Pines and Coastlines - 2021 Travel Award Locations
Portland Head Lighthouse in Maine
As 2021 draws to a close, we have been in a reflective mood. Reliving some of our most-loved travel moments from the past year, we have decided to bestow a few awards to some deserving destinations which are, or soon will be, featured on pinesandcoastlines.com. We have created the Pines and Coastlines Travel Awards and will name winners from the locations we visited in 2021 in the following seven categories:
Most Photogenic
Undiscovered Treasure
Epic Destination
Most Serene
Unique Hike
Our Favorite Coastline of 2021
Winter Wonderland
Let us know your thoughts on these destinations in the comments section below. Where did you visit this past year that is deserving of recognition? We would love to know! Hope you enjoy this fun way of recalling our favorite travel moments of the year.
Most Photogenic: Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park in Fall
The Jackson Hole area is a photographer’s paradise. Dramatic peaks rising from a picturesque valley, lakes that perfectly reflect the Tetons, and of course, the barns on Mormon Row are all reasons why Grand Teton National Park is our 2021 awardee for Most Photogenic. Wildlife photography is also a big reason we chose Grand Teton for Most Photogenic. A drive down Moose-Wilson Road can result in beautiful photos of moose, bears, or elk. The Jenny Lake Overlook, Schwabacher Landing, Glacier View Turnout, and Signal Mountain are just a few additional places to capture the best photos. This park is full of scenery that will inspire photographers of all skill levels.
Plan Your Trip: Click Here for our FREE Grand Teton National Park Travel Companion.
Undiscovered Treasure: Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Mountain Fork River in Broken Bow, Oklahoma
Located in the southeastern corner of Oklahoma, near the Texas and Arkansas borders, you will find a hidden gem and our pick for Undiscovered Treasure - Broken Bow, Oklahoma. This rising star is a wonderful location for a family vacation, a weekend with friends, or even a solo retreat. With hundreds of cabins to choose from, you can customize your experience. If you desire camping, a rustic getaway, or a luxury cabin retreat, Broken Bow has them all. And did we mention… Broken Bow is located adjacent to Beaver’s Bend State Park, the Mountain Fork River, and Broken Bow Lake! You can enjoy hiking, fishing, water activities, and so much more.
Plan Your Trip: Click Here to Learn More about Broken Bow (McCurtain County)
Our Favorite Cabin is Idle Bliss - Click Here to look at Idle Bliss or other cabins offered by Lakewood Luxury Cabins.
Epic Destination: Yellowstone National Park
Artist Paintpots in Yellowstone National Park
This year, we had the privilege of visiting America’s First National Park. This park has it all - abundant wildlife, geothermal features, canyons, lakes, and even waterfalls. Yellowstone is massive - over 3,400 square miles in size, and because of all it offers, it is our Epic Destination of 2021. It can be quite crowded, so we recommend the shoulder seasons for your visit if you want to avoid the hoards of visitors. We visited in late September, and caught the first snowfall. The crowds were light, and the scenery was even more beautiful in the snow.
There is so much to do in Yellowstone that we are already planning another visit for 2023. This is a place that deserves to be on every bucket list - it truly lives up to the hype.
Plan Your Trip: Click Here for our FREE Yellowstone Travel Companion and visit our site for sample Yellowstone Itineraries.
Most Serene Spot: Crater Lake National Park
A View of Wizard Island in the Center of Crater Lake
We adore Oregon, and this past year, we spent six days in southern Oregon. The Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor on the Oregon coast was a top runner for Most Serene Spot, but we ultimately had to give the award to Crater Lake National Park. When we visited in October, the water was still, the sky was clear, and it felt like we had the park to ourselves. We drove the road that follows the rim of the caldera, and stopped at each turnout to take in the views. We were in awe at the peace and tranquility at each lookout location. Because it is more secluded, the park is less visited than many other national parks, but a trip to Crater Lake is a perfect idea for those seeking inspiration and serenity.
Plan Your Trip: Soon we will have a full guide to Oregon and sample itineraries on the Pines and Coastlines site. Click Here to visit the Oregon link - more will be added soon.
Unique Hike: Fern Canyon Hike in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
Walking Along the Creek in Fern Canyon
Although the Fern Canyon Hike in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is our selection for the most Unique Hike of 2021, it is no secret. This area has become popular due to social media and can become crowded during peak season; however, we were fortunate enough to have the canyon to ourselves at the end of October. Featured in Jurassic Park II, the canyon truly looks prehistoric. This trail can be completed as a loop (through the canyon and then up to the rim) or as an out and back hike in the canyon. Bring proper footwear since your feet are likely to get wet as you walk through the stream in the canyon. Also, note that the walk to the entrance of the canyon has signs warning hikers of elk in the area, and we did see elk along the beach during our hike. Keep your distance and stay alert on your way to and from the canyon from the parking area.
Plan Your Trip: Click Here for more information about the hike.
Our Favorite Coastline of 2021: Acadia National Park in Maine
The Rocky Cliffs on the Side of Sand Beach in Acadia National Park
Maine has been on our bucket list for years, and we were fortunate enough to visit in the summer of 2021. It is easy to give the rocky coastline of Acadia National Park the award for Our Favorite Coastline for 2021. We loved walking along Sand Beach and spotting seals in the water, climbing on rocks to take photos of Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, and watching the waves crash at Thunder Hole. Not to mention, Bar Harbor is one of the most scenic coastal towns in America. We loved strolling the picturesque streets in search of whoopie pies and fresh blueberries. Don’t miss a sunrise or sunset from atop Cadillac Mountain (reservations required), the higheste point in the park.
Plan Your Trip: Click Here for information on Acadia National Park. Keep checking the Pines and Coastlines website because a travel companion and sample itineraries for Maine will be coming soon.
Winter Wonderland: Park City, Utah
American Fork Canyon
We have become fascinated with snowy destinations, and this year we were lucky enough to travel to Salt Lake City and Park City in Utah during the first snow of the season. The pines covered in a blanket of white glistening snow were magical as we drove through American Fork Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and along the Mirror Lake Highway. This was a special trip - because it felt like we were in a holiday movie. Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, alpine skiing, and snowmobiling are winter activities that this area is known for, and we could have stayed much longer than a weekend with all of the things to do and see in the area.
Plan Your Trip: Click Here to read our BLOG about five amazing canyons to explore in the Park City, Utah area.
We loved our travels in 2021, and always feel blessed to see such awe-inspiring locations. The experience of traveling brings us joy and fills us with wonder. We hope you plan a trip in 2022, and if we can help in your planning process, please reach out. As we wind up 2021, we have enjoyed bestowing these special awards on some of our favorite destinations of the year. Can’t wait to see what 2022 has in store!