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

exterior of living rock museum, Oregon's museum dedicated to stone art.

Living Rock Studios, Chiseling Oregon Art from Stone

Nestled into a forgotten corridor of the Over the River and Through the Woods Scenic Byway is Oregon’s Living Rock Studios one of the most unique things we’ve found to do yet in a state offering a lot of variety. Creating Unusual Oregon Art out of Stone The state of Oregon is rich in geologic … Read more

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The Trail of the Molten Land- Newberry Volcano

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel blogger, Ali Patton, poses with mascot Nemo in a cave at Chatfield Hollow State Park in Connecticut

The Secrets Surrounding Chatfield Hollow State Park

By Ali Patton | February 27, 2024

Chatfield Hollow State Park in Connecticut, with water wheels and trails that lead to old mill ruins, is a must visit Connecticut state park. Plus like so many things in New England, it offers something for all ages. Preparing to Visit Chatfield Hollow State Park Before even starting the car to drive to Chatfield Hollow … Read more

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Ice Glen Trail, Like Ireland in the Berkshires

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 27, 2024

DISCLAIMER: Our posts may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission, which helps to keep the lights on. Thanks! You can easily spend days driving the backroads of the Berkshires, slipping into a daydream, imagining what life would have … Read more

Bowling shoes in front of a duckpin bowling alley in Connecticut.

Duckpin Bowling in Connecticut: Do It While You Can

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 18, 2024

Duckpin bowling in Connecticut is a traditional sport that is fun for all ages. Find a lane near you and learn more about this fading art. Duckpin Bowling Traditions in Connecticut It’s our family tradition when we are in Connecticut to go duckpin bowling on the day after Christmas. We descend upon Ducks on the … Read more

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Hiking Case Mountain in Manchester, Connecticut

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 17, 2024

Before going to Case Mountain, I never thought of hiking in Manchester Connecticut. Apparently, I was a member of a small minority unaware of Case Mountain’s history and splendid sites. Case Mountain: New England Hiking, History and Cliff-Top Views Fall color had been dim in Connecticut, the few years before my first trip to Case Mountain. We’d become accostomed to … Read more

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Rock House Reservation: Visit Massachusetts’ Slot Canyon

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 26, 2024

Travel across New England is filled with surprises, particularly when you stumble across Rock House Reservation. I never expected to find the equivalent of a slot canyon (Think Zion National Park and southern Utah) in the woods of Central Massachusetts, but Rock House Reservation features a similar, if much smaller, geographical phenomenon. Nestled amidst the … Read more

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The Murderous Tragedy of Spooner Well in Central Massachusetts

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 23, 2024

Few people realize that the small town of Brookfield in Central Massachusetts is responsible for raising the first woman to be executed in the new America republic. However, Spooner Well, a sad and lonely spot on the old Boston Post Road, commemorates the occasion with a single lone marker. It’s the place where Joshua Spooner … 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

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How Does the Disney Virtual Queue Work?

By Ali Patton | March 1, 2024

What is and how does the Disney virtual queue work? It’s a common question among Disney World newbies and veterans alike. The Disney World virtual queue was first introduced with Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy’s Edge. The system aimed to disperse crowds and keep wait times short for the new ride by allowing guests … Read more

Walt Disney World monorail over EPCOT

Disney World Resort Transportation: The Ridesharing Bus Showdown

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 26, 2024

If you’re staying at a Walt Disney resort, you may be wondering what the Disney World resort transportation system has to offer. Rest assured, that Disney has several free and reliable options to take you from your resort and back again, including buses, boats and the monorail, but you may be wondering how they stack … Read more

walt Disney tells MIckey Mouse to take a trip to Disney World on a budget

Cheapest Way to Go to Disney World in 2024: Planning a Trip to Disney World on a Budget

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 26, 2024

Visiting Disney World can be expensive. We’ve been there and know what budgeting for Disney is like. We’ve done the same cost-crunching that you’re likely doing today, have searched out every discount, looking for the cheapest way to go to Disney World. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to save money on a trip to Disney … Read more

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Disney World Resort List: Everything You Need to Know about Every Disney Resort

By Ali Patton | February 25, 2024

Which Disney World Resort Hotel Is Right for You – a Comprehensive Disney World Resort List When it comes to Disney World Resort hotels, there are many options, resulting in a lengthy list of on property hotels. Given the number of options, determining which hotel fits your budget, your group or even the location where … Read more

Crystal Palace restaurant at Magic Kingdom, one of the best places to eat in Disney World

Eating at Disney World: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 24, 2024

Planning a trip to Disney World? Food is an essential part of the experience, and navigating the Planning a trip to Disney World? Food is an essential part of the experience, and navigating the vast array of restaurants and snacks can be overwhelming. Fear not!  This guide equips you with everything you need to know … Read more

Disney World transportation option Skyliner

Walt Disney World Transportation: Must-Know Tips for Getting Around

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 24, 2024

If you’re soon visiting Mickey and all his pals, the Walt Disney World transportation system might just be your best friend. This system of complimentary “shuttles” from your hotel includes boats, buses, a monorail, and now the Disney skyliner. But how do you know what to use where when planning your Disney World vacation? This … 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.

Abandoned car in overgrown brush in beazell Memorial Forest

Beazell Memorial Forest Hike Combines a Love Story with Beautiful Scenery

By Ali Patton | February 29, 2024

If you’re looking to explore a rare ecological area with a unique backstory, try a Beazell Memorial Forest hike in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Be sure to read to the end to find out the lovely history of this place. Setting out for Our Beazell Memorial Forest Hike On a humid August Oregon morning, we grabbed … Read more

Badger looking out is enclosure for dinner at Wildlife Images

Wildlife Images Oregon: Rehabilitation, Education, and Wildlife Sanctuary

By Ali Patton | February 28, 2024

Wildlife Images, Oregon’s Rehabilitation and Education Center helps injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife find a safe landing spot to heal and strengthen. Birds of prey, skunks, bears, rabbits, squirrels, badgers, and more call this place home, some permanently, but many, temporarily. The History of Wildlife Images Wildlife Images was founded in 1981 by Dave and … Read more

Travel blogger, Ali Patton, poses with mascot Nemo in a cave at Chatfield Hollow State Park in Connecticut

The Secrets Surrounding Chatfield Hollow State Park

By Ali Patton | February 27, 2024

Chatfield Hollow State Park in Connecticut, with water wheels and trails that lead to old mill ruins, is a must visit Connecticut state park. Plus like so many things in New England, it offers something for all ages. Preparing to Visit Chatfield Hollow State Park Before even starting the car to drive to Chatfield Hollow … Read more

Cape Meares Lighthouse

Cape Meares Lighthouse, Shortest Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast

By Ali Patton | February 27, 2024

11 miles outside of Tillamook Oregon sits Cape Meares Lighthouse, offering beautiful views of the Pacific and a glimpse into The Oregon Coast’s shortest lighthouse. Cape Meares, a Staple on the Oregon Coast The Cape Meares lighthouse isn’t known for standing tall on the Oregon Coast, but was a crucial part of keeping ships safe … Read more

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Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Haunting Shipwreck on the Oregon Coast

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 27, 2024

The Oregon coast is home to rich and varied habitats as well as unique glimpses into history, and that’s where the wreck of the Peter Iredale fits right in. The Peter Iredale Shipwreck: Resting on the Oregon Coast Near Fort Stevens Where it couldn’t best the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the treacherous voyage … Read more

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Ice Glen Trail, Like Ireland in the Berkshires

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 27, 2024

DISCLAIMER: Our posts may contain affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission, which helps to keep the lights on. Thanks! You can easily spend days driving the backroads of the Berkshires, slipping into a daydream, imagining what life would have … Read more