Backpacking Gear That Actually Works

Welcome, fellow trail wanderers 👋 If you’re gearing up for your next overnight adventure (or maybe your first), you’re in the right place. Welcome to Step by Step: Gear That Actually Works – a… Continue reading

From Ancient Ruins to Peaceful Shores: Why You Should Visit Tikal and Flores

Stepping into Tikal National Park is like walking onto the set of an Indiana Jones movie. This ancient Mayan city, rising majestically out of the Guatemalan rainforest, isn’t just a collection of old… Continue reading

How to Visit Semuc Champey

If there’s a paradise tucked away in Guatemala, it has to be Semuc Champey. Imagine a natural limestone bridge spanning over the raging Cahabón River. On top of this impressive bridge, a series… Continue reading

Our Belize Adventure: Highlights and Tips

When it was time to say ‘adios’ to Mexico, we boarded our Marlin Espadas shuttle, and by ‘shuttle,’ I mean a vintage, slightly rusty van that somehow managed to squeeze give or take… Continue reading

From Cancun to Bacalar: Our Two-Weeks in Mexico

We just wrapped things up in the first country on our Central America itinerary, and we are already behind our schedule.  We arrived with grand plans of efficiently ticking off each destination. Then,… Continue reading

Cancun: How to Get Smoothly & on Budget from the Airport to the Hotel Zone

Okay, let’s be real. Before we even set foot in Cancun, I was stressed. I’d spent hours scrolling through travel forums, reading horror stories about aggressive taxi drivers, inflated fares, and even scams… Continue reading

Hot Weather Hiking Tips

Snow Camping at Artist Point

“I wish I could go backpacking again next weekend,” I say to Lisa and there is a hint of gloom in my voice. We are coming down from Talapus Lake where we spent… Continue reading

THREE SISTERS LOOP – DAY 1: LAVA CAMP LAKE TO CAMP LAKE

7/25/2021 17 miles 3,396 ft el. gain The alarm buzzes at 5:20 a.m. Thankful for a good night’s sleep I slip in my hiking clothes, execute the last gear check and by 5:50… Continue reading

Dirty Harry’s Peak

When the snow starts falling in the lower part of the Cascades and avalanche danger rises uncomfortably high, there is always Dirty Harry’s for those who want to get out for a hike.… Continue reading