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Travel and Lifestyle Blog by Rachel Iverson Breece

Best Things to Do in Highlands, NC

Hi Everyone,

I turned 34 this December (ah, still processing that) so we planned a trip to Highlands, North Carolina for an outdoor adventure. Highlands is a small, quaint town located a few miles north of the GA/NC border and sits right in the Appalachian Mountains (only about 2 hours from Great Smoky Mountain National Park). Not only does it offer an amazing food scene, it’s also the perfect weekend getaway for outdoor lovers.

In addition to all of that, the area is also extremely dog friendly making it super convenient to just pack up your fur babes and head out.

To help make planning your trip a little easier, here are the top 6 things to do when visiting the Highlands or Cashiers area.

Sunrise- Highlands, NC

1. Hike

Hiking is by far the most popular activity when visiting the Highlands/Cashiers area- this is the Appalachian Mountains after all. One thing that sets this area apart from most mountain towns is that most trails in this area are dog friendly.

Here are the best trails in the Highlands/Cashiers area, all of which are dog friendly.

  • Whiteside Mountain (Moderate)
    • This trail is located conveniently between Highlands and Cashiers, offers amazing views and is only a 2-mile loop.
  • Yellow Mountain Fire Tower (Hard)
    • IMO fire towers are always worth the hype simply because of the views. This trail is around 13 miles total roundtrip and would be the perfect all day, long hike.
  • Sunset Rock Trail (Easy)  
    • Great short hike to watch the sunset at only .7 miles totals.
  • Satulah Mountain (Moderate)
    • This hike is super convenient as you can literally park in Highlands and walk to the trailhead. This trail offers amazing views and is approx. 2.9 miles long when starting from town.
  • Secret Falls Trail (Moderate)
    • Short 1.3 mile trail that offers a waterfall and great scenery.

2. Visit Lake Glenville

Lake Glenville is only about 8 miles from Cashiers and is a beautiful way to spend the day. There are actually three different waterfalls going into the lake, which is so bizarre and beautiful! If you are visiting during the summer, don’t pass up the opportunity to see these waterfalls from the water. You can rent a boat, paddle board, or canoe from Signal Ridge Marina.

3. Take a Pic behind Dry Falls

Dry Falls might possibly be one of the best photo ops in Highlands. It’s a giant waterfall that’s just a couple miles from downtown Highlands that you can walk behind. Its a short walk to the falls and definitely worth the stop.

Dry Falls

4. Eat/Drink

While many people are unaware, Highlands actually has an amazing culinary scene. Don’t miss out on exploring some of the best restaurants that the area has to offer. I do recommend making reservations as early as you can though because these places fill up fast.

5. Spa

I don’t know about you but after a long hike, one of my favorite things is to enjoy a spa day. We booked our spa day with Canyon Spa, which was amazing, and I cannot recommend them enough. However, Old Edwards Spa is equally amazing so if you opt to stay there, you could have a spa day right on site.

6. Explore Town

Highlands is extremely walkable (so is Cashiers) so if you need a break from hiking, exploring some of the shops in town can be fun and there are tons of unique ones. Here are some of my favorites:

  • Highland Hiker
  • Victoria’s Closet (Cashiers)
  • ManTiques (Cashiers)
  • McDonough Antiques (Gorgeous furniture, many items from Spain- Cashiers)  
  • Bear Mountain Outfitters

That wraps up the list of the best things to do in Highlands, NC. I hope this was helpful for planning your trip. Enjoy every moment and remember to take some time to rest and relax!

Xo,

Rachel

Best Things to Do on St. Croix USVI

My husband and I visited St. Croix for our honeymoon and to say we had a blast would be an understatement. While St. Croix may not be one of the most popular travel destinations in the Caribbean, it shouldn’t be overlooked.

First, getting to St. Croix is an easy flight from Miami w/ no passport requirements for US Citizens. So, if you procrastinate on updating your passport (like me), no worries as you won’t need it making it a great last minute trip idea. Second, like most Caribbean islands, the scenery is gorgeous and offers a relaxing vibe. Last but not least, there are tons of things to do, and even better, most are little to no cost.

View of Davis Beach/Carambola Beach Resort

Here are the best things to do when visiting St. Croix.

1. Hike to the Tide Pools

From Carambola Beach Resort, there is a trail that goes from the resort to the tide pools. The total length both ways for this hike is about 4 miles. I recommend packing some drinks and a picnic and making this a half day trip so you can relax, swim and spend some time at the pools.

Cost: Free  

St. Croix Tide Pools

2. Kayak to the Bioluminescent Bay at Night

St. Croix is one of the few places in the world where you can see bioluminescence. Kayaking out to the bay at night to see this was one of the highlights of our trip. I recommend booking this trip with Sea Thru Kayaks– they will take great care of you!

Cost: ~$60 per person

3. Visit Christiansted

Christiansted is one of the two main towns on the island (the other is Frederiksted). Take some time to walk around town and browse some of the shops. Many people working in the shops are from St. Croix, so with a little conversation you can learn so much about the culture.

You can also visit Fort Christiansvaern, which is very educational, and then grab lunch. I recommend lunch at Toast, which is a delicious and very affordable.

Cost: Free (Unless you get lunch or buy something)

Pro Tip: Chaney is a unique piece of china, created between the 1700-1900s, that many shops in St. Croix make into jewelry. This is a perfect gift for loved ones.

  • Rooster Downtown
  • Fort Chrstiansvaern

4. Tour the Cruzan Rum Distillery

Rum is a must when visiting St. Croix and touring the Cruzan Rum Distillery is a great way to taste more of it. This tour was super fun and we were able to taste numerous flavors at the end. In addition, if you end up buying a few bottles of rum here, they will package it for your flight home.

Cost: ~$10 per person

Pro Tip: Captain Morgan also has a distillery on the island so you could also tour that.

5. Buck Island National Reef Monument

Buck Island is a gorgeous island off the coast of St. Croix that offers amazing snorkeling. I recommend booking a half day charter trip with Caribbean Sea Adventures. You don’t want to miss this!

Cost: ~$120 per person

6. Catch the Sunrise at Point Udall

Point Udall is the Eastern most place in the US and the perfect place to watch the sunrise. However, if you don’t want to get up early, that’s fine too as you can visit anytime of the day to take in the beauty.

Cost: Free

Point Udall

7. Relax on the Beach

St. Croix is home to many beaches. We stayed at the Carambola Beach Resort (which I highly recommend) so we enjoyed that beach but there are plenty of others to visit, including Rainbow Beach, Cane Beach Bay, Protestant Cay and more.

Cost: Free

Davis Beach

8. Scuba Dive

Like snorkeling, there are also plenty of diving opportunities off the island. Since we stayed at Carambola Beach Resort, we dove Davis Bay. However, there are plenty of other beach dives such as the wall at Cane Bay, the Frederiksted pier, Salt River Canyon and tons more that don’t require charters.   

Cost: Free (If you have your own gear)

Okay, so now that you know what to do on St. Croix, you can book your trip. As always, I love hearing from readers so if you end up going to St. Croix, let me know about your trip!

Xo,

Rachel

Enjoying a Rum Runner

Hiking Mt. LeConte

Hi Everyone,

Last April, we had the opportunity to hike Mt. LeConte in Great Smokey Mountain National Park and the experience was once in a lifetime. Great Smokey Mountain National Park is actually one of the most diverse parks in terms of wildlife and plant life and this hike really showcases it all.

While visiting Mt. LeConte, we actually stayed at LeConte Lodge, so I’ll be sharing information about this as well. This entire experience was something I’ll never forget so here are all the details. 

Cliff Top at Mt LeConte

Getting to Mt. LeConte

There are about 6 hiking trails that will lead you to Mt. LeConte, all ranging from 5 to 9 miles. Each trail is unique and offers its own benefits, but here are some details on the 4 that I recommend.

Alum Cave

  • Length: About 5 miles one way
  • Rating: Difficult as it features a 2929-foot elevation gain with many steep cliffs.
  • Start Location: This trail starts in the Alum Cave parking lot just off 441 about 10 miles in the park from Gatlinburg. This parking lot fills up but if quite large so if you get there early you should be fine.
  • More Details: While this is the shortest hike, since it’s steep, you may save miles but hiking time is pretty equal with other trails. This trail features cliffs, Alum Cave Bluff, and many other viewpoints

Boulevard Trail

  • Length: About 8 miles one way (You have to start at Newfound Gap parking lot and hike the Appalachian trail for almost 3 miles before meeting Boulevard trail, which is then another 5 miles to Mt. LeConte)
  • Rating: Moderate (Elevation gain is only 543 ft)
  • Start Location: Newfound Gap Trailhead, which is off highway 441 about 13 miles from Gatlinburg into the park.
  • More Details: Trail also has great viewpoints, and you get to hike part of the Appalachian Trail

Rainbow Falls Trail

  • Length: About 6 miles one way
  • Rating: Difficult (Elevation gain is over 3000 ft)
  • Start Location: Trailhead is off Cherokee Orchard Rd.
  • More Details: This trail features Rainbow Falls, which is beautiful, and about 2.5 miles into the hike

Trillium Gap Trail

  • Length: About 8.9 miles one way
  • Rating: Difficult (Over 3000 ft elevation gain)
  • Start Location: Grotto Falls trailhead, which is also off Cherokee Orchard Rd.
  • More Details: This trail also features Grotto Falls, which you can walk behind and get great pictures. This is also the trail the llamas take to Mt. LeConte when bringing supplies.

Pro Tip: If visiting when it’s still icy, I recommend bringing micro spikes for your boots. I didn’t have spikes and I ended up falling numerous times- so save yourself the trouble and pack them. These are the ones I recommend.

Staying on Mt. LeConte

While it’s not unrealistic to day hike to Mt. LeConte, I recommend staying on the mountain to soak in all the magic. We only stayed 1 night and that was perfect. You can either stay at LeConte Lodge or camp. Here are details on both options.

LeConte Lodge

Being able to stay at LeConte Lodge is a unique experience and there isn’t quite anything like it. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s extremely rustic as there is no electricity or showers (so plan to sponge bath) but the atmosphere and solitude is unmatched.

You will have your own cabin or share one with others (but have your own room), have unlimited coffee and tea during select times, and be served dinner and breakfast all included with your stay. We stayed in a community cabin, which was great because we met and talked so many different people and learned their stories. 

Since this is a one-of-a-kind experience, the lodge books up quickly for the entire year. Booking for each year begins on October 1st of the prior year but if you don’t get a reservation that day,  you can always sign up on the waitlist. This is actually what I did and was able to get in with a cancellation. Save the website link to your calendar now so you can prepare your visit. http://www.lecontelodge.com/reservations/

Camping

If you would rather camp, you can reserve your spot at the Mt. LeConte Shelter. This is about .2 miles LeConte Lodge and still offers the beauty, solitude and magic of staying on Mt. LeConte. Reservations must be made in advance here: https://smokiespermits.nps.gov

Things to Do

After you have arrived to Mt. LeConte and relaxed a bit, there are plenty of things to do while on the mountain.

Photo Ops

Take Time for some amazing photos. Here are the best Photo Ops.

  • LeConte Lodge dining room, which displays the day and elevation on a sign.
  • Myrtle Point
  • Cliff Top
  • Watch the Sunset (Cliff Top is the best place)

Meet Other Hikers

Meeting new people is one of the best things about traveling to new places and this is no different. Talking to some of the staff and other lodgers made the entire experience that much more special. Plus you may even learn some new tips about the area.

Read/Meditate/Yoga

When you reach Mt. LeConte, you will feel accomplished and at peace. The feeling seems to bring out the best in everyone. For that reason, I recommend taking some time to yourself to really take it all in.

Okay that’s it for our hiking trip to Mt. LeConte. Please comment or message me with your own experience, I would love to hear from you. Also, for more information on Great Smokey Mountain National Park, check out my blog post here. 

Xo,

Rachel

Portland Maine to Acadia National Park Road Trip

Portland Maine to Acadia National Park Road Trip
Jordan Pond- Acadia National Park

Hey Everyone!

I’m back on and finally had a chance to share my experience on our road trip from Portland to Acadia National Park last fall. Before I start, and I’d be surprised if you didn’t already know this, but Maine is a treasure. This post will cover the best things to do when traveling from Portland, Maine to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.

Portland 

Portland is is approximately 3 hours from Acadia National Park and I can honestly say this is now one of my favorite cities. Craft beer, lobster rolls, timeless nooks and crannies- this is only part of what made me fall in love. Portland is any foodie’s dream come true so here is a list of my favorite eats: 

Run, don’t walk to this place and be sure to get the lobster roll, it’s unlike any other. 

Pro tip- At Eventide, there is usually a few hour wait, so go check in early and plan to come back in a few hours. 

In addition to eating, which always comes first with me, there are plenty of other things to do in Portland. Here are some of my top recommendations for things to do and places to stay. 

Best Places to Stay 

Things to Do 

  • Shopping, Coffee and Lunch in Old Port 
  • Craft Beer Tasting through Brews Crews 
  • Visit Peaks Island (If you aren’t already staying there) 
  • Tour some Lighthouses (Portland Breakwater, Ram Island, Spring Point) 

Camden 

The second stop on our road trip from Portland to Acadia NP was Camden. Camden is a small town on the coast, smack dab between Portland and Bar Harbor- so it’s the perfect place to stop for the day or overnight. We just stopped for the day but there are quite a few bed and breakfast options that would be great for an overnight. 

When visiting, plan to wear comfy shoes and walk everywhere so you can take it all in- the adoring scenery is hard to beat. 

Best Things to do in Camden

Camden Maine Waterfront
Mount Battie
View from Mount Battie

Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park                                                  

Finally, the main destination, Bar Harbor and of course Acadia National Park. Other than camping in the park, the best place to stay in my opinion is Bar Harbor. We opt to stay at the Bar Harbor Inn and Spa and we will definitely be back. This resort is right on the water, located conveniently downtown and most sailboats and charters leave from right from the resort. 

Plan to have at least 2 days to visit Acadia and be sure to buy your pass prior to coming to the park, otherwise, you will have to go to the visitor’s center and likely wait in line. I also recommend bringing a sack lunch and plenty of water and other drinks.

The first day at Acadia we planned to see the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain- this is the first place the sun hits the US. However, you must leave extremely early to get parking and obviously get there before the sun rises, so we missed this. I still recommend this though, as it’s a one-of-a-kind experience- so I’m told by my parents who actually witnessed it.

Since we missed the sunrise, we grabbed breakfast and still headed to the park pretty early to start some hikes. Pretty much all hikes in the part of worth doing but here are some of my favorites. 

Best Hikes 

  • Beehive or Precipice Hike
    • Both offer amazing views, but I would not recommend for small children or for those afraid of heights. 
  • Jordan Pond Loop and South Bubble Mountain 
  • Cadillac North or South Ridge Trails 

Other than hiking, there are tons of other activities to do in the park.

Other Activities

  • Bike the Carriage Roads 
  • Relax at Sand Beach 
  • Eat/Drink at Jordan’s Pond House (Enjoy the popovers) 
  • Visit the Schoodic Peninsula- while not part of Mount Dessert Island, you can jump on a ferry in Bar Harbor that will take you right to the Schoodic Penensula. 
Acadia National Park

While our time in Maine ended quickly, we will definitely be back soon. As I shared before, Maine has so much to offer and we could not have had a better time on this trip. I hope this post is helpful for you as you plan your own trip. Happy Traveling! 

Xo, 

Rachel 

Olympic National Park Itinerary

Hi guys! It’s been a minute since my last post! I’ve missed everyone and I wanted to jump on to share the most perfect (and budget friendly) road trip itinerary for one of my best trips yet- Olympic National Park (ONP). Only a few hours outside of Seattle, this Olympic is one of my favorites for so many reasons- hiking, landscape diversity, and WATERFALLS….need I say more?!!?

Day 1-2 

The first stop on this road trip is Port Townsend, which is the best place to start this national park road trip, IMO. Sitting directly on the Pudget Sound and right outside of ONP, Port Townsend really has it all. Due to the history and amount of victorian houses, we opt to stay in a bed and breakfast for 2 nights to start off our trip, specifically Old Consulate Inn. When I booked this bed and breakfast I had no idea just how special this place was. The Inn Keepers, Cindy and Nathan, are extremely welcoming, the food is to die for, and the landscaping and decor make is so cozy you may contemplate staying forever. Each night Cindy will even bring chocolate to each guest room in a cute little basket and hang it on your door…..how can you not love that?! 

Besides enjoying Old Consulate Inn, there are tons of activities to take advantage of while in Port Townsend. I recommend spending day 2 on the Pudget Sound. The best way to do that is by taking the Pudget Sound Express on the Whale Watching Tour to San Juan Island. Your are sure to see wildlife sometime during the day and you also have the opportunity to get lunch, go shopping and explore San Juan Island. Be sure to book this tour early though as it historically sells out fast!

In addition to the boat tour, I also recommend hiking to Glass Beach, walking/shopping downtown, and checking out some of the amazing Port Townsend restaurants- Fountain Cafe, Finistère, and Alchemy Bistro and Wine Bar were my favorite.

  • Old Consulate Inn

Day 3-4

On day three, wake up early and head straight for Hurricane Ridge in ONP. When you reach the top, check out the visitor’s center- chances are you will be able to see some wildlife right from the deck. Next I recommend taking at least one hike while up there. If you are looking for a quick and easy one, go with sunrise point via high ridge nature trail (less than 1 mile) where you will have some great photo ops for not much work. 🙂 For a little longer, more rewarding hike, check out Hurricane Hill (3 miles) or Mount Angeles (about 5 miles).

Pro Tip: The road to Hurricane Ridge is a bit lengthy so grab some drinks and snacks to take up with you in nearby Port Angeles.

From Hurricane Ridge, head West and check into the Lake Crescent Lodge. This is probably one of my favorite lodges of all time, mostly because of the amazing view, but you also can’t beat the nearby hiking trails, bar in the lobby, and clam chowder at the lodge restaurant. Don’t get my wrong, this lodge is rustic but it’s the perfect place to get away from it all.

Savings Tip: Book the Historic Lodge Room at Crescent Lake Lodge. Average cost is $158 per night and while it only includes a common bath (shared), it’s still incredibly cozy and the view is hard to beat. Be sure to book as far in advance as possible.

While staying at Lake Crescent lodge, be sure to hike Marymere Falls and maybe even Mt. Storm King. If you hike Mt. Storm King, plan on coming back to the lodge afterwards to celebrate with a cold beer.

  • Hurricane Ridge
  • Hurricane Ridge
  • Hurricane Ridge
  • Lake Crescent
  • Lake Crescent
  • Marymere Falls
  • Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park

Day 5-6

Night 5 I suggest staying at Kalaloch Lodge. On the way there, make a few stops: Sol Duc Falls (1.6 mile hike), grab lunch in Forks, check out Rialto Beach, and then bask in the beauty of the Hoh Rainforest – you will thank me later as these are all amazing stops.

Once you arrive at Kalaloch, relax in your cabin or grab dinner at Creekside Restaurant. After dinner, make some hot chocolate and take a walk on the beach. If you walk north, you will see the tree of life. 🙂

  • Ruby Beach
  • Sol Duc Falls
  • Tree of Life
  • Kalaloch Lodge
  • Kalaloch Lodge

Day 7

Finally, on day 7 we headed back to Seattle to spend a few days. If you have time on the trip back, stop at Lake Quinault Lodge. This is also a great place to stay if you want to add on another night.

And that’s it for one of the epic road trips ever. I hope you this guide made it easier to plan your trip. Feel free to comment on your favorites parts of Olympic National Park – I want to hear from you! 🙂

Xo,

Rachel

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