![]() “I started booking stays just for fun and would post about on my social media pages,” she explains, which eventually led to the launch of her Moody Cabin Girl blog in 2018. Suffice to say, she was immediately hooked. Back home in Michigan, Valente was surprised to discover a similar-but little-known, at the time-rental community. She was first introduced to the short-term rental market on a trip to Iceland in 2015, where an Airbnb stay blew her mind. Michigan’s most aesthetic accommodations are the name of the game for Gina Valente. “Hearing those reactions and getting to see them fall in love with the region firsthand are really special moments for me.” “When we get up to Traverse City, like, ‘this is the most beautiful town in the world!’” she says. It’s happened numerous times, Super notes both with the clients whose trips she plans, and-notably-skeptical friends. In fact, watching others live that magic has become one of her favorite experiences. ![]() “There’s a magic to it that isn’t pretentious.” ![]() “My perfect Saturday night is sitting with my friends on the beach in northern Michigan,” she says. Super’s ideal weekend, though, involves far less action than one might expect. In the summer months, South Manitou and Beaver islands are an oasis for uninterrupted exploring, while Mesick offers a quiet hideaway for a dose of nostalgia and spring mushroom hunting. (She’s even considered putting down permanent roots in Traverse City!)įor the outdoor adventurer, she highlights Pyramid Point as a go-to hiking spot (bring a picnic for a rustic date night), as well as Mackinac Island’s interior-which boasts over 70 miles of trail-and Empire Bluffs for its steely-bay views. Nevertheless, her home state of Michigan remains her number-one destination. “I’m a sucker for a good view!” she adds. To cap off the evening, Super can often be found researching the best vantage point to catch the sunset. Her niche (beyond the cats, of course) is adventure travel, and you’ll see photos of her on every cliff, mountain, and waterway she can find. From there, she’ll explore nearby shopping districts, landmarks, or other local activities-“It’s usually me trying something new or going somewhere I haven’t been,” she notes-before the rest of the day is spent outdoors, at the beach, or deep in the forest. Wherever she wakes up, Super’s days nearly always begin by tracking down a great cup of coffee. Over the years, she has garnered a community of 125,000 followers across the blog and social sites like TikTok and Instagram. ![]() Her content incorporates expertly-curated guides-including one dedicated to Michigan, and notably, how to travel with cats-unique accommodation finds, and tips for the best travel bang for your buck. This, she says, is when she decided to launch her travel blog, Shalee Wanders.Įstablished in 2014, that blog has blossomed into an online hub for Super’s boundless wanderings, which now includes 39 countries and 49 states. Instead of long-haul drives or jet-setting internationally (though all of that would come later on), many of Super’s earliest ventures involved weekend getaways to the nearby Great Lakes, subsisting on only pizza and ice cream and even sleeping in her car-all in the name of her next big adventure.Īs her travels expanded throughout the state, Super discovered an online demand for local recommendations and budget advice. “I really wanted to go out and explore,” she explains.Īt just 18, though, her budget was tight. Raised in the pinprick village of Mecosta (population: just under 400), Super spent much of her adolescence looking for ways to leave her hometown. Michigan native Shalee Super never stays in one place for long. Bon voyage! Shalee Wanders | Shalee Super Northern Express sat down with two travel influencers-Shalee Super of the Shalee Wanders blog and Moody Cabin Girl’s Gina Valente-to talk travel tips, Michigan’s hidden gems, and all things local wanderlust. How do we get away in our own backyard, and where do we stay when we arrive? Michigan, though, is its own destination, with plenty of picturesque towns, pristine scenery, and tasty eats more than worth exploring. In a world where travel influencers inundate our social media feeds, it’s easy to envision ourselves on a faraway beach for our next vacation. Adventure Travel, A-Frames, and All-Consuming Wanderlust Two Michigan travel influencers share their favorite NoMi gems By Anna Faller | Oct.
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