This month my daughter and I drove up to the North Shore of Minnesota (Lake Superior, do you know her? If not, you should). It was about a three hour drive and we went solely to see the fall colors. Nothing fancy. Just us, snacks, and a mission to chase some color before my favorite season comes to a close.

We planned our stops around avoiding crowds (because nothing kills cozy fall vibes faster than a packed parking lot because #rage). And it completely satisfied my wanderlust. I came home with a full heart, a happy kid, and a reminder that adventure doesn’t have to come with TSA lines or airport lattes.

We’re a public school family over here — Jourdan teaches and coaches, and both kids are in school. We respect the school calendar like it’s the Ten Commandments. That means our “big” trips happen during school breaks, and the rest of the year, we find our little escapes where we can. It works for us.

And listen… as someone who literally teaches people how to travel more for less, it can be real easy to fall into comparison. I see other creators hopping across the world for content and start to think, “am I even doing enough traveling to run this business?” Then reality hits: we’re still paying for groceries, mortgage, and gas that’s somehow $3.99 a gallon. (#PoorMillennialProblems)

But here’s the thing I keep coming back to: travel doesn’t always mean far. Sometimes it just means being more intentional.

Try that new restaurant everyone’s been talking about. Wander down a trail you’ve never hiked. Pick a random city within driving distance, fill your gas tank, and go.

And if you’re currently working on a new credit card’s minimum spend? Boom — put that tank of gas on it. You’re officially earning points while romanticizing your zip code. I’m so proud of you!!!

Oh and if you don’t have a travel card, it’s about time to slide into my DMs to ask which one is best for you! 💳

So here’s your reminder: you don’t have to cross oceans to feel alive.

Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that start in your own backyard.