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Category: Domestic

Explore the 50 states with adventures across the United States. Whether short stops to the nation’s great cities, quiet detours into Small Town America, or long adventures into our national parks, get inspired for your American excursion here.

Categories Abroad Adventure Travel Domestic Essays Hiking Outdoor Photography
My top 24 photographs of 2024.

My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Posted on Posted onDecember 31, 2024March 9, 2025By Heather

In 2024, I took more than 6,000 photographs in 8 countries in all 4 hemispheres. From over 6,000 images, I’ve curated 24 favorites—just 0.004%—to share with you. … Read More >My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Categories Domestic Short Stops
Capturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation

Capturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation

Posted on Posted onJanuary 1, 2024January 18, 2025By Heather

The year my dad made us “Friends of the Zoo” at our local Kansas City Zoo was one … Continue ReadingCapturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking Outdoor Photography
Photography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Photography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Posted on Posted onDecember 23, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

Family and work travel can be unproductive for many photographers. Fast-paced itineraries and going with … Continue ReadingPhotography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Categories Domestic
Animal Portraits from GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Animal Portraits from GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Posted on Posted onNovember 4, 2023November 13, 2023By Heather

When the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium announced their GloWild event would return, I jumped … Continue ReadingAnimal Portraits from GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Categories Domestic Short Stops
San Diego Up Close

San Diego Up Close

Posted on Posted onOctober 23, 2023October 25, 2024By Heather

I had already written an extensive post about recommendations for visiting San Diego, but since … Continue ReadingSan Diego Up Close

Categories Domestic
Morning views in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Morning views in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Posted on Posted onSeptember 17, 2023December 23, 2023By Heather

Admittedly, I underestimated coastal Alabama as an outdoor travel destination. But when the Outdoor Writers … Continue ReadingMorning views in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Categories Adventure Travel Dog-Friendly Domestic Hiking
Mountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Mountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Posted on Posted onSeptember 12, 2023October 24, 2024By Heather

Something always stands between me and the goats. I haul all my stupid, heavy photography … Continue ReadingMountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Essays Hiking
River reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

River reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Posted on Posted onAugust 23, 2023March 9, 2025By Heather

Why would any sane, rational human being leave the comfort of their home with air … Continue ReadingRiver reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Categories Domestic
Skåne, Sweden is for the birds.

Skåne, Sweden is for the birds.

Posted on Posted onJune 28, 2023November 12, 2024By Heather

Tap photos to view full-size. Photos best viewed full-size on desktop computers. I recently traveled … Continue ReadingSkåne, Sweden is for the birds.

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Posted on Posted onJanuary 2, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

This is a story about defeat, joy, and grief. It is full of adventure and misadventure, with a touch of prescience. Twists and turns. Bathroom humor. Summit season 2022 was unsuccessful, but mountain season was a hit. Buckle up; it’s a ride. … Read More >Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Categories Domestic Travel Tips
Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota

Posted on Posted onAugust 8, 2022June 9, 2024By Heather

It appears that 2022 is the year I visit national parks experiencing extraordinary flooding events. … Continue ReadingVoyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota

Categories Dog-Friendly Domestic
Paradise Valley, Montana: A Cabin at the Foot of Emigrant Peak

Paradise Valley, Montana: A Cabin at the Foot of Emigrant Peak

Posted on Posted onJune 25, 2022June 25, 2022By Heather

This story is continued from Western Kitsch: The Black Hills of South Dakota. After our … Continue ReadingParadise Valley, Montana: A Cabin at the Foot of Emigrant Peak

Categories Domestic
1% of 1% of Yellowstone National Park

1% of 1% of Yellowstone National Park

Posted on Posted onMay 29, 2022January 28, 2025By Heather

June 15, 2022 – Yellowstone National Park Update: I published this story just two weeks … Continue Reading1% of 1% of Yellowstone National Park

Categories Domestic Hiking
Western Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Western Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Posted on Posted onMay 21, 2022March 15, 2025By Heather

We daydreamed about visiting Badlands area for years. We were drawn by the mystique of … Continue ReadingWestern Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Categories Domestic Hiking
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Posted on Posted onMarch 20, 2022September 10, 2023By Heather

I have been setting my sights on day trip destinations near Kansas City. I’m seeking … Continue ReadingLoess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Categories Domestic
Four Seasons of Loose Park Photography in Kansas City, MO

Four Seasons of Loose Park Photography in Kansas City, MO

Posted on Posted onFebruary 2, 2022August 25, 2023By Heather

One landscape photographer pro-tip I received was to choose a place near your home that … Continue ReadingFour Seasons of Loose Park Photography in Kansas City, MO

Categories Domestic
50 Miles on the Flint Hills Nature Trail

50 Miles on the Flint Hills Nature Trail

Posted on Posted onNovember 22, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

My two fitness goals this year were to summit another 14,000-foot peak and do a … Continue Reading50 Miles on the Flint Hills Nature Trail

Categories Domestic Hiking
Photography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Photography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Posted on Posted onNovember 20, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The Pacific Northwest continues to be one of my favorite parts of the country. On … Continue ReadingPhotography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Hiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Hiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Posted on Posted onAugust 31, 2021August 8, 2023By Heather

Fear has been a consistent companion in my life. At age 10, I negotiated my … Continue ReadingHiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Categories Domestic Short Stops
Sunrise at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland

Sunrise at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland

Posted on Posted onJuly 24, 2021May 26, 2024By Heather

I recently had the opportunity to return to Annapolis, Maryland to visit family, and we … Continue ReadingSunrise at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland

Categories Dog-Friendly Domestic Hiking
The 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

The 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

Posted on Posted onJune 26, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

I set two simple outdoor fitness goals this year – hike and summit at least … Continue ReadingThe 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

Categories Domestic Hiking
The Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

The Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Posted on Posted onMay 13, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The types of cactus and landscape change as we approach Arizona from New Mexico. The … Continue ReadingThe Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Categories Dog-Friendly Domestic
White Sands National Park, New Mexico

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Posted on Posted onApril 20, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The last time I saw White Sands was more than two decades ago, when it … Continue ReadingWhite Sands National Park, New Mexico

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Posted on Posted onJanuary 12, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

Bryce Canyon in southern Utah is the last of the four national parks I visited … Continue ReadingBryce Canyon National Park

Categories Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking
Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Posted on Posted onDecember 19, 2020August 25, 2023By Heather

Capitol Reef National Park was the major destination on my 3-week long national parks road … Continue ReadingCapitol Reef National Park

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I'm Heather Physioc.

Photojournalist focusing on conservation, outdoor, wildlife and nature topics. OWAA award winner. Prints available, 50% of print sales to conservation efforts. Dog's best friend.

.🇺🇸 🇮🇹 🇳🇱 🇫🇷 🇧🇪 🇬🇧 🇨🇴 🇵🇪 🇨🇷 🇭🇳 🇬🇷 🇧🇧 🇸🇪 🇲🇽 🇭🇷 🇸🇮

Heather Physioc, Writer & Photographer at KCTRVLR
the author + photographer
Outdoor Writers Association of America 2024 Excellence in Craft Winner Badge

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Select prints available for purchase in my Zenfolio store. 50% of all earnings to conservation causes. Contact me for licensing.

See my latest work.

  • Artificial intelligence threatens real creativity everywhere.March 9, 2025
  • Living Peoples, Not Dying Languages: Inside the fight to preserve and revitalize Quechua and other Indigenous languages in the AndesJanuary 23, 2025
  • My top 24 photographs of 2024.December 31, 2024
  • Portorož, Piran & Lipica: Experiencing the Istrian Peninsula & Karst Region of SloveniaMay 31, 2024
  • Spring Scenes & Hidden Gems in Lower Town Zagreb, CroatiaMay 26, 2024
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Hey, heads up.

You may find a few affiliate links to outside websites if I reference specific products I use within my articles. If you click through these links and end up purchasing a product, I may receive a small return that helps me fund my excursions, photography and travel. I also sell prints and wall art of my landscape photography here. Half of all proceeds are donated to conservation charities.

Copyright © 2025 | KCTRVLR by Jonathan Tucker