Traveling Huntleys

Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.

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Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Alabama

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Last Updated: July 6, 2026

Orange Beach sits at the eastern end of Alabama’s Gulf Coast, sharing the same brilliant white quartz sand that runs west from Pensacola Beach and Destin — all of it originating from the ancient Appalachian Mountains, ground fine over millions of years and carried to the Gulf by river systems. We arrived just at the beginning of spring break, which would normally mean dense crowds of college students on the beach. The coronavirus outbreak had already begun to suppress travel, however, and the beaches and restaurants were noticeably quieter than they would otherwise have been at that time of year. A strange and unsettling historical context for what was still a beautiful visit.

Sandy Huntley and Jake the dog exploring the massive brick arched casemates inside Fort Morgan, Gulf Shores, Alabama
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Pensacola Beach & Destin, Florida

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Last Updated: July 6, 2026

Pensacola Beach sits on Santa Rosa Island, a long barrier island that forms part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore — one of the most striking stretches of protected coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. The sand here is composed of sparkling white quartz, ground fine by millennia of wave action, and it looks almost like snow from a distance. We had camped at the National Park campground at Gulf Islands a few years earlier and loved the quiet, unspoiled character of the area. This return visit was a chance to explore further — Fort Pickens, the local restaurants, and the very different atmosphere of Destin just down the coast. A note on timing: our posts tend to run about a month behind due to editing, travel, and spotty internet. When we were here, the coronavirus pandemic had not yet begun affecting daily life.

The long fishing pier stretching into the Gulf of Mexico under dramatic dark skies at Pensacola Beach, Florida
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Montana & Idaho Road Trip: Coeur d’Alene, Missoula, Garnet Ghost Town, Lewis and Clark Caverns & Billings

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Last Updated: June 22, 2026

Montana is one of the largest and least populated states in America — and one of our absolute favorites. On this leg of our Pacific Northwest loop, we pushed east from Walla Walla, Washington through northern Idaho before crossing into Big Sky Country. We would have loved to revisit Glacier and Yellowstone, but with New England fall foliage and a Florida winter on the horizon, we had to keep moving. What we did find along the way — a hidden ghost town, a cave carved by ancient seas, and a sandstone pillar signed by Lewis and Clark — more than made up for it.

Historic cabin with American flag at Garnet Ghost Town, Montana — a well-preserved gold rush ghost town managed by the BLM near Missoula
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Yakima, Kennewick & Walla Walla, Washington: Wine Country & Yakima River Canyon

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Last Updated: June 22, 2026

Leaving the lush evergreen forests of the Pacific Northwest behind, we traded rain for sunshine as we drove south from Kent, Washington through the Cascades toward Yakima. The landscape transformation is dramatic — within an hour, towering firs give way to rolling golden hills and wide open skies, signaling the beginning of Washington’s celebrated wine country. From there we traced a path east through Kennewick and on to Walla Walla, one of the most acclaimed wine regions in the American West.

Yakima River Canyon scenic byway, Washington — sweeping views of basalt cliffs and the Yakima River, photographed by Michael Huntley travel blogger
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Bruneau Dunes State Park & McCall, Idaho

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Last Updated: May 28, 2026

From White Bird, Idaho we drove south to McCall — a scenic few hours alongside the Salmon River canyon, full of twists, turns, and stunning gorge views. Surprisingly, not a single cabinet came open. We spent a relaxed week at the McCall RV Resort before continuing south to Bruneau Dunes State Park, home to the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America and some of the darkest skies in Idaho.

A scenic stretch of the North Fork Payette River on the drive south toward McCall, Idaho
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Cedar Key, Florida: John Muir’s 1,000-Mile Journey End, Civil War Salt Raids & Sunrise Ospreys

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Last Updated: May 2026

From Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, we made the hour-long drive southwest of Gainesville to Cedar Key — a cluster of islands on the Gulf of Mexico named after the eastern red cedar that once blanketed the surrounding coast. The population is only about 700, though on weekends the numbers swell considerably with tourists, motorcyclists in particular. Cedar Key runs on two things: tourism and aquaculture. Farm-raised clams and oysters are a thriving multimillion-dollar industry here, and the waterfront is genuinely charming. The town is compact and easy to explore on foot or by bicycle — and we found ourselves staying longer than planned.

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