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Explore Islas Marías, Former Prison Islands in Nayarit, Mexico
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler If you have a dark edge to your soul like me, this all-the-feels Islas Marías (Mary Islands) will resonate well. I have this new thing I do, where I say yes to everything and figure it out later. This trip was one of those yes moments while I was still on a private press trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I had no clue what I was agreeing to but I’m always up for an adventure, twice if I like it. Here’s the thing about Mexico: it’s got a bad rap in the United States even though honestly, the United States is starting to have…
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Cool Down at Pine Haven Cottage in Show Low, Arizona
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler Time to bust out the sweaters and get your leaf peeping on this fall! Or if it’s one of earth’s now brutal summers, escape to a cooler climate up in Northern Arizona for a much needed getaway and nature reset. Much to my Colorado guests surprise and delight, if you drive three hours north of Phoenix you will pop out into a land full of trees, grass and cooler White Mountain air. Pro tip: wait to fill up your gas tank if you can it’s $1 cheaper than in the valley. This feels-like-home cabin in Show Low, Arizona sits in a half acre tucked back…
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Recharge in Nature at Arizona’s Artists Home in Cottonwood
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler The Arizona artist’s home in Cottonwood, Arizona is a nature lovers dream! Tucked back on cross streets with a walking path across the street, it beckons you to come explore the steam that leads into the Verde River where you can grab one of the many floats or kayaks from the garage and enjoy a day of peaceful tranquility among the hummingbirds. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home is thoughtfully designed by Kirsten Snyder of Ocotillo Nature Homes with retro and brand boutique touches throughout. The name Ocotillo means “little torch” in Spanish and is a plant that produces clusters of bright red flowers at…
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Fly to Puerto Vallarta Airport and Explore Nayarit, Mexico
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Flying on an early morning flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor, Arizona to Puerto Vallarta Airport went pretty smoothly with a hosted American Airlines aisle seat. Mind you, international flights call for a two hour arrival buffer time although it makes no sense as you can check in online and just find your gate fast especially with TSA pre-check but airlines haven’t caught up yet I guess. Also, try not to check your luggage. You really don’t need all that stuff you packed, trust me. I’ll make a basic bitch carry on travel bag blog post soon, I promise. Much like the Cabo San Lucas airport…
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Escape to Paradiso at Hacienda Del Mar in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Imagine being whisked away from the Cabo San Lucas, Mexico airport by a private driver in your air conditioned SUV via Transcabo with an ice-cold bottle of water waiting for you. Then you are delivered to a Spanish style resort with 11 sprawling acres and a pretty darn private beach because there are no other resorts around. And you’re only 35 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes away from town! If you like to hunker down and just relax, this is your dream escape from the daily grind. My first trip to Cabo was in 2017, right before I decided to move to Arizona…
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Elvis is Alive at Wild West Town Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler Mosey on up North in Arizona to the Wild West town of Blazin’ M Ranch in Cottonwood, Arizona for an evening of fun, fantasy and food! We met this fun crew at the Verde Valley Wine Festival and liked their kind of weird. Then we found out Elvis was coming to town and it was on like Donkey Kong! And even better yet, they are adding on overnight stays in the covered wagons on this plush green property starting this fall so you can be completely immersed in nature and those funky Western vibes. Just a 20 minute drive from Sedona, the Blazin’ M Ranch…
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Explore Cozumel, Mexico by Jeep and Snorkel
Story, photos by Cassie Hepler I research… and then I research some more before I just let my intuition guide me on what I want to explore when I’m visiting an area for a limited amount of time. And on our last day exploring off the Ruby Princess, it was important to me to see as much as we could see! But this excursion from Princess Cruises stood out because it has the best of both worlds: land and sea. We got up at the crack of dawn again (the time changes really mess you up sometimes) and I saw the sunrise for once which was nice. After a buffet…
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Enjoy a Girls Getaway to The Cassara Carlsbad in San Diego, California
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler There’s some sort of siren song that keeps lulling me back to San Diego, California. Over 13 years ago, I came to visit the Los Angeles area determined I was going to move there from Philadelphia. I stayed for a month at over three different friend’s locations but the plastic thirstiness and fakeness of Hollywood was not my vibe. I’m way too straight forward and honest for that shit. Also, people thought I was very angry because I swore so much but that’s just how it is in Philly! It’s just adjectives such as very cool is fucking cool… and so on. Anyway, fast forward…
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Explore Turquoise Bay Dive and Beach Resort in Roatán, Honduras
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler My perfect vacation includes a day of rest followed by a day of adventure, rinse and repeat. I learned this many years ago when I took myself to the Dominican Republic that rhythm makes me the happiest and most fulfilled after a trip so I can rest but also fully immerse myself in the culture. It’s important to know what brings you joy on vacation so you come back refreshed and not burned out! You know, the dreaded I need a vacation after my vacation vibes. So after a fun adventure day of exploring Costa Maya, Mexico, I was super excited to spend a day…
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Explore Chacchoben Ruins and Blue Lagoon in Costa Maya, Mexico
Photos, story by Cassie Hepler When I was planning which cruise to take with Princess Cruises, I was obsessed with the 10 day cruise from Galveston, Texas because it included the Cayman Islands and Belize. As part of the press trip package, we were limited to 7 days so I chose the one that included Costa Maya which borders Belize and shares the same reef territory, great for snorkeling and diving. Costa Maya is also free from high rise chain hotels leaving its lagoons, archaeological gems and coastline free from clutter. And the 7 day cruise still stopped to see Roatan, Honduras so most bucket list items were checked off.…