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grand canyon national park, arizona, usa
Widely known and wildly popular, this place calls to people from all over the world who want to gaze down into the depths of the striking red canyon that was carved out here by the Colorado River over millions of years. Take a hike, ride a mule, or just simply waltz along the rim staring Read more
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yellowstone national park, idaho, montana, and wyoming, usa
Sitting atop the caldera of a dormant supervolcano, Yellowstone introduces visitors to some of the inner workings of the Earth at the surface. Get face to face with a buffalo (from the safety of your vehicle!), watch a geyser burst over a hundred feet into the air, inhale the intoxicating scent of sulphur at a Read more
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grand teton national park, wyoming, usa
These majestic mountain peaks will command your attention from miles away. Whether you want to trek one of the breathtaking hiking trails up the mountains, go searching for bears, buffalo, elk or moose in their natural habitat, or just want to gaze from a distance at a roadside viewpoint or on a boat in the Read more
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jackson, wyoming, usa
I LOVE this town. Great for both family vacations or a weekend with friends. Animal safaris. Whitewater rafting in the summer. Snow sports in the winter. Many buildings have an old-western charm. Natural beauty all around. Bison burgers. A rodeo. It’s wild, yet, also somehow so tame. Tucked away at the edge of the Jackson Read more
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capitol reef national park, utah, usa
From natural bridges to red canyon views, centuries-old rock markings to otherworldly geologic wonders, apple picking to horseback rides, Capitol Reef National Park is nothing short of unique. It is comprised of the land surrounding the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic masterpiece where older rock layers are exposed at the surface, providing some of the most Read more
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bryce canyon national park, utah, usa
As you wander through the halls of the amphitheater, you will feel like you have stepped into a dream. Despite being a rather small national park in comparison to the others around the country (and Utah’s smallest of their Big 5), big things do come in small packages. This place will blow your mind and Read more
“travel isn’t always pretty. it isn’t always comfortable. sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. but that’s okay.
Anthony Bourdain
the journey changes you; it should change you. it leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.
you take something with you. hopefully, you leave something good behind.”
Laura the explora: the blog
your unofficial travel agent and tour guide
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hey there!
i’m Laura
welcome to my little corner of the internet where i share my travel tips, stories, and photos of the places i visit. i’ve been fortunate enough to set foot in all fifty of the united states as well as nearly 20 different countries over the past decade. my goal is to make traveling affordable and accessible for everyone by giving you the tools you need to plan your own vacation for free. i hope these posts inspire you to get out into the world and see it for yourself! :)
[Note: I do not make any revenue from this website. If any of these posts helped you plan your trip and you’d like to support my work and website operating costs by tipping me as your unofficial tour guide, click the little black triangle to see my Venmo ID.] 😊
Venmo: @Laura-the-explora (#0324)
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Laura the explora: the blog 