EmDub Under Canvas

Did you miss me? It’s been a hot minute but I’m BACK AT IT AGAIN with another glorious itinerary on EmDubWorldwide. And I must say. I have absolutely outdone myself with this one. But beware. This itinerary will make you overdraft your PTO hours, ship your dog to doggy daycare and throw your besties in your suitcase. Saddle up cowgirls, we’re going ~G L A M P I N G~ with the baddest in the game, Under Canvas.

High Class Canyoneering in Zion National Park

This itinerary gave me a run for my money. A very typical emdub trip consists of spontaneity, a broad idea of where to go and what to do made with with plenty of room for winging it and being pleasantly surprised. I’ve landed across the country with no rental car or hotel booked and just a little money to spend. It’s the thrill for me, letting every surprise along the way be the best one yet. So the fact that I was in charge of actually planning a trip for eleven people was unknown territory. Turning their doll hairs and PTO hours into the best trip of their entire life sat a little heavier than lightly on my shoulders, but have no fear. I outdid myself with this one. But are we surprised? As always, enjoy the blog. xx

Under Canvas Zion

Day 1 Travel Day

In May of 2021, ten of my favorite people on earth and I trekked to sin city - Las Vegas baby. We flew direct CLT to LAS via American Airlines, grabbed a taco and a marg and got the hello out of the city ASAP. The drive to Under Canvas Zion from LAS is about three hours, but we made a day out of it. The majority of the drive is through Valley of Fire State Park. We set out to find the wave rock. We trialed a few trails and became a little delirious on lack of hydration and heat exhaustion, but somehow stumbled upon the waves in the middle of what looked like another planet.

Climbed a mountain and I turned around

Travel Tip #1: Objects on maps out west are farther apart than they appear. Pack a cooler of water. It actually crossed my mind that we were going to die of dehydration in the desert when the one store along the way was closed.

Valley of Fire State Park

After a long day of road tripping, minimal GPS service and nothing lighting the desert roads but the moon and stars, we finally made it to Under Canvas late at night. I’m pretty sure my family and friends accompanying me on this trip had feelings of regret for signing up for an already exhausting “vacation.” No rest for the wicked!

The stars shine a little brighter out here

Day 2 The Narrows

As always, my one request when traveling is to have one big adventure, one splurge or some great activity. For us, it was everyone hiking The Narrows together - an absolute bucket lister! This four hour hike through the ice blue water inside the canyon walls is truly a Zion special. Our entire crew - my parents, brother and his girlfriend, and my college roommates and their families waded up and down the Virgin River. Some parts of the trail are ankle deep while others are waist deep. We took our time hiking and still managed to have a few floundering falls into the river. Sink or swim baby.

Utah Crew does The Narrows

Gear can all be rented from Zion Outfitters at the entrance of the park, including dry pants, canyoneering water boots, and hiking sticks. I recommend taking the early shuttle and hiking before the lunch crowd arrives. Flash floods do occur so check the National Parks app for weather updates. Turn around don’t drown.

It’s the Adidas water hiking boots for me

It’s Called Glamping Duh

It’s true, I love all things parks and hiking and wilderness. But one thing is for certain, I am no fan of camping. After a day in the wild, this boujee cowgirl NEEDS good wine and a charcuterie board with a view. But let me tell you, the best and the only way to do Zion National Park is to stay at Under Canvas Zion where the views are immaculate and the food is delectable. The tents are fully loaded with comfortable beds, a full bathroom, and the best front porch to stargaze from.

Nothing brought me more joy than happy hour and a sunset dinner at camp every evening with our entire crew. There is no better place to share bottles of wine and charcuterie boards while holding hands and singing kumbaya.

Extraordinary glampers. Mediocre canyoneers. Cowboy hats required.

*As always, OOTD brought to you by Stetson, 12th Tribe, and Lucchese. Sponsor me please

Happy Hour Views

Day 3 Angels Landing

If you google Angels Landing, the second search option to show is “angels landing deaths.” It’s one of the most dangerous hikes in the US. Thirteen people have died on this hike since 2000. All deaths and warnings aside, nine of the eleven crew members said challenge accepted and hiked the entire mountain. I'm not going to lie to you, it was a very risky hike. The last half of the hike up is single file with only a metal chain to hold. I white knuckled the chain like my life depended on it. One false move and you were off the skinny edge dead. Now that we have hiked it, checked it off our bucket list and probably won’t do it again, I can say I am so so proud of my friends and family that did it with me. It is absolutely the most rewarding hike I have ever completed. It means even more to have done it with my favorite people on earth. Everyone needs a fearless leader Miranda and an Ally for unsensored commentary.

You’re like, really pretty.

Sheesh

Best dam crew sheesh

Day 4 Lake Mead + Hoover Dam

What better way to end the trip with a bang for putting up with my exhausting itinerary than to spend a day on Lake Mead boating around the Hoover Dam! 10/10 recommend renting a pontoon for the day from Lake Mead Marina. We spent the last day of the trip exploring the lake and the Hoover Dam up close and personal, then explored the dam by foot.

Lake Mead

Hooligan tings

Lake Mead is located right outside of Las Vegas. We spent the night in a town called Boulder City, known as the town that built the Hoover Dam. The dinner options and night life were popping in the quaint little town. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a week of adventure.

Day 5 Travel Day

LAS -> CLT direct

Random tips and tricks that I most likely learned the hard way:

• We are in a major rental car shortage currently. Book early and expect to pay $$$

• The entire country is flocking to the National Parks. Blame covid. Try avoiding the crowds by going in late spring/early summer or early fall.

• Start your hikes early to avoid crowds

• Hydrate hydrate hydrate days before and after your trip

• Take a 35mm disposable camera or two and pass them around for the week. It’s so fun to get the photos back from being developed.

Disclaimer: As always, this itinerary is only meant for the adventure seeking hooligans. Cowgirl up! God Bless America and God Bless our National Parks!

xx emdub

A behind the scene look ft crowded parks and complications

The One Where Emily Travels Solo

There’s something so liberating about a solo woman traveler. You and only you; funded by you.

April 2019 I did something I’ve always wanted to do. I boarded a plane and left the country – by myself. I don’t know if I needed to prove to myself that I could, or if I needed a disconnection, but I went without hesitation. I booked an Airbnb on the coast of St. Maarten, took the direct flight from CLT to SXM, and had myself a day.

SXM

Why St. Maarten? It’s beautiful, it’s safe, and there’s a direct flight from CLT. Sold. It’s a nice little hideout for many Americans running away from the corporate world. After a few drinks at the yacht club I stumbled upon, I realized many sailors were from Wilmington, the Outer Banks, or Atlanta who sold everything, bought a sailboat, sailed down to the bay and never left. It seemed like the perfect place for this runaway cowgirl.  

Ello sailors ~ views from the balcony

Truth #1: You do not need to spend $$$$ on a resort for a resort experience. I find myself saying this many times. The Airbnb I booked was absolutely beautiful and cheaper than a hotel in Hickory. It was a private studio suite on the second floor of an ocean front house. The big hurricane of 2018 tried to take her out, but she said no. The retaining wall was crumbling, stairs to the ocean were missing, but there she stood. There was no hot water, but I didn’t mind. I fell asleep every night to the sound of the waves through the open balcony doors and woke up to the glare of the sun bouncing off the ocean. Nemo lived outside my window and I couldn’t have wanted anything more.

Views from the balcony

The hurricane tried to take her out but she said no

The most beautiful little hideaway for a solo cowgirl

Truth #2: Location is everything. I didn’t rent a car, and Uber isn’t a thing there. My hideaway was out of the tourist district and camouflaged with the locals – just the way I like it. It was a few blocks from the market, and walking distance to a beachfront seafood restaurant and bar. I stocked up on fresh bananas and coffee from the market for breakfast every day, and walked to the beach bar for lunch and dinner. It was the most perfect set up.

Karakter Beach Bar

Truth #3: Fake it until you make it. Walk the walk and talk the talk. As a 25 year old traveling solo, you have to create multiple scenarios as to who you are and why you’re there by yourself. It started with customs as I landed at St. Maarten. Twenty questions alluding to the assumption I’m bringing drugs or money. No one believed I was there to hang out for a few days by myself. That seems way less normal than the alternative. Were there times that locals whistled at me walking down the beach? Yes. Were there times I walked a little faster home than normal? Yes. But you find your bad bitch attitude and fake it until you make it. You can’t hide behind a man for all of eternity. Not in Charlotte, not in Hickory, and not abroad.

Until I made friends with the locals that worked at the beach bar, I was “traveling for work” or “waiting on my boyfriend who was the pilot of the heavy bus” that we could almost touch the belly of as it landed at SXM behind the bar. A far stretch from the truth, but true enough to make me not feel like a pathological liar for 4 days. It was such a shock to everyone that I went alone. How modern woman of me. How 2019 woman of me. But hunni let me tell you, if you wait on a man or a friend to become available, you’ll miss out on so much.

So if you’ve ever thought about solo travel, the way to do it is to just do the dam thing. Pick a bomb location - St. Maarten - and go have yourself a day. Let yourself experience liberation and empowerment abroad, because you owe it to yourself.

The best experiences come from the unplanned territory of the itinerary. When you make friends with the locals at the beach bar and listen to hurricane stories for hours. When the owners get to cook you their best fresh conch that they caught that morning. The ones where the mornings contain nothing more than yoga on the balcony and watching the sailors pull up their anchors. And the kind of trip that feels more like home than the foreign island that it is. It’s about stepping away from everything comfortable to make room for the good stuff. So go out and find your own little slice of heaven…and send me a post card when you get there.

xx emdub

A Salty Piece of Land by Jimmy Buffett

Yellowstone + Tetons

Mormon Row, Wyoming

How to do 4 Days in Jackson Hole

I’ve said it thrice and I’ll say it again. Jackson Hole is God’s favorite child. It’s a magical place where not one but two National Parks meet a swanky cowboy town with 5 star food and buffalo causing the rush hour traffic. I’m not sure how all of these things work in harmony to create the pot of gold of the Wild West, but it sure has stolen this cowgirl’s heart. Here is your perfectly perfected itinerary for 4 days in Jackson Hole.

Meet my girl Hanna. We go way back of about 3 months, but when it comes to a travel buddy, when you know you know. I plan the trips and she says hell yes and that, my friends, is the formula for a solid girls trip.

Yellowstone National Park

Day 1

Travel + Yellowstone

Hanna and I took the early 6am flight going from CLT-DFW-BZN in order to land in Bozeman for an early start to our day. Truth #1: The “travel day” is for more than just getting to your destination. This is a travel day, a walk around downtown day, a National Park day, a see all you can in 24 hours day! Book an early flight to use the day to its greatest potential. We landed in Bozeman in time for a delish brunch at Jam!. I’m still dreaming about the roasted vegetable omelet made with egg whites with gluten free toast and house-made jam.

After fueling up for your adventure, head south to Yellowstone National Park! This park is wack. A perfect way to describe it - a science experience gone wrong and a beautiful masterpiece all at once. Yellowstone is essentially a supervolcano. Will it erupt one day? Who knows. Until then, it creates miles of the most insane hot springs and geysers that look like they are from a Doctor Seuss book. The drive through the park is beautifully filled with all kinds of wildlife - buffalo, moose, etc. We drove up to the visitor center and a MOOSE was laying in the grass with everyone having a picnic. Not unusual at all for Yellowstone.

First stop - Mammoth Hot Springs! This is the strangest looking attraction in Yellowstone. Limestone mixed with hot springs continuously evolves and changes into what looks like the inside of a cave. Pools of boiling mud, is exactly what it looks like, with a strong smell of sulfur.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Next stop – Grand Prismatic Spring, and baby was it grand! This bright blue and orange beauty is a massive hot spring. Walk around the boardwalk for the up close and personal view, or hike the Fairy Falls trail to get the birds eye view. It is illegal to step off the boardwalk to touch the water, and extremely dangerous, but bison are known to visit the spring to warm up in the colder months. What a sight that would have been! There are other geysers and pools along the boardwalk that are just as beautiful, especially at sunset.

Grand Prismatic Spring

Excelsior Geyser at Grand Prismatic Spring

Grand Prismatic Spring at sunset

The final stop of the day is the most famous attraction in Yellowstone, Old Faithful. Many people gathered around on the boardwalk benches waiting on the eruption. You can visit the website to see when exactly it is predicted to erupt. We left before the eruption due to a buffalo coming our way (see future Badlands post for our feelings on this). What I recommend – grabbing dinner to-go at the Old Faithful Lodge and having a picnic on the benches while you wait. This was our last stop for the day and we were exhausted. We left and headed down the road to Jackson Hole to our lodge. How ironic is it to go to Yellowstone and see everything but the eruption? You can’t do it all in four days, but we sure try!

Day 2

Kick start the best day of the trip with a delicious meal from the cutest cafe in the heart of Jackson Hole, Cafe Genevieve. The drip coffee with huevos con chile verde will keep you fueled and full. After breakfast, take some time to soak in charm of Jackson. The town square is filled with so many cute western wear boutiques, cowboy bars and coffee shops. You have to get a photo with the antler arches, located on every corner.

Jackson Hole

Antler Arches at Jackson Hole Town Square

Next stop: Jackson Hole Winery. If you know me, you know there is nothing in this world better than good wine with a view. No place on earth could ever top that of Jackson Hole Winery. Grab a bottle of chardonnay and relax by the river flowing from the Tetons. The wine was amazing and relatively cheaply priced. My only regret is not taking a few bottles home. *You must make an appointment during covid restrictions.

The view from our table at Jackson Hole Winery

Once you’re feeling good and living better, head on over to Spring Creek Ranch for our favorite adventure of the trip, horseback riding! Truth#2: Splurge on one really amazing experience, something that will possibly be the highlight of the trip. This was horseback riding at the ranch for us. At about $70 for a two hour ride, we thought this was a great deal, especially for the location and views this trail ride had to offer. If you are not an experienced horseback rider, no worries. The trail horses know exactly what to do. All experience levels are welcome. The views from my horse were quite stellar. From the Teton peaks to the valley of Jackson Hole, you could see for miles. A fire cowgirl outfit is required. Grab your hat, flare jeans and Lucchese cowgirl boots and saddle up. You’ll be singing I wanna be a c o w b o y b a b y for days.

Spring Creek Ranch, Jackson Hole

Hop on over to the Local for a savory dinner con vino. I discovered on this trip that fresh trout is actually pink. PINK. I highly recommend the blackened trout on white cheddar grits, with a side of crispy brussels sprouts and local fries to share. Let me pause for a minute to explain the Idaho pure gold potato. Fries in Wyoming are not like any fry you’ve eaten on the east coast. I’m not sure what happens on the potato’s journey east or if we grow our own, but the potatoes out west do not compare. The flavor in a simple fry is ridiculous.

The last stop of my favorite day of the trip was Mormon Row Historic District. Located in the Grand Teton National Park, the area is a popular tourist destination for the antique buildings, Teton peaks, buffalo herds and stunning sunset views. Give yourself time to get there before sunset. Rush hour traffic of the buffalo is no joke! It almost made us miss the most beautiful sunset at the barn. Soak it all in and snap a few photos; the sun sets too quick!

Mormon Row

Rush hour traffic at Mormon Row

Mormon Row at sunset

Truth #3: You do not need to spend $$$$$ on a hotel. I live by the idea that on these adventure trips, you are only in the room to shower and sleep. As long as the room is clean, no bugs and feels safe, it’s a winner! Of course if you are planning a vacation of relaxing with a drink by the pool, you absolutely should splurge on a resort. That, however, is not the type of trips I’m here to talk about. My girl Han and I found The Virginian Lodge to be such a homey, quaint little hotel in Jackson. The front lobby looked more like a taxidermist studio than a hotel check in. But hey, it’s all about the experience. And I would hope for nothing less in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

DAY 3

Adventure Day!

Truth #4: Nature is free (after you buy an Annual National Park Pass for $70ish dollars). Our plan was to hike around Jenny Lake in the Teton National Park, but a local said, “no no, too many tourists. Do a harder hike.” So we did just that. The Delta Lake Trail is one that isn’t on the park map. Take the Amphitheater Lake Trail until you come to a fork in the road, take the path less traveled by to the right. It’s an 8 mile round trip hike that leads to a gorgeous glacier lake at the top of the Tetons. This hike is not for everyone. The last mile is uphill rock climbing. We were exhausted by the end, but the view was worth it! We packed a lunch and had a picnic at the top before hiking back down.

UNWELL at Delta Lake Hiking Trail - the last mile before the top

Delta Lake

Look Ma I made it

You better believe after a killer hike like this, we treated ourselves for dinner. Bin22 was recommended to us by a local as “Sandra Bullock’s favorite place.” I’m not sure if that’s true, but I would absolutely agree with her. We hit the dusty trail and made it there in time for happy hour deals and tapas and just had ourselves a day.

Day 4

JAC-DFW-CLT

And that, my friends, is how you do Yellowstone and the Tetons in four days. I’ve been a lot of places in my lifetime. Jackson Hole makes the favorites list at number 2. THE FOOD, the people, the boujee cowgirl charm, and not one but TWO national parks with the most insane landscapes… it’s a destination that will be hard to beat. Cowgirl Emdub and Han will be back.

xx emdub

Airport Etiquette: What pilots wish you knew

How to act like a frequent flyer

Airline tickets are cheap, and the people are loving it. Airports everywhere are obnoxiously filled with inexperienced flyers. I’ve compiled a list of helpful tips from my pilot friends’ personal experiences on the job, as well as mine from aisle 13. We are here to educate you shiny new travelers, frequent flyers, and everyone in between. If you’re thinking hmm is she talking to me? I am absolutely talking to you. So sit back, relax, and get educated on how to look and act like a respectable passenger.

Arrival

Your travel outfit can be fire yet comfortable without looking like an absolute slob. Linen pants, cute sandals and a jean jacket in the summer are my go to. Bring the class back into the airlines one outfit at a time.

Arrive to the airport two hours before your departure time. Do not get to security and expect for the entire line to let you pass them because you are about to miss your flight. Get there early and find an airport bar to have a glass of wine at 10 am. You will be more relaxed at 30,000 ft if you do.

Check your bag. The overhead bins are small and fill up quickly. Do not expect two weeks worth of vacation outfits to fit in your overhead compartment. It is not the flight attendant’s job to find room for your bag. Check that bag and move on to security.

You must show up at security with a valid photo ID such as a drivers license or passport. No, your debit card with a photo does not count. I have seen this happen thrice.

Take your shoes off in security and send them through the x-ray scanner. The number of times TSA has to repeat this all day every day is unfathomable. Visit the TSA website at www.tsa.gov to find the latest information on what can and cannot go through security. From liquid restrictions, to strollers and breastmilk, they’ve got the info for you.

Once through security, do not find the closest pilot in uniform and ask him what gate your flight is at. He has no idea. This information will be on your boarding pass. Check the monitors for updates on gate changes and any delays your flight may have. If you have questions, a gate agent will be more knowledgeable and can better answer them for you.

Departure

You have an assigned seat on your boarding pass. Please sit there.

Once seated (post-covid restrictions) order another drink! Have just enough to make the nerves go away.

The pilots cannot always control the turbulence. They ascend or descend to keep your ride as smooth as possible; however, as we are approaching hurricane season, know that the ride may become bumpy. Complaining to the flight attendants will not change the wind.

Tell the flight attendant it is your first time flying. Ask to see the cockpit and meet the pilots after your flight. All of the pilots that I know would love to show it off. They are very passionate about their careers and love new ears. If you’re willing to take the risk of your children wanting to become pilots, send them to the cockpit for their first wings pin and a new career goal.

Final Destination

When the plane lands - and I cannot stress this enough - unless you are seated on row 1 of first class, do not stand up. There is no reason why man in row 27 needs to be standing in the aisle. Sit down and relax. You will get off the plane when it is your row’s turn. The struggling passenger in row 13 cannot pick up her carry on bag from overhead row 16 if you are standing in the way.

Be sure to thank the flight attendants and pilots for a safe and happy flight. Flying a metal bird filled with 150 passengers at 30,000 feet is not always the easiest job. And thank you for reading - you just made their job a little easier.

xx emdub