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Makenna | Photographer + National Parks

@makennacreating

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⭐️ Corporate dropout building a creative life
📸Photography + solo travel tips 📍Florida
🏔️ 50 / 63 US National Parks
Let’s explore 🫶 Free Guides ⬇️

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If I only had 24 hours in Yosemite National Park, here’s exactly how I’d spend it: 🏔️

📍 Yosemite Valley
Get to the Valley EARLY. Walk around, take in the iconic views and enjoy it before the crowds really start rolling in.

📍 Mist Trail → Vernal Fall
If you want a hike in the Valley, this is the one I’d do. Hike to the top of Vernal Fall (Nevada falls too if time permits) but seriously, start early. This is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite and gets insanely crowded.

📍 Glacier Point
Next, drive up Glacier Point Road to Glacier Point for one of the most iconic views in the entire park. Half Dome, Yosemite Valley + the High Sierra all in one view 🤌

📍 Tioga Road
From there, start making your way into Yosemite’s high country. Take your time driving Tioga Road, this is one of the prettiest parts of the entire park. AND one of the least visited roads.

📍 Tuolumne Meadows
Spend the rest of the afternoon + evening exploring the meadows. This area feels completely different from Yosemite Valley and is easily one of my favorite parts of the park. Be on the lookout for wildlife!

📍 Gaylor Lakes
If you skipped the Mist Trail and want a hike, head farther up Tioga Road and do Gaylor Lakes. SUCH an underrated Yosemite hike with insane High Sierra views. One of my favorites.

📍 Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
End the day sleeping in one of the canvas tent cabins right in the high country.

And just like that… you’ve seen two completely different sides of Yosemite in 24 hours 🥹🏔️

Save this for your Yosemite trip 🫶 by @makennacreating

Who said you only have to live one life??

Hi im Makenna 🫶 I’m starting my life over in my mid 20s (completely from scratch) to test out the digital nomad life and travel. I made the decision already, so let’s make it the right decision 🤝

[ starting over in your mid 20s, full time travel, restarting life, escaping 9 to 5, traveling] by @makennacreating

Come with me as I quit my corporate 9–5 after four years ⭐️

This is the first time I’ve ever put in my two weeks’ notice. It was my first job out of college, and for a long time, I thought this was the path I was supposed to take.

On paper, it was a great job. But deep down, it never really felt like me.

So four years later, I’m choosing the scary route. I’m betting on myself and building a life that feels more aligned with who I am 🎯

I have no idea exactly how this journey will unfold, but I do know this: I’d rather risk failing at a life that excites me than stay comfortable in one that doesn’t. And that should be all that matters.

If you’ve ever felt like you were meant for something different, follow along. We are in this together 🤝

#quityour9to5 #startingover by @makennacreating

5 SOLO TRAVEL TIPS (unhinged edition) I use ✈️🌎 Ranked from least to most unhinged:

5. Have an emergency escape fund.

Always have enough set aside for a last-minute hotel, flight change, or unexpected escape. Sometimes the best plan is being able to leave.

4. Have a secret emergency stash.

I’m talking $100 in cash, a backup card, and copies of important documents. Keep them separate from your everyday wallet. One stolen bag shouldn’t ruin your entire trip.

3. Always know where you’re sleeping that night.
I’m all for spontaneous travel, but if you don’t have anything booked, have a Plan A AND B (and maybe even a C) in place. Sometimes your first idea won’t work out and you should at least have an idea of where to go after.

2. Download an offline map EVERYWHERE you go.

Especially in national parks or foreign countries. Getting lost is fun until you have zero service and absolutely no idea where you are. You never know when you are going to lose service and need it.

1. Pretend you’re a real estate photographer before checking out.

You don’t actually have to take pictures, but pretend you’re photographing the room for a Facebook marketplace listing. Check EVERY drawer, closet, bathroom, and corner. I started doing this after leaving a VERY expensive tripod behind. Never again. 😂

What’s your most unhinged travel tip? 👀

[ Solo female travel, solo travel tips, travel hacks, solo road trips, travel safety ] by @makennacreating

Jolly little frolickers, aren’t we?

Honestly…. could’ve probably worked on our walks a little more…

#vsfashionshow #kyliejenner #scotlandhighlands by @makennacreating

“I’m just gonna look” me knowing dang well I need to inspect every single item in a National Park gift shop
(especially the stickers)

#nationalparkservice by @makennacreating

🙋‍♀️

Hopefully I look back on this in a year from now and not freak the f out

[restarting your life, mid 20s, starting over, moving out, change your life] by @makennacreating

If I only had 24 hours in Pinnacles National Park, Californias most underrated National Park, here’s exactly how I’d spend it 🥾⬇️

📍 Start at the East Entrance

First things first: there are TWO entrances to Pinnacles and they do NOT connect. So double check your GPS before you go 😂

For your first visit, I’d stay on the East Side. Get there EARLY because it can get HOT quick.

📍 Bear Gulch Cave + Reservoir

This is a MUST. You’ll hike through an actual cave before coming out at the reservoir surrounded by the Pinnacles.
And seriously, bring a headlamp. Your phone flashlight is not going to be nearly as fun lol.

📍 Bear Gulch Nature Center / High Peaks

After your home, head to the visitor center and the high peaks area. This is where you really get those crazy rock formations Pinnacles is known for.

AND bring binoculars!! Pinnacles is one of the few places you can see California condors in the wild. Keep looking up because they are HUGE 🦅

📍 OR: Enter from the West Side

If you want a shorter day, the West Entrance is a great option. It’s basically a drive in + drive back out situation since the road doesn’t go through the park.

BUT this side gives you much quicker access to Balconies Cave.

📍 Balconies Cave

If you’re coming from the West Side, this would be my pick. It’s around a 2.4-mile loop and you get another cave + some seriously cool rock formations.
Honestly, if you have the time, I’d try to see BOTH caves because they feel completely different.

TIP: Check which caves are open before you go!!

And just like that… two caves, insane rock formations + hopefully a California condor sighting 🫶 Save for your next trip! by @makennacreating

A few of my favorites from a lunar eclipse earlier this year 🫶📸🌙✨

Autumn always makes me want to start learning more about night / astro photography. I’ll share what I learn!

#astrophotography #nightphotography Landscape Photography, Photographing at Night by @makennacreating

Pack with me for 3 weeks in Europe using ONLY a carry-on ✈️🎒

I tested the @suoco_official vacuum storage bags for this trip (gifted) to see how much I could actually fit in my carry-on, and they’ve been working great so far!

I used to have the DIY version, but these cut down on time AND save so much space 🙌🏼

If you’re packing for Europe, traveling with just a carry-on, or trying to save space in your luggage, these are definitely worth trying!

[ vacation packing, carry-on luggage, travel packing hacks, pack with me, Europe packing tips ] by @makennacreating

My wallet hates to see me enter an @rei

[ REI shopping, hiking gear, outdoor adventure, outdoor gear ] by @makennacreating

What do you mean there was a mountain on the hike??? 🫡

[ hiking trail, Scotland hiking, hiking trails in Scotland, outdoor adventure ] by @makennacreating