Her adventure began with a serene paddle down the Buffalo National River, where she spotted bald eagles and otters. “Gliding through crystal-clear waters surrounded by towering bluffs was magical,” she says. Hiking the Ozark Highlands Trail deepened her connection with nature. “Each vista took my breath away,” she adds.
In the evenings, Emilee relished farm-to-table cuisine while gazing at the stars. “This place soothes the soul,” she concludes.
3. Olympic Peninsula, Washington: Discovering a Pacific Northwest Wonderland
Derrik, a travel writer from Los Angeles, found raw beauty in the Olympic Peninsula. “Port Angeles had a rugged, frontier-like vibe,” he recalls.
His journey began with whale-watching, where he witnessed orcas and humpbacks. “Seeing these magnificent creatures was awe-inspiring,” he notes. Hikes through the Hoh Rainforest and Hurricane Ridge left him feeling both small and connected to nature. “The landscape’s beauty was overwhelming,” he expresses.
His adventure wrapped up in cozy eco-lodges, soaking in natural hot springs as the sun set on 2024.
