Vacation Cabe
Is anyone else a different person on vacation? Just me? I know there are more of you out there. Don’t get me wrong, Kelsi is definitely more laid back and easy goin on vacation, but I honestly turn into a whole different version of myself. AKA Vacation Cabe. Not to be confused with Cowboy Cabe, or Coach Cabe…. I wanted to share a few of our favorite vacation spots we have hit and hope to get back to at some point in the near future. I would love to hear your favorite recommendations as well.
Xcaret Cancun Mexico-
Is there anything better than an all inclusive resort? You will have a hard time changing my mind if your answer is yes. Mexico has been a go to vacation spot for us over the years. Its quick and easy to travel to, we love the food, and we love the people. Understand that not all of the resorts are created equal. Early in our marriage we stayed at some lower end resorts and although it was still a blast, the food, rooms, and amenities were definitely sub par. I remember waking up one morning and my lip felt like it was hanging to my waist… had to have been the stale nachos I had the night before. Our whole view of All-inclusive was changed the minute we walked into the Xcaret. All you can eat 5 star restaurants at every turn, the rooms were fit for a king, and the resort amenities could keep you busy for weeks with paddle boarding, canoeing, zip lining etc. If you are looking for a relaxing, put on 10lbs type of vacation I can’t recommend this resort enough.
Oregon Coast-
This was definitely more of an adventure type of “vacation” if you can call it that. The Oregon coast literally blew our minds. The landscape is like Hawaii meets the Rocky Mountains. We hopped in an RV with another family, the Sutton’s and hit the road. Our first stop was Astoria OR, well known for the shooting of the hit film The Goonies. When in Astoria it’s customary to greet each other with the ‘truffle shuffle’. If you don’t know what that is I can have Kelsi demonstrate one of these days. From there we worked our down to New Port OR. We stayed at Air BNBs along the way and took each day as it came. No specific plans, just exploring. When we ask our kids what their favorite vacation they’ve been on, its always unanimous, and emphatic Oregon Coast!
Maui-
The thing I love most about Hawaii is that you can get amazing adventure with relaxing beach in one spot. Hawaii is definitely a place I want to explore more of. We went on a fun bamboo hike off the road to HANA, drove along the coast looking for some mysterious banana bread that was sold out when we got there, rode waves that felt like 40 ft swells (pry were 5 or 6 feet), snorkeled with turtles at black rock beach, and ate some overpriced but delicious food. I have heard people say “the beach is the beach”… that’s false. The landscape of Hawaii mixed with the white sand gives it a definite leg up on the beach experience IMO. We stayed at the Ritz Carleton and although nice, wasn’t worth the money. I think for our next Hawaii outing I want to find a fun Air bnb.
We have big plans for future travels but I really want to hear from you! What are your must sees and dos? There is so much to see and do and can get overwhelming. Help me narrow it down! We are really looking forward to exploring Europe which is a whole different beast. With Covid restrictions slowly being lifted, I am getting antsy to go exploring. I hope to hear from you. Have a SMOOOOOOOTH week y’all.
Love,
Cabe
Tulum years ago before it got so built up. But I’m thinking there has to be some of it still cool.
Troncones outside Xtapa Mexico. Hacienda Eden. Romantic fir just the two of you.
Cannon Beach has always been one of my favorite places. When I lived Seattle I went there a lot as a friends family had a house we’d stay at right in front of haystack rock.
Sedona as long as you get outside the touristy area abd hike at all the vortexes. And Jerome ghost town is very cool.
Chelan where I lived one year in my childhood.
Sun mountain lodge in Winthrop. I used to go there as a kid when I lived in okanogan.
Anguilla. One of the smallest Caribbean islands. Went on a solo trip in October 2019 as I had comp nights with the four seasons. Very relaxing, amazing beaches and old Caribbean. Not a ton of activities usually in more touristy areas. But great to spa, explore, go on some excursions and enjoy the great food. You can still see remnants of the big hurricane there years ago. But the people are amazing.
We are a fulltime traveling family and have seen a lot of the US, but we still want to see so much more. The Tetons are our favorite place in the lower 48. But Alaska is hands-down our favorite place ever. We went for two weeks without our kids and we’ve been planning our next trip with our kids, ever since we got back.
Surprisingly enough, Michigan would be another top place. The Upper Peninsula is breathtaking. But it’s definitely more of an adventure type of trip. Or if you go to the East coast, Maine, the Smoky Mountains, and the beaches of NC and SC are a blast too.
Our most recent trip was to Kauai in October of ‘21 and we loved it. Our favorite thing was the helicopter tour. You got to see areas of the island you wouldn’t have been able to see. And omg we saw a ton of waterfalls. Our next favorite was zip lining. That was the second time we zip lined. The first time was on Oahu and it was a better experience. We hiked and went mountain tubing and kayaking. We are going to Maui and the big island over summer due 2 weeks. I can’t wait!
Yes take me to kauai! I need some sunnn.
If you ever decide to take a trip to another country please consider Japan! The Japanese culture is so amazing and their country is so incredible! The people are among the kindest I have ever met! The shrines, authentic foods, Cherry Blossoms, and traditions are so meaningful and fabulous! The train takes you from city to city so you are able to visit Kamakura (Amazing) Older part of Japan all the way to Disneyland in Tokyo! I wish everyone could visit Japan once in their life! It’s really a life changing experience!
Japan is definitely on my bucket list!
Kauai is our new favorite travel destination! Small town vibes and stunning views! You can’t beat it. The Upper Penninsula of Michigan is also stunning and fun. We are hoping to get to Glacier NP this summer. We want to stop and see the Tetons along the way, any recs on where to stay & what to do?
There are so many fun places to stay in Jackson Wy. But pretty spendy in the peak months. Jennys lake and surrounding hikes are breathtaking! I want to visit Kauai asap.
We have a rooftop tent and my husband is big into overlanding so we’re excited to explore lots of different places this summer. Hoping to go to the Oregon coast in April cause that’s been on my bucket list since I was little.
We spent a month in Thailand for our honeymoon; riding elephants, climbing the sticky waterfalls in Chiang Mai and eating like the locals it was paradise!
Lake Tahoe. I was born & grew up just 30 minutes away but I still never get over the fews.
Fort Bragg, CA. Beautiful, and the glass beach is so fun!
Any tips on traveling with young kids? We have two boys (3 & 1).
You guys need to go to Turks and Caicos Islands! Stay on Providenciales but take a day trip to North and Middle Caicos. You can take a little island hopper plane to Grand Turk as well. Swim with whales, dolphins and sting rays. The food is great, locals are friendly, and the island is clean and safe. But the water….it’s incredible!!
Yes I have had some family visit Turks and Caicos and looks dreamy!
From Oregon, and our coast is near and dear to my heart. Maui is definitely one of our faves too..and XCaret is on my list. So…..seems like we have similar taste. Our next big one, the hubs and I want to to Tahiti.:.bad!! Crusts clear blue water, overwater sea hut…yes please. Our other fave all time is Yellowstone and the Tetons, but since you live there, it doesn’t make it much of a fave vacay recommendation. 🤪😂 We stayed at Moose Creek in the airstream next to the creek and loved it. Our next family vacay will be Glacier National Park and then the Utah national parks. We’re simple folk, but still love to travel when we can save for it.
Nambiti Private Game Reserve (or any nice game reserve) in South Africa is incredible. We went to Cheetah Ridge in Nambiti and it was beautiful and all-inclusive. The meals are sensational and you get to go on 2 game drives a day: one at sunrise and one at sunset. Dawn and dusk are when you’re more likely to see predators and the tour guides know so much! During the day, we swam and watched elephants and giraffes walk right past our suite by a waterhole. There’s nothing like it! My husband is from Rexburg and it is his all time favourite holiday.
South Africa is a bucket list for sure! Sounds incredible