About Me

an outdoorsy gal; I love to hike, paddleboard, fish, hunt, trail run, kayak, backpack, snowshoe, camp, and travel to see new sights!

A smiling couple standing on a pebble beach with a waterfall cascading down rocky cliffs behind them, surrounded by lush green trees and mountains.

In Fall of 2023 Dave and I went to Juneau and Skagway Alaska for a 9 day trip and had the BEST time! Dave is a huge Alaska fan and was excited to bring me there for my first time. We hunted bear, visited the Mendenhall Galcier, hiked many miles through the forest, and backpacked up a pipeline to an beautiful lake.

A black and brown dog lying on grass surrounded by two hens and a chick with a rocky background.

Kenai continues to enjoy being a father.

Just kidding, but he is very sweet and protective of all the chickens we have raised over the last couple years.

Dave and I enjoy fishing along with other outdoor adventures such as hunting, four-wheeling, camping, kayaking and paddle boarding. We frequent Strawberry and Causey Reserviors here in Northern Utah.

A smiling man and woman on a boat holding a rainbow trout they caught, with a scenic lake and hills in the background.
A young woman in a red sweater smiling outdoors, wearing a green graduation cap with a tassel, with mountains and trees in the background.

I graduated from Utah Valley University in 2020 with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.

I attended University of Oklahoma for 1.5 years but returned to Utah after missing the mountains.

Dave and I got married July 8th, 2021 here in Salt Lake City, UT. We got our bridal photos shot in front of my favorite mountain: Mount Timpanogos and it was a dream.

A bride and groom kiss outdoors on green grass with mountains and trees in the background.

MY FAVORITE PEOPLE

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MY FAVORITE PEOPLE -

Group photo of a wedding party standing together indoors, including a bride in a white dress holding a bouquet, groom in a tuxedo, and several family members and friends dressed in formal attire.

The best family in the world- all of which reside in Texas

Two people and a dog lying inside a tent, smiling and sleeping on sleeping bags and pillows.

Our best friends; Keana keeps me sane in this life

A group of women, likely bridesmaids, standing outdoors, holding colorful bouquets, sharing a laugh and smiling.

Childhood Texan besties that I would not survive without!

Four women and a dog outdoors on a mountain trail, smiling for a selfie, standing near a wooden sign that reads 'Mount Naomi' and 'Wastach Cache Natural.' There are trees, rocks, and a clear blue sky in the background.

Proof that social media can lead to amazing friendships with some badass ladies

Other facts about me

  • I work full-time at a mental health clinic and have for 6 years

  • I am a big movie and TV watcher, so when I am not recreating outside, I am a couch potato

  • Dave and I have backyard chickens

  • My first ever ‘race’ was the Brighton Cirque Series which was a big, competitive, and tough trail race to have as my first time!

  • I am very good at making itineraries and plan to capitalize on that ASAP

  • I didn’t visit a National Park until 2023, and I visited all of the ‘Mighty 5’ Parks in Utah that year

  • I have a goal to visit everywhere or do ‘everything’ at least once in my life. That means highest peaks in each state, every national park, every country… the world truly feels like my oyester!

  • I don’t cook but am lucky to have married someone who is very good at it

A woman wearing sunglasses, a gray and mustard hoodie, and a white knit hat with a yellow smiley face, standing in front of a snowy canyon landscape with blue sky and contrails.

Want to keep up with my life?

Following me on Instagram @exploreandhike is the easiest way to keep up with my daily activities!

I’ll also have a bi-weekly newsletter subscription available soon that will include my most recent trail stories, favorite gear, or exclusive itineraries for certain trips you may want to take…