travel | Cloud 9 Archive

Exploring the art of intentional living through personal essays, photos, and thoughtful reflections. If you're craving authentic connection and deeper meaning, join me for honest storytelling where every photograph holds a piece of our shared human experience, and every reflection invites you to slow down and see the beauty hiding in ordinary days.

Hand feeding a deer at Fawn Doe Rosa Wildlife Education Park

Taylors Falls: The Perfect Minnesota Fall Day Trip

Located just an hour from the Twin Cities, Taylors Falls offers the perfect escape for fall color viewing, riverside hiking, and unexpected wildlife encounters. From Interstate State Park's dramatic cliffs to hand-feeding deer at Fawn Doe Rosa, here's your guide to a memorable Minnesota autumn day trip.

Oct 204 min read

Hand holding a disposable coffee cup with a stamp on the side that reads "Wake The F Up - Broken Board Coffee"

Hidden Gem: Broken Board Coffee Inside Focus Board Shop (Madison, WI)

You'd never guess from the strip mall exterior that Focus Board Shop in Madison, Wisconsin houses one of the coolest coffee spots around. Broken Board Coffee proves that the best discoveries happen in the most unexpected places, where great mochas meet skateboard culture.

Sep 292 min read

Colorado Road Trip Recap: Music, Mountains, and Unexpected Discoveries

Our road trip to Camp Alderwild in Telluride, Colorado was equal parts magical mountain views and exhausted highway delirium. From surprise food trucks in tiny towns to gondola rides above the clouds, here's what 2,500+ miles of driving taught us about embracing the journey.

Sep 44 min read

Friday Five: August 29, 2025

As Labor Day weekend arrives, I'm caught between mourning summer's end and craving autumn's slower pace. This week brought mountain adventures, Minnesota State Fair traditions, and wedding planning victories.

Aug 293 min read

Of The Trees on stage in Telluride, Colorado at Camp Alderwild

Camp Alderwild 2025: Of the Trees Creates Magic in Telluride's Mountain Paradise

Camp Alderwild, the inaugural music festival organized and headlined by Of the Trees, delivered a transcendent experience in the stunning mountain town of Telluride, Colorado.

Aug 265 min read

Capturing Magic: How to Take Amazing Travel Photography on Any Adventure

Creating compelling travel photography doesn't have to be about having expensive gear or years of training. By understanding a few fundamental principles, you can easily develop an eye for capturing these moments.

Jul 245 min read

Man sitting on a patio eating a bowl of lemon cheesecake ice cream

5 Things to Do in Tomahawk, Wisconsin

Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin's lake country, Tomahawk offers the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and small-town hospitality. Whether you're passing through on a road trip or planning a intentional getaway from city life, here are five experiences that will make you understand why this hidden gem deserves a spot on your travel list.

Jul 214 min read

A hand holding a pink and purple canvas painting.

Friday Five: July 18, 2025

There's something about Friday morning that always seems full of possibility, even when life feels heavy. Here are five things on my heart as we head into the weekend.

Jul 182 min read

cloud 9 archive