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carricitos beach
Articles, International Travel, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Carricitos Beach near Sayulita, Mexico: Everything You Need to Know

Sayulita, Mexico is a small surf town located near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I’d only ever visited the little town on a day trip during a vacation to Puerto Vallarta, but I instantly fell in love with it. The cute Mexican flags overhanging the main streets, locals and tourists driving around in golf carts, and the vibrant energy of the town made it feel like a hidden gem. Street vendors sold fresh fruit and handmade jewelry, while the scent of tacos and grilled seafood filled the air. Plus, gorgeous beaches were only a short walk away, including the secluded Playa Carricitos. It had the perfect mix of laid-back beach vibes and lively culture, making me wish I had more than just …

Kelsey Olsen
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Articles, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, USA: State-Arizona

Best Hiking Trails Sedona, Arizona: Exploring Red Rock Wonderland

Sedona holds a special place in my heart as one of the most captivating destinations Garrett and I explored during our road trip through Arizona. If you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing it yourself, you’ll understand the enchantment: majestic red rock formations envelop you, transporting you to what feels like the surface of another planet. Situated within this breathtaking landscape lies the charming town of Sedona, where it’s evident that many residents are drawn by the promise of boundless outdoor adventures just steps from their door, including discovering the best hiking trails in Sedona. We spent our time in Sedona exploring its hiking trails with our pups Rae and Bowie. Yet, with so many options to choose from, selecting the …

Kelsey Olsen
View Best Hiking Trails Sedona, Arizona: Exploring Red Rock Wonderland
An image of a woman hiking the wave in Arizona, USA.
Hiking The Wave in Arizona is an experience of a lifetime. Photo by Greg Olsen.
Articles, Outdoor Adventure

Hiking the Wave in Arizona Just Got Easier!

Hiking the Wave in Arizona is an experience of a lifetime, but you have to win a lottery to get a permit to do it. According to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), 200,589 people applied for 7,300 permits to hike the wave in 2019. The odds of success in 2019 were about 3.5 percent and the number of applicants is similar today. My husband and I were in that 3.5 percent. As of Feb 1, 2021 the BLM increased the number of permits from 20 people per day to 64 people per day. This made it a little easier to get a permit for one of the world’s most exclusive hikes. You still need luck, but there are things …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of the sign for Johnston Canyon Resort in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Johnston Canyon Resort is a wonderful resort for those looking for a quiet cabin escape in the Canadian Rockies.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Places To Stay, Travel Inspiration

Johnston Canyon Lodge & Bungalows – Cozy Cabins in Banff National Park

Johnston Canyon is one of the most popular destinations in Banff National Park, but did you know you could stay overnight there? My family and I have enjoyed the Johnston Canyon hike many times and I have often glanced at the cute cabins near the trailhead and wondered what it would be like to stay there. I finally decided to find out and booked a two-night stay at Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows. About a 20-minute drive west of Banff, this lovely resort is situated on five acres of forested land near the trailhead of Banff’s most popular hike. Even though the trail is very popular, we found a stay in the cabins to be quite peaceful. Read on for …

Debbie Olsen
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Girl sitting in mist mountain hot springs
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Mist Mountain Hot Springs: Nature’s Serene Oasis

As a lover of natural hot springs and hiking, Mist Mountain Hot Springs has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Located in Kananaskis, Alberta, the hike leads you up a trail that provides gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains before arriving at several warm natural hot springs to soak in and enjoy the spectacular views. If you’re not too tired, you can continue up to the peak of Mist Mountain from here, but we only adventured to the hot springs and it was well worth it.  There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost …

Kelsey Olsen
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The view from the summit of Porcupine Ridge in Kananaskis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Photos, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Porcupine Ridge – A Wonderful Hike in Kananaskis

I always feel like the summer flies by in a blink and I am never able to complete as many hikes or camping trips as I would have liked. This year, Garrett and I made it a priority to go hiking whenever we both have a free day or even a few spare hours in the afternoon. It was a surprise when we both realized that we didn’t have plans on a random Sunday in June and we quickly decided to head out to the mountains. Since we made these hiking plans super last minute (that very morning!) We were looking to do a hike near Calgary. I was also wanting to do a hike that I hadn’t done before …

Kelsey Olsen
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A girl looking at the view at the summit of Sarrail Ridge in Kananaskis.
Alberta, Articles, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

10 of the All Time Best Hikes in Kananaskis Country

Kananaskis has some of the most beautiful hiking trails in all of the Canadian Rockies and oftentimes it has fewer crowds than many of the hiking trails near Banff or Canmore. Being born and raised in Alberta and living only an hour away from Kananaskis has allowed me to explore the area extensively. I’ve compiled a list of ten of my all-time favourite hikes that you’ve got to add to your hiking list for this summer. The hikes range from beginner to advanced so there is something for everyone. Read on to discover some of the very best hikes in Kananaskis. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander …

Kelsey Olsen
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An image of two female cyclists on a trestle bridge in Myra Canyon near Kelowna, BC.
The views are amazing when you’re cycling in Myra Canyon.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Things To Do, Travel Inspiration

Myra Canyon Trail – An Amazing Adventure

The Myra Canyon Trail is one of the most stunningly beautiful half-day cycling or hiking excursions in Canada. As I cycled across the first wooden trestle bridge, I gazed out at the canyon and I was blown away. It was one of the most amazing views I have ever seen on two wheels. This scenic section of the historic Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) Trail runs through a dramatic canyon and it takes cyclists and hikers through two tunnels and across 18 trestle bridges. This former rail line was built through the canyon between 1912 and 1914 and was used as an active railway line for many years. When it was discontinued as a railway line, local volunteers converted it into …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
An image of a hiker in the Purcell Mountains near Purcell Mountain Lodge in British Columbia, Canada.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Outdoor Adventure, Places To Stay

Purcell Mountain Lodge – Paradise in Summer and Winter

As we came to the top of a ridge in the bald hills near British Columbia’s northern Purcell Mountains, our guide, Beth Purser, who was leading a yoga retreat at Purcell Mountain Lodge, asked us all to take part in a meditative yoga exercise. She just asked us to pay attention to every detail of the stunning landscape around us. As a writer, I’m used to paying attention to details, but when I actually focused my efforts on the sounds, sights and smells around me, I was surprised by how much I had been missing. I noticed all the different shades of green, the glistening dew on pine needles and the high-pitched squeak of a nearby ground squirrel. And when …

Debbie Olsen
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An image of two women standing on Mystic Beach, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.
Mystic Beach is an amazing hike with spectacular views.
Articles, British Columbia, Canada, Canada Provinces, Hike, Outdoor Adventure, Things To Do

Experiencing Mystic Beach on Vancouver Island

Mystic beach is a hidden oasis located on the southern coast of Vancouver Island. One visit to this beach and it’s clear why it was given its name. With a short but beautiful trail through the ancient forest of Juan de Fuca Provincial Park and a waterfall cascading off a cliff onto the beach shore, you are sure to gain an experience with the perfect combination of adventure and relaxation in British Columbia’s natural paradise. There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, Wander Woman Travel Magazine may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Getting to Mystic Beach on Vancouver Island Mystic beach is located about …

Kelsey Olsen
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