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A Journey Beyond Earth: Experiencing NASA Social and the GOES-U Launch in Titusville, Florida
When I first received the email confirming my selection for NASA Social, I couldn’t believe my luck. This was more than an opportunity to witness history—it was an invitation to step behind the curtain of human innovation and exploration. Titusville, Florida, home to Kennedy Space Center and the heart of America’s space exploration efforts, became…
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Shooting a Music Video in Big Bend of West Texas
After more than a year of dating my boyfriend, Adam—who, if you’ve read my other blogs, you’ll recognize as the infamous Uber Guy—I was excited to share with him the beauty of Big Bend National Park in West Texas, a place that holds a special place in my heart. If you are curious about things…
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San Juan Mountains in Southern Colorado: The Swiss Alps of America
It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since my last road trip with Greer. Time has flown by so quickly, it feels like a blur. Life has a funny way of doing that—drifting us apart, wrapping us up in our own worlds. Greer’s been deeply involved in her work at the Texas Capital…
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Clearing My Head in Big Bend
On my fifth trip to West Texas, a brief excursion in October 2023, I returned from a three-month journey through South America, exploring Peru, Argentina, and Chile. Initially planning to relocate to San Antonio with my parents, our plans shifted, leading me back to Austin. Alongside this transition, I navigated the end of a six-year…
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New Year’s in West Texas & Big Bend State Park during the Government Shut Down
This blog post chronicles my fourth journey to West Texas, marked by my enduring quest to conquer Big Bend National Park with my friend Greer. Over the past 18 months, Greer and I had explored 14 states together, yet our dream of backpacking through Big Bend had been repeatedly postponed. Our first attempt together was…
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Vegas to Utah Road Trip: Explore Neon Lights and Red Rocks
Greer and I have only known each other for less than a year, and let me tell you, we absolutely adore road-tripping across the country together! This time, we decided to bring along my boyfriend at that time. While we had an incredible time, I must admit, it didn’t quite match the same level of…
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Group Backpacking in Big Bend National Park
Returning to Big Bend National Park for the third time in a year is a testament to my deep affection for this enchanting place. My passion for budget-friendly road trips blossomed, with memorable visits to Big Bend National Park in both winter and summer. You can explore these adventures in my articles: Following my Big…
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Austin to Santa Fe and Back: A 4-Day Road Trip
After my amazing Midwest trip with my friend Greer in the summer of 2017, we were already itching for our next adventure. So, in October of that fall, we decided to embark on a road trip from Austin, Texas, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. With Greer balancing law school, we couldn’t take an extended trip,…
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Hidden Gems and Open Roads: The Most Underrated Adventure Through Midwest America
In 2017, I embarked on a transformative 2-week road trip throughout the Midwest, which became one of the most life-changing and affordable journeys I’ve ever experienced. The Midwest, often overlooked in favor of popular destinations like New York, Los Angeles, Austin, San Francisco, or Denver, holds a significant place in American culture and history. This…
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Big Bend National Park in the Summer Season
After my winter escapade in Big Bend National Park where the desert landscape was cloaked in the chill and thick fog of the season, I found myself drawn back to its rugged terrain once more, this time in the throes of summer’s scorching embrace. You can read that winter adventure here: Six months had passed…
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Big Bend National Park in the Winter Season
Embarking on my first journey to Big Bend National Park, I find myself reminiscing driving through the Chihuahuan Desert while I was visiting Guadalupe Mountains National Park, you can view that blog here: You can also check out this blog post where I share my many other experiences in Big Bend NP and West Texas:…
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The Ozarks in Arkansas
Sometimes, I wonder how I managed to travel so much, work so hard, and still have the boundless energy to do it all. At 23, it seems like you have an infinite supply of vitality, ready to fuel any spontaneous adventure. One such escapade took place over three memorable days in November of 2015 when…
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5-Day Trip in Oregon
After my near-death experience in 2012, I was left with vivid memories that I knew I never experienced in this lifetime, but they felt so real and emotional. One memory stood out: the image of myself doing laundry and hanging it out to dry in what I believed to be Oregon. How could I be…
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Backpacking the Highest Peak in Texas: Guadalupe Mountains
In preparation to my Oregon and Crater Lake Backpacking trip, I thought practicing somewhere closer to home would be good. If you’re interested in how the Oregon trip turned out, you can view that here: The decision to venture to Guadalupe Mountains National Park was a spontaneous burst of excitement, unfolding in just 24 hours….
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How I Survived 9 Days of Salmonella Hell in the Heart of NYC
In March of 2013, I embarked on my first trip to the vibrant metropolis of New York City. Accompanied by my then-boyfriend, Tyler, we found ourselves immersed in the eclectic energy of the Big Apple, staying at the cozy abode of Tyler’s step-cousin Jake and his girlfriend, Molly, nestled within the heart of East Village. Little did I know, this trip would unfold into a tale of unforgettable trials and tribulations.
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San Francisco and Big Sur Roadtrip: A 10 Year Look Back
Reflecting on one of my earliest adventures brings a wave of nostalgia, transforming it into an unforgettable chapter of my life, perhaps my most memorable “first.” This was a period marked by an open embrace of the unknown, despite the budget constraints that shadowed my youthful days. At that time, in 2013, I was navigating…