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𝓚𝓻𝓲𝓼| Outdoor Explorer & Travel Story Teller

@krismariawanders

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✨ Outdoor adventure & travel
☕ Fueled by coffee + sass
Hidden gems | road trips | unique stays
📍 DC/VA ➡️ San Diego

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10/10 would do it again! #GoRVing

[📌🚐Tag your adventure buddy and save this for your next trip!]

I had no idea I’d love RV travel this much.
With the help of @gorving, we took the perfect RV road trip from San Diego to Lake Tahoe - no car in tow, no fancy setup, just the freedom to chase clear water and pretty views!

We woke up with the lake steps away, made coffee outside, and stopped whenever we felt like it. Sure, there were a few…chaotic…moments (still can’t believe I hiked all the way to that beach without the paddleboard pump 😅), but it was one of the most fun, flexible ways I’ve ever traveled.

If you’re even thinking about taking an RV trip, here’s your sign! Oh, and don’t worry if you’re a newbie- I was too, and everything (well, the important things) was smooth sailing - er, driving - thanks to @gorving! They gave me the full breakdown of types/sizes of RVs, what type would work best for me, and where I could find one in my area. It was a bigger vehicle than I’m used to, but I felt very comfortable driving and parking it! If I can do it, you definitely can too. 🙃

👉🏼Tell me, have you traveled in an RV before? What did you like about it? If not, let me know what’s stopping you! taken in Lake Tahoe, California by @krismariawanders

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a year ago

Who’s ready for a road trip!? 🙋🏻‍♀️

One thing I love about Virginia is how many options there are for outdoor adventures- mountains, beaches, lakes, you name it! Pair those with some craft breweries or wineries that VA is known for, and you’re in heaven. You could easily spend a weekend (or even a week) at so many places throughout the state. I’ve put together 10 of my favorite VA road trip spots to give you some inspo for a late summer/fall trip!

👉🏼Which one looks best to you!?
[📌SAVE for planning & share with a road trip buddy!]

1. Luray, VA
2. Lake Anna, VA
3. Abingdon, VA
4. Harrisonburg, VA
5. Roanoke, VA
6. Front Royal, VA
7. Gwynn’s Island, VA
8. Basye, VA (yes I know it’s wrong in the reel 😶)
9. Chesapeake Bay, VA
10. Bluemont, VA

If you have questions about any of these destinations, just ask! taken in Virginia by @krismariawanders

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3 years ago

Are you a fan of of the “strange and unusual?” 👻

If so, you should totally check out these “Stranger” hikes in Virginia. They’re perfect for a Halloween adventure!

👉🏼Which one would you try first!?

⚠️If you visit any of these places, please do your part to help protect and preserve them. Stay on trails, park only in designated areas, dispose of waste properly, and respect wildlife.

📌Save this list & tag someone you’re bringing with you!

📍Compton Peak trail- Shenandoah NP
Basalt columns formed from lava flows millions of years ago

📍Blue Ridge Tunnel- Waynesboro, VA
Historic railroad tunnel constructed in the 1850’s, abandoned in 1944, restored & opened for recreational use in 2020.

📍Duncan Knob- Luray, VA
A massive Boulder field similar to Devils Marble Yard.

📍Great Channels- Abingdon, VA
An ancient sandstone labyrinth formed millions of years ago.

📍Hazel Falls & Caves- Shenandoah NP
A series of shallow caves and a cascading waterfall.

📍Dragons Tooth- Catawba, VA
Rock monolith made of Tuscarora quartzite that looks like a giant tooth.

📍Natural Bridge State Park- Natural Bridge, VA
215-foot tall Limestone Gorge that was naturally carved out by a creek.

📍Natural Tunnel State Park- Duffield, VA
A huge naturally formed cave now used as a railroad tunnel.

📍Devil’s Bathtub- Abingdon, VA
A natural pool in the shape of a “bathtub” probably getting its name due to the cold water.

📍The Natural Chimneys- Mt Solon, VA
120-ft tall natural limestone formations resembling a medieval castle.

📍First Landing State Park- Virginia Beach
Swampy area on the bald cypress trail.

📍Bull Run Occoquan Trail- Clifton, VA
Ruins of VA’s first hydroelectric dam. taken in Virginia by @krismariawanders

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3 years ago

If this is a dream, please don’t wake me up. 🥹💛

Larches might honestly be one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. Come onnnnn, how is that real!? 😭🍂

For those unfamiliar with these magical little Dr. Seuss trees, larches are actually conifers that turn a bright golden yellow before losing their needles every fall. Unlike most of their evergreen neighbors, they put on this ridiculous show for a few short weeks before going completely bare for winter. So crazy, and so cool to witness! 🤯

If you were wondering whether they’re worth the hype…ABSOLUTELY YES. Even with cars lining the road and tons of people on the trail, I had an incredible experience. Most of the people we encountered were genuinely friendly and respectful, and it was really encouraging to see so many people out enjoying (and respecting) nature. A little patience and consideration go a longggg way.

🍂Share with someone you want to see the larches with! taken in Washington by @krismariawanders

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2 days ago

Finally checked larch madness off my bucket list and OH MY GOODNESS YA’LL!🥹🍂

I’ve been dying to see the North Cascades in peak larch season and it was beyond anything I could have imagined. I’ve seen so many photos and videos going round on the gram, but nothing compares to seeing it in person with your own eyeballs. I felt like my brain was short circuiting trying to comprehend these colors! 🥹

Also somehow lucked out with a perfectly sunny October day (though I did push my flight back a day to fully take advantage of it 💀).

This hike was HARD. Like “why do I voluntarily do this to myself?” hard. Lots of rock scrambling, uphill both ways (prob the route my parents took to school). Pretty sure that “cold plunge” at the top nearly took my life and saved it at the same time. My legs were feeling some typa way! Luckily, I wasn’t the only crazy ahole to take a dip in the ice cold lake. 😝

Was the trail crowded? Yes (well, some of it). Did we have to park a mile away from the trailhead at 8am? Also yes. Did I still enjoy every second of it? 100% YES.
My expectations were set appropriately and literally nothing could have ruined this experience for me.
How lucky are we to live in a world as beautiful as this??

The North Cascades were already one of my favorite places in the entire U.S., and now they’re ahead by a mile. 1000/10 first larch season. I WILL be back again. 💛

🍂Have you ever seen larches? Is it on your bucket list? taken in Washington by @krismariawanders

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4 days ago

Sooo, when do we leave? 🥰

Psh, I’d drive 4 hours one way just to see this beauty. Don’t ask me to drive 10 minutes to the grocery store though. Or, god forbid…the mall. 💀

Which view is your favorite??

#mountrainier #roadtrippers #findmeoutside taken in Washington by @krismariawanders

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7 days ago

A few tips for your visit to Shenandoah this fall:

🍂 Fall weekends get BUSY, so go early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Fall color also varies by elevation, so check @shenandoahnps for current conditions.

🗺️ Pick a section of the park and plan around it. Skyline Drive is 105 miles long, so trying to bounce between the north, central & south districts is harder than you might think.

🏘️ Visit the gateway towns! Front Royal is great for the north end, Luray/Culpeper for the central/north-central area, and Harrisonburg for the central/southern side.

🍔 Explore inside the park. Skyland and Big Meadows both have dining options and are great places to grab a drink/hang out. You have to try the blackberry cobbler while you’re there!

🥾 Quick trail-etiquette reminder: stay on trail, pack out your trash, give wildlife space, yield to uphill hikers & leave the Bluetooth speaker at home.

📌 Save this for your fall Shenandoah trip!

What Shenandoah hikes, food stops or other spots would you add? taken in Shenandoah National Park by @krismariawanders

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6 days ago

Highlights from a quick trip to Shenandoah, one of my fav places on earth. 🥰

It’s still looking pretty green, but fall is definitely in the air. The reds are starting to pop in the southern section of the park, so in a few weeks it should be exploding with color!🍁

📸1-4: Stony Man summit & a sunset that altered my brain chemistry. Just whatttt.
📸5: The best apple cider donuts from @theapplehouseva. It’s a mandatory stop. 😋
📸 6-7: Sunset skies at Blackrock Summit.
📸 8: Reds starting to pop (taken from Skyline Drive).
📸 9-10: Wandering around Big Meadows looking for wildlife.
📸 11-12: Peak vibes in Harrisonburg; pic of Billy Jacks for the JMU alums in the fam.
📸 13-14: Found the wildlife!

Say what you will about the East Coast, but I think the subtle beauty makes it even more special. ❤️

Anyone heading to Shenandoah this fall?? taken in Shenandoah National Park by @krismariawanders

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8 days ago

It’s officially the best month of the year. Happy October ya’ll! 🍁

I’ve traveled quite a bit of the United States, and West Virginia is somewhere I’ll always come back to. It has to be the most underrated fall destination out there. I mean, look at those colors. 🥰

What’s your perfect fall combo?? 🍂👇🏼

All of these photos were captured in Eastern, WV (near Davis) during peak fall foliage (10/7-9ish). They’re some of my all-time favorite spots.
📍Seneca Rocks
📍Lindy Point
📍Elakala Falls
📍Canaan Valley Resort
📍Spruce Knob
📍Harman’s Log Cabins @wvlogcabins
📍Dolly Sods Wilderness
📍Blackwater Falls taken in West Virginia by @krismariawanders

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9 days ago

Be still, my heart. ❤️😭

I don’t really know how to explain how special this place is to me.

It had been gloomy pretty much all day, and by the time we headed up Stony Man summit, I had very little hope we’d actually get a sunset.

But this is what we got. 🥹

Stony Man has always been one of my favorite places in Shenandoah, and getting to share it with a friend made this one feel even more special. I’m so glad Shenandoah decided to put on a show for us.

This park has given me so much over the years. So many adventures and memories. Peace. A place to regulate my nervous system and clear my head. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being grateful for it.

So, so happy to be back here. ❤️🍁

📍Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

#shenlove #shenandoahvalley #sunsethike #loveva taken in Virginia by @krismariawanders

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10 days ago

Won’t be long before Shenandoah looks like this! 🤗🍁

Signs of fall are already starting to show, but peak color is still a few weeks away. I seriously can’t get enough of those oranges, reds & yellows. 😍

🍂 Planning a fall trip? @shenandoahnps posts a weekly Fall Color Report with current conditions + live webcams so you can keep an eye on the foliage before you go!

📍Skyline Drive (Northern Section)
🍎 The Apple House (Linden, VA)

Yes, stopping for apple cider donuts is mandatory.😂

👉🏼 Who are you heading to Shenandoah with this fall!? taken in Virginia by @krismariawanders

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12 days ago

And for the lady, perhaps all of the above. 🙋🏻‍♀️

Fall anywhere in Appalachia is hard to beat, but there’s something about Western North Carolina that has a hold on me. I can’t quite put it into words. My soul just feels at home here. No matter where I am in the world, my heart is always in Appalachia. ❤️

What’s your perfect fall combo?? 🍂👇🏼

📍Photos taken around Boone, NC taken in Boone, North Carolina by @krismariawanders

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13 days ago