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

Trail of Molten Lands Featured image

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

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

Newberry National Volcanic Monument featured image

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

Lava cast Forest featured image

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

dogs walking at MInto Brown Island State Park

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

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

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

Abandoned Becket Quarry, the Land that Time Forgot

By Kathleen Hesketh | February 4, 2020

Heading out for a hike in the snow can be an adventure in and of itself, but searching out abandoned Massachusetts quarries adds an extra element of mystery. That’s particularly true when the destination is one where the workers walked off the job and left everything just as it was at quitting time. Welcome to … Read more

Fort Wetherill entrance

Fort Wetherill State Park: Exploring Semi-Secret Tunnels and Other Things You Can’t Imagine

By Ali Patton | January 23, 2020

Abandoned on Rhode Island’s shores, behind overgrown trees, often overlooked, or just plain forgotten, sits Fort Wetherill. Once a proud active fort, Fort Wetherill’s many tunnels and structures are now covered in multicolored graffiti. Fort Wetherill’s Past In 1855, President Grover appointed the Endicott Board. Made up of members of the Army, Navy, and civilians, … Read more

Abandoned Brenton Point State Park: Searching Historical Remains of The Reef for Clues to the Present

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 19, 2020

On a breezy summer day, Brenton Point State Park in Newport, Rhode Island glistens as brightly as the sun off the ocean waves across the street. Kites fly high, and if you time it right, you might even score a Dell’s Lemonade, one of Rhode Island’s distinctive treats. However, Brenton Point State Park holds a … Read more

Young woman and golden retriever walk in front of Hearthstone Castle ruins

Seeking the Abandoned Ruins of Hearthstone Castle

By Kathleen Hesketh | January 15, 2020

Hearthstone castle is a less a trip than it is an exploration. For us, it tied some peculiar history into an outdoor adventure that left us a bit nostalgic for the past. Setting out for Hearthstone Castle in Danbury, Connecticut If you know much about Connecticut, you’ve probably heard of Danbury. It’s one of the … Read more

UTVs driving through water, an unusual adventure in Connecticut

UTV Connecticut: High-Adrenaline Excitement in the Litchfield Hills with Backyard Adventures

By Kathleen Hesketh | December 18, 2019

Home to revolutionary-war heroes and colonial mansions, taking a UTV ride in Connecticut may not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering adventurous outdoor pursuits. In fact, the state has been shorted when it comes to high-adrenaline adventure. We’re talking about scrambling over rocky screes and blasting through the sodden leaf-strewn underbelly … Read more

Animal Adventures in Bolton MA featured image

Want to Pet a Kangaroo? Try Animal Adventures in Bolton, MA

By Ali Patton | October 23, 2019

Kangaroos, goats, snakes, oh my! Animal Adventures in Bolton MA is a sanctuary for just about every animal you can imagine. They have guided and self- tours where you can get up close and personal with some of the furry and feathery residents. Animal Adventures has been caring for injured, abandoned, and homeless exotic and … 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

The Disney Rider Switch can be used on Expedition Everest

Disney Rider Switch: The Ultimate Parent Hack for Theme Park Fun!

By Ali Patton | November 30, 2023

The Disney parent swap, or Disney rider switch allows parents with small children at both Disney World and Disneyland to ride the rides their children are unable to due to height requirements, or other reasons. Often times, one parent gets the job of waiting with the little ones, while the other parent takes the eligible … Read more

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

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