Since early 2021, we have been traveling across the United States, making a new place our home month to month, while working full time and adventuring as much as possible. We spend any free time we can get hiking, camping, backpacking and exploring new places! On this page, we’ll continue to post updates from our road trip.

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The start of our cross country road trip

In February of 2021, we drove from Virginia to Denver to southern California, where we spent a month exploring Death Valley, Joshua Tree, the Alabama Hills and surrounding area.

Next, we moved to Utah and explored Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, as well as several lesser-known spots, like Grand Staircase Escalante.

In May, we continued on to northern California, where we backpacked in Yosemite, hiked in Sequoia and King’s Canyon, and ultimately wished we had way more time!

Next we spent two months in Idaho Falls, where we spent our time exploring the Sawtooth Mountains, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier National Park and absolutely fell in love with the area! So much so that we ended up coming home with a very large souvenir…

Our plans for 2022

After returning back to Richmond in the fall and staying through the holidays, we’ve decided to make our nomadic lifestyle more permanent. We both secured full-time remote jobs and set off on another road trip in January of 2022, this time with no plans to return back to the East Coast for our office jobs.

We took our time road tripping through Texas and spent a few days exploring Big Bend. Our first home base was in the West Texas and southern New Mexico area, exploring the Organ Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains, Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands!

We are currently based in northern Arizona, where we will stay for about 3 months. We’re so excited to be back in the desert and can’t wait to explore more off the beaten path spots in the area!

P.S. check out our review of top highlights and lowlights from our 2021 adventures here!

Documenting our road trip adventures

Traveling, working full time, planning new adventures and writing this blog seriously feels like having 2 full time jobs at times! We try our best to keep up, but are inevitably a little behind on writing about out experiences. On this page, we’ve organized all the blog posts we’ve written so far from our cross country road trip!

For more real-time updates, follow us on Instagram @twooutliers.

Southern California

An endless expanse of diverse landscapes, from the crackling salt flats of Death Valley to the Dr. Suessian land of Joshua Tree to the stunning peaks of the Eastern Sierras, Southern California has it all.

Death Valley National Park

Lack of life certainly does not mean lack of beauty.

Eastern Sierra Nevadas

Where rocky desert meets snow-capped peaks.

A Treasure Hunt for Alabama Hills Arches

Wandering through the Alabama Hills feels like playing on nature’s playground, with hidden arches to hunt for, piles of boulders to climb on, and some…

Joshua Tree National Park

A rock climbers heaven, scattered with funky trees and thousands of boulders

Utah

Home to five national parks, there is no shortage of adventure waiting for you in Utah! With it’s one of a kind orange rock formations, the landscapes in Utah are unique and otherworldly!

Canyonlands National Park

With canyons of every shape and size, this national park surely lives up to it’s namesake

Grand Staircase Escalante

Expansive, rugged terrain hides some of Utah’s best kept secrets

Zebra Slot Canyon: Hike Guide

Named after the vivid stripes that line its walls, Zebra Slot Canyon is one of the most unique rock formations in Southern Utah.

Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail Guide

A hidden oasis tucked away in Southern Utah, Lower Calf Creek Falls trail follows Calf Creek until arriving at a majestic 126-foot waterfall.

Willis Creek Slot Canyon Trail Guide

Willis Creek Slot Canyon | Hike Overview Willis Creek Slot Canyon (a.k.a. Willis Creek Narrows) is one of the more underrated slot canyon hikes in…

Toadstool Hoodoos: an Underrated Adventure

Toadstool Hoodoos | Hike Overview Visiting the Toadstool Hoodoos in southern Utah is a surreal experience. Thin needles of sandstone in every shape, size, and…

Jacob Hamblin Arch Hike Guide

Jacob Hamblin Arch in Coyote Gulch is easily one of the most impressive geological formations in the remote area of Grand Staircase Escalante.

14 Best Grand Staircase-Escalante Hikes

This is your ultimate guide to all the best hikes in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, whether it’s your first time visiting the area or your…

Zion National Park

Towering canyon walls and majestic red rock carved by the crisp blue Virgin River

Is Scout Lookout in Zion Worth the Hike?

Scout Lookout in Zion National Park is the viewpoint located right at the base of Angel’s Landing, the (in)famous hike that follows along a narrow…

Idaho

It’s no secret we love Idaho, so much so we decided to make a piece of it our own. From the jagged Sawtooth Peaks and teal blue waters of the Salmon River, to the grassy flatlands of the Teton Valley, Idaho is sure to steal your heart!

Sawtooth Mountains

Endless serene alpine lakes nestled among distinctive jagged snowy peaks

12 Best Sawtooth Mountains Hikes

In this article, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best Sawtooth Mountains hikes, showcasing the area’s most unique landscapes from jagged peaks to stunning alpine…

Southern Idaho

Teal waters, impressive waterfalls and deep canyons carved by the windy Snake River

11 Fun Things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho

With crystal clear springs, deep, rocky canyons, and the winding Snake River, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Twin Falls, Idaho!

How to Find Perrine Coulee Falls in Idaho

A 200-foot waterfall that cascades over the Snake River Canyon, Perrine Coulee Falls is a can’t miss stop on any visit to Twin Falls, Idaho.…

Montana

Horseback riding, fly fishing, kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, backpacking: Montana has it all and is the ideal destination for outdoor adventure lovers!

Glacier National Park

Stunning alpine lakes, snow-covered rocky mountain vistas, vibrant wildflowers, and abundant wildlife make Glacier a hiker’s paradise

Wyoming

From the rolling hills, roaming bison, and incredible hydrothermal formations of Yellowstone to the jagged snowy peaks of Grand Teton, Wyoming is full of natural beauty.

Grand Teton National Park

From the dramatic, jagged peaks of the Teton Range to the clear waters of the alpine lakes and the meandering Snake River, we have yet to find a place as beautiful as Grand Teton National Park.

Best Backpacking in Grand Teton

With jagged snowy peaks, crystal clear alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife, backpacking in Grand Teton National Park belongs on every outdoor lover’s bucket list! In…

20 Best Hikes in the Grand Tetons

In this article, we’ll tell you the best hikes in Grand Teton National Park and help you decide which hike (or hikes) is right for…

Road Trip Tips & Learnings

Tips, tricks, and learnings from our months on the road.

7 Best Hiking Jackets for Women

With so many hiking jackets for women to choose from, finding the best option can be a challenge! Need a warm jacket for hiking in…