Our Favorite Places We Visited in 2021
The 2020s are off to a rough start. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that. Lots of couples put their weddings on hiatus until conditions cleared, travel reopened, and gatherings resumed. While 2021 was a tough year, I still squeezed some joy out of it by traveling with my spouse in our van and trusty camera in hand.
I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite places we visited last year. Maybe we’ll even meet each other in the year ahead. I’d love to photograph your wedding or elopement.
Southern Arizona: Saguaro NP and Organ Pipe National Monument
First up is Saguaro National Park and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. These southern Arizona landmarks have a lot to offer—sprawling mountains, rich desert vegetation, miles and miles of hiking trails—without the big crowds that more popular areas attract. The saguaro cacti alone are worth the trip to its namesake park.
Organ Pipe is especially remote, boasting plenty of dirt roads to explore and lots of twisting, wild cacti. It’s a bit complicated to navigate because it’s so close to the American-Mexican border, so expect some extra attention from the border patrol. Each year, we try to see someplace new and this one really scratched the itch.
Dunes in Southern California
I absolutely fell in love with sand dunes this past year. There are dune areas located all over the US, if you know where to look. But I zoned in on Southern California.
Walking across dunes is a surreal experience, it feels like you’re in a different world. If you’re lucky enough to catch the Moon out during the day, it really adds to this otherworldly ambiance. Sunrise and sunset offer a delightful palette of colors across the sky and dunes. But be warned—it’s not so easy hiking on these dunes.
The soft sand makes it tough to get your footing—and if the winds are high enough, the sands can spray in your mouth and eyes. It’s a bit chaotic at times with the wind and heat. But if you come prepared with water and clothes to layer, you’ll be in good shape. Plus, it’s kind of exciting to be really in the elements!
White Sands National Park
Speaking of dunes—I visited New Mexico and White Sands National Park for the first time. Side note—New Mexico has AMAZING food. I think about it all the time. Back to WSNP—the white color comes from gypsum deposits in the area, giving this national park its idyllic landscape. These dunes are much easier to walk on, and you can even sled in the area if that’s your thing!
I love this spot so much that photographing a wedding in White Sands National Park is high on my bucket list. Ready for an adventure? Let’s do it!
Utah National Parks
I was lucky enough to make several trips to Utah in 2021. And the national parks are—mwuh—stunning!
Arches National Park offers stunning rock formations and plenty of hiking trails for the outdoor lover. My spouse and I made it out to Canyonlands and were delighted to find the area mostly empty of guests, which felt extra special. And then there is Bryce which is unlike anything I’d ever seen before. I just can’t glow enough about how stunning the state of Utah is!
From hoodoos to arches and huge canyons—the whole state is geologically epic. There’s so much to explore in this area that it’s actually overwhelming.
Where will the next year take me? That’s kind of up to you! Book your elopement or outdoor wedding with Love & Latitudes to photograph your romantic adventure!