Rob Taylor's Blog, page 6

Visiting Casa Grande National Monument -Ancient Ruins an Arizona Birdwatching

When I first saw a picture of Casa Grande Ruins National Monument online I thought it looked like it would be disappointing and not worth the visit. I was wrong and I LOVED our time here. Between the ancient structures and the birdwatching (roadrunners AND owls!) it’s quite the place. Casa Grande National Monument is out of the way, but if you’re heading from Phoenix to Tucson, you’ll easily be able to stop.

So are you looking for some great Arizona road trip stops? If yes, then Casa Grande...

Visiting Montezuma Castle National Monument – an Arizona Icon Worth Stopping at

I love when we get to visit places that I’ve seen pictures of my whole life, and Montezuma Castle National Monument is one of those spots. When I was a kid I had a postcard of the historic structure and knew that one day I’d get to visit this and all of the other ancient indigenous ruins of the American Southwest. Montezuma Castle is a great first stop as you make your way through Arizona’s historic sites.

Have you been here before? I find that even when I’ve been to historic sites as a kid,...

Travel to Alaska: Tips for Having a Great Experience on Land or Cruise

Travel to Alaska is such a treat, but it feels a bit daunting for a lot of people. I used to live in Alaska and have returned as a visitor many times, so I get it. Whether you’re visiting Alaska on a cruise or if you’re doing an epic Alaska road trip, there are some things you need to know or consider as you’re planning your trip.

The weather in Alaska in the summertime is not always what you expect. Will you have an 85 degree day and 23 hours of sunshine or will it be 42 degrees and dumping...

7 Day Alaska Itinerary: Epic Road Trip, Beautiful National Parks

You’re going to love this 7 day Alaska itinerary. I’ve lived in Alaska and visited as a tourist, so taking the best of both viewpoints and my years of experience, I’ve put together an awesome 7 day road trip itinerary to see some of the best sights in Alaska. This week-long Alaska plan is a wonderful taste of adventure and wildlife, perfect for families or just adults ready for a great experience.

If you think you need more time than a week to do and see it all, you’re completely right. This...

Guide to Visiting Beautiful Saguaro National Park

It’s safe to say that most people visiting Arizona for the first time are heading to the Grand Canyon, but Saguaro National Park is absolutely worth the time and trek to Tucson. I wasn’t sure what to expect with my first visit to Saguaro (besides lots of cactus), but once there I found that it’s the perfect snapshot of the variety of life and landscapes found in the Arizona desert.

I think Saguaro National Park is a fantastic trip to plan or a great addition to an Arizona road trip, and we’v...

Staying at the Yavapai Lodge at Grand Canyon National Park

If you’re planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, I’m guessing you don’t want to camp, so you’d like to stay within the National Park in a hotel of some sort. The Yavapai Lodge on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon is a fantastic option that’s both in a great location and it’s actually affordable. We’ve got all the details about staying at the Yavapai Lodge, tips for visiting the Grand Canyon and how to plan a trip to this beautiful National Park.

Have you stayed here at the Yavapai Lodge before...

Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge – Rustic Stay and Fun Things to Do in Talkeetna

A lot of people have heard of Talkeetna but haven’t been. It’s a cute little town off the Parks Highway between Anchorage, Alaska and Denali National Park. It’s not close enough to Denali to be your homebase for the National Park, and it’s not close enough to Anchorage to be the cute spot on the edge of town, but the Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge is the perfect spot for enjoying the mellow side of the touristy town and nearby nature. We loved spending four days here and have a ton of ideas for add...

Things to Do in Juneau, Alaska: Sights and Fun with (or without) Kids

Whether you’re coming from a cruise ship or planning your own time, there are lots of fun things to do in Juneau, Alaska and you don’t even need a car for them. Well, some things are best done with a car, so we’ll get into that a bit, but Juneau has lots of activities and sights that make it a fun place to explore. It’s beautiful and walkable, so it’s very worth visiting and planning time here.

We visited Juneau, AK for a few days before sailing on our small ship cruise, the Wilderness Legac...

Koloa, Kauai Resort Pick: Sheraton Kauai Resort – a Beautiful Family Vacation Destination

A trip to Kauai isn’t complete without spending time in Koloa and the Poipu area, so why not stay there for a few days? We found the Sheraton Kauai Resort and Villas to be a great homebase for exploring the south shore of Kauai. We’ve more often stayed in Kapaa for visits to the Garden Island, but staying in Koloa was fantastic, especially after long days of hiking on the South Shore. There are so many things to do on Kauai you can split your time easily!

From beautiful oceanfront hotel room...

How to Plan a Hawaii Trip – From Choosing Islands to Picking Hotels

We love visiting Hawaii and seeing our friends and family there. Whether it’s Oahu and hanging with our pals around Honolulu and the beaches, or if we’re hiking the epic Na Pali Coast of Kauai, we’ve got a lot to share, and hopefully you’ll be inspired to plan your own unforgettable visit. With lots of blog posts and plenty of Hawaii podcast episodes, we’ve got the info you need!

Which of the Hawaiian Islands is your favorite? Do you know what sort of activities you should plan when you visi...