The Spirited Explorer

08/16/2026

I'm about to go stay with my grandma in Scotland for a few weeks, so here is everything I'm packing for mid August to early September. 💙🧚✨

I have spent probably a dozen Augusts in Scotland, so l hope this list will provide you some clarity on what you can reasonably expect for a trip this time of year.

And, yes, I'm totally bringing toms…. Even for rainy Scotland!!! I'm thinking I might bring one more pair or just snag shoes from my grandma teehee 🫶

08/12/2026

Easily the coolest hike at the Cumberland Gap!

The trails at the Cumberland Gap are steeped in history — formed by bison and deer, reinforced by Natives, and later trotted along by early settlers like Daniel Boone. One trail stands among the rest

05/06/2026

See why this East Tennessee nature preserve should be on your list. 💚

Wondering if Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, TN is worth visiting? Here are my honest thoughts after multiple visits to this East Tennessee nature preserve.

03/17/2026

These are all 5-star books BUT not ones I’d be packing for a camping trip… just a little too dark or eerie to read in the woods. 🏕️📚

🌿 The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
🌲 Pines by Blake Crouch
🧚 Slewfoot by BROM
🌳 I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid

03/03/2026

Peaceful, uncrowded, and full of streams before reaching two cascades. 💙 Meigs Creek Cascades are 1.7 miles from the trailhead, so 3.4 miles out and back, and very calm.

02/12/2026

In case you still need convincing, this magical winter city is home to North America’s only remaining fortified city walls. 🏰⛷️🛷
Here’s what to do while you’re there:

Soak up best Quebec City winter activities, from ice canoeing and snowshoeing to Nordic spas, ice skating, and the iconic toboggan slide.

02/02/2026

Is Savannah, Georgia worth visiting in February? Here are my findings. 🌿

Is Savannah worth visiting in February? Here's my review of Savannah in February and exploring this historic ctiy without heat and crowds.

01/30/2026

Who says January is a bad month to travel!? I had the most amazing trip to Canada’s Quebec City this month. ⛸️🛷❄️🏰

We spent 5 days exploring the ins and outs of the city, soaking up every possible experience without stretching ourselves too thin.

This was my second time in Quebec City but I repeated a lot of the same experiences—the Au 1884 toboggan slide, Petit-Champlain, ice-skating in Place d’Youville, etc.

New things included lots of restaurants I hadn’t been to, trying yummy beaver tails, visiting Stróm Spa & the Plains of Abraham, plus snowshoeing in the Jacques-Cartier National Park. And I can’t forget to mention the AMAZING time we had a Le Dr**ue for a drag brunch. 💅