Organized Adventurer

Planning Adventures Big and Small

  • About Sarah Puckett
  • Asia
  • North America
  • Oceania
  • South America
  • Travel Planning and Budgeting
  • Contact Me
  • About Sarah Puckett
  • Asia
  • North America
  • Oceania
  • South America
  • Travel Planning and Budgeting
  • Contact Me
  • About Sarah Puckett and Organized Adventurer
    Organized Adventurer

    About Sarah Puckett

    April 26, 2019 /

    I'm so happy to have you here on my little corner of the internet, Organized Adventurer. My name is Sarah Puckett, and I've been traveling and writing about my journeys since 2013.

    read more
    Sarah Puckett 0 Comments
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Recent Posts

  • 14 Unique Wisconsin Dells Fall Experiences for a Weekend Getaway
  • 10 Day Sri Lanka Itinerary
  • How to Visit Salar de Uyuni – Bolivia’s Famous Salt Flats
  • Best Ancient Ruins in Jordan
  • Best Day Trips from Antigua, Guatemala

Archives

  • October 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Newsletter

Subscribe to my newsletter for travel tips in your inbox. No spam ever, promise!

Keep up with me on Insta!

organized_adventurer

🌎Travel Couple 📸 Photography 🧘🏼‍♀️Wellness
🐈 Cat parents to @maracatadventures
✏Writer @matadornetwork @worldnomads
⬇️Check out our website!

SARAH & TIM
The side of Zion National Park you've probably nev The side of Zion National Park you've probably never heard of 🤫 (SAVE for future reference!)

Reasons to Visit Kolob Canyons on your Zion National Park Trip: 

The scenery looks very different from what you'll see in Zion Canyon - we were shocked this was still part of Zion National Park

The Kolob Canyons entrance is closer to to Cedar City and St. George, making it an easy stop if you're staying in either of those cities. We were based in Cedar City on our Utah trip. 

You'll see a fraction of the number of people crowding Zion Canyon on any given day. If you want to hike in Zion National Park without crowds, Kolob Canyons is the place to do it!

There are hikes in Kolob Canyons for all levels: Easy 1 mile Timber Creek Overlook Trail; Moderate 5 miles Taylor Creek Trail to the Double Arch Alcove (oooh!!!); and lastly the Difficult 14 miles La Verkin Creek Trail. 

________________________________________
📍Location Info

This photo is from a scenic pullout right off the road through Kolob Canyons!

Note that, just like the Zion Canyon entrance to Zion National Park, there is a fee to enter ($35/car, good for 7 days for any entrance to Zion NP!). Of course, annual passes like America the Beautiful (which is the one we have) will get you in without any additional fees!
________________________________________
📍Photo Info

We set up the tripod in this pull out on the scenic road in Kolob Canyons. Tip - to get this light on the canyon walls, visit in the late afternoon!

#kolobcanyon #southwestusa #mountaincommunity #hikingeveryday #utahadventures #utahhiking #desertsouthwest #outdoorsusa #usatravels #americatravel #travelusa🇺🇲 #traveltheusa #hikingisfun #hikingtheworld #utahisbeautiful #utahmountains #southwestisbest #southwestlife #utahunique #utahtravels #usatrip #travelusa #utahphotography #wowutah #adventuretraveler #adventuresaddicted #journeysofcouples #coupleswhohike
Objects in mirror are closer than they appear 👀 Objects in mirror are closer than they appear 👀

It's hard to believe only a few weeks ago we were still out west, soaking up vitamin D from the desert sun and hiking every opportunity we had. 

Coming back home after a long time away is always a little bit weird. It's like nothing at home has changed, but so much has happened since we were last here. It's like we pressed pause on normal life when we left in December and then hit play again when we got home. Without missing a beat we're back to our home quaran-routine: bird watching, playing video games, cooking. 

It doesn't take long for the boredom to settle back in and for the urge to be on the road again to resurrect itself.

Looking back at photos, though, I'm reminded that the past is never that far behind me, whether we're talking about years or about weeks. Your experiences stay with you, embedded in your memories, influencing what you decide to do next. 

I guess objects in the mirror really are closer than they appear 🤔
________________________________________
📍Location Info

Monument Valley, Utah
________________________________________
📸Photo Tips 

We wanted to capture the spirit of "the great American road trip" in this location that has become synonymous with America's wild west. This is how we decided to show the landscape, the road, our car Henri, and me living my best #adventuregirl life from a different/unexpected perspective. I love how it turned out!

What do you think?

#monumentvalley #arizona #utah #utahisrad #utahliveelevated #navajo #utahunique #arizonahighways #creativet #backpackersintheworld #roadtripamerica #roadtripusa #usatravel #visittheusa #dirtybootstravel #iamtb #lifeofadventure #journeysofgirls #backpackinggirls #hikelikeagirl #womenwhoexplore #hikingbangers #hikerchicksrock #travelshots #travelphotography
Views from the top of the world... or at least the Views from the top of the world... or at least the top of Capitol Reef National Park 😎

5 reasons to visit Capitol Reef National Park:

1. It's Utah's least-visited National Park!! No crowds, lots of bragging rights. 

2. The central feature of the park is a 100-mile-long waterpocket fold - a literal fold in the earth's crust 🤯

3. Short hikes lead to big views like this one along the Rim Overlook Trail 😎

4. You can take dirt roads to some of the most rugged areas in the world in Cathedral Valley 

5. There are several distinct areas of the park - from an historical town to colorful bentonite hills (like rainbow mountains)! 

________________________________________
📍Location Info

This is from the top of the Rim Overlook Trail, one of the easier trails to reach in Capitol Reef National Park since it is off the main road in the park. 

#capitolreef #utahisrad #utahliveelevated #utah #visittheusa #visitusa #visitutah #utahunique #capitolreefnationalpark #nationalparkgeek #nationalparks #findyourpark #hikingtrails #hikingtheglobe #hikingcouple #backpackersintheworld #coupletravels #couplestravelgoals #journeysofcouples #dirtybootstravel #outdoorcouple #coupleswhohike #idhikethat #hikingbangers #hikingtrip
Don't skip state parks! 🙌Here's why: 1. State Don't skip state parks! 🙌Here's why:

1. State parks are often less crowded than national parks. Many visitors won't have heard of the state parks and will opt for the more famous national parks instead. 

2. You'll get to see places you probably haven't already seen a hundred photos of on Instagram 🤩

3. Most states have an annual parks pass, so it's a great way to get outside affordably and see lots of different places without having to travel outside the state. 

4. Entrance fees go towards park upkeep and conservation of that state's parks!

5. Opting to visit places that are more off the beaten path can help lighten the tourism load from more popular places. 

We'd never even heard of Kodachrome Basin State Park, pictured here, even a week before we went. We were the only ones we saw there that morning, but we knew we were not alone from all the bunny and deer prints in the snow 🐾

Do you have a state or local park nearby where you like to hike? 

#kodachromebasin #kodachromebasinstatepark #utahstateparks #travelduo #hikingeveryday #southwestusa #utahisrad #utahliveelevated #utahisbeautiful #utahunique #grandstaircaseescalante #gsenm #hikingcouple #coupleswhotravel #travelustcouples #hikingtrails #winterhike #statepark #snowhike #utahtravels #utahrocks #utahadventures #traveltheusa #travelusa #backpackersintheworld #travelusa🇺🇸 #outdoorslover #hikingtherapy #hikingisfun
This week I have more to-dos than this photo has h This week I have more to-dos than this photo has hoodoos...🤔😅

It's my first Monday back home! I've resettled into my home office and have completed all the unpacking and laundry that comes with getting home after a big trip. 

This week I'm working on a few pitches to travel brands, writing an essay for school, planning some bloggy things, and getting back into my workout routine. Plus I've got my normal work stuff every day too. I feel like I'm juggling tasks for a few different projects and goals, but that's always fun for me! 

Bring it on, Monday 🙌

How's your week starting? 

_____________________________________
📍Location Info 

Navajo Loop + Queens Garden Trail, Bryce Canyon National Park 
_____________________________________
📷Photo Info 

I applied one of my own presets in Lightroom to this photo, but didn't change anything else! I could have removed the dirt on my pants using TouchRetouch (another app I use for removing objects and people - I've got a Reel tutorial on it if you're curious!), but I was like nah, dirt is fun 🙃

#brycecanyon #brycecanyonnationalpark #brycecanyonnps #hoodoo #hoodoos #hikingeveryday #hikingchick #hikingtherapy #hikingisfun #hikingtheworld #outdoortravel
#outdoorswoman #outdoorsusa #usatravels #americatravel #traveltheusa #utahadventures #adventureenthusiasts #adventureworld #hikingaddict #hikingday #utah #utahisbeautiful #utahunique
It's our last day on the road... for now! Today w It's our last day on the road... for now!

Today we complete the last stretch of driving back home to Madison, Wisconsin after:

9 weeks away
~9000 miles on Henri Ford
9 National Parks
9 states 
110 miles of hiking
6331 photos

(All those 9s were not planned 😅)

It's been a whirlwind of a journey, working remotely on weekdays and milking our weekends for every moment of adventure we could. 

We explored hidden dirt roads, scrambled up red rocks, and finally understood how BIG the southwest is - something I think you can only fully appreciate once you drive all over it, only to realize you've barely scratched the surface. 

I cried when we left our Utah Airbnb for the last time, and I'm sure I'll cry when I get home tonight. Because to be honest, I'm really, really excited to sleep in my own bed. 

________________________________________
📍Location Info

This is a portion of the scenic drive on Burr Trail Road in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.

________________________________________
📸Photo Info

This photo is from our drone which we've named Dracula due to its occasionally violent and out of control behavior (she has drawn blood and frankly terrifies us 😂).

Shot by @timjohnkub, edited by me using Lightroom (my go-to editing tool).

PS - Drones are prohibited in National Parks, but because Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is jointly managed with the Bureau of Land Management, this place is a rare exception. Obey the rules and fly with care! 

#grandstaircaseescalante #nationalparkgeek #grandstaircaseescalantenationalmonument #gsenm #southwestusa #hikingeveryday #travelduo #adventuretraveler #adventuresaddicted #outdoorsusa #usatravels #traveltheusa #americatravel #travelusa🇺🇸 #utahadventures #utahhiking #winterhikes #utahunique #utahtravels #utahrocks #utahlife #utahisbeautiful #utahmountains #travelbucketlist #travelanddestinations #traveladdiction #utahphotography #travelusa #droneshot #utahgram
"Yurt" not going to believe how much there is to d "Yurt" not going to believe how much there is to do in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument 🙌

We had the best night glamping it up in Escalante, Utah a few weeks ago. This town is an excellent base from which to explore some of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument's (GSENM) best spots. 

In less than 48 hours we:

🤠Hiked in Kodachrome Basin State Park 

🚙Drove the scenic Burr Trail Road all the way to Capitol Reef National Park 

🏕Slept in a YURT!!!!

👻Explored Spooky and Dry Fork slot canyons

😈Climbed rocks in Devils Garden

________________________________________
📍Location Tips 
This is the inside of the super cute and super cozy yurt we slept in at @escalante_yurts

We used our Chase Ultimate Rewards points to book the stay for free 🙌
________________________________________
📸Photo Info

The vast majority of my photography experience has been outside, so I haven't had a ton of practice with indoor photos. I'm always trying to learn and improve my skills, though, and I'm really happy with how this turned out! 

I shot this at 1/5 sec at f/4, ISO 100, which is a longer shutter speed than I use outside (outside I hang right around 1/100 unless it's really bright outside, and then I go even shorter). Shutter speed refers to the amount of time the sensor in the camera is exposed to light, and is one of 3 factors that influence exposure in photography. More exposure time means more light in your photo 🌞 

#grandstaircaseescalante #gsenm #yurt  #glampingnotcamping #utahphotography #utahunique #utahtravels #utahrocks #utahlife #utahisbeautiful #utahadventures #utahhiking #utahstateparks #southwestisbest #southwestusa #desertsouthwest #coupleswhotravel #couplestrip #coupleslovetravel #couplesgetaway #couplesvacation #romancetravel #coupletrip #travelduo #travelduos #usatravels #usatrip #americatravel #travelusa #traveltheusa
When the "storm" part of this winter storm passes, When the "storm" part of this winter storm passes, and you're wondering what clothes to wear when you go outside in the cold, here's your list 🙌 🌲

WHAT CLOTHES WE WEAR ON WINTER HIKES 

(SAVE this post for reference later!)⬇️

1. Underwear, duh
2. Base layer - wool pants and a shirt
3. A thermal/wool sweater (@paka is my fave and you can get $$ off using code SPUCKETT)
4. Thermal hiking pants (him) or fleece-lined leggings (her)
5. Wool socks 
6. Water proof hiking boots
7. Warm coat (ours are both @calvinklein)
8. Wool hat
9. Gloves

We also bring rain jackets in our backpacks if the weather calls for it, and microspikes if the trail might be snowy or icy. 

Whew, that's a lot 🤣we've never hiked in winter before this season, so it's been a bit of trial and error, but the clothes above usually have us covered 🙌

Most of these of these items are already in my Amazon Ideas List "Winter Hiking Gear", linked in my bio!
_____________________________________
📍 Location Info
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado 

#coloradohikes #coloradoactivities #couplestravelgoals #couplestrip #couplesvacation #romancetravel #travelduos #adventuretraveler #adventuresaddicted #travelduo #coloradocouple #hikingeveryday #mountaincommunity
#adventureenthusiasts #adventureworld #coloradorockies #coloradomountains
#couplestravel #rockymountainhigh
#rockymountain #rockymountainnationalpark #estespark
#travelanddestinations #travelusa #colorado #hikinggear
Happy Valentines Day! Although we don't usually ce Happy Valentines Day! Although we don't usually celebrate or give gifts, I love a good internet game so here's our #ValentinesDayChallenge !! 

How’d you guys meet: At work - he was my manager 🙈 we dated in secret for a year until the project was over!

First Date: Hard to say. We started off just as friends and coworkers and there were a few times we talked for hours at the Great Dane just the two of us after others had left. 

How long have you been together? Almost 11 years 🤯

Married? 4 years in April💍 

Age difference: 9 years (do you know which of us is older?)

Who was interested first? Tim

Who is taller? Him

Who said I love you first? Me, I think via text message 🤣

Most impatient? Tim for sure

Most sensitive? Me 

Loudest? Def Tim

Most stubborn? Might be a toss up because we are both so stubborn!!!

Where was your first kiss: my apartment after a mediocre falafel dinner at a nearby restaurant 😅

Who initiated your first kiss: Tim

Cooks better? Tim is a master in the kitchen 🙌

Better morning person? Tim, and he starts talking right away even if I'm still asleep 😂

Better driver? Tim would say it's him

Most competitive? Probably me - I definitely pout more when I lose

Who is the funniest? Hard to say- we both make each other laugh constantly!!

Where do you eat out most as a couple? I want to say La Taguara in Madison, WI but really it's probably Taco Bell

Who is more social? Tim

Who is the neat freak? Tim 🙄
 
Plans date nights? Me - I plan pretty much everything we do!

Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong? Well I'm never wrong, so Tim

Who has more tattoos? Tim! His largest is a map of the world on his back. I have a Picasso drawing of the dove of peace on one foot and sparrows on the other. 
 
Who sings better? I sing MORE but Tim doesn't like it. 

Spends the most? Probably me. 

Did you go to the same school? Nope.  He went to the University of Wisconsin and went to the University of Virginia

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together? Antarctica and Tasmania are probably the furthest from home (and two of our favorites!). 

Do any of these answers surprise you?
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Follow on Facebook!

Follow on Facebook!

Read my Privacy Policy

Disclaimer: There may be some affiliate links on this page, which means when you click I get a small percentage of the purchase at no extra cost to you. This allows me to keep this page running. Enjoy!

Organized Adventurer Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.
Ashe Theme by WP Royal.