Beyond guidebooks and itineraries, these are stories from the in-between.
Shared meals in unfamiliar kitchens. Long walks through quiet villages.
Spontaneous conversations that linger longer than destinations.

Travel Notes captures the spirit of presence — slow, grounded, and open-hearted.
Here, I write about what moves me as I move through the world.

Joe Banez Joe Banez

Exploring Campgrounds

From Iceland to Alaska, France to Washington State, each campground we’ve explored has told its own story. This is a journey through the unexpected joys, lessons, and quiet magic found where the wild meets the simple life.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

Olympic National Park

Nestled in the far reaches of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park is a land of striking contrasts—where moss-draped rainforests, glacier-capped peaks, and wild Pacific coastline all coexist within a single protected landscape. Few places in the world offer this kind of ecological diversity in such close proximity. In just one day, you can hike beneath towering evergreens in the Hoh Rain Forest, breathe in the salty air along driftwood-strewn beaches, and gaze across snow-dusted ridges from Hurricane Ridge. Olympic isn’t just a park—it’s a journey through dramatically different worlds, each with its own rhythm, beauty, and stillness.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

North Cascades National Park

Tucked away in the rugged heart of Washington State, North Cascades National Park is one of the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept secrets. Often called the “American Alps,” this wild and remote landscape is a mosaic of jagged peaks, over 300 glaciers, turquoise alpine lakes, and ancient forests. Unlike its more frequented neighbors—Olympic and Mount Rainier—North Cascades offers a deeper solitude, a place where silence still reigns and nature reveals itself in raw, unfiltered beauty.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

Seward

Seward is where Alaska’s soul meets the sea — a place of history, resilience, and wild adventure. Whether you're ending a road trip or just beginning one, it has a way of leaving its mark.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

The Road to Seward

The Anchorage to Seward drive is more than a journey — it’s a passage between worlds, from what’s behind us to what still waits ahead

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

Vatnajökull Glacier

Skógafoss is one of Iceland’s most iconic and breathtaking waterfalls, cascading 60 meters (197 feet) over a rugged cliff into a misty pool below. Located along the country’s southern coast near the village of Skógar, it marks the former sea cliff, now far inland. The surrounding area is a striking blend of green hills, black sand plains, and dramatic mountain landscapes. A staircase alongside the falls leads to a panoramic viewpoint above, offering sweeping views of the coastline and inland highlands. Nearby, the Skógar Museum and the start of the popular Fimmvörðuháls hiking trail connect travelers deeper into Iceland’s volcanic and glacial interior.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

The Golden Circle

Touring Iceland's Ring Road is an incredible adventure, offering breathtaking landscapes, diverse natural wonders, and a glimpse into the country's unique culture.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

Road Trip in Iceland

Touring Iceland's Ring Road is an incredible adventure, offering breathtaking landscapes, diverse natural wonders, and a glimpse into the country's unique culture.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

Sierra de Guara

Nestled in the pre-Pyrenees of Aragón, Sierra de Guara is a rugged natural park where dramatic limestone cliffs, winding canyons, and crystal-clear rivers shape one of Spain’s most breathtaking landscapes. Known for its world-class canyoning, hiking, and climbing, this region also offers quiet beauty—abandoned stone villages, Romanesque hermitages, and sweeping vistas that speak to a slower rhythm of life. Whether you're chasing adventure or seeking stillness, Sierra de Guara invites you to reconnect with nature in its most elemental form.

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

Vall d’Nuria

Vall de Núria is a breathtaking glacial valley in Catalonia’s Pyrenees, located within the municipality of Queralbs, Girona. Sitting at about 2,000 m above sea level and surrounded by peaks near 3,000 m, it’s a car‑free haven reached only by a scenic rack railway or mountain trails

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Joe Banez Joe Banez

Gracia

Tucked above Barcelona’s bustling Eixample lies Gràcia—a former village turned eclectic neighborhood that pulses with artistic flair and local pride. With its narrow pedestrian lanes, sun-drenched plazas, and independent spirit, Gràcia offers a more intimate, bohemian slice of the city. Whether sipping vermouth in a shaded square or getting swept into the surreal world of the Festa Major in August, this barrio invites you to experience Barcelona at its most creative and community-driven.

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