Meet Krista Landis | Travel and Lifestyle Content Creator & Travel Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Krista Landis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Krista, what principle do you value most?
What I value most is living authentically, creating memories with loved ones, spending time together, connecting, laughing, sharing special moments and unforgetable adventures, making an effort to invest in experiences over things because you’ll cherish & fondly treasure those memories forever. The things that have deep meaning & value to me are often not “things” at all, rather a collection of “moments” that will always hold more importance and worth than anything else. Captured moments that will forever live on in stories, photographs, shared experiences and memories. Those are the things I hold most dear and value the most.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a travel content creator on Instagram as well as a travel blogger/travel itinerary & travel guide creator on my website stampsinmypassport.com. I really enjoy sharing travel tips, budget friendly travel hacks & tips, travel essentials, excellent restaurants and amazing local delicacies you won’t want to miss, hidden gems and lesser known locations and inspiring dreamy destinations. My main goals are to inspire, encourage, provide insight, to prompt you to get out and explore & make some wonderful memories with loved ones, and to share stories of my experiences & unique opportunities in dreamy destinations to brighten your feed.

I’ve been traveling since I was a baby and it has always been a huge part of my life. As a child I always loved to travel and that love has never waned. As an adult I find so much joy in the planning process, the research and the “hunt” for the best hidden gems to include in my travel itineraries. I really enjoy sharing my love of travel with my readers/followers and passing on my travel tips & tricks for finding FREE activities and experiences that help keep dream trips affordable! Sharing beautiful places & destinations I’ve discovered, adventures & opportunities I’ve had brings me so much joy and I love to encourage others to explore new destinations, to step out of their comfort zone and try something new! For me, it is so inspiring to experience things totally different from my everyday life, to participate in activities deeply rooted in other cultures history and daily lifestyles, observing incredible natural wonders around the globe, enjoying enriching and life changing moments with family and friends & most importantly creating a lifetime worth of memories to cherish long after returning home. Exploring new places, embracing other cultures and finding little hidden gems off the beaten path away from the crowds are usually the favorite locations/most memorable experiences while visiting a new destination and I love to pass those finds onto you, my followers/readers. 🙂 My website offers many itineraries, travel guides & tips for planning your dream trip as well as stories of my adventures. The planning process can be a little daunting and overwhelming sometimes, especially if it isn’t something you enjoy. My goal is to share my stories, insights and tips that will help reduce your stress while providing information & tools to help you plan your perfect trip! 🙂

Over the years I’ve faced several challenges that have influenced & oftentimes changed my outlook on life. I spent my entire 20’s trying to survive in an abusive marriage while raising 2 small children. In hindsight I can see so many red flags and warning signs, but while we were in the middle of the chaotic storm it was all I could do to just keep our heads above water. As a survivor of Domestic Violence and abuse I’ve learned so many difficult & painful life lessons I could write a book. I had to start my life over from scratch while living in hiding (from our abuser) and simultaneously single parenting my 2 small children & attending college full time. Through those experiences I learned a lot about resiliency, inner strength and the invaluable importance of having a strong support system. Throughout the past 2 decades I’ve experienced the loss of loved ones, suffered the heartbreak & gut punch of broken relationships with family and (fake) friends who chose to side with our abuser, gone through years of a horrendous child custody battle, been through so many trials, financial losses and devastating personal losses that I’ve lost count. Through it all I’ve learned to adapt, to look for the silver linings, to never give up hope and to keep holding onto the belief/faith that better days were ahead. I’ve learned to look for & appreciate all the little happy moments, discovered who I can rely on & turn to in every challenge and where my inner source of strength comes from. My faith has carried me through many dark and lonely nights, lots of hurt, loss and pain. When I was too weary to keep going and I didn’t think I could take any more, God was always by my side as my constant source of strength & hope through every storm. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without my faith, the love of my close family or the encouragement of my wonderful friends who’ve supported me through this long bumpy journey.

While on vacation during the summer of 2020 one of those unexpected hurdles decided to show up in the middle of our trip. I had planned a fabulous trip to the Seattle area for my family with plans to hike through Mount Rainier National park & Mount St. Helens with my hubby and our kids. Unfortunately huge wildfires spread across the area causing smoke and ash to fill the skies making it unbearable to be outdoors. So we found ourselves stuck indoors hanging around our hotel & ultimately having to end our trip early. While we were sitting around trying to avoid the smoke & ash and figure out what to do for the day, I decided to create a new Instagram account to keep an online journal of our homeschool journey & all of our travel adventures and have kept it going ever since. Initially my posts revolved around our homeschool days, outings, hikes and family travels however as my kids have grown and graduated (only have one left homeschooling and he will be a senior in highschool this year) my page has shifted to focusing more on our travels, couples trips, girlfriend getaways and sharing tips & tricks for planning your next vacation. Through sharing bits of my back story, all my travel & life experiences, my hope is that it inspires and encourages you to make the plans, go on the trip, have an amazing adventure and always remember that the world is a marvelous place just waiting for you to explore! Pop on over to my website, blog or the gram, can’t wait to meet you there! 🙂

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a native Oregonian I would want to show them around my home state, so I’d plan a road trip that highlights most of the top destinations. If it was their first time in Oregon I would plan a few days of driving down the coast on HWY 101 before heading inland and looping our way back up towards the airport in Portland.

If they flew into PDX airport I’d drive to Portland to pick them up & then wisk them away on our road trip adventure (based around the time that they arrived of course 😉 )
Day 1- Afer leaving the airport or their hotel, I would either take them to brunch at Petite Provence Boulangerie & Patisserie only 15 minutes from the airport then we would head West towards Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean. Our tour would start at the famed Goonies house, used as the “Goondocks” in the cult classic Goonies film and several other filming locations in Astoria before heading to the Astoria column where we would climb the winding staircase to the top. Once at the top we would be met with 360 degree sweeping views of the city of Astoria, the Columbia River, across to Washington State and out to the Pacific Ocean. Our next stop would be Cannon Beach to see the iconic Haystack Rock (another iconic film location of Goonies), then we would wander through a few shops and pick up a late lunch at one of the restaurants in town. After grabbing a pie or pastry at Pie Girl Pie Guy we’d hit the road. Next up would be the secluded beach waterfall & caves at Hug Point before continuing south towards Rockaway Beach and the twin rocks. This would be our stopping place for the night. We would rent a cute little beach condo right on the water and enjoy making smores on the beach while watching the golden sun sink below the horizon.
Day 2 – Our day would begin with breakfast at Crepe Neptune or Wanda’s Bakery before heading south towards the famous Tillamook Creamery to sample Tillamook cheese & ice cream before making our way to Cape Mears lighthouse & to view a the Octopus Tree, a 250-300+ year old natural wonder of Oregon. Then we’d drive along the Three Capes Scenic route towards Oceanside and enjoy a delicous lunch at Rosanne’s Cafe while we admired the views. *I recommend sampling the Alaskan Halibut burger and coconut rum spongecake. Both are incredibly tasty! After lunch we’d head down to the beach and walk towards the giant cliff. Once near the cliff we’d spot the little opening of a carved out path that takes you through the cliff and opens to a hidden beach on the other side. It’s the perfect spot for agate hunting, kite flying and just relaxing. After enjoying the serenity of this secluded beach our next stop would be at the massive sand dune of Cape Kiwanda in Pacific City. An excellent place for wakeboarding, tide-pooling & climbing the dune for impressive views of the coastline and surrounding areas. After we finished in Pacific City we’d either grab dinner at Pelican Brewing or wait until we reached our next destination, Lincoln City. This would be our stopping place for the evening. We would enjoy an oceanfront room at the Inn at Spanish Head where we can relax, soak up the panoramic ocean views, grab a bite in their award winning restaurant or head into town for dinner at Kyllo’s Seafood and grill.
Day 3- For breakfast we would head to Salt or Nelscott Breakfast house, then we would drive to God’s Thumb for a magical hike out along the Pacific Ocean. At the end of our hike we would head back into town to refuel at Momiji’s for some sushi or Tastebuds Bistro. Depending on tide tables we’d either head south to Newport or head to Devils Punchbowl to hike into the bowl for tidepooling & a once in a lifetime incredible experience. In Newport a walk down the bayfront to browse local shops, sample some fresh salt water taffy, watch the sea lions on the docks or playing in the bay and a chance to visit the Newport Aquarium or a stroll down historic Nye Beach are just a few of the options available. While in the area a stop at Yaquina Bay or Yaquina Head lighthouses are fun options as well. Once we wrapped up our fun in Newport we’d continue heading south towards the city of Yachats to check out the crashing waves at Devil’s Churn, Thor’s Well & Spouting Horn before heading into town to enjoy dinner at the Green Salmon or Ona restaurant and lounge. We’d end the day by driving to the top of Cape Perpetua. At the top we’d take an easy walk along the trail to the scenic overlook before walking further to a historic stone hut that was built by the CCO (Civilian Conservation Corps) in the 1930’s. Depending on our timing, this is an incredible place to watch the sunset before heading to the Adobe Resort, our hotel for the night.
Day 4- Depending on their interests, I would either recommend heading inland to explore some of Oregon’s other wonders or continuing south along the coastline towards Florence to enjoy the sand dunes (atv’s, sand boarding, dune buggies are available to rent). Then continue on to Bandon to check out the cute Coquille river Lighthouse, Face Rock state scenic viewpoint & Bullards Beach State park before heading further south to the Cape Blanco Lighthouse, Port Orford or Gold Beach. In those areas a visit to Meyers Creek Beach viewpoint and the Samuel H. Boardman state parks are a must as they’re home to some of the most incredible scenic views on the Southern Oregon coastline. Top recommendations would be to visit Secret Beach, Arch Rock State Park, Natural Bridges & Whales Head Viewpoint. Harris Beach State Park is another beautiful beach option for beach-combing, tide-pooling and sunset. If heading south along the coast I’d recommend staying near Bandon or Gold Beach before heading inland on day 5 or 6. * Then I would recommend heading across the state towards Crater Lake before driving north towards Bend.
However, if heading inland instead of south along the coast, we’d head north towards Newport before making our way across the Coast Mountain range towards the Willamette Valley. Depending on our time of arrival we’d head up Mary’s Peak to hike, enjoy the spectacular views across the Willamette Valley, views of Mount Jefferson, the Three Sisters mountains, Mount Hood and a few others in the distance in one direction and sweeping views of the Coastal mountains all the way to the Pacific ocean in the distance the other direction. This is a spectacular spot for sunrise or sunset! Our next destination would be to head East towards the Central Oregon cities of Sisters and Bend. Making stops along the way to view Mount Washington, Three Finger Jack or one of the other beautiful mountains along the drive. Several hikes are in the area and multiple opportunities are available if that is a preference. Some of my favorites are Sahalie & Koosah Falls or Proxy Falls along the Mackenzie pass (check my Instagram for recent posts about both!), Iron Mountain or Whychus Creek Trail which is an easy 1 mile out and back or 3 mile loop trail with views of the three Sisters mountains, there are also several other amazing hikes in the area to explore. Overnight we’d stay in the cute town of Sisters. Other options are heading further East towards Redmond or Bend.
Day 5- Depending on the direction we choose for day 4 I’d recommend heading to Smith Rock in Redmond or spending the day exploring around Crater Lake. Both offer insanely gorgeous hikes, incredible views and numerous opportunities to experience the rugged side of Oregon. While at Smith Rock our reward for hiking the Misery Ridge trail or one of the other 11 trails in the area would be a tasty treat at Juniper Junction’s ice cream stand. Their Oregon Huckleberry ice cream is a delectable treat that will leave your tastebuds dancing! Other options are to head into the charming town of Redmond to fill up on delicious tacos at Diego’s Spirit Kitchen before driving onwards towards Bend. From there we’d drive to the top of Pilot Butte for 360 views of the city of Bend, mountain views of the three sisters, Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Jefferson, and central Oregon’s mountain ranges. After taking in the views we’d either head for Newberry Volcanic monument, explore the caves of Lava lands or drive to the top of Lava Butte before continuing south towards Crater Lake National Park. Once at Crater Lake we would check into the historic lodge, our accommodations for the night before enjoying evening views of Crater Lake. We could drive part way around the lake, making stops at points of interest or viewpoints before heading back towards the lodge for a bite at either the onsite restaurant or one of the little food shops & enjoy sunset from one of the comfortable rocking chairs located on the back deck.
Day 6- Spend most of the day at Crater Lake, driving the rim highway and taking in the views. Perhaps hiking down to the caldera and taking a boat out to Wizard Island or doing one of the many hikes near/around the lake. By late afternoon we’d make our way back towards Roseburg or Eugene for the night. Perhaps stopping for a hike or two along the way at Susan Creek Falls, Toketee Falls, or Salt Creek Falls (Oregon’s 3rd tallest) waterfall. Maybe enjoy an evening show or broadway musical at the Hult Center in Eugene depending on the length of time spent exploring near Crater Lake. Eugene is also home to the University of Oregon, numerous hiking trails, plentiful shopping in one of 2 shopping centers/malls and hundreds of unique restaurants to choose from. If flying through Eugene airport, stay overnight and fill day 7 with activities near the Eugene area.
Day 7- Today we would make our way north, bypassing Portland and heading towards the Columbia River Gorge for a few hikes or to stop and enjoy the scenic views near Mount Hood before heading back to the airport. I would want to show off a few of my favorite locations in the area so we would head to the Women’s Forum at Chanticleer Point, then on to the Vista House & Crown Point before following the Historic HWY 30 towards the crown jewels of the area; Latourell Falls, Bridal Veil Falls & the best jewel of all, Multnomah Falls (Oregon’s tallest waterfall!). *Due to ever increasing popularity Multnomah Falls now requires a pass/permit for parking at or near the falls. If you hike to the falls from another point along the highway it is free to enter and no pass is required. Due to time constraints we would either pause and have lunch at Multnomah Falls restaurant and lodge or grab a bite once we reached Hood River. If time allowed we would enjoy browsing shops of Hood River before driving back to the airport.

For anyone heading to Oregon this would be a jam packed trip full of amazing adventures, jaw dropping destinations and a lifetime worth of memories! Of course this itinerary can be altered to fit unique preferences and to take it at a slower pace, cutting out anything not of interest. But for the best overall view of what Oregon has to offer this would be the route to take! 🙂

For first time visitors to Charleston, South Carolina my recommendations are: the Historic City Market, Pineapple Fountain at Waterfront park, Rainbow Row, touring the Aiken-Rhett House & Nathaniel Russel House, touring multiple plantations such as Boone Hall (filming location of “The Notebook” or the historic Drayton Hall, visiting the Angel Oak & walking along the shore at Folly Beach while dolphins play in the distance. If you’re looking for beautiful gardens & a historic plantation you won’t want to miss Magnolia Plantation or Middleton Place! Both offer stunning gardens and insights to life on a southern plantation. For a delicious southern style breakfast head to Miller’s All Day and try the Miller’s Plate or one of their delicious treats from the bake shelf. Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit is a great spot for lunch or mid day snack *I recommend the baker’s dozen & savoring multiple flavors!

Charleston is a city steeped in history and charm, with picturesque buildings, window boxes, hidden little gems tucked around every corner and old world charm just waiting to be discovered! 🙂 It really is one of the best cities to visit along the East Coast, especially if you’re looking for a quaint & historic city to explore.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am today or able to do what I do, to travel and experience the world without the love, support and encouragement of my husband & my children. They are my reason for everything I do and the joys of my life.
While growing up I traveled frequently which instilled a love of exploring other cities, other countries and grew a deep appreciation for experiencing other cultures. It is has been a lifelong journey full of embracing the world around me, exploring new destinations, stepping out of my comfort zone, making my dreams a reality, sharing my experiences to inspire others in their endeavors & future adventures and to encourage others to get out and explore the world!

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Image Credits
Cover & red bridge photos – by https://www.ericamiller.photography/