Our Favorite Travel Destinations (Including Kodi's!)
Everyone has their own favorite destination. On our Wild West road trip, we each found a spot that really stuck with us. Here are our top picks, from a high-altitude mountain lake to geysers and bison to towering redwoods.
🏔 My Favorite: Mount Whitney, California
Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the continental U.S. at 14,491 feet, and it's every bit as breathtaking as you'd expect. You don’t need to summit to fall in love with it—just driving up through the Alabama Hills and Inyo National Forest is an experience.
From the town of Lone Pine, CA, it’s an 11.5-mile drive up to the Mt. Whitney Portal, where you’ll find:
A cozy camp store with souvenirs and hot food
Multiple campgrounds (watch out for bears!)
Trailheads for day hikes or full summit climbs
â›° The Hike I Did: Lone Pine Lake
Distance: ~6 miles round trip
Time: ~5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Permit Required? No
I opted out of the summit hike (a 21-mile beast that gains 6,000 feet in elevation and takes 12–16 hours with a hard-to-get permit). Instead, I hiked up to Lone Pine Lake—and it was perfect.
You get sweeping Sierra views, crisp mountain air, and a peaceful alpine lake surrounded by granite peaks. It’s the “big mountain” experience without the suffering. Temps dropped below 40°F overnight, so bring layers.
Pro tip: Bring trekking poles—they help with rocky sections and keep your hands from swelling at elevation.
Want a trail preview? Check out:
👉 https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/lone-pine-lake-hike
🦌 My Husband’s Favorite: Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone was the perfect park for my husband—scenic, accessible, and packed with natural wonders without requiring long hikes. We covered a lot in three days, but honestly, four would’ve been ideal.
🔥 Key Sights to Plan For:
Upper Yellowstone (2 days recommended):
Lamar Valley – Prime wildlife watching at sunrise
Mammoth Hot Springs – Terraced thermal formations
Lower Yellowstone (2 days recommended):
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone – Jaw-dropping waterfalls
Grand Prismatic Spring – Unreal colors
Old Faithful Geyser – A must-see classic
Dining halls fill up fast—make reservations early if you plan to eat in the park. And remember, the best wildlife sightings tend to happen early morning or near dusk.
🥾 Want to Hike?
If you're up for trails, try:
Fairy Falls Trail
Mystic Falls Loop
Mount Washburn Trail
Trout Lake or Storm Point Loop for shorter options
Fishing, hiking, boating—you could easily spend a week and still have more to see.
🌲 Kodi’s Pick: Redwoods National and State Parks, CA
Kodi was mesmerized by the giant redwoods in Hiouchi and Crescent City, California. Honestly, so were we. The trees are ancient and massive—it feels like walking through a living cathedral.
We explored meadows and quiet trails through forests where the light filters in like something out of a movie. Kodi stuck close by, sniffing everything and staring up at the towering trunks.
Even my husband, who usually doesn’t linger long on trails, got totally caught up. He wandered for two hours, taking pictures of tree bark, ferns, flowers, and sunlight dancing through the leaves.
It was a quiet, magical moment on a trip filled with epic landscapes.
Final Thoughts
We each connected with different places in our own way—
Me: Peace and accomplishment in the High Sierras
My husband: Easy access to iconic views and wildlife
Kodi: Total wonder in the land of the giants
Whether you're after the highest peaks, the geysers and wildlife, or a calm forest walk with your dog, there’s a favorite place out there waiting for you, too.