{"id":16302,"date":"2025-06-01T14:52:58","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T19:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=16302"},"modified":"2025-06-01T14:52:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T19:52:59","slug":"photo-blogging-challenge-may-2025-explore-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hoohaa.com\/?p=16302","title":{"rendered":"Photo Blogging Challenge (May 2025): Explore the world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Exploring the world can be open to a lot of interpretation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The funny part is … I didn’t take a super ton of photos this month. And that is something different, but I’ve been doing a lot more attempting to “unplug” at times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example …<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of the month, I went to GeoWoodstock, which is a massive geocaching event. I did well, though, in that I didn’t open my laptop (other than to log caches), and I did my best to avoid social media for the most part. <\/p>\n\n\n

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And goodness was it refreshing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No work emails to worry about. Not a lot of anything to worry about, actually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what did it prove? Well, one thing for sure — that people can still connect without mobile devices. It was a truly wonderful thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So my exploring the world this month is more about me and Harper — unplugging and having a blast, mainly in West Virginia. It felt good to explore again, to get outside of a comfort zone, and to just be able to see things differently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope you all enjoyed the month and had the chance to explore! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, onward. Here’s my five for May!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Country roads …<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the John Denver song goes … “Country Roads … take me home …” Well, nobody said “country roads” and trails in West Virginia would necessarily be clean! Harper would tell you – no regrets!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2. The views<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It really shouldn’t have to be said, but sometimes you need to stop and just take it all in. Even Harper when she’s exploring will at times surprise me by looking and wondering. If this isn’t exploring the world, I’m not sure what is! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Step outside the norm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you know me, you know that my world, especially exploring, is with Harper. When I travel, too, I like to see about stepping outside the normal and trying different things. At GeoWoodstock, we did an Escape Room. And they allowed Harper in. I promise she did explore more than this photo shows, but this is an example of trying to explore the world in different ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4.<\/strong> Look at the map<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exploring doesn’t always just mean finding a trail or whatnot. The first morning away, I opened Apple maps looking for a trail I could take Harper on. Preferably paved, considering the weather. But I found a dog park (which was awesome) that was next to a paved trail. We hit this spot every day we were away and she explored and even conquered some of the agility items! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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5. Giga<\/strong> event<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In geocaching, a Giga event is one attended by 5,000 or more people. This is the biggest event in the world and is not a normal thing. In fact, in North America, there have only been two — including GeoWoodstock 21! The other one was also at GeoWoodstock in Cincinnati and I was lucky enough to be at that one, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, this was the first that Harper has been to. She’s been to “mega” events (500 or more people) and has done well, but this was a new experience. And she explored and socialized and made a lot of friends. I was anxious going in, but I didn’t need to be. She was a rock star and it was another experience her and I have shared. Onward to the next one! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There’s my five exploring the world! Let’s see what you came up with! If you took part in this month\u2019s challenge, make sure to link up below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for those of you who participated, make sure you try and get to other people\u2019s blogs and comment (here, too!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s continue to grow this challenge and have a strong community. Come back and check out the others who link later on, too! NOTE:<\/strong> We have a Facebook group for those who participate in the challenge and are interested. I\u2019ll post any announcements there and hopefully ithere<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

** CHALLENGE CHANGE **<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From this point forward, I am going to do the next theme at the bottom of each linkup. Also, the posting date will now be the first of each month, thus giving you the entire month to take the photos etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means it’s a one-stop shop! Hopefully this helps out with everybody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, below is the linkup for May. Make sure you drop your link there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OK, so it’s time to keep on moving! And our theme for the month? Be present.<\/strong> Have some fun! Remember to come back on (hopefully) July 1 to link up and check out the theme for that month! I’ve set a calendar reminder for me, so let’s see if that works!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Blogging Challenge: May 2025 results<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n