Where Kate Wanders

December photo dump 🎄🎅🏻

Scout and I had an amazing Christmas surrounded by friends, family, nieces, and my nephew. We made Christmas cocktails, drank hot chocolate, did crafts, played games, and laughed so much our cheeks hurt.

As this year comes to a close, I have to say I am happy to put 2025 behind me. This year was full of some of the highest highs, but also many lows. I’m happy to end on a high note with more hugs and ‘I love you’s than I could possible count.

Here’s to the next chapter 🥂

Last week marked my eighth trip to Seattle since my brother and his family moved to the city six years ago.

We spent the week celebrating my nephew’s birthday, hiking, drinking good coffee, taking my niece on her first ferry boat, playing board games, and taking in views of the Olympic Mountains.

Every time I visit, I’m reminded how much I love this city! There’s no shortage of hiking trails, nearby towns to visit, and fantastic food to eat. Not to mention, you can reach any of the three national parks in the state of Washington in under 3 hours driving from Seattle!

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Banff is straight out of a postcard ⛰️

From iconic spots like Lake Louise and Moraine Lake to the mountain towns of Banff and Canmore—this area is a must see for anyone wanting to really experience the Canadian Rockies. 

Think turquoise lakes, epic hiking trails, hot springs, fresh mountain air, tons of wildlife, and some of the tallest mountains you’ve probably ever seen. Need I say more?

Banff is easily one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been—and there’s no doubt I’ll be back! 

📍Save this post if Banff is on your bucket list

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Cincinnati appreciation post 🫶🏼

After traveling to 19 different countries over the last 5 years, I didn’t realize how much I was craving a break until my fall travel plans fell through.

Now— for the first time in years— I haven’t returned from one trip to immediately jumping in to planning the next.

I’ve been able to slow down,
spend more time outside,
refocus on my health + business goals,
and rediscover the beauty of this city I call home.

While I still have some small trips planned over the next couple of months {I leave for Seattle in less than a week 😂}, I’m genuinely excited to focus on planning more mini adventures closer to home.

Seattle photo dump 🌲

A week filled with:
family time
nephew cuddles
coffee
settlers of catan
scenic drives
trains
hiking
gorgeous lakes
and mountains…
so many mountains.

This girl’s heart is very full 💛

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Here’s how you can maximize your PTO to travel every single month this year!

One of the promises I made to myself at the start of 2024 was to take better advantage of holiday weekends for short getaways in between my longer international trips. I’m thinking cabin weekends in the mountains, solo camping trips with Scout, or maybe even a quick trip out west to visit friends + family.

If you add it all up, you end up with 55 days to fill with trips this year—so save this post + get to planning!