Seconds to Go

Mother-Daughter Travel Bloggers

Exploring New England, Oregon and Everywhere in Between

Get Out and Explore with Seconds to Go

We’re a mother-daughter travel blogging team, sharing our experiences adventuring, from coast to coast across the US. Although we're a travel blog, we aim to help the last-minute day tripper as well as those planning a vacation.

We’re turning our experiences into a series of “trips”, to help like-minded travelers easily find things to do. Explore each “trip” individually or string them together for a longer adventure.

If you need Disney World vacation planning advice and tips, we’ve got you covered as well. We’re drawing from over a decade of Disney World travel to provide you with all of the planning information you’ll need.

So, why not take a look around, and then, Get Out. Explore

ABOUT

Meet Kat and Ali

Mother-daughter travel bloggers exploring the U.S. coast to coast.

In the Solitude of Nature

Oregon Travel

views from Rim Drive are what to do at Crater Lake

What to Do at Crater Lake-Best Bets for Your Visit

When thinking about what to do at Crater Lake, many people go right to the pristine, blue water of the lake itself, but the over 180,000-acre park has much more to offer. With historic lodges, dining, sightseeing drives and endless hiking trails, Crater Lake National park is an experience, not just a destination. We visited … Read more

Valley of the Giants: Oregon’s Tallest Hidden Secret

When it comes to visiting the Pacific Northwest, adventurers have a lot of choices, but none are as humbling as the Valley of the Giants Oregon trail near the now defunct town of Siletz. Accessing this special, sacred old growth grove requires an intrepid spirit, perseverance, and if traveling on a weekday, possibly a death … Read more

Silver Falls State Park in Oregon: 10 Awesome Waterfalls in a Single Day

Silver Falls State Park in Oregon is the largest park in the state at close to ten thousand acres. It features moderate trails through dense Oregon forest that bring you to a total of ten different waterfalls. The well-maintained trails, paired with the uniquely beautiful falls, make Silver Falls hike in Oregon a popular place … Read more

Visiting Oregon: 11 Things to Do When You Get There

When visiting Oregon, it may be hard to narrow down a list of things to do. So, we’ve put together this simplified visitor resource, a companion to our Oregon travel guide, to help you discover the top attractions, and scenic places in Oregon this magnificent state has to offer. Exploring the Outdoors: Scenic Places in … Read more

Royal Terrace falls on the McDowell Creek Falls trail

McDowell Creek Falls- A Mythical Oregon Hike

McDowell Creek Falls Oregon is a moderate hike located north of Sweet Home. It features beautiful forest views and serene boardwalk stairs leading to the base and summit of two waterfalls. Oregon Hike Views For us, the McDowell Creek Falls trail started out in a small gravel parking lot at the Royal Terrace Trailhead in … Read more

The Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve

It’s a Different Kind of Marble Hall at Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve

The Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve boasts 15,000 feet of underground passageways that wind and dive ever deeper into a marble cave. When it comes to things to do in Oregon, this adventure must be on your list. The History of the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve History of the Oregon Caves National … Read more

A Wild and Woolly Weekend

Yellowstone National Park

Exploring the beauty and majesty of Yellowstone in a single weekend.

History and Charm

Things to Do in New England

girl and golden retriever look inside Dover Stone Church

Dover Stone Church, Our Gateway to New York’s Abandoned History

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 22, 2023

As the fall laid down a blanket of leaves and blazed in glorious colors, it seemed a strange time to leave New England, but New York state is a magnificent bastion of historical references all rolled into one endless sweep of stunning terrain. And it’s just over the Connecticut border, where a place called Dover … Read more

Best Connecticut Hiking Trails: 7 Hikes that Will Knock Your Socks off

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 17, 2023

You don’t have to search long to come up with dozens of Connecticut hiking trails, but narrowing in on the best hikes in Connecticut often requires a little determination. Many are short, flat jaunts with little to pique your curiosity, while others dig deep into history or the ecological wonders of the state. These are … Read more

Sad Tales, Historic Remains: Lovers Leap State Park in Connecticut

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 16, 2023

Many of New England’s hikes blend history with the modern day, but few do it as seamlessly as the trails at Lovers Leap State Park in Connecticut. Explore history against the modern backdrop of the state’s rural New Milford countryside and learn a thing or two about local legends. It’s up to you to decide … Read more

6 Connecticut Winter Activities: The Perfect Way to Spend a Cold Day

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 2, 2022

Connecticut day trips are a great way to bust the boredom of gloomy winter weather, but if you think you’re limited in options by the snow or cold, don’t worry. We’ve put together our top 6 Connecticut winter activities for non-skiers, to help you get out and explore this winter. These experiences offer some great … Read more

Historic drum factory surrounded by New England fall colors

New England Fall Color, Incredible Ways to Enjoy the Season

By Kathleen Hesketh | September 26, 2021

When it comes to autumn spectacles, New England fall color is unbeatable. While many areas of the country sport their most dazzling displays in autumn, few come close to creating the same majesty as the tiny northeastern states. However, if you think we’re just being biased, why not put our claim to the test, and … Read more

A Former Stage Actor Builds Gillette Castle in Connecticut, Hides Its Secrets for Years

By Kathleen Hesketh | September 10, 2021

Traveling across New England, it isn’t uncommon to find historical residences, but Gillette Castle in Connecticut sets the stage, so to speak, for a unique experience and day trip. Entering the twilight years of his life, actor, playwright, director and innovator, William Gillette, built a stone house atop the Seven Sisters mountain range overlooking the … Read more

Our Sidekicks

Dog-Friendly Travel

Places to go with your furry friend and the gear you need when you get there.

Our Happy Place

Mickey’s Top 3 Reasons to Visit Disney World in April

By Kathleen Hesketh | November 20, 2023

If you read that title, thought of the spring break crowds and said, “no way!”, then let me reassure you. Once the spring breakers head home–usually by mid-April–and before the schools let out for the summer—is a beautifully tranquil time, where you can enjoy the delights of spring as well as the parks in relative … Read more

delectable treats from some of the best places to eat at Disney World

The 10 Best Places to Eat in Disney World

By Kathleen Hesketh | November 15, 2023

We’ve found some of the best places to eat in Disney World and thought we’d share them. You’ll find a variety of dining choices across the four theme parks to meet a range of food preferences. Some are better than others, so keep reading for our top picks. Best Table Service Restaurants Animal Kingdom’s Asia … Read more

Disney World Discounts in 2023 and 2024: Score Hotel Deals and Savings

By Kathleen Hesketh | November 14, 2023

If you’re ready to visit Disney World and looking for Disney World discounts in 2023, you’re in luck. Some Disney World deals have been released to help you make the most of your Disney World budget this year. What you’ll find in this article: First, Let’s Understand What a Disney World Discount in 2023 or … Read more

From Topiaries to Tastings: EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival Delights

By Kathleen Hesketh | November 11, 2023

The Holy Grail of garden shows, EPCOT’s Flower and Garden Festival offers up extraordinary fare for gardeners and home improvement enthusiasts, with stunning landscape displays and advice from top gardeners, but it’s the character topiaries who take center stage. And no wonder. This is Disney after all.  EPCOT FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL: TOPIARIES ON DISPLAY … Read more

Disney World Spring Break featured image

Disney World Spring Break: Top Tips for an Unforgettable Experience

By Ali Patton | November 8, 2023

A Disney World spring break is a popular vacation for many families. Spring breaks typically occur in March or April, and are the first taste of warm weather, as well as the first break after the holidays. It’s the perfect excuse to take the kids to even warmer weather, visit Mickey and Minnie, and not … Read more

Disney World in Spring: The Best Time to Chase Disney Dreams!

By Kathleen Hesketh | October 22, 2023

Are you contemplating the ideal time for your next magical getaway? Look no further than Disney World in Spring. As February wanes, the Disney theme parks come alive with vibrant blooms, pleasant weather, and a myriad of unforgettable experiences. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the myriad reasons why spring is the perfect time … Read more

Incredible Hikes

Explore 16 of the Best Oregon Hiking Trails

We love to get out and explore the unpaved path and even some paved ones. We've found some of the best hiking adventures in Oregon.

What Is Seconds to Go?

Travel Tips and Trips for people on the go.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you have time to adventure out and explore, or maybe you want to take a trip, but don’t know what to do or where to go?

It used to happen to us all the time. We’d scour the web for ideas and suggestions but could never get the level of detail we needed to know if the experience was right for us.

As a result, we started “exploring”. That’s what we called our adventures when we’d get in the car and head out on a drive, just looking for something new and unique to do.

After years of traveling New England, Oregon and taking vacations to Disney World, we decided to share the knowledge and insights we gained from our adventures in a coast-to-coast blog of the U.S.

The result is a series of blog posts, each providing a no-hassle “trip”.

We are dedicated to low hassle travel, so even if you only have a few seconds before you go, each trip will quickly explain:

  • The time it takes to experience each trip
  • Special tips for making the most of each trip
  • Nearby destinations that you can visit

What you won’t find in a Seconds to Go trip:

  • Trips written about places we’ve never been
  • Trips based only on internet research with no personal point of view

So, if you’re looking for something to do, or want to plan a vacation, take inspiration from our trips and travel tips. You can even string our trips together for a longer day on the road. Maybe even a full vacation.

As coast-to-coast travel bloggers, it’s our goal to inspire you and provide the knowledge you need to quickly and easily create your own travel adventure.

We currently have a number of "trips for New England and Oregon. Look for detailed itineraries covering our other adventures coast-to-coast.

Trail of Molten Lands Featured image

The Trail of the Molten Land- Newberry Volcano

By Ali Patton | August 24, 2023

The Trail of the Molten Land, located outside of Bend, is an easy trail that brings hikers to an alien planet. In reality, you stroll through a roughly one-mile of lava flow, at the bottom of an ancient volcano, but your eyes will surely convince you that you’ve entered an alien realm. What is the … Read more

Trekking the Shimmering Path: A Guide to Oregon’s Big Obsidian Flow Trail

By Ali Patton | August 16, 2023

The Bog Obsidian Flow Trail winds through the youngest lava flow in Oregon. The roughly one square mile area is made up of glossy black obsidian and pumice stone. This hike is one of the most unique experiences in all of the diverse state of Oregon. What is the Big Obsidian Flow? The Big Obsidian … Read more

Newberry National Volcanic Monument featured image

Nature’s Raw Power on Display: Exploring the Geologic Wonders of Newberry Volcanic Monument

By Ali Patton | July 19, 2023

The Newberry National Volcanic Monument in central Oregon combines 54,000 acres of land to feature lakes, lava flows, lava tubes, unique geologic formations, and some of the best views of the nearby cascade ranges, all inside one park. The New berry Volcanic Monument is mainly all about lava. The park is on an active volcano … Read more

two women in shadow inside a lava tube cave in central Oregon

Descending into the Abyss at Lava River Cave Oregon

By Kathleen Hesketh | July 9, 2023

Even as you’re descending into the giant maw of Lava River Cave near Bend Oregon, you’re thinking the usual thoughts that accompany steps into the subterranean. Will I see stalactites or Stalagmites? Will the floor be slippery with dropping moisture, will sudden bursts of illumination highlight spectacular displays of geologic history (thanks to thoughtful park … Read more

Lava cast Forest featured image

Oregon’s Lava Cast Forest: Nature’s Sculpture Garden in the Heart of the Pacific Northwest

By Ali Patton | June 28, 2023

Oregon’s lava cast forest is located in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and features an important remnant of the Earth’s early volcanic history. Hikers of all abilities can enjoy the paved trail through the lava casts at this stunning Oregon location, but first you have to find it! Visiting a Geological Marvel The more we … Read more

dogs walking at MInto Brown Island State Park

Explore Minto Brown Island Park: The Most Dog-Friendly Place in Salem

By Ali Patton | March 16, 2023

Minto Brown Island State Park is the perfect dog lover’s paradise. This riverfront West Salem park offers walking, hiking, jogging, and swimming, all with the option to take man’s best friend with you! The Search for Dog Friendly Parks at the Halfway Point When I stumbled upon Minto Island Brown Park in Salem, I was … Read more