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Continue reading →: olympic national park, washington, usaRainforests in Washington state? Incredible sunsets from black-sand beaches? Epic hiking to mountaintops overlooking other mountains, lakes, forests, the ocean, and sometimes even the northern lights? Whale watching? Cute little otters? All in one place? At nearly one million acres, Olympic National Park is the 6th largest national park in…
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Continue reading →: acadia national park, maine, usaCan you hear the waves crashing against the cliffs? Can you smell the salty sea breeze? What about the trees? Do you hear the wind blowing their leaves around or are they crunching under your feet? How much do you enjoy the aesthetic of lighthouses? How does afternoon tea on…
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Continue reading →: statue of liberty national monument + ellis island, new york + new jersey, usaImagine you are from another country and looking to build an entirely new life for yourself in a land where your prosperity and freedom are “promised” (so long as you are willing to work for it). As you gather your favorite heirlooms and most important belongings, you dream about the…
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Continue reading →: monument valley + navajo nation, arizona, utah, colorado, and new mexico, usaIn the middle of one of the most remote areas of the contiguous 48 states sits Monument Valley, an epic display of Mother Nature’s ability to create, and an infamous landmark which jets up out of a seemingly endless and unforgiving red rock desert. Yet, despite weather patterns complicating life…
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Continue reading →: albuquerque + santa fe, new mexico, usaThese two major metropolitan cities are just under an hour apart. Whether you’re diving deep into the history of the people who have lived here at one of the many museums, or instead into a margarita in a restaurant or by a pool, you can expect there to be something…
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Continue reading →: black canyon of the gunnison national park, colorado, usaIf you’re seeking to lose yourself in a grand canyon but in a completely different climate, Colorado’s Black Canyon of the Gunnison offers some uniquely beautiful views without all the red hot heat of Arizona. This deep slice through our planet’s surface was carved out by the Gunnison River, exposing…
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Continue reading →: avalon + two harbors, catalina island, california, usaSanta Catalina Island, often also referred to just as Catalina Island, is the only privately owned part of the Channel Islands archipelago. As you soak up the sun and breath in the whimsical sea breeze, you can wander the cute little streets of Avalon, take a ride on a golf…
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Continue reading →: trans-catalina trail (tct), catalina island, california, usaThe Trans-Catalina Trail, often also referred to as the Catalina Backbone Trail, is a beautifully strenuous 38.5 mile multi-day hiking trail that traverses across the entirety of Santa Catalina Island. As you soak up the sun and breath in the whimsical sea breeze, you will wander past private coves, and…
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Continue reading →: guadalupe mountains national park, texas, usaThey say everything is bigger in Texas, and their highest peak is right here in this park. Sitting at an estimated 8751 feet above sea level, Guadalupe Peak may not be the biggest of all-time, but it certainly does not disappoint with its incredible sweeping views of the endless desert…
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Continue reading →: glacier national park, montana, usaGlacier National Park is an absolute gem, and a true visual of the remote and rugged snow-capped mountains many imagine when they think of the northern wilderness. This park is an absolute dream destination from summer through fall, which is the only time of year the majority of the park’s…
“travel isn’t always pretty. it isn’t always comfortable. sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. but that’s okay.
Anthony Bourdain
the journey changes you; it should change you. it leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.
you take something with you. hopefully, you leave something good behind.”
Laura the explora: the blog
your unofficial travel agent and tour guide
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hey there!
i’m Laura
welcome to my little corner of the internet where i share my travel tips, stories, and photos of the places i visit. i’ve been fortunate enough to set foot in all fifty of the united states as well as nearly 20 different countries over the past decade. my goal is to make traveling affordable and accessible for everyone by giving you the tools you need to plan your own vacation for free. i hope these posts inspire you to get out into the world and see it for yourself! :)
[Note: I do not make any revenue from this website. If any of these posts helped you plan your trip and you’d like to support my work and website operating costs by tipping me as your unofficial tour guide, click the little black triangle to see my Venmo ID.] 😊
Venmo: @Laura-the-explora (#0324)
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Laura the explora: the blog 