We are so proud of the global community that Wild Bum has created, and we want all of our readers to get to know the amazing people in this community! So, each month we are happy to introduce you to one of our Guide Architects. Here we are in October already, can you believe it? This month, we’d like to introduce you to ur GA of the Month: Rachel Enerson. View her Wild Bum profile here, and read on to find out a little more about her and her travels!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I’m a lifelong Minnesotan working in PR and marketing in the Twin Cities. I love to be outside whenever possible, doing a lot of hiking, camping, and exploring around the world, with my husband and dog Nordy alongside me.
I also love to write and used quarantine last year to write the first draft of a novel that I’ve been wanting to write for years! Now if only I could get myself to start editing it…
What type of traveler are you and what would you say is your travel style?
I love to travel efficiently and on a budget but embrace every day. I cannot leave a city or country without doing a hike or an activity that the locals do. Don’t get me wrong, I love to do the touristy stuff too (like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland – I would have regretted not doing that!). But, I try to fill most of my travels with unique, cultural experiences and take time to get to know the places and people. Also, I always delete my social media when I go on a trip to really get myself to stay in the moment and post later!
Where have you been? Where has been your favorite place?
I fell in love with traveling, both nationally and internationally, after I studied abroad in England in 2013. Since then, I’ve been to many states, countries, and national parks. My favorite country is Switzerland – it felt so peaceful, clean, and stunning scenery – but I just returned from Iceland and that is definitely a runner-up to my favorite country.
In the U.S, I have a particular passion for my home state of Minnesota. Having been to many different states, I truly don’t think we get the credit we deserve. We have such a variety of landscapes, an absolutely incredible parks, and trails system,
Why did you decide to become a Guide Architect for Wild Bum?
I have always enjoyed planning trips and I typically get asked for recommendations by friends quite a bit, so I thought I might as well start curating some of my favorites to help others! I also love getting inspired by other Guide Architects and planning trips with this community.
What guides have you created? Do you have any upcoming guides we can look forward to?
I lived in Boston for a few months and spent a lot of time on the east coast, so my first guide is all about discovering New England’s adorable beach towns. It is the perfect road trip that can be done in just a few days.
My newest guide is the Ultimate Minnesota Hiking Guide! I’m a die-hard Minnesotan and absolutely love everything this state has to offer. I thought this guide would be a good way to give people a huge variety of hiking options, no matter the area of Minnesota, for trails and parks to get outdoors and get moving.
Check out more of Rachel’s guides + blog posts right here.
What is one thing you can’t travel without?
A good book! Part of what I like about my trips is that I can read uninterrupted and finish a book or two while I’m out on the road.
What is something you enjoy about being part of the Wild Bum community?
I love that I can connect with so many people who are just trying to see the world in all different kinds of ways, and we can all learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives!
We are all about inspiring people to get out there and travel, use time-off to explore, and find their wild.
Tell us, when do you feel the most “wild”?
The outdoors! I’m a firm believer in the power of the outdoors for my mental health, inspiration, and spiritual connection. BUT, it’s also where I have the most fun and feel the freest. I still love jumping in leaves, chasing my dog around a park, swimming (ask my friends – I think I was a dolphin in a prior life), walking in the fluffy snow, and more. In my travels, I have to incorporate time in the outdoors, whether it’s a short hike in a new area or an out-of-comfort-zone experience climbing a glacier.
