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Stories from the road

The Salted Cobblestone Journal

Honest hotel reviews, travel guides, and the kind of insider advice you'd only get from a friend who's actually been there.

Latest posts
Sarah and Andy at the Emerald Pools waterfall, Zion National Park
Latest
Road Trip · Family Travel · National Parks
45 Miles, 3 Parks, and a Pair of Crocs
A mother-son adventure through Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches — with very honest opinions about glamping, Utah's wine laws, and what happens when your 10-year-old picks every hike based on the danger icon.
By Sarah  ·  April 2026 trip  ·  Best for families who like a challenge
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Sunset on the beach at Hyatt Grand Reserve, Puerto Rico
Hotel Review · Personal Essay · Puerto Rico
I Needed This Trip More Than I Knew
My first trip as a travel advisor — and a few days that hit harder than I expected. An honest review of the Hyatt Grand Reserve, where to eat in Old San Juan, and why Puerto Rico is more accessible than you think.
By Sarah  ·  April 2026 trip  ·  Best for couples on points
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Family with squirrel monkeys in the Dominican Republic
Cruise Review · Family Travel · Caribbean
Monkeys, Prosecco, and a Cancelled Boat
We planned a perfect Caribbean itinerary. The Caribbean had other ideas. A Norwegian Joy review across the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, and the BVI — and why we'd do it all again.
By Sarah  ·  February 2026 trip  ·  Best for families with multiple kids
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Mayan-themed waterslide at Finest Playa Mujeres, Mexico
Hotel Review · Family Travel · Mexico
Finest Playa Mujeres: The All-Inclusive for People Who Don't Do All-Inclusives
I am not an all-inclusive person. And then I had two kids under five. Here's what happened when I gave Finest Playa Mujeres a chance — and why I came home a convert.
By Sarah  ·  January 2019 trip  ·  Best for families with kids 3–7
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More stories coming soon — out West, Barcelona, Disney, the Berkshires, and beyond.