New zealand
October 2023
I was burnt out on work at the end of 2023 and knew I needed to go on a trip. The thing was, I was too busy to plan anything and too tired to figure out the details. This is when I went on Contiki’s website and just started looking at different countries’ trips. New Zealand was always in the back of my head, and they happened to have a trip there that worked with the dates I could take off work. So I was like, perfect why not?? I did not think I would do another Contiki tour trip after Europe but it worked out very well that I didn’t want to do any planning for this trip. I even met up with my kiwi friend Grace who I met on my first Contiki trip in Europe! (how fun it is having international friends!)
This trip changed the course of my next year.
This trip made me realize I want to quit my job and travel more.
When I came back from this trip I had two new goals for 2024:
To backpack Europe on my own.
To move abroad.
I accomplished both of these goals in 2024!
BACKPACKING IN CANADA
summer of 2022
I got the opportunity to join in on doing “Beyond Malibu”. A week of backpacking through the back country of Canada hosted by Young Life. Leading up to this trip I was feeling equally excited and scared (maybe more scared). It ended up being one of the best week’s of my life!! It was so cool going from the first day of “I don’t think I can do this” to “I’m having the best week”. This trip challenged me in so many ways and grew my love for the true outdoors. I am hoping to get more backpacking trips on the calendar. The absolutely best way to unplug and present.
My First ever Trip to Europe!
summer of 2022
What better way to celebrate finishing college than going to see a bit of the world! I always tell people I think everyone should take the summer after college to travel. You’ll be working the rest of your life - what’s the rush?!?
This was my first solo trip across the pond and it was SO good and growing for me!! I met people from all over the world (Australia, The UK, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, Scotland, etc).
I got really close with these 3 girls that were also traveling by themselves on this trip! Lucy from Scotland, Grace from New Zealand, and Christina from South Africa. Years later I actually got to stay with Grace when I went to visit New Zealand!
This trip went from London to Paris to French wine country to Nice to Monaco to Vatican City to Piza to Florence to Rome to Rhine Valley to Munich to Amsterdam.
solo trip through the big 5 in utah
summer of 2021
Arches national park
This is the closest you will ever get to Radiator Springs.
Driving through these listening to the Cars movie soundtrack is definitely on my top ten iconic feelings I have felt.
This park is so do-able to do in one day!!
I feel like I saw basically everything!
To save money I stayed at a cheap motel outside of Moab but it was so worth it!
CaNYONLANDS national park
Canyonlands surprised because I was not planning on going here but boy oh boy I am so glad I did.
CaPital reff national park
Bryce canyon national park
Zion National Park
My first ever solo trip
spring 2021
Spring of 2021 I set out on my first solo trip.
It was one of my the best decisions I have ever made. I am a strong believer that everyone needs solo trips.
I did it because it came to me that I have never really spent more than a day by myself. I did not even know what it was like spending long periods of time by myself.
Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia were all the most beautiful National Parks!
This was the perfect first solo trip to go on. Yosemite is about 4 hours away from my home town so I knew if I got scared or lonely I could just drive home. I was kind of expecting myself to get lonely.
If you know me at all you know I love people immensely. So much so that I would ask friends to go to the grocery store with me because I saw that as more people time.
This trip will always be special to my heart.
This trip inspired and built up my confidence for my next solo trip, and now my first Europe trip.
I got to delight in this alone time in some of the most beautiful natural wonders God created.
I pulled off on the side of the road anytime I wanted because I had nothing but time, and no one else I had to worry about when I made decisions. I now have these sweet memories and moments that live only in my head.
They are my moments for the taking and mine for the reminiscing.
I met some people along the way that further inspired me.
I booked the cheapest of motels or hostels I could find. I did not spend more than 500$ for this four night and five day trip.
Traveling is very attainable.
If you want to, you will make it happen. You just have to do small trips to built up that confidence!
