Exploration Alison
Solo travel and outdoor enthusiast providing encouragement for women over forty to get out there and explore
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I'm a solo travel enthusiast who began traveling in my thirties. Now, not quite still in my thirties, my goal is to encourage other women to get out and explore. For the more adventurous, I'm also a backpacking and hiking guide helping adults learn to explore our backyard of NC, TN and VA. Although not quite there yet, my next goals are mountain biking and rock climbing.
I didn't see pictures of people that looked like me when I started traveling and backpacking. All I saw were beautiful twenty-somethings in exotic locations. There were no pictures of women in their thirties or forties, overweight but active, out there traveling. After a few trips, I realized the reality is that more actual travelers looked like me than the models. You can stay in hotels or go on tours solo, you're not destined to stay in hostels and journey on foot if you don't want to.
Life is full of adventure. No one "missed their opportunity". It's always a good time to start.
I get asked a lot about family friendly and beginner friendly places to hike in the Triangle, NC area. For families, you need a place that will be flexible for where your child is at that day. Beginners need options and trails that will grow with them. So I finally put it all together some of my favorite places. There are tons more - this is just a sampling. But hopefully you'll spot a few favorites or find a new one! So get out there and start enjoying the fall weather! https://explorationsolo.com/places-to-hike-in-nc-triangle/
As I sclupp through my day, my photos tease me with happier times. Sunset and sunrise over the lake. 🎣 Cool breezes, too much food, learning to wakeboard and landing on my face. Good times. 😀 I feel the need to sing Mem-ry . All alone in the moon-light. I can smile at the old days. La la la la la laaaaa. 🌺🌸
The climb is the only way to the best views 🥾🌳🌞
I applaud the moxie of intersecting a yellow blaze with an orange blazed trail. While somewhat clear here, the blazes in some trees were faded and orange looked a while lot like yellow. It just adds to the fun. 🌳🌱 At least you’re rewarded with a beautiful bench at the intersection where you can do a little people watching 😀
Just about every park, land conservancy, nature preserve, etc. in NC has it's "obligatory power line" section of trail. But Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area is my favorite -- here the trail actually goes under the tower. Just a little bit a excitement to jazz up your hike ⚡️
Looking for great places to visit in November? Our friends at Our Escape Clause recently posted 21+ Best Places to Visit in November in the USA. Of course, I had to share my favorite which is Asheville, NC, but I'm definitely intrigued by some of the other places mentioned. Check it out and get some great ideas! https://www.ourescapeclause.com/best-places-to-visit-in-november-in-usa/
I love this sign! It’s adorable and makes a point. People were respecting the dunes which was great to see. What’s your your favorite beach to visit?
Enjoying A weekend of relaxation with family. Hello little duck 🦆. What a light show at night. Sunset was beautiful from start to finish. We had a great light show with lightening in the clouds. No thunder though. Just hanging back and relaxing 😀
Hmmm. Came across this hiking the other day. Are the squirrels 🐿 trying to send a message? Maybe marking where they hid their 🌰 as well as how many? They were all around so I’m sure it was them. Little buggers are smart. We should continue to monitor the situation. If they team up with the raccoons we could be in be serious trouble 😱 Although I’m more concerned about cats and raccoons forming an alliance. That’s the zombie apocalypse right there 😂
I’ve been practicing with the camera and found flowers are great subjects. They move in the breeze, can have odd angles, and their beauty is hard to translate on film. 🌸🌺 But when you get a decent shot there’s an amazing feeling of pride and accomplishment. I’ve got a long way to go but the journey is fun 😀💜
Had a blast in a jet ski! First time as the driver 😀 my friends kids weren’t as excited. The water was pretty choppy. @northduckwatersports gave me a quick lesson then out I went. They’ve got the process down with super knowledgeable and friendly staff I’m happy to report everyone on my ski made it back safe and sound. Feeling pretty proud of myself 😀💜
Enjoying the Wright Memorial in Kitty Hawk. Beautiful park, memorial, and museum. ✈️ Is it wrong to be intrigued by the tent building bathrooms? They were the first thing I saw and I took 20 photos 😂 The memorial was really interesting and I learned a lot about the science and the people who supported the brothers
Morning coffee on the beach in Kitty Hawk. I’m so happy to have a couple of days with sand and sun. ☀️ Even better the weather is cooperating and it’s nothing but mild and sunny 😎 There were a few other people out enjoying the morning. Where is your favorite place to relax?
It may not look like much, but this is a confluence - 2 rivers coming together. The exact middle where they meet. How cool is that? 😀 There were lots of turtles around too!! 🐢
The sunflowers at Dix Park reached peak bloom on July 28 🌻 I took this photo on Aug 1 and you can see they're starting to droop but there are pockets of them still blooming. This weekend is likely your last chance to see them 😟 - and I'd aim for Saturday