Big Brave Nomad

☀️ Can you tell which of us loves sunrise hikes? #bigbravenomad #bernie #feelthebern #gltlove #deathvalleynationalpark #deathvalley #badwater #badwaterbasin #belowsealevel #deathvalleynps #visitcalifornia #sunrisehike #desertsunrise #saltflats

My first attempt at night time photography. ⛺️ 💫 I will admit, I thought these came out a little more clear and bright, but this is what I got! I’m happy to have tried a new skill and now I am YouTubing like crazy to figure out how to get my particular camera to do what I want. 👉🏼 Did you know Death Valley National Park is an International Dark Sky Park? Have you ever been to a Dark Sky Park? ✨ We’ve been to many of the Dark Sky Parks in the United States, but I’ve never tried to capture it. In these parks you can see the Milky Way with your bare eyes. You can see more stars than you though existed. It’s incredible. ——————————————————— Visiting U.S. National Parks this year? Follow us @bigbravenomad for National Park Guides for families and tips about visiting the parks ——————————————————— #bigbravenomad #deathvalleynationalpark #panamintsprings #deathvalley #darksky #internationaldarkskyassociation #nightphotography #nighttimephotography #amateurphotography #halftheparkisafterdark #deathvalleynps #americanroadtrip #roadtripusa #visitusa #usatravel #travelusa #californiaparks #nationalparkgeek @panamintsprings @idadarksky

🌲Redwood National Park 🌲 📌SAVE THIS POST📌 Redwood National Park is actually called Redwood National and State Parks because it’s the National Park lands plus 3 California State Parks that make up the entire park. From north to south, you can expect to drive for about 2 hours. 🗺 This hike is in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and this spot is also featured in Jurrasic Park 2. 🥾 Due to the complex nature of this national park, I recommend hiring a local guide for at least one day of your adventure. We partnered with @redwood_adventures to take us off the beaten path, explain the ecology, show us the true history of the area and take us to the lesser known, but arguably the largest Redwoods in the region. Locals are gold mines of knowledge & our guide (Justin) with Redwood Adventures is a local and an ecologist. (Support Local Businesses!) 🚨 Be aware of rainy seasons and elk rut. Both bring challenges, but shouldn’t deter a visit. ⛰ In Redwood National Park, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping Ocean cliff views, the famous Fern Canyon, immense old grove Redwood forests, amazing tide-pooling, several scenic drives, and over 200 miles of pristine hikes. 👩🏼‍💻 I’ve got a full blog on Everything you need to know about Redwood National Park in my bio as well as a IGTV video & an entire IG Highlight with everything we did during our visit. ——————————————————— Visiting U.S. National Parks this year? Follow us @bigbravenomad for National Park Guides for families and tips about visiting the parks ——————————————————— #bigbravenomad #redwoodnationalpark #prariecreekredwoods #redwoodforest #cresentcity #nationalparkgeek #jurrasicpark #hirelocal #travelwithkids #outsideisfree #1000hoursoutside #hikewithkids #californiaredwoods #visitcalifornia #californiastateparks #humboltcounty #shoplocal #smallbusiness #travelusa #usaroadtrip #americanroadtrip #californiaroadtrip #californianationalparks

🏞 NATIONAL PARK PASS GIVEAWAY 🏞  We’re taking on 2021 and making it the year of the American roadtrip! 🚗 We’ve partnered together to bring one lucky family an America the Beautiful Annual National Park Pass! This gives unlimited entry to any U.S. National Park and National Park site!  Entering is simple! 🏞 LIKE and SAVE this post⁣  🏞 FOLLOW @nationalparkpassgiveaway and follow everyone they're following!⁣  🏞 TAG friends right here 👇 [ 1 tag per comment, 1 tag = 1 entry]⁣  🏞 COMMENT what National Park is at the top of your bucket list?⁣ 📝  That's it🎊  ✨BONUS✨ extra entries if you SHARE in stories. Don't forget to TAG @nationalparkpassgiveaway⁣  Contest will close January 15, 2020 at midnight PST  Open to USA residents only. Not associated with IG.⁣ Winner will be announced within 48 hours of closing.

After 3 visits, we found the PERFECT trail in Pinnacles National Park. 📌SAVE THIS POST📌 Pinnacles has 2 separated sides that are not connected by a road, so you enter though an East or West entrance. 🗺 This hike is easiest accessed from the West entrance. Head to the Chaparral Parking Area for the trailhead. 🥾 Juniper Canyon Trail is rated hard, but we were able to do it with a 4 and 5 year old. We hiked Juniper Canyon Trail (1.8 miles) to High Peaks Trail (0.7 miles) to Tunnel Trail (0.6 miles) and back via Juniper Canyon Trail (1.2 miles). In total we hiked 4.3 miles. 🚨 On the High Peaks section be prepared for very narrow and steep trail that, at times, is only footholds in the side of a steep rock. ⛰ You’ll be rewarded with absolutely amazing views as you meander through the Pinnacles. It’s fairytale worthy. Don’t forget to look up because you’ll be as high as the elusive California Condor nests! ——————————————————— Visiting U.S. National Parks this year? Follow us @bigbravenomad for National Park Guides for families and tips about visiting the parks ——————————————————— #bigbravenomad #pinnaclesnationalpark #pinnacles #sanbenito #visitcalifornia #underrated #seemonterey #centralcoast #gltlove #junipercanyontrail #highpeakstrail #hikingwithkids #girlswhohike #usaroadtrip #americanroadtrip #nationalparkgeek #hikingcalifornia #kidswhohike #usatravel #travelusa

We’re two happy campers knowing our Passports are in the mail to be renewed! Did you know kids under 16 years old have to renew every 5 years? Adults are every 10 years. 📌 SAVE THIS POST 📌 To renew a child passport in the United States: 1. Make an appointment online for child renewal or initial application at USPS.com 2. Fill out DS11 (child) online and print at home (don’t sign it yet!!) 3. Bring the child’s original birth certificate, 2 forms of photo ID per parent, & checks 4. Go to appointment! Good to know: 1. *Both parents must be present at appointment** 2. The post office can take the photo for you for $15 3. Total Expected cost: $80 for renewal, $15 for photo, $35 for passport handling fee ($130 total) Have you ever renewed a passport? If so, did you think it was an easy process? #bigbravenomad #passportphoto #passportrenewal #uspassport #travelwithkids #readytotravel #takemeaway #zion #zionnationalpark #zioncanyon #nationalparkgeek #nationalparks #usaroadtrip #roadtripusa #gltlove #kidswhotravel #familytravel #exploremore

🗓 Did you know Sunday is the start of the week? I think I was 30 when I learned that Monday isn’t actually the first day of the week. I’m not sure why I thought that, but alas, here we are. 😂 I am working on my list for things I want to accomplish this week so when Monday does come, I am ready with a plan. 📝 Here are some of my “to accomplish” list: - Oil Changes in Both Cars - Finish Newest Blog - Catch up on the Holiday emails - Work out 5 times - Paint my toenails (I miss you Tina Nails and I hope you can open again soon) - Weekly Work Meetings - Book a few of the adventures I have on my list and need to solidify - Make a daily plan for our January adventure - Work on anniversary gift for Jimmy - Make a meal plan for the week - Order C’s 1st grade school material 📸: Channeling my inner @jordanmatter with C at Wave Organ, San Francisco #bigbravenomad #onlyinsf #sanfran #sanfranciscobay #waveorgan #californiacoast #californialove #californialiving #californiakids #roadtripusa #americanroadtrip #travelwithkids #travfamlife #levartmaf #gltlove #sanfranciscolove #kidswhoexplore #outsidekids #jordanmatter

We can see the light at the end of the 2020 tunnel!!! Woohoo! Wishing you all an amazing 2021; Happy New Year!! 🎉 📍: Tunnel Trail to High Peaks Trail, Pinnacles National Park #bigbravenomad #hny #comeon2021 #endof2020 #newyearseve #lightattheendofthetunnel #tunnelview #pinnaclesnationalpark #pinnacles #californialiving #nationalparkgeek @nationalparkgeek #hikingwithkids #kidswhoexplore #kidswhohike #exploreoutdoors #usaroadtrip #roadtripusa #traveltheusa

We’re in the in-between. The blurry days between Christmas and the new year. It feels good to have a few days of no plans, sleeping in and enjoying the last days of high calorie food and delicious wine for a while. Have you set any goals for 2021? The only true goal I’ve set and committed to is doing a dry January. We did dry January & February this year and it was really good for me. SO I’m bringing it back for round 2. Anyone want to join me? 🚫🍷 📍: Zion National Park, Canyon Overlook Trail #bigbravenomad #zionnationalpark #zion #zionnps #utahparks #visitutah #canyonoverlooktrail #zioncanyon #utahisrad #utahrocks #utahunique #nationalparkgeek #nationalparksusa #usaroadtrip #roadtripusa #americanroadtrip #travelwithkids #travelfam #outsidekids #hikingwithkids #dryjanuary

🎅🏼 Merry Christmas from us to you! 🎅🏼 #bigbravenomad #pensacolaphotographer #christmaspjs #pensacolaflorida #floridaphotographer #floridapanhandle #christmasmorning #hotchocolatetime #lovefl #staysaltyflorida #floridaliving

Merry Christmas Eve Eve! 🎄 Where are you celebrating Christmas (or the holidays) this year? We are back on in California soaking up the coastal Christmas vibe. We came home to our neighbors all having Christmas lights up, our porch was full of boxes and our apartment was freezing. So today we’ll never leave our PJs, be drinking hot chocolate, building a fire, wrapping presents and watching Hallmark Christmas movies. 🎅🏼 🎄 📸: @annemariesphotography #bigbravenomad #californiaphotographer #seemonterey #montereycalifornia #californiastateparks #castateparks #centralcoast #bigsurphotographer #bigsurcoast #californiachristmas #montereycounty #californialiving #hohoholiday #montereybay #pacificcoasthighway #roadtripusa #homefortheholiday

📸 Tips for getting in photos when you’re traveling alone with your kids 📸 [save this post] 1. Tripod + 10 second timer and run like hell 2. Ask a stranger to help (I always tell them what I want in the background or I end up with close ups where you can’t even tell where we are) 3. Lean you phone or set your camera in some precarious position with a timer and run like hell 4. A remote. I have one, but I don’t use it. It is another option....but keeping track of a tiny remote is just another stress when traveling solo with kids... 5. A phone app. My camera can connect to my phone thru an app to take photos remotely. 👉🏼👉🏼How do you snap a photo with you in it while traveling with kids? 📸: This photo was taken by my camera on a 10 second timer and I forgot the little piece that screws into my camera to attach it to the tripod, so I had to set the timer, balance my camera, run like hell, & hope my camera didn’t fall. 🤷🏼‍♀️ #bigbravenomad #solomomtravel #saguaronationalpark #saguaro #nationalparksusa #arizonahiking #desertvibes #visitarizona #visittucson #tucson #desertsunrise #nationalparkgeek #gltlove #usatravel #traveltheusa #usaroadtrip #roadtripusa #levartmaf #americanroadtrip #americansouthwest #travelmom #kidswhoexplore #kidswhohike

“Adversity introduces a man to himself.” - Albert Einstein 👉🏼 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤? 🏔 These Bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva) are remarkable for their extremely old age and their ability to survive adverse growing conditions. In fact, it seems one secret to their longevity is the harsh environment in which most bristlecone pines grow. The Bristlecone Pine is known as the oldest living trees in the world and the oldest on record inside the National Park is an astounding 4,765 years old. 🥾𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐩: Drive to the Wheeler Peak parking lot and take the Alpine Lake trail to Stella Lake and then to Teresa Lake (approx 3 mile loop with 2 gorgeous alpine lakes) and then add on the .6 mile side hike to the Bristlecone pines. The total hike is 4.2 miles. We did this hike easily with a 3 year old, 5 year old and 7 year old. —————————————————— 🌲Follow us - @bigbravenomad - for tips & travel guides to exploring the U.S. National Parks —————————————————— #bigbravenomad #greatbasinnationalpark #greatbasin #travelnevada #nationalparksusa #nationalparkgeek #gltlove #levartmaf #hikewithkids #nationalparklife #bristleconepine #hikenevada #usaroadtrip #americanroadtrip #roadtripusa #travelusa #visittheusa #growthroughit #adversity

While we were getting ready for bed last night, our county health officer implemented a new month long stay-at-home order. Yes. December 13-Jan 11. I want to wallow about it, but instead I’m going make a list of 5 positives. 1️⃣Our house is a Christmas wonderland and it’s so nice to sit with all of our trees by the fire 🎄 2️⃣Target Drive-Up is still a go (because retail stores are limited to 20% capacity now and grocery stores are now at 35%) 🚗 3️⃣I have a Peloton, so I can continue to work out with my fave instructors 💪🏼 4️⃣We’re all 4 together 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 5️⃣Both Jimmy and I can work remotely 👩🏼‍💻 👨🏼‍💻 👉🏼👉🏼 Tell me: What is one positive from your day today? 📸: This photo is from last November when we stayed @marriott_fallsview and our actual views of Niagara Falls from our room. #takemebackto2019 #bigbravenomad #californialife #montereycounty #niagarafalls #fallsview #niagarafallscanada #niagarafallscanada #hotelwithaview #luxuryhotels #travelwithkids #hotchocolatetime #postivemindset #thisis2020 #marriott #winterwonderland❄️ #kidswhoexplore #levartmaf #travfamlife #marriotthotel

⏰ WIN A SLEEP TRAINER CLOCK ⏰ Who wishes their kid would stay in bed to the same time every single day? 🛌 💤 🎉 [SHARE THIS POST] This was me. Ever since we moved the kids into the same room, they like to wake each other up and have been coming in to wake me up earlier and earlier. Enter the Mella - a Ready to Rise Modern Kid's Sleep Trainer Clock. This trainer clock shows the children the time, but even if they can't read time yet, it has a colored face that slowly fades from red to green showing the kids when it's OK to get out of bed. 😴 This has been game changing for me. So, I have partnered with @littlehippo to give one of you your very own Mella! (Valued at $49.99) (Meaning, we're am sending you sleep in the shape of a little clock) ✴️ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN✴️ ✅ Follow @bigbravenomad and @littlehipposays ✅ Tag a friend for extra entries (one per tag) This giveaway ends at midnight PST on 12/12/20 and the winner will be announced on 12/13/20 *This giveaway is in no way sponsored, administered, or endorsed by Instagram. By entering you are confirming that you release Instagram of any/all responsibility and that you agree to Instagrams terms of use. #bigbravenomad #mella #littlehippo #sleeptrainer #givemesleep #ineedsleep #sleeptrainingsuccess #mellaclock #giftofsleep #sleepwell