Next Stop: Adventure
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  • Adventures
    • All 52 Hike Challenge Camping Hiking Outdoor Recreation Road Trippin’ Winter Adventures
      Adventures

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

      December 30, 2018

      Camping

      Kannaraville Falls [Labor Day Weekend]

      September 25, 2017

      Camping

      Camping & Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Causey…

      June 25, 2017

      Camping

      Places to Camp in California [Guest Post]

      March 31, 2017

      Camping

      Salt Lake City Questival 2016

      October 31, 2016

      Hiking

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      Hiking

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      Hiking

      52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

      December 30, 2018

      Hiking

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Visiting Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee) [Kandersteg, Switzerland]

      July 10, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Paragliding in Switzerland

      July 5, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Artist Point Snowshoe [Hike 5/52]

      February 25, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Grand Canyon

      December 2, 2017

      Road Trippin’

      Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park &…

      October 26, 2018

      Road Trippin’

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Road Trippin’

      A Weekend in Portland [Our Second Anniversary Trip]

      May 3, 2018

      Road Trippin’

      Devil’s Bridge Trail [Sedona, Arizona]

      January 7, 2018

      Winter Adventures

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      Winter Adventures

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      Winter Adventures

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Winter Adventures

      Artist Point Snowshoe [Hike 5/52]

      February 25, 2018

  • USA Destinations
    • All Arizona California Florida Georgia Montana Nevada North Carolina Oregon Tenneessee Utah Washington
      Adventures

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      Adventures

      Weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia

      October 30, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Capilano Suspension Bridge Park [Vancouver, BC Attraction]

      October 29, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland [Hike 38/52]

      October 10, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Sheep Lake [Hike 36/52]

      October 3, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Heather Lake [Hike 35/52]

      September 30, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Arizona

      Devil’s Bridge Trail [Sedona, Arizona]

      January 7, 2018

      Arizona

      Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Grand Canyon

      December 2, 2017

      Arizona

      Exploring Desert Life in Tucson, Arizona

      April 30, 2017

      Arizona

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      California

      Joshua Tree National Park & Palm Springs in…

      November 1, 2017

      California

      Places to Camp in California [Guest Post]

      March 31, 2017

      California

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      California

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      California

      4 Day Trip to California: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite,…

      September 20, 2016

      Florida

      Welcome to the Holidays!

      December 18, 2016

      Florida

      Our Wedding Day Timeline [Wedding]

      May 21, 2016

      Florida

      Weekend Trip to Florida

      November 13, 2015

      Florida

      Ragnar Relay: Florida Keys

      March 1, 2014

      Georgia

      Tallulah Gorge & North Carolina Waterfalls [Mini Moon]

      August 3, 2016

      Georgia

      Bachelorette Weekend in Savannah, Georgia [Wedding]

      April 14, 2016

      Montana

      Glacier National Park

      July 22, 2017

      Nevada

      4 Day Trip to California: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite,…

      September 20, 2016

      Nevada

      Great Basin National Park

      July 7, 2016

      North Carolina

      Tallulah Gorge & North Carolina Waterfalls [Mini Moon]

      August 3, 2016

      North Carolina

      10 Hours in Asheville, North Carolina [Mini-Moon]

      May 8, 2016

      North Carolina

      Great Smoky Mountain National Park [Mini-Moon]

      April 28, 2016

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Oregon

      A Weekend in Portland [Our Second Anniversary Trip]

      May 3, 2018

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Portland [Ape Caves, Rogue…

      December 2, 2015

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Portland [Cannon Beach, Oregon…

      December 2, 2015

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Portland [Voodoo Doughnuts, Stumptown…

      December 2, 2015

      Tenneessee

      New Year’s in Nashville

      January 7, 2017

      Tenneessee

      Great Smoky Mountain National Park [Mini-Moon]

      April 28, 2016

      Utah

      Salt Lake City’s Best 52 Hikes [Book Review]

      February 26, 2018

      Utah

      Goblin Valley State Park & Natural Bridges National…

      November 17, 2017

      Utah

      Lower Emerald Pools [Zion National Park]

      October 26, 2017

      Utah

      Calf Creek Falls [Escalante National Monument]

      October 15, 2017

      Utah

      Zebra Slot Canyon [Escalante National Monument]

      October 7, 2017

      Utah

      Kannaraville Falls [Labor Day Weekend]

      September 25, 2017

      Utah

      Long Weekend in Utah [Wannee’s Visit to Salt…

      September 10, 2017

      Utah

      Wildflower Hunting at Mt. Timpanogos

      August 13, 2017

      Washington

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      Washington

      Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland [Hike 38/52]

      October 10, 2018

      Washington

      Sheep Lake [Hike 36/52]

      October 3, 2018

      Washington

      Heather Lake [Hike 35/52]

      September 30, 2018

      Washington

      Winchester Mountain [Hike 31/52]

      August 25, 2018

      Washington

      Naches Peak Loop [Hike 30/52]

      August 20, 2018

      Washington

      Summit Lake [Hike 29/52]

      August 5, 2018

      Washington

      Mount Catherine [Hike 28/52]

      July 25, 2018

  • International Destinations
    • All Canada Germany New Zealand Switzerland
      Adventures

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Canada

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      Canada

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      Canada

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      Canada

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Germany

      Neuschwanstein Castle [A Guide to Visiting the German…

      May 28, 2018

      New Zealand

      I Hate Airports.

      June 7, 2013

      New Zealand

      Saying Goodbye to New Zealand

      June 7, 2013

      New Zealand

      Almost Done in Dunedin

      June 5, 2013

      New Zealand

      Caves, Glowworms, and Mirror Lakes

      June 4, 2013

      Switzerland

      Aare Gorge, Switzerland

      July 26, 2018

      Switzerland

      Visiting Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee) [Kandersteg, Switzerland]

      July 10, 2018

      Switzerland

      Paragliding in Switzerland

      July 5, 2018

      Switzerland

      Adventuring through a Fairy Tale: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren…

      June 24, 2018

  • National Parks
    • National Parks & Monuments

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      National Parks & Monuments

      Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park &…

      October 26, 2018

      National Parks & Monuments

      Sheep Lake [Hike 36/52]

      October 3, 2018

      National Parks & Monuments

      Naches Peak Loop [Hike 30/52]

      August 20, 2018

      National Parks & Monuments

      Cape Flattery [Hike 26/52]

      July 20, 2018

      National Parks & Monuments

      Hurricane Hill (Olympic National Park) [Hike 25/52]

      July 17, 2018

      National Parks & Monuments

      Thunder Knob & Diablo Lake Overlook [Hike 22/52]

      June 14, 2018

      National Parks & Monuments

      Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Grand Canyon

      December 2, 2017

      National Parks & Monuments

      Goblin Valley State Park & Natural Bridges National…

      November 17, 2017

      National Parks & Monuments

      Joshua Tree National Park & Palm Springs in…

      November 1, 2017

  • Love & Relationships
    • All Married Life Newlywed Wedding
      Adventures

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Aare Gorge, Switzerland

      July 26, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Visiting Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee) [Kandersteg, Switzerland]

      July 10, 2018

      Married Life

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      Married Life

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      Married Life

      Paragliding in Switzerland

      July 5, 2018

      Married Life

      Adventuring through a Fairy Tale: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren…

      June 24, 2018

      Newlywed

      Visiting Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee) [Kandersteg, Switzerland]

      July 10, 2018

      Newlywed

      Introducing Our Newest Family Member: Koda

      April 17, 2017

      Newlywed

      10 Months into Marriage {Newlywed 101}

      February 19, 2017

      Newlywed

      Welcome to the Holidays!

      December 18, 2016

      Wedding

      Our Wedding Day Timeline [Wedding]

      May 21, 2016

      Wedding

      Decor & Details [Wedding]

      April 29, 2016

      Wedding

      Bachelorette Weekend in Savannah, Georgia [Wedding]

      April 14, 2016

      Wedding

      We Did It! [Wedding]

      April 6, 2016

  • Lifestyle
    • All 30 Day Challenge Books Confessions Events Food & Drink Holidays Home Life Updates Photography Visitor Adventures
      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

      December 30, 2018

      Adventures

      Weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia

      October 30, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Capilano Suspension Bridge Park [Vancouver, BC Attraction]

      October 29, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Blog

      Happy Birthday Next Stop Adventure: 3 Years!

      August 25, 2018

      Destinations

      Adventuring through a Fairy Tale: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren…

      June 24, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Thunder Knob & Diablo Lake Overlook [Hike 22/52]

      June 14, 2018

      30 Day Challenge

      My Hopes for Next Stop Adventure [30 Day…

      November 30, 2015

      30 Day Challenge

      Where will I be in 5 years? [30…

      November 29, 2015

      30 Day Challenge

      What Makes Me Happy [30 Day Challenge]

      November 28, 2015

      30 Day Challenge

      Hidden Talent [30 Day Challenge]

      November 27, 2015

      30 Day Challenge

      Best Trip of My Life [30 Day Challenge]

      November 26, 2015

      30 Day Challenge

      Why Do I Blog? [30 Day Challenge]

      November 25, 2015

      30 Day Challenge

      Where Have I Traveled? [30 Day Challenge]

      November 24, 2015

      30 Day Challenge

      What I Look Forward To [30 Day Challenge]

      November 23, 2015

      Books

      Salt Lake City’s Best 52 Hikes [Book Review]

      February 26, 2018

      Books

      10 Months into Marriage {Newlywed 101}

      February 19, 2017

      Books

      6 Books for the Adventurous Soul

      August 8, 2016

      Books

      Graduates in Wonderland [Book Rave]

      January 11, 2016

      Books

      Unbroken [Book Rave]

      August 31, 2015

      Confessions

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      Confessions

      Happy Birthday Next Stop Adventure: 3 Years!

      August 25, 2018

      Confessions

      Welcome to Washington

      January 18, 2018

      Confessions

      2017 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2017

      Confessions

      Coming in 2018: Seattle

      November 29, 2017

      Confessions

      26.

      November 22, 2017

      Confessions

      Happy Birthday Next Stop Adventure: 2 Years!

      August 31, 2017

      Confessions

      Surviving My First Month on the Keto Diet

      May 27, 2017

      Events

      Skagit Valley Tulip Valley

      May 24, 2018

      Events

      Tulip Festival: Spring in Utah

      May 7, 2017

      Events

      Salt Lake City Questival 2016

      October 31, 2016

      Events

      Oktoberfest at Snowbird

      September 19, 2016

      Events

      Our Wedding Day Timeline [Wedding]

      May 21, 2016

      Events

      Lantern Fest

      May 2, 2016

      Events

      Bachelorette Weekend in Savannah, Georgia [Wedding]

      April 14, 2016

      Events

      Ice Castles

      January 23, 2016

      Food & Drink

      Weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia

      October 30, 2018

      Food & Drink

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Food & Drink

      Adventuring through a Fairy Tale: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren…

      June 24, 2018

      Food & Drink

      Girls’ Day Trip to Ogden

      June 3, 2017

      Food & Drink

      Surviving My First Month on the Keto Diet

      May 27, 2017

      Food & Drink

      Restaurants in Salt Lake City: A Local’s Guide

      May 7, 2017

      Food & Drink

      Review: What I Learned After 1 Month of…

      February 4, 2017

      Food & Drink

      4 SLC Coffee Shops to Fuel Your Caffeine…

      October 23, 2015

      Holidays

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Holidays

      2017 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2017

      Holidays

      26.

      November 22, 2017

      Holidays

      New Year’s in Nashville

      January 7, 2017

      Holidays

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      Holidays

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      Home

      Introducing Our Newest Family Member: Koda

      April 17, 2017

      Home

      Our First Anniversary

      April 2, 2017

      Home

      Buying Our First Home

      March 12, 2017

      Home

      10 Months into Marriage {Newlywed 101}

      February 19, 2017

      Home

      Review: What I Learned After 1 Month of…

      February 4, 2017

      Life Updates

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      Life Updates

      52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

      December 30, 2018

      Life Updates

      Happy Birthday Next Stop Adventure: 3 Years!

      August 25, 2018

      Life Updates

      Welcome to Washington

      January 18, 2018

      Life Updates

      Coming in 2018: Seattle

      November 29, 2017

      Life Updates

      26.

      November 22, 2017

      Life Updates

      Joshua Tree National Park & Palm Springs in…

      November 1, 2017

      Life Updates

      Long Weekend in Utah [Wannee’s Visit to Salt…

      September 10, 2017

      Photography

      Adventuring through a Fairy Tale: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren…

      June 24, 2018

      Photography

      Kannaraville Falls [Labor Day Weekend]

      September 25, 2017

      Photography

      The Importance of Saying ‘No’

      November 12, 2016

      Photography

      6 Months into Marriage & Life Updates [Newlywed…

      October 17, 2016

      Photography

      Taking Risks

      July 2, 2016

      Photography

      Our Engagement Shoot [Wedding]

      December 27, 2015

      Photography

      How to Get that Bokeh Effect During the…

      December 23, 2015

      Visitor Adventures

      Weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia

      October 30, 2018

      Visitor Adventures

      Capilano Suspension Bridge Park [Vancouver, BC Attraction]

      October 29, 2018

      Visitor Adventures

      Thunder Knob & Diablo Lake Overlook [Hike 22/52]

      June 14, 2018

      Visitor Adventures

      Seattle [Things to Do]

      April 14, 2018

      Visitor Adventures

      Twin Falls [Hike 9/52]

      April 14, 2018

      Visitor Adventures

      Seattle Waterfront Argosy Cruise [Seattle Attraction]

      March 24, 2018

      Visitor Adventures

      Welcome to Washington

      January 18, 2018

      Visitor Adventures

      Long Weekend in Utah [Wannee’s Visit to Salt…

      September 10, 2017

  • About Us
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  • Home
  • Home
  • Adventures
    • All 52 Hike Challenge Camping Hiking Outdoor Recreation Road Trippin’ Winter Adventures
      Adventures

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

      December 30, 2018

      Camping

      Kannaraville Falls [Labor Day Weekend]

      September 25, 2017

      Camping

      Camping & Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Causey…

      June 25, 2017

      Camping

      Places to Camp in California [Guest Post]

      March 31, 2017

      Camping

      Salt Lake City Questival 2016

      October 31, 2016

      Hiking

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      Hiking

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      Hiking

      52 Hike Challenge 2018: Completed

      December 30, 2018

      Hiking

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Visiting Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee) [Kandersteg, Switzerland]

      July 10, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Paragliding in Switzerland

      July 5, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Artist Point Snowshoe [Hike 5/52]

      February 25, 2018

      Outdoor Recreation

      Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Grand Canyon

      December 2, 2017

      Road Trippin’

      Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park &…

      October 26, 2018

      Road Trippin’

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Road Trippin’

      A Weekend in Portland [Our Second Anniversary Trip]

      May 3, 2018

      Road Trippin’

      Devil’s Bridge Trail [Sedona, Arizona]

      January 7, 2018

      Winter Adventures

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      Winter Adventures

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      Winter Adventures

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Winter Adventures

      Artist Point Snowshoe [Hike 5/52]

      February 25, 2018

  • USA Destinations
    • All Arizona California Florida Georgia Montana Nevada North Carolina Oregon Tenneessee Utah Washington
      Adventures

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      Adventures

      Weekend in Vancouver, British Columbia

      October 30, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Capilano Suspension Bridge Park [Vancouver, BC Attraction]

      October 29, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland [Hike 38/52]

      October 10, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Sheep Lake [Hike 36/52]

      October 3, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      Heather Lake [Hike 35/52]

      September 30, 2018

      52 Hike Challenge

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Arizona

      Devil’s Bridge Trail [Sedona, Arizona]

      January 7, 2018

      Arizona

      Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend & Grand Canyon

      December 2, 2017

      Arizona

      Exploring Desert Life in Tucson, Arizona

      April 30, 2017

      Arizona

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      California

      Joshua Tree National Park & Palm Springs in…

      November 1, 2017

      California

      Places to Camp in California [Guest Post]

      March 31, 2017

      California

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      California

      San Diego & Arizona – Thanksgiving Road Trip…

      December 3, 2016

      California

      4 Day Trip to California: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite,…

      September 20, 2016

      Florida

      Welcome to the Holidays!

      December 18, 2016

      Florida

      Our Wedding Day Timeline [Wedding]

      May 21, 2016

      Florida

      Weekend Trip to Florida

      November 13, 2015

      Florida

      Ragnar Relay: Florida Keys

      March 1, 2014

      Georgia

      Tallulah Gorge & North Carolina Waterfalls [Mini Moon]

      August 3, 2016

      Georgia

      Bachelorette Weekend in Savannah, Georgia [Wedding]

      April 14, 2016

      Montana

      Glacier National Park

      July 22, 2017

      Nevada

      4 Day Trip to California: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite,…

      September 20, 2016

      Nevada

      Great Basin National Park

      July 7, 2016

      North Carolina

      Tallulah Gorge & North Carolina Waterfalls [Mini Moon]

      August 3, 2016

      North Carolina

      10 Hours in Asheville, North Carolina [Mini-Moon]

      May 8, 2016

      North Carolina

      Great Smoky Mountain National Park [Mini-Moon]

      April 28, 2016

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Bend, Oregon [Labor Day…

      September 7, 2018

      Oregon

      A Weekend in Portland [Our Second Anniversary Trip]

      May 3, 2018

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Portland [Ape Caves, Rogue…

      December 2, 2015

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Portland [Cannon Beach, Oregon…

      December 2, 2015

      Oregon

      A Weekend Guide to Portland [Voodoo Doughnuts, Stumptown…

      December 2, 2015

      Tenneessee

      New Year’s in Nashville

      January 7, 2017

      Tenneessee

      Great Smoky Mountain National Park [Mini-Moon]

      April 28, 2016

      Utah

      Salt Lake City’s Best 52 Hikes [Book Review]

      February 26, 2018

      Utah

      Goblin Valley State Park & Natural Bridges National…

      November 17, 2017

      Utah

      Lower Emerald Pools [Zion National Park]

      October 26, 2017

      Utah

      Calf Creek Falls [Escalante National Monument]

      October 15, 2017

      Utah

      Zebra Slot Canyon [Escalante National Monument]

      October 7, 2017

      Utah

      Kannaraville Falls [Labor Day Weekend]

      September 25, 2017

      Utah

      Long Weekend in Utah [Wannee’s Visit to Salt…

      September 10, 2017

      Utah

      Wildflower Hunting at Mt. Timpanogos

      August 13, 2017

      Washington

      2018 in a Nutshell

      December 31, 2018

      Washington

      Lake Valhalla and Mount McCausland [Hike 38/52]

      October 10, 2018

      Washington

      Sheep Lake [Hike 36/52]

      October 3, 2018

      Washington

      Heather Lake [Hike 35/52]

      September 30, 2018

      Washington

      Winchester Mountain [Hike 31/52]

      August 25, 2018

      Washington

      Naches Peak Loop [Hike 30/52]

      August 20, 2018

      Washington

      Summit Lake [Hike 29/52]

      August 5, 2018

      Washington

      Mount Catherine [Hike 28/52]

      July 25, 2018

  • International Destinations
    • All Canada Germany New Zealand Switzerland
      Adventures

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      52 Hike Challenge

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Canada

      A Weekend in Victoria, British Columbia [Anniversary Trip]

      June 1, 2019

      Canada

      Peyto Lake Viewpoint (Bow Summit) & Icefields Parkway…

      February 5, 2019

      Canada

      Tunnel Mountain Hike [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      January 24, 2019

      Canada

      Johnston Canyon [Banff, Alberta, Canada]

      December 2, 2018

      Germany

      Neuschwanstein Castle [A Guide to Visiting the German…

      May 28, 2018

      New Zealand

      I Hate Airports.

      June 7, 2013

      New Zealand

      Saying Goodbye to New Zealand

      June 7, 2013

      New Zealand

      Almost Done in Dunedin

      June 5, 2013

      New Zealand

      Caves, Glowworms, and Mirror Lakes

      June 4, 2013

      Switzerland

      Aare Gorge, Switzerland

      July 26, 2018

      Switzerland

      Visiting Oeschinen Lake (Oeschinensee) [Kandersteg, Switzerland]

      July 10, 2018

      Switzerland

      Paragliding in Switzerland

      July 5, 2018

      Switzerland

      Adventuring through a Fairy Tale: Lauterbrunnen, Wengen, Mürren…

      June 24, 2018

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7 Unexpected Lessons from Working in the Service Industry

written by Hilary February 2, 2016
7 Unexpected Lessons from Working in the Service Industry

I’ve been working in the service industry for about a year now, and just from the past year, I’ve had some pretty odd tales from the front desk of my hotel. Looking back, I have worked in the service industry for a total of about 8 years with my jobs combined. I’ve worked at a YMCA, my college campus Department of Recreation (in Operations and Customer Service), and other jobs working with the public up until now at a hotel. I’ve learned some valuable life lessons from working with people in these different capacities that I can use in my daily life and in my career.

As a consumer, you interact with people in service industry jobs on a daily basis. Think about it. The person who checked you out at the grocery store, your daily coffee run, the person who helped you get in your dressing room, the person that gave you keys to your hotel room on your past business trip– All of those people were there to serve you, as the consumer.

As someone who has been there, experienced that, I fully believe that everyone should be required to work in the service/retail/hospitality industry at least once in their lives. Why? Because it’s humbling.

 

#1) It will make you more appreciative for those who serve you in your daily life.giphy

(Source)

Do you thank the person that took your coffee order? How much do you usually tip for services? Are you the person that looks for something to be wrong with your order? How do you handle that situation?

Whether its the waitress taking your order at your local restaurant, the front desk agent helping you at your hotel, or even a cashier at the grocery store– All of those individuals are working very hard for their money by serving you. Having worked in the service industry, I try my very best to treat all of these individuals like me with respect and courtesy. Even when I am unhappy, but they are trying their hardest to make sure my experience is great, I take that into account. Most customers don’t realize that many mistakes or discrepancies come from somewhere out of the front-line staff’s control. It is their job to handle the brunt of your anger or disappointment, but keep in mind these are people working their hardest (usually for minimum wage) to serve you up a stellar experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 75% of the minimum wage workforce are adults 20 years and older who are working to support families. That’s crazy!

enhanced-buzz-21189-1391968767-17

(Source)

Most 9-5ers who have not worked a service job have also never experienced what its like to be standing for 8+ hours a day without a break. Standing is especially exhausting between the extravagant guests and customers’ requests, handling complaints, and constantly providing a positive guest experience. Some days after a long shift, I will just curl up in bed and not be on my feet. Heaven on Earth right there for a service industry worker!  

#2) You will interact with many different different types of people from every background and culture that you may not normally encounter in your personal life or career.

In general, humans will interact with people of the same general socioeconomic background in our personal lives and careers. That is, unless you work a service industry job.

When you enter a job such as retail or hospitality, you will meet many different types of people because everyone needs to eventually get groceries, run errands, shop, etc. At my hotel, we have many different types of people from the white collar business travelers, the multi-level marketers of Salt Lake City, to the foreign travelers from Europe, China, Japan, and India, and even families on vacations from neighboring states. These populations don’t all share the same culture, values, or behaviors. Naturally, “common courtesy” doesn’t always mean the same thing in all cultures either. I’ve found that certain cultures tend to be more abrupt in their conversations than others. Some travelers like making conversations, while others seem disinterested. You will come across all these extremes, and learn how to adapt to their differences quickly.

#3) You will inevitably grow a backbone.anigif_enhanced-buzz-32288-1391967447-8

(Source)

Piggybacking off my previous point, not all people will be polite or nice to you. Even if they are from the same city or state or country as you, manners will vary from one family to the next. In an industry where the service staff is generally under-appreciated, you will learn that some people are just plain rude. My tactic to deal with this is just to let it roll off my back. I can’t take every comment personally, because 90% of the time, the person either 1) doesn’t know they offended you, or 2) just doesn’t care about your feelings as a person. Sad, but true. This is extremely frustrating at times, but when people are nice, you just appreciate that so much more! 🙂

#4) You will learn how to read a person’s true character.

Have you heard the phrase that “A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter, or to others, is not a nice person.”?

giphy-2

(Source)

According to this USA Today Article which touches on this phrase mentions that:

The CEO who came up with it, or at least first wrote it down, is Raytheon CEO Bill Swanson. He wrote a booklet of 33 short leadership observations called Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management. Raytheon has given away 250,000 of the books. Among those 33 rules [the rule mentioned] is the only one that Swanson says never fails.

Another nugget of advice Swanson has?

“Watch out for people who have a situational value system, who can turn the charm on and off depending on the status of the person they are interacting with,” […] “Be especially wary of those who are rude to people perceived to be in subordinate roles.”

Sounds pretty accurate to me, especially the last part. Your true character shows when you’re interacting with someone such as the waitstaff, flight attendant, front desk agent, or cashier. We (the service industry staff) can see right through you if you’re not a nice person, and we do take stock of that.

#5) You will come to appreciate a “normal work schedule”, your time off with your family, and a schedule that fits others’ schedules in your life.

One of my biggest struggles of working in the service industry is the weird work schedule. In a hotel, a typical front desk shift is either 7am-3pm or 3pm-11pm (with night audit being 11pm-7am). Hotels are a 24/7 industry, so holidays, weekends, and evenings are almost always a given too. When you have a significant other that works a “normal” 9-5 schedule like me, finding time to spend time together can be a challenge. It really does make you appreciate your time off with your loved ones. Or getting a weekend off in general. Or two days off in a row. I’ve worked early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays since I entered the workforce in my first job at the YMCA. I have come to appreciate the meaning of a weekend.

#6) You will learn to think on your feet and multi-task.giphy-1

(Source)

In hotels and restaurants especially, there will always be many activities going on at once that all need to be taken care of ASAP. Working in a fast-paced environment will force you to learn to manage your time, learn to multi-task, and maintain a positive experience for your customers and guests. There will always be issues and unhappy guests that need an answer or solution right now. And guess what? Tomorrow will be a different set of issues that are just as urgent. In the service industry, you learn to roll with the punches!

#7) It is humbling.318843_10151944080330072_583593121_n

My last, but most important, point is that working in the service industry is humbling. You learn so much about people, those that you interact with at your favorite businesses, and the true meaning of customer service. I really appreciate awesome customer service after all these years. I make sure I tip my waitstaff, my baristas, my bartenders, my drivers. Remember that anyone providing a service to you is doing just that– a service.

Have you ever seen the show Undercover Boss? Well, it’s on CBS (and Netflix), and it’s awesome. The premise is that the CEOs (or any executives within the company) go “undercover” and work various jobs at their company. The jobs they work are the bottom of the totem pole– the front line staff, factory workers, delivery drivers, etc.– and they work physically and/or mentally grueling jobs that they are truly not paid enough to do. The CEOs usually discover star employees who are giving their all at the company to provide an excellent experience to their customers, and at the same time working long hours to make ends to meet at home. Spoilers…Usually, the boss will give these star employees who are working incredibly hard despite difficult circumstances or low pay either a raise/promotion, money for their families for a vacation, college tuition, etc. The ends of these episodes make me cry (happy, mushy-feeling tears) more often than I’d like to admit. 🙂 This show is great at taking a look behind the scenes at typical situations that people in hourly jobs in the food service or hospitality industry encounter on a daily basis.

 

I’ve found working the service industry to be extremely helpful as a deeper understanding of the public. It’s not easy, I will not sugarcoat it. But it is eye-opening. Regardless of your background, perhaps on your way to your dream career, take a walk on the opposite side of the counter and see what others experience as they serve you.

Have you ever worked in retail, food service, or hospitality? What are the life lessons you’ve learned from your experiences? Did I forget anything?

 

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Hello & welcome! We are Hilary & Brighton, a Florida girl and Utah guy always in search of our next adventure. She's the planner, dreamer, writer, and photographer/editor. He's the (other) photographer, sanity-keeper, gamer, and artist. Currently, we live in the Pacific Northwest, near Seattle, Washington with our spoiled cats and golden retriever!

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