Getting Lost on Vacation

It's been over ten years since I went to Ireland, and I still remember and follow the one piece of advice that I was given: "Allow yourself time to get lost." This one little bit of advice was a complete game-changer on my trips. 

Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.

When we travel, we create itineraries and to-dos that are jammed full of places to visit or things to do, and end up exhausted by the end of the trip. I've learned over the years to include spare time on my travels, whether it be a short drive day or allotting more time than needed when visiting a particular location. This strategy has paid off in more ways than I can count. 

In 2013, my mom and I traveled to Ireland for three weeks, and that's the first time we were given the advice to allow extra time to "get lost." While I never actually got lost in any of these adventures, it has become my motto. My getting lost hasn't been anything geographical, but rather, it's getting lost in the moment, in the adventure, or in the beauty.

This was the first time I "got lost," and this was one of those times that wrapped the beauty, the moment, and the adventure into one. My mom had been in Ireland for a few days and had driven from Waterford to the coast to see the Hook Light House. The day had been an adventure from my first journey on a car ferry to seeing the rugged black rocks along the Ireland coast. 

On the drive back to Waterford, we'd been waiting to catch the car ferry back across the river. While waiting, I spied a sign for the Kilmokea Country Manor and Tea Gardens. I glanced at Mom, who was reading the same sign as the ferry came into view. I asked her, "Should we do that?"  She happily agreed, and we were off. I quickly pulled out of the car ferry line, and we followed the signs to the manor. This adventure led us to meeting a wonderful man who invited us in for tea and a treat, and an open invitation to explore the gardens after he'd closed up the shop. That became an afternoon turning to evening in gardens that captured the imagination and made me think of The Secret Garden, Alice and Wonderland, and even fairy stories.

Although this experience was over ten years ago, I still remember it with such clarity and detail as if it just happened. This was my first time understanding what exactly it meant to allow time to get lost.

The hike to Tipanogos Caverns.

Since then, I've enjoyed other "lost" moments, including the unexpected exploration of the Hall of Mosses in Olympic National Park, a great spice and tea shop in Port Townsend, WA, and hiking to the Tipanogos Caverns in Utah. It's also suddenly getting the gumption to cross the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in Ireland or chancing a drive up a muddy road to a dude ranch, hoping to ride a horse.

Savoring that Irish Coffee
 while enjoying my book.

Getting lost is taking extra time in a museum you enjoyed or taking a quiet moment in a Las Vegas casino bar while sipping a drink and enjoying a book, yes, you read that right, I read a book, in a bar, in Vegas, and I enjoyed every moment!

No matter the circumstance, taking time to get lost on my adventures has paid off in so many ways. I've met some fantastic people, including two Australians who cheered me on across the rope bridge, a tea house owner who invited us to explore enchanting gardens, a German who was seeing Death Valley for the first time, and so many others. I've had some incredible experiences and gained so many amazing memories in those moments where I allowed myself the time and just be.  "Allow yourself time to get lost" has been the best advice I've ever been given. I use it in my vacation travels, and I even use it in my day-to-day, where I drive up to Sedona and Cottonwood to play tourist for a day. As you go out and adventure, do yourself that favor and give yourself the time...and permission, to get lost.

Driving through Olympic National Park and to the Hall of Moss

 Imagine taking a drive through a forest of trees that are bigger than you could even begin to imagine. Now imagine those trees are not just the normal green leaves with a brown trunk, instead imagine them covered in all green. This is a real place, and it belongs to the Olympic National Park in Washington State. 

I've been lucky enough to visit Olympic National Park twice, but I have barely scratched its surface. This beautiful park has so many views to offer. Along the coastline, you'll see beautiful trees along sandy beaches, some hikes through burled trees, and along small streams. If you're lucky, you can catch a Bald Eagle in flight, snatching a quick flash of brown, yellow, and white as it flies overhead.

As you drive Hwy 101 along the Washington coastline, there's a turnoff that is a must-see, the Upper Hoh Road to the Hall of Moss trailhead. As you drive in, you are greeted by massive trees and beautiful forest, where along the road, you'll catch views of the Hoh River and snatches of mountains.

Along the way, be sure to make a quick pit stop at Peak 6 Tours & Gift Shop. There are some great souvenirs at this little roadside stop, and during my stop there, I was lucky enough to have two one-of-a-kind experiences. First, around the back of the shop, where the bathrooms/porta potties (unfortunately) are set up, there is a massive field just beyond a wooden fence. In that field, a herd of elk was grazing, having their dinner. It was so cool to have the space to myself in absolute silence, be able to watch the elk. No loud people, no jostling for space to have a view. It was me, the elk, and my thoughts.

Eventually, I made my way back inside the store and noticed that behind the counter were several antique cameras. That day, I happened to be there when the owner of the shop and of those cameras was working. He told me the story behind each camera, including one that had been smuggled out of Germany during World War II. I recognized one camera to be what I believe is a Brownie Haweye camera and had to take a pic as my mom remembered that as being her first camera as a kid. The owner was so nice as he shared story after story on each camera and where they came from, which family member owned it, and as he told his stories, it was clear to see just how much each one meant.

Eventually, my travels took me back to the road, and I made my way further down Upper Hoh Road toward the Hall of Moss trailhead. The size of the trees was staggering, but what sticks with me most was the realization that despite the trees and broken limbs, and other, what would normally be hard and sharp surfaces were all rounded, and soft. Not one sharp edge, instead it was moss-covered. No tree limb was clearly defined between branch and leaf; they were dripping with moss.

I will admit, I have not yet hiked the Hall of Moss trail. The last two times I've been through the area, the first time the area was closed. The second time, it was so cold outside that my toes and nose were numb just from walking to the visitor center from my car. That was enough for me. If you travel to Olympic National Park in November, be prepared for cold and damp weather. Even if the sun is out, you'll largely be in the shade, and it is COLD! 

However, I'll never forget the brilliant greens and the beauty that Mother Nature puts on display in Olympic National Park. I'll always remember how I felt dwarfed by the massive trees in the park and how everywhere I turned, there was a picturesque view to behold.

One day, I plan to return, perhaps this time in the summer months when temperatures are warmer and the days are longer. The nice trade-off of traveling off season is fewer crowds, but the downside leaves very short days to explore and requires a bit more resilience to colder weather. In my future travels through Olympic National Park, I'll make a point of visiting places I've missed, like 2nd Beach, where trees grow off building-size boulders sitting in the Pacific Ocean, and make my way up to Cape Flattery and the westernmost point of Washington state. Then, of course, I'll return to Upper Hoh Road and make my way down to the Hall of Moss. With just the drive in and out being as beautiful as it was, I can only imagine that to earn the name it did, the Hall of Moss trail must be absolutely breathtaking. I can't wait to see it in person.

Three Unique Places with Ties to National Parks

 In my ever-present goal of finding unique places to visit, I've been lucky enough to visit three distinct places with ties to national parks, and in sharing with others, learned that many didn't know about these travel-worthy spots.

1. Grand Canyon Caverns - Arizona

Head west on Route 66 in Arizona toward the tiny town of Peach Springs, and you'll find a hidden treasure tied to the Grand Canyon National Park. Oddly enough, I learned about this place years ago from a fun little map on a McDonald's tray liner and made it a goal to visit this place.

The Grand Canyon Caverns were created over 65 million years ago and are the largest dry caverns in the United States. In 1927, the Caverns were discovered by Walter Peck on a mission to find gold. Over the years, the Grand Canyon Caverns were used for different reasons, including a fallout shelter during the Cuban Missile Crisis. 

While the Caverns are about 65 miles away from the Grand Canyon National Park, a study involving a red smoke bomb released in the Caverns showed the tie to the National Park when the smoke was detected within the Grand Canyon walls.

Today, the Caverns bring fun options for the adventure-minded. From guided tours running 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hours to ghost walks and even a unique lodging option, the Caverns bring a unique adventure for those looking for something different to do.

Note: Right now, the Caverns Tours are closed for safety measures, but be sure to keep an eye out for opportunities to visit them when they reopen. This is one spot not to miss.

2. Tree of Life - Washington

The Tree of Life is often seen in decoration and fashion, including blanket designs, wall art, t-shirts, and even earrings, but most don't realize that the inspiration for this is a real tree in Washington State.  As you head north on the Washington Coastline into Olympic National Park, you'll find a large Sitka Spruce tree that seems to impossibly remain hanging in mid-air.

Over time, erosion cleared away the earth that surrounded the roots, leaving them exposed, and the tree clinging onto the surrounding land. Set along the beach, visitors are treated to a beautiful of the ocean along with sandy beaches of Washington. 

Mother Nature makes for unique visits each time with the weather, the tides, and the driftwood that washes up on the shoreline. On some visits the beach is clear and provides an easy walk to the tree. Other visits bring a bit more of a challenge with tree-sized driftwood filling the beach, leaving visitors with a bit of an obstacle course to get to the Tree of Life. Anyway you might find it, the beauty of the area lends itself to beautiful and unique photo opportunities.

Amid all the beauty and splendor of the Olympic National Park, this is one unique destination that is a must-do on your travel list.

3. Soda Springs Geyser - Idaho

The Soda Springs Geyser, located in Soda Springs, Idaho, has a fun history tied to its creation and to Yellowstone National Park, and more specifically, Old Faithful. In 1937, a well was being drilled in search of hot water for a bathhouse, and drillers unexpectedly unleashed what is known as the Geyser.

According to legend, after the Geyser was created, experts at Yellowstone National Park became baffled when the ever faithful, Old Faithful Geyser stopped erupting on its regular schedule. The story in Soda Springs of the uncovered geyser was printed in the newspaper, and upon further searching, it was discovered that the two had a tie. With the Soda Springs Geyser erupting naturally, it disrupted the regularity of Old Faithful.

To fix the matter, the Geyser was put on a timer to erupt every hour, on the hour, making it the only captive geyser in the world. As the Geyser in Soda Springs erupts, visitors can circle the area on boardwalks and get great pictures of the space along with the bacteria mats similar to those one might find around the water features of Yellowstone National Park.

After checking out the Geyser, take some time to explore Soda Springs as well. Grab a bite at one of the local restaurants, and enjoy Geyser Park and the pretty landscape of the area. It's a great stop to make as you explore the area around southern Idaho and northern Utah.

If you love national parks and enjoy finding some lesser-known spots, these locations are just a couple of options to be sure to visit. What are some secret locations you like to visit in and around the United States National Parks?