Our First Vlog (It’s Bad)
Looking back at our very first travel vlog, we can’t help but laugh. It’s rough, it’s unpolished, and, honestly, it’s a bit cringeworthy in parts. But hey, everyone has to start somewhere, right? A few years ago, we embarked on a road trip from Phoenix to Colorado Springs, with stops in Santa Fe and Durango. And of course, we couldn’t leave our dog, Kaiya, behind. She came along for the adventure, and all of the accommodations we stayed at were dog-friendly. It was the beginning of our travel adventures on YouTube, and while our editing skills have drastically improved since then, this trip still holds a special place in our hearts.
Here’s a quick breakdown of our itinerary (and a little honesty about the experience):
Santa Fe (Drury Inn)
Our first stop was Santa Fe, New Mexico, where we stayed at the Drury Inn. The hotel was super accommodating, allowing Kaiya to join us on the trip. As first-time vloggers, we had no idea what we were doing, so we ended up just grabbing some footage of our room and the surrounding area—most of which was shaky, poorly lit, and accompanied by some very awkward commentary. Santa Fe itself, though, was magical! It’s a charming city filled with vibrant art, incredible architecture, and amazing food. It’s just a shame that our early vlog didn’t do it justice (we promise it was better than our video made it seem).
Colorado Springs (The Broadmoor Hotel)
Next, we headed to the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. This is where things got real. The Broadmoor is iconic. Stunning. Luxury. Everything we were so excited to experience but had no idea how to capture on camera. But the Broadmoor—wow—was unforgettable. The hotel itself is a piece of history, nestled between the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. We spent more time exploring the grounds than filming, and looking back, that was probably the best decision we could have made. Some things are better experienced in person than through a camera lens.
Durango (Hilton Double Tree)
After soaking in the luxury of the Broadmoor, we headed to Durango, where we stayed at the Hilton Double Tree. Durango, with its small-town charm and mountain views, was an absolute highlight. Whether you choose to wander the historic downtown or ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, there is so much to see and do. We didn’t get all the shots we wanted, but what we did capture was enough to remind us how beautiful this part of Colorado is. We even found an amazing sunrise spot that we revisited on a trip there years later!
Kaiya’s Road Trip Adventure
We can’t forget about Kaiya, our loyal road trip companion. She had the time of her life on this trip, and every hotel we stayed at was dog-friendly, which made traveling with her a breeze. Whether she was resting after a long drive or exploring the hotel grounds with us, she was always by our side. Watching her enjoy the trip made it that much more special for us. After all, a road trip just wouldn't be the same without our fur baby!
Final Thoughts on Our First Travel Vlog
Looking back on our very first travel vlog from this road trip, we can’t help but appreciate how far we’ve come. Our filming techniques, editing skills, and overall confidence have improved exponentially since then, but that first video represents our journey into travel content creation. It might be a little rough around the edges, but it’s full of heart—and it’s our story, flaws and all.
So if you ever stumble across that old vlog (or if you’re brave enough to watch it), we hope it gives you a good laugh. It was the beginning of many more adventures to come, and we wouldn’t change a thing about it. Here's to many more trips, better vlogs, and even more memories with Kaiya by our side!
Watch the video here:
