Category: North America

Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Early May

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date September 5, 2014
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I have always wanted to see Yellowstone since I was a kid. Seeing pictures in history books with a page full of text describing the Yellowstone Act and movements to create parks to preserve land in the US and around the world. Yellowstone National Park is a huge, vast amount of land for nature and away from big business and settlement. It is the first of its kind as a park and set an example for countries around the world The park sits up in the northwestern corner of Wyoming overlapping a little into Montana and Idaho. To the south, lies it’s neighboring younger park, Grand Teton National Park.

Both parks cannot be done in one day unless you hire a tour guide you’ll end up realizing how much more both parks have to offer other than the well known spots. IE: Old Faithful, Yellowstone falls. Car rental is necessary if you are staying for a few days or longer and with a good map, you can cover quite a bit. As far a lodging goes, you can find location convenient lodging in both parks. But if you prefer budget and don’t mind the drive, there are a few towns that do not sit on federal land on the outskirts. For my itinerary, I stayed several days in west Yellowstone. A small quaint and laid back town right outside of Yellowstones’ western entrance in the southwestern tip of Montana. Here you have the proximity to the park, but can make a straight drive into both Idaho and Bozeman to the north. For two extra days, I stayed in the amazing western pure town of Jackson, Wyoming which sits a good 30 to 45 minute drive to most scenic overlooks of the beautiful Teton mountain range.

Fortunately traveling early may leaves you with a fresh new season to both parks with low amounts of traffic and lots of open road. In most hot spot places in both parks you will not find a large crowd as you would let’s say mid June or July. In others, you will most likely enjoy for yourself. Its certainly an amazing time to travel for someone who wants away from crowds. However, this all does come with downsides. Traveling the second to third week after the parks opened is early enough to still see the leftovers of winter. Not to forget the unpredictable weather, you will find in certain areas of the park still white. For safety reasons, many roads, scenic routes, and hiking trails are closed. After traveling a long distance with high anticipation, this left me quite frustrated several times. Attractions such as Jackson lake ferries and the Jackson hole tram had to be crossed off the itinerary due to closures around this time.

Did these downsides do some hurting to my park desires, sure. Did they ruin my trip? Of course not. In reality I saw these as sacrifices to the positives of being there after a fresh park opening. All in all, the experiences to the park were far better than I had anticipated. Shared memories with great people that will last a lifetime. Hopefully one day, when I am ready for a cross country trip across the USA, I can revisit these beautiful places and create even more memories. May is a fresh timespan for a re opened park but do not let this deter you, this is probably one of the best times to go.

Travel Videos

General South Carolina

Kayaking and Camping at Lake Jocassee, SC

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date July 1, 2014
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After returning from the Caribbean the day before, My girlfriend and I took advantage of a beautiful Saturday morning and afternoon borrowing Kayaks from my Mom and Step dad to go Kayaking on Lake Jocassee. Being that I am new to the whole outdoors experience in South Carolina, we also borrowed my step dads old tent to finally experience camping for the first time at Keowee-Toxaway State Park.

After we set up camp in the park, we drove a few miles west to Devil’s Fork State Park where we found out we could Kayak to a few waterfalls. We headed straight for the boat drop off ramp, placed our Kayaks in the water, and set off on a search for some water falls. We not only encountered strong winds throughout most of the journey but we didn’t find the waterfalls wish hoped to see. Only to later find out where we turned around, a waterfall was not far away as well as one other just a bit further north of that. We then later picked up some goodies and food to complete our camping experience before we hit the sheets. Although unsuccessful at chasing our waterfalls and disregarding our strenuous workout, it was a fairly serene experience with low boat traffic and low activity.

Tags south carolina

General North America North Carolina Voyages

Hiking in North Carolina: DuPont State Forest

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date April 23, 2014
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Taking pictures with my GoPro after a long hike in DuPont State Forest — Bridal Veil Falls in Dupont State Forest in North Carolina.

Living in the Upstate of South Carolina for several years and growing up in both tropical Florida and urban New Jersey, I realized that there is so much to do here that I was not brought up around. The North Carolina Appalachian Mountains has so many outdoor activities to offer at such a close proximity of about an hour to an hour and a half. Everything from hiking, kayaking, waterfalls, camping, and so much more. After a long cold miserable Winter, Easter Sunday of 2014 offered much sun and clear skies, a perfect day to get out and enjoy a nice hike in the mountains. My girlfriend and I chose DuPont State Forest as it is one of her favorite places to spend a day hiking. Although not too strenuous of a hike, the park has numerous trails with rewarding views of Triple Falls, High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Lake Julia, Hooker Falls and much more. The park has trails good enough for biking and horse riding as well. Aside from my usual worldly travel desires, it is great to know that a good road trip through the mountains is close, cost efficient and lots of fun. 🙂

General North America North Carolina South Carolina USA Voyages

Land of Waterfalls in The Carolinas

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date January 31, 2014
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Every single day my wanderlust draws me and my travel desires further and further away from home and abroad to places unknown to me and my family. Each trip I take is further away from home as well. Although I sit behind this work desk with the urge to just get up, get on a flight, and go overseas every single day, I do remind myself that some wanderlust can be fulfilled right here close to where I live without the need of a passport and foreign language skills. Living within the more mountainous part of South Carolina where we have foothills, I have the advantage of a short one hour drive to the state above where the real Appalachian mountains are. Prior to moving here in 2011, all I knew about was city blocks and beaches. But the great thing about this area is that there is a different kind of urge to be outdoors, at least for recreation. My girlfriend coming from Upstate New York grew up to this outdoor lifestyle with vast openness of hilly terrain far from the city where I grew up just a few hours south.

Hiking, is a new recreation for me because of her and is something I do truly enjoy. Given that I work 7 days a week, nothing beats time away from ‘life’ with the sounds and surroundings of nature. But another awesome reward as a result of some of these hikes that I was also introduced to is the sight of a waterfall, whether at the end of a long hike or simply driving into or to one. Transylvania and other regions in the western part of North Carolina as well as the mountainous norther border of South Carolina are areas notorious for beautiful waterfalls and overlooks and this is one reason why I am grateful to live in this region. Here are some beautiful waterfalls I’ve seen in this area of the Carolinas.

North Carolina

Short hike to Roaring Fork Falls near Mount Mitchell, NC

Sliding Rock Falls near Brevard, NC

Looking Glass Falls near Brevard, NC

Lake Toxaway Falls along US 64.

Cullasaja River

Bridal Veil Falls

Dry Falls

Cullasaja Falls

Hiking in Gorges State Park

Rainbow Falls

Turtleback Falls

Upper Whitewater Falls

South Carolina

Lower Whitewater Falls

Reedy River Falls in Downtown Greenville.

Lake Keowee Waterfall

First hike to Jones Gap Falls in Jones Gap State Park, SC.

Tags dry falls, falls, gorges state park, greenville, hiking, lake keowee, north carolina, rainbow falls, south carolina, travel, waterfalls

Bermuda General North America

Life Changing Moment in Bermuda

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date January 4, 2014
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Everyone has a moment at some point in their life where you sit back, shut everything out, and think your life through as a whole. No judgement, no interruption, no feedback. Just you and your mind. This could be that moment where you grow up or simply become a better person. At first I thought this was silly but realistically this was a life turn around for me. I recently spoke to a good friend about this and he had a very similar experience where he realized key aspects in life by comparing youth wants to future necessities. As a result, on his ride home from a simple city night out, he balled in tears in such a way that was cleansing to him. Until this day, he has become a changed man and has in his words, become a happier and better person.

As for me, ironically and fortunately, I had this very similar life changing moment during one of my travels which I take advantage of every several months. This moment took place on the beautiful, unique, and rocky island of Bermuda. During the turn of the year from 2012 to 2013, I went through a transition from one doctor’s office to transferring to another. First of all, I shall add that I went to school for web design, failed at finding a stable job and moved on to something more, stable. During my transition, my ex-boss found a way to dislike me and work very hard at making me quick and leave. For a field that was supposed to promise decent stability, this was only putting me back in the direction of unemployment which I had started off at in 2012. Fortunate for me, A job transfer went through at the turn of 2013 to a new office. In addition, to expand my social atmosphere in South Carolina, a state I would last consider to live in, a second job opportunity at a gym opened up. In conclusion, I had a lot on my plate to balance out and work out.

Why am I mentioning all this? Because this short trip to took place right in the middle of all of this. I didn’t plan the great timing, it just happened that way. Bermuda, to those who are not geographically inclined, is the Bermuda triangle, or even worse, The Bahamas. Incorrect, It is a British Overseas Territory about 1/10 off the coast of the Carolinas in the United States. It’s geographic location and its existence goes back beyond the dinosaurs. It’s poking out of the Atlantic and rocky coast line make this island absolutely unique and scenic. It’s pink sand beaches, blue water, narrow roads, fauna, and kind people make even the shortest stay very, very memorable.

Although most people I know consider a cruise, As always, I flew. Bermuda is very expensive but worth every dime spent. For the first time, I stayed in a cozy guesthouse and could not have felt any more at home. Everything I had done between fort sight seeing, cave discovering, scooter riding, to lighthouse climbing was by far a one of a kind experience. But nothing beat the sunsets I caught on the rocks at Horseshoe Bay Beach and Cove. Here you will find Bermudas infamous pink sand and rock formations. Here was where my heart desired to be throughout the whole trip and worked extra hard in returning every evening to watch the sun touch the Atlantic Ocean and vanish into the pink sky.

Retuning to that “moment”, despite all the problems I had faced in the past up to that moment. From career struggles, to sour relationships, to loss of friends, and life mistakes, I literally felt like every single negative encounter I experienced in life was lifted from from my mind and soul and carried away in the cool winter Bermudian air. As this moment occurred, I immediately balled into tears and shut everything out. This very moment right here changed me forever as the past remained past and I opened the door to the future to allow more opportunity, more experiences, and more memories to create. I not only left that island prepared for a new year with a new lifestyle, but I left that island a changed man. I left Bermuda a happier person with the positive mindset I have always wished to have. So here I am, one year since that very day I had that moment, looking back smiling twice as happy with a great life in the Carolinas, continuing to pursue my dreams of traveling, with an amazing girlfriend who I little by little show the world of travel to, now closer to my family than ever and last but not least closer in touch with myself as a happier more positive, inspiring person in life as a whole. Cheers to an amazing trip to the island of Bermuda.