
Explore photo-led travel stories, Arizona hiking ideas, national park viewpoints, and practical photography tips from my time outdoors. From Weavers Needle in the Superstition Mountains to Havasupai waterfalls and Bryce Canyon National Park, these posts bring together original photos and useful details to help you plan your own outing.
Whether you are choosing a hike, looking for a new place to explore, or learning to photograph a landscape, I share route-planning starting points, preparation notes, and ideas you can try with a phone or camera. Start with a story that interests you, then explore the related topics.
Search for a place or topic, or browse the shortcuts below—from states and hiking trails to food, stays, and photography.
Start with the view of Weavers Needle from Fremont Saddle, with photos and practical notes for the trail.
Explore Weavers Needle ↗Waterfalls, a cave, and lava landscapes. These are five places we explored on our Idaho Falls trip.
Come along to Idaho ↗An uphill walk through Eureka Springs, pepperoni pizza, and a table overlooking the hills at sunset.
Read the SkyBar story ↗
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A South Falls-focused day visit to Silver Falls State Park during our Allegiant-supported Oregon trip, with walk-behind waterfall views and practical planning notes.
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The sea lions were out on the rocks during our family visit. We explored the cave, stopped for fudge, and found my favorite view at...
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A photo-led look at Weavers Needle from Fremont Saddle, with a Peralta Trail hiking option, preparation advice, and practical desert photography tips.
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Coastal viewpoints, harbor walks and sunset light at some of my favorite Dana Point photo locations, with notes on our hotel and food stops.
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Lava landscapes, a cave, waterfalls, and a river walk: five places from our Idaho Falls trip, plus our favorite stay at Best Western Driftwood Inn.
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Mesa Falls was a last-minute family outing that we loved. We explored the Upper Falls platforms with our three-year-old and returned to the easier Lower...
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We had a short evening at Craters of the Moon, driving the Loop Road and exploring Spatter Cones. With nobody else around, the silence was...
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The kids loved carrying lanterns through Idaho's Mammoth Cave. The museums, peacocks, and remote setting made it a very different kind of family stop.
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Our Big Bear weekend mixed lake time and Alpine Slide with pizza, pancake breakfasts, and hotel swims. Leaving room for downtime was part of why...
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The Village, Boulder Bay, Alpine Slide, and meals at Fire Rock were highlights of our Big Bear trip. These are the places we enjoyed between...
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Our Mount Lemmon outings included cloudy scouting, late-night star photos, and another visit with clouds settling into the mountains. The conditions shaped each trip.
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After photographing Mount Lemmon, we headed downtown for dinner at La Chingada. The relaxed atmosphere and churro cheesecake stood out, with a few reservations about...
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A four-day Best Western-sponsored road trip through Southern New Mexico, with sunset and a full moon at White Sands, handheld photography inside Carlsbad Caverns, and...
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