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North America - Shalee Wanders Travel Blog

Climbing Acatenango On Your Own

Climbing Acatenango On Your Own: Everything You Need to Know

January 14, 2024

Travel With Me! Discover trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore here Climbing Acatenango On Your Own: Everything You Need to Know January 14, 2024   The view of Volcan de Fuego from Acatenango was one…

where to stay when visiting yellowstone

Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone

April 25, 2023

Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone (From a Local) April 25th, 2023 Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone National Park So you’re visiting Yellowstone National Park. Welcome! As a local to the area, it fills my heart to see millions…

wyomings best hiking trails

Wyoming’s Best Hiking Trails: From Easy Strolls to Challenging Summits

April 10, 2023

Wyoming’s Best Hiking Trails: From Easy Strolls to Challenging Summits April 10th, 2023 Wyoming’s Best Hiking Trails: From Easy Strolls to Challenging Summits I live for hiking season in Wyoming. Between May-September, I spend most of my weekends in the…

weekend trips from detroit

Eight Best Weekend Trips from Detroit

March 22, 2023

Travel With Me! Discover trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore here Eight Best Weekend Trips from Detroit March 22, 2023 Eight Best Weekend Trips from Detroit Growing up in Michigan, there was no better feeling…

United Airlines Vs. American Airlines

United Airlines Vs. American Airlines Vs. Delta Airlines Mileage Programs

February 26, 2023

United Airlines Vs. American Airlines Vs. Delta Airlines Mileage Programs February 26th,, 2023 United Airlines Vs. American Airlines Vs. Delta Airlines Mileage Programs I joined my first airline mileage program at 18. At the time, I hoped to have enough…

Project M truck topper

Project M Topper: The Best Lightweight Camper for Adventurers

October 2, 2022

Project M | The Best Lightweight Camper for Adventurers October 2, 2022 I should preface this article by saying I did a year of research before purchasing a Project M topper. I’ve spent many nights of my life sleeping reclined…

les cheneaux islands

10 Best Things to Do in The Les Cheneaux Islands

September 1, 2022

10 Best Things to Do in The Les Cheneaux Islands September 1, 2022 Fhe The Les Cheneaux Islands are a short 30-minute drive from the Mackinac Bridge. When you drive past on m134, you might blink and mistake the quiet…

rent a forest service cabin

How to Rent a Forest Service Cabin

June 12, 2022

How to Rent a Forest Service Cabin June 12, 2022 Did you know you can easily rent forest service cabins around the United States? When they are not in use by rangers, the department rents them out on a nightly…

things to do in cody

Top 10 Things to Do in Cody, Wyoming

May 19, 2022

Top 10 Things to Do in Cody, Wyoming Updated: February 13th, 2024   This list is close to my heart. As a travel blogger who has lived in Cody for the past three years, I wanted to ensure my list…

best hikes in wyoming

Wyoming Hiking: Best Hikes in Wyoming in 2022

January 25, 2022

Wyoming Hiking: Best Hikes in Wyoming in 2022 January 25, 2020 Narrowing down the best hikes in Wyoming was tough. A true Wyoming hiking list could easily include 40+ trails and places to get out and explore. However, I tried…

traveling with cats

A Complete Guide to Traveling with Cats

December 2, 2021

A Complete Guide to Traveling with Cats December 2, 2021 Whether you need to move with your cat cross country or are looking to train your furry sidekick as an adventure companion, there are some important steps to take to…

Ultimate US Road Trip

Ultimate US Road Trip: 2 Week Itinerary with Travellers Autobarn Budget Van Rental

November 1, 2021

Ultimate US Road Trip: 2 Week Itinerary with Travellers Autobarn Budget Van Rental November 1, 2021 Sometimes the hardest part of a trip is knowing where to start. I get it. I do this for a living. Still, sitting down…

michigan fall colors

Where to See Fall Colors in Michigan

September 22, 2021

Where to See Fall Colors in Michigan September 12th, 2021 Where to See Fall Colors in Michigan (2023) Michigan is one of the best places in the world for fall colors. Even though I no longer reside full-time in The…

beaver island

Everything to Know Before Visiting the Secret Island of Beaver Island, Michigan

August 24, 2021

Everything to Know Before Visiting the Secret Island of Beaver Island, Michigan August 24, 2021 Some of my earliest memories are of jumping into an old 1960s rusted out baby blue on the back roads of a place called Beaver…

wyoming national parks

Wyoming National Park Guide: Everything to Know Before Visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park

August 13, 2021

Wyoming National Park Guide: Everything to Know Before Visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Park August 13th, 2021 Growing up in small-town Michigan, living in a ‘gateway’ town to Wyoming’s National Parks was a bit overwhelming at first. Driving through…

climbing mount rainier

Everything to Know Before Climbing Mount Rainier – Disappointment Cleaver Route

July 21, 2021

Travel With Me! Discover trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore here Everything to Know Before Climbing Mount Rainier – Disappointment Cleaver Route July 21, 2021 **Please note: this is an outline for climbing Mount Rainier…

How to Pack for Backpacking

How to Pack for Backpacking: Best Tips for First-Time Backpackers

June 22, 2021

How to Pack For a Backpacking Trip: Best Tips for First-Time Backpackers June 22, 2021  My mom was a 5th-grade teacher and at the end of every school year, she’d bring her students on a weekend-long backpacking trip along the…

How to travel cheap

How to Travel Cheap: A Complete Guide to Saving Money While Traveling

April 26, 2021

How to Travel Cheap: A Complete Guide to Budget Travel in 2024 Updated: February 15th, 2024 If I hadn’t learned how to travel cheaply, my travel resume would be nonexistent. I never would’ve started this blog. I never would have…

how to live the van life

Everything I Wish People Would’ve Told Me About How to Live The Van Life

April 14, 2021

Everything I Wish People Would’ve Told Me About How to Live The Van Life April 14, 2021 There are a lot of things we did right when it came to living in a van. However, there was also a lot…

ski and stay whitefish

The Best Winter Getaway in Montana

February 8, 2021

The Best Winter Getaway in Montana February 8th, 2021 There’s a lot I take into account when traveling. I love to remember the feeling a place gives me. When you leave somewhere new, you’ll feel a particular type of way.…

unique places to visit in wyoming

Four Unique Things to Do in Wyoming

January 14, 2021

Four Unique Things to Do in Wyoming January 14, 2021 I first visited Wyoming when I was eight on a family road trip out west. It’s a familiar story for those from the Midwest, especially in the late 90s and…

traveling with cats

The Best Gear For Hiking and Traveling With Cats

December 6, 2020

The Best Gear For Hiking & Traveling With Cats Published: December 6, 2020 Updated: May 1, 2022 We’ve been traveling with our two cats for nearly three years and have learned some pretty important lessons along the way. Recently we…

granite peak montana

Granite Peak: Everything to Know About Climbing Montana’s Tallest Mountain

November 23, 2020

Granite Peak: Everything to Know About Climbing Montana’s Tallest Mountain November 23, 2020 Distance: 28 Miles Elevation: 12,808 Feet / 4,500ft Elevation Gain Route: Southwest Ramp/Couloir The pinkish-orange sunrise lit the valley and lakes below as we hobbled over steep…

how to plan an elopement

How to Plan an Adventure Elopement For Under 10k

October 25, 2020

How to Plan an Epic Adventure Elopement For Under 10k October 24, 2020 Surprise! We’re married! After traveling around the world together for over six years, Josh and I eloped surrounded by our family in Glacier National Park on September…

longs peak hike

Longs Peak Hike: What to Expect When Climbing Colorado’s “Deadliest” Mountain

June 15, 2020

Longs Peak Hike: What to Expect When Climbing Colorado’s “Deadliest” Mountain June 15, 2020  In terms of statistics, Longs Peak is only 14th on the list of hardest 14ers to climb in Colorado. There is no class 5 climbing and…

overrated places in the US

The Most Overrated Places in The United States (And Where to Go Instead)

May 21, 2020

The Most Overrated Places in The United States (And Where to Go Instead) May 21, 2020 1. Gatlinburg, Tennessee  Although beautifully situated in the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg is everything a mountain vacation shouldn’t be. There, I said it. What visitors…

best road trips

The Four Best Road Trips to Take in 2020

November 8, 2019

The Four Best Road Trips to Take in 2020 November 8, 2019 Utah’s Grand National Park Tour Distance: 432 miles Driving Time: 8 hours, 30 minutes Trip Length: 5 Days Highlights: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National…

ironwood mi

This Small Midwest Community Hides Some Of The Country’s Best Hidden Adventures

October 21, 2019

This Small Midwest Community Holds Some Of The Country’s Best Hidden Adventures October 21, 2019 There’s something about a place that feels like home the moment you arrive. Less than four hours after landing in Ironwood, Michigan, I’m standing in…

afford to travel

I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford It.

September 17, 2019

I’m 26 and I’ve Traveled the World. Here’s How I Afford it. September 17, 2019 I’ve been to more countries than years I’ve been alive, which often ignites an interesting conversation that revolves around how I afford to travel at…

My Whitney Summit Via Mountaineers Route

What to Expect When Hiking Mt. Whitney’s Mountaineers Route

July 20, 2019

What to Expect When Hiking Mt Whitney’s Mountaineers Route July 20, 2019 Mountaineers Route July 2019 – photo by Josh Super What to Expect When Hiking Mt Whitney’s Mountaineers Route It was 2:30 am on July 13th, 2019, when I…

Six Underrated Places to Visit in the United States

June 26, 2019

Six Underrated Places to Visit in The United States June 26, 2019 1. Savannah, Georgia What popular cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and New York lack in charm, Savannah brilliantly flourishes in. Blush & blue colored Victorian-era mansions line old…

michigan road trip route

Four Road Trip Routes in Michigan You Need to Take This Summer

April 22, 2019

Four Road Trips You Need to Take in Michigan This Summer The entire population of Michigan is emerging from their winter habitats, eyes squinting beneath a forgotten sun. Unlike the newly released season of Game of Thrones, winter is not…

Nine Incredible & Unique Places to Stay in the United States

March 17, 2019

Nine Incredible and Unique Places to Stay in The United States Walhalla Treehouse, South Carolina If there is a place in the United States that perfectly combines adventure, romance, and luxury, it’s the Walhalla Treehouse. If there is anything in…

Want to Climb a Mountain? Six Easy Peaks to Climb in North America

January 23, 2019

Travel With Me! Discover trips to Iceland, Patagonia, and Thailand in 2024 & 2025. Explore here Want to Climb a Mountain? Six Easy Mountains to Climb in The United States Updated: May 1, 2022 There are thousands of mountains around…

where can i camp for free

Where Can I Camp For Free in The United States?

January 5, 2019

Where Can I Camp For Free in The United States? 2022 Edition WHERE TO CAMP FOR FREE IN THE UNITED STATES 2022 Free camping is a major win for many reasons. First, it’s free. Second, most of the time you…

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

The Four Weirdest Places We’ve Slept While Traveling

October 15, 2018

The Four Weirdest Places We’ve Slept While Traveling   I’m sorry if this is your first time here. We’re about ready to get to know each other real quick. Josh and I travel on a tight budget, which often times…

Best State to Visit in the Fall

The Six Best States To Visit In The Fall

September 26, 2018

THE SIX BEST STATES TO VISIT IN THE FALL   I’m currently in South Carolina. It was 86 today and I attempted to wear a fuzzy sweater. I’ve unapologetically ordered a PSL from Starbucks. It still wasn’t worth $5, but…

camping with cars

A Guide to Camping With Cats

August 1, 2018

A Guide to Camping With Cats     “Your cats actually camp?” Yes, yes they do. But the process hasn’t been easy, and a cat isn’t going to go from catnip and couches to a tent in the woods overnight.…

Four Incredible North Carolina Mountain Secrets

July 19, 2018

Best Places to Visit in The North Carolina Mountains     When you think of America’s Southeast, the word “adventure” may not be one of the first words to come to mind. But out of the nearly 50 states I’ve…

Living in a Van

May 3, 2018

WHY YOU NEED TO GO LIVE IN A VAN FOR SIX MONTHS     I miss it. I miss it every day. I miss pulling over whenever it felt right. I miss having no deadlines or time constraints. We were…

How to Support Ethical Animal Tourism

March 25, 2018

How to Support Ethical Animal Tourism   Oh, animals. They’re fluffy and cute, sometimes massively terrifying, and other times mildly so. We’re instinctively drawn to interact and be in their presence. I mean, who doesn’t want to cuddle an adorable…

Stories Behind My Ten Favorite Travel Photos

February 8, 2018

STORIES BEHIND MY TEN FAVORITE TRAVEL PHOTOS Pictures are worth a thousand words, but sometimes they’re worth much more. Travel or not, we each have photos we cherish that capture a particular moment of happiness. Or perhaps a not-so-happy moment…

Six Overrated Tourist Attractions

November 28, 2017

SIX OVERRATED TOURIST ATTRACTIONS     There are certain places which travel beyond our expectations, and then there are those which fall short. There aren’t many (or possibly any) places I can say I hate, but there are a few…

How to Travel With Your Significant Other and Not Kill Each Other

October 16, 2017

HOW TO TRAVEL WITH YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER AND NOT KILL EACH OTHER     I’ve stood on a lot of cliffs with my boyfriend, Josh. Together, we’ve traveled to twenty-some countries and over thirty states. To be honest, I’m surprised…

8 Tips for Making Road Tripping Easier

September 21, 2017

8 TIPS FOR MAKING ROAD TRIPPING EASIER     Whether taking a short weekend trip to Northern Michigan or a trip across the United States, there are a few things I’ve learned about making life on the road easier, more…

The Cabins of Serenity Springs: Ultra Romantic Getaway

August 26, 2017

THE CABINS OF SERENITY SPRINGS: ULTRA ROMANTIC GETAWAY   What happens when you get the chance to go to an ultra-romantic, picture-perfect, cabin/glamping resort in Indiana but your boyfriend is 1500 miles away? You invite your best friend, buy multiple…

Glamping in Idaho Will Make You Believe in Narnia

August 17, 2017

GLAMPING IN IDAHO WILL MAKE YOU BELIEVE IN NARNIA   Sometimes the best places come with the lowest expectations. Five years ago if you asked me to choose between a trip to California or a trip to Idaho I would…

how to live the van life

A Proper Guide to Road Tripping the United States

July 21, 2017

A PROPER GUIDE TO ROAD TRIPPING THE UNITED STATES   The vast, wild, and untouched landscapes of the United States draw millions of adventurers to head out on a road trip every year. From the Rocky Mountains of the west,…

The Most Scenic Hikes in the United States

June 28, 2017

Most Scenic Hikes in The United States (2022 Edition) Updated: November 10, 2021 Most Scenic Hikes in The United States for 2022 I originally wrote this article in 2018 when I thought I had enough hiking experience to provide a…

One Year of Travel: A Photographic Journey

May 14, 2017

ONE YEAR OF TRAVEL: A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY It’s officially been a year since I declined a full-time job after graduation to embark on a life-altering adventure. I could write a book (actually, I am writing a book…eek!) about everything that…

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