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Val the Backpacker

Est. 2013

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Category: Northern Europe

November 7, 2016 Denmark / Destinations / Northern Europe

The (very) Little Mermaid | Copenhagen

For a long weekend at the end of October, I swooped a flight to Copenhagen! Because I had not yet

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My Instagram

How I feel when planning a trip or driving to the airport.

I know this looks posed but I’m guessing my fingers were just stuck in my rats nest of hair. Blue Ridge, Georgia was quite the gem! Perfect getaway spot for a few nights. Hiking, eating, and drinking. All you really need. #blueridgemountains #georgia #blueridgega #grumpyoldmenbrewing #georgia #thesouth #southerncharm 📸 @kkmmtt01

Latest post is on my first visit back to the @mnstatefair in four years with @healthywholebeautiful. Thanks for bringing me along in the journey to seek and destroy delicious new food options! @mnstatefairfood @bestfoodtwincities #mnstatefair #yum #anchorcoffee #thehangar #statefair #food #bluebarnmn

My dad wanted me make an instagram account for dilly, since he “wants her to bring others joy, because she’s brought me nothing but pain” 😂 go follow @dillythedoofus for updates

It’s been fun catching up on blog posts from travels I was on about a year ago. Reflecting on old experiences makes me excited for new ones. Latest post is on a day trip to @mossmangorge in #Queensland a little jaunt we did before making our way down the east coast of Australia. I miss adventures with @kkmmtt01 and @bnostrant24 #australia #cairns #australiatravels #australiaadventures

The latest blog post on valthebackpacker is a throwback to a trip to Bali last year, a review of a day-excursion to various highlights around the island! We went to the Goa Lawah Bat Caves, Nungnung waterfall, and the (infamous) Tegallalang Rice Terraces in Ubud. It was an interesting day - some of the stops I loved, others we could've skipped, but overall it was a good alternative to another beach day getting burnt in the Balinese sun. My biggest travel tip/piece of advice for anyone touring around Bali is to start EARLY in the morning if you're taking a day trip to the touristy highlights or if it's somewhere far from your accommodation. Not only can the traffic be unbearable, but it's also the best for getting the photos you want without tons of other tourists in the way. Photo credit: @michaeljordanlee #bali #ubud #Tegallalangriceterraces #ricefieldsbali #balinese #nungnungwaterfall #backpacking #balilove #goalawah #batcavetemple #batcavesbali #balitemple

If you can't travel overseas, travel just a few hours away. Camping trips in the summer are great because they are inexpensive getaways that you can enjoy even if you're short on money and time. A few weeks ago I went to Myre Big Island State Park campground for a weekend of camping with friends. The beauty is in the simplicity - we slept in a tent, hiked, kayaked, and enjoyed beers at a fire. Spending time together, not checking our phones constantly or worrying about emails. Upon my return from our camping trip, however, I learned some sad news. My grandpa Larry, age 99, had died unexpectedly. It was hard news to hear, especially after just spending two whole days amongst the trees and nature, something that was very special to him. One of my favorite quotes is "Going to the woods is going home" by John Muir. I first read it on a card my grandpa sent to me. He loved the woods and worked outside most of his life. It resonates with me more and more every day, as I try to unplug from distractions and appreciate the natural beauty of the woods of Minnesota, and the nature of anywhere I find myself traveling in the future. So here's to future walks in the woods, to stopping to check out the wildflowers, soak up the sun, listen to the birds chirping or sharing stories around a campfire. I miss you so much Grandpa Larry, but I am so glad to have had time with you for as long as I did. Thankful for this beautiful world and the beautiful friends I get to live in it with. #albertlea #southernmn #threeoakswinery #campingmn #camping #minnesota #mnsummer #canoe #albertlealake #colemantent #hiking #wildflowers #friends #campingtrip Photo credit: @legallybland2 & @bottleosand29

I don’t always style my hair when traveling, but when I do, the wind usually messes it up anyway. 💁🏼‍♀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

I can't believe it's been 5 years since I touched back down in the USA from studying abroad in Toledo, Spain. I also can't believe that a 6-week college program would spark a love for the country that would turn into 2 years of teaching English in Madrid, and spark a sense of adventure that would take me to over 40 countries and 6 continents by age 26. A lot has changed since my first trip "on my own" to Europe, and I've learned a lot. The biggest lesson I think, however, is to not wait to do what you want. Seek out the experiences you want and make them happen - regardless if someone will go with you or not. It's never going to be perfect timing, people will bail (some don't, and they are amazing - hold onto your travel friends tightly!) and sometimes you'll have lots of challenges along the way. That's all part of the growth and learning process. The past 5 years have been amazing, and I can't wait to see where the next 5 take me! #spain #toledo #studyabroad #solotraveler #europe #adventures #españa #mondaymotivation #neverstopexploring

Welcome!

My name is Val and this is my collection of travels and adventures.

Recent Posts

Things to do in Melbourne, Australia September 12, 2019
The Blue Mountains | Sydney, Australia September 6, 2019
Minnesota State Fair 2019 Highlights September 3, 2019
Mossman Gorge Hikes | Queensland, Australia August 31, 2019
Bali Day Trip | Rice Terraces & Temples August 29, 2019
Auxiliares de Conversación – Guide to Teaching English in Spain August 27, 2019
Camping in Southern Minnesota | Myre Big Island State Park August 22, 2019

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