Given Back to Parklands.
We have a passion for the outdoors and believe it's our responsibility to promote, protect, and preserve public lands.
Our Mission
We're embarking on a journey deep into the heart of the national parks, with a focus on the individuals who forge meaningful connections with these special spaces outdoors. Whether they've made it a career, a lifestyle choice, a profound passion, or simply because the park is right in their backyard, we're shining a spotlight on those who share a bond with our national treasures.
Sam & Justine are not only national park lovers but have been a gateway on social media for visibility and vulnerable conversations toward intersectionality for the queer/trans community in the outdoor space. Their adventures have taken them around the globe and led them into some pretty incredible story telling. Take a moment with us to catch up on what they’ve been up to and how the national parks have impacted their connection to the outdoor space. Make sure to follow along their journey @wanderfulwives on Instagram.
Q: We’d love to re-introduce you both to our readers since it’s been a minute from the last time we worked together! Can you tell us a little bit about how you two met and what you’ve been up to most recently?
A: It’s a real Tinderella story! We met online back in Denver in 2017, after having been living in the same neighborhood and climbing at the same rock gym for years prior. “When you know, you know,” was our favorite phrase because we quickly put our feelings to the test - moving in together after only a few weeks and getting engaged by five months, spending many a weekend off together running away to the Colorado mountains. We got married in 2019 in Iceland, honeymooned all over Europe, and then used travel nursing as a means to bop around the country and explore new horizons. But after all we’d seen and done, we were without a doubt - our hearts were in Alaska. (Which is where Sam was fortunate to grow up!) So this summer we packed up everything we owned into our cars and made the trans-continental road trip to our first official home in Anchorage. In between work hours, we’ve been spending our time settling into our new space, building / reconnecting with community, and opting outside as much as possible!
Q: Was getting outside part of your story from the very beginning or has it been a building block for connection within your relationship?
A: Oh, it was a very foundational piece of our relationship from the get-go. Each of our Tinder pics were giving “outdoorsy gay,” so it’s something we connected on right away. In fact, our first big purchase as a couple was our double sleeping bag & pad, because our first camping trip was week three and of course we couldn’t bear to not be touching each other constantly. I will say, though, that our love for the outdoors and our skills within it only compounded as we grew as a couple. Together we tackled adventures we never would’ve imagined ourselves doing before the other came into the picture - further remote hikes, longer backpacking trips, harder mountain bike rides, more off-the-beaten-path travel. It’s been really special to feel that growth together, connecting us deeper with every adventure.
Q: The national parks hold a special place in the hearts of many. Can you share a particular moment or experience in a national park that was transformative for you, both individually and as a couple?
A: Well our first thought was to say our first ever camping trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, which was our first national park together and the moment where we decided we needed that double sleeping set-up and never looked back! But one moment that really stands out is our trip to Death Valley National Park with our (at the time) newly-found friends, Hannah and Sam, another queer couple. As we moved every few months, connections were difficult to cultivate. So we started using social media as a way to meet new people in real life, and it’s since led to some of our greatest friendships. When we invited Hanah and Sam to come camping with us, we weren’t sure what to expect, as we were pretty particular when it came to our camp routines and adventure style. But after the first night it was clear we were all gelling beautifully. We hiked and took photos, giggled around the campfire, took advantage of every sunrise and sunset, and bonded over the shared intrigue of every moon-ish landscape. The final night as we sat side by side, taking in the golden views from a perch at Zabriskie Point, I think we all knew - these are friends for life, these are memories we’ll never forget. The outdoors is bonding that way, especially in its raw form - how it is in our national parks - because everything else is stripped away and you’re all left to just be… human, I suppose. It’s the way we felt exploring the Fiery Furnace of Arches National Park with our pals, Lindsay and Alli, seeing the wonder through their eyes. It’s the way I felt spending Thanksgiving in Joshua Tree with my best friend, Emily, just us and the stars and turkey sausages & corn cobs roasted over the fire. It’s the way we held each other in amazement watching the nighttime lava glow in Volcanoes National Park, and the way we erupted into screams of joy at our first glimpse of the peak up close at Mount Rainier – connected.
Q: Being part of the queer community and the outdoor community can sometimes intersect in unique ways. How has your identity as queer individuals influenced your approach to outdoor exploration and your advocacy for inclusivity in these spaces?
A: As queer folks, we often don’t have an abundance of safe spaces, or places where we feel fully seen. Especially since I’ve come out as trans, I often find myself shrinking - physically and metaphorically - to meet society’s expectations, and frankly, it’s exhausting. But in more ways than one, the outdoors has become a refuge - a place where we feel fully ourselves. Nature doesn’t judge. Nature is a shining symbol of embracing diversity, in all its necessity and beauty. Nature is a breath of fresh air. And on that same token, the outdoors - to be clear, because of the humans that also exist in it - can sometimes be an intimidating place. The question always runs through our brains: am I safe here, in this remote space, with these people who I don’t know walking by my tent? Did they notice we were holding hands? Did they see my scars? Do they have a gun? And similarly, the outdoors simply is just less accessible for marginalized communities, whether that be due to lack of transportation or gear or just geographical location. Resources, education, and visibility (and brand representation!) go a long way towards the important goal of making the outdoors accessible and inclusive. Because, truly, *everyone* deserves to feel the healing, joys, and freedom gained by experiencing the outdoors - queer folks especially.
Q: What’s your go-to road trip album at the moment?
A: Ahhh! To be honest, we have very different road trip audio vibes - which inevitably becomes a tug-o-war of who gets to drive because the rule is: that person controls the radio. If it were up to me (Sam), we’d be belting nonstop Broadway, Backstreet Boys, and 2000s pop punk. Justine tends to hyperfixate on a playlist (hello, ADHD!) for months on end, and so when she’s behind the wheel (which is admittedly 98% of the time) our road trip soundtrack inevitably becomes her “Wigglin & Wanderin” Spotify mix. One album that’s remained a classic in the lineup, though, is her favorite - Greensky Bluegrass’ “If Sorrows Swim.”
Q: Which barriers are still blocking your community's access to finding comfort in the outdoor space whether that’s through the community or the industry directly? How can we, at Parks Project, best keep promoting inclusivity within our brand and the stories we tell?
A: It’s simple but it’s true: visibility matters. Seeing someone that looks like you, that loves like you, that moves through the world like you, in a store or in an ad really makes a difference. Inclusive marketing and inclusive branding and then furthermore, directing charitable efforts towards building up these often overlooked communities means the world when coming from brands we love and want to rep proudly. And in the more practical sense of inclusive - creating inclusive clothing and gear is also so important. Having gender-neutral clothing options and (speaking as a trans person) wide ranges of sizing options to fit all bodies in whatever clothing is most affirming is always so appreciated. As far as within the community goes, I’ll leave it at - when one of us rises, we all rise. Each and every member of our LGBTQ+ community brings something special to this world, and we all deserve to enjoy it to its fullest.
Q: Can you share a particular moment or achievement in your journey as the Wanderful Wives that stands out as a significant milestone in your advocacy for not only getting outside but that aligns with your community?
A: Well just recently we hosted our first ever queer group trip, and it was life changing. We flew all the way to Bali and met up with thirteen other queer & trans folks to explore the wonders of a new land and culture together, bonding over sunrise volcano hikes, waterfall-chasing, hot springs soaks, and hiking more stairs than ever in our lives over the most gorgeous cliffy, ocean views. Being able to have that simultaneous experience of community bonding and community adventure was one we’ve been dreaming about for years, as folks have long seen our photos in the outdoors and responded, ‘I wish I could do that,’ and to that we always would say, ‘You can!’ And there we were, helping to make that magic happen - a phenomenon that we take little personal credit for, because truly when you get a group of queer people together, especially in the powerful setting of the outdoors, the equation will just naturally lead to connection, to that magic. We have our next group trip already scheduled for Costa Rica over New Years, and are in the works of planning another one for next spring. We hope to host many more gatherings like that (possibly even some in national parks around the country!), but also very much so look forward to visits from our friends who we’ll take exploring around Alaska and on their first backpacking trips. Sharing the outdoors and adventure with others is such a passion for us, and we’re so grateful that our platform has made that dream into such a special reality!
We're embarking on a journey deep into the heart of the national parks, with a focus on the individuals who forge meaningful connections with these special spaces outdoors. Whether they've made it a career, a lifestyle choice, a profound passion, or simply because the park is right in their backyard, we're shining a spotlight on those who share a bond with our national treasures.
Sam & Justine are not only national park lovers but have been a gateway on social media for visibility and vulnerable conversations toward intersectionality for the queer/trans community in the outdoor space. Their adventures have taken them around the globe and led them into some pretty incredible story telling. Take a moment with us to catch up on what they’ve been up to and how the national parks have impacted their connection to the outdoor space. Make sure to follow along their journey @wanderfulwives on Instagram.
Q: We’d love to re-introduce you both to our readers since it’s been a minute from the last time we worked together! Can you tell us a little bit about how you two met and what you’ve been up to most recently?
A: It’s a real Tinderella story! We met online back in Denver in 2017, after having been living in the same neighborhood and climbing at the same rock gym for years prior. “When you know, you know,” was our favorite phrase because we quickly put our feelings to the test - moving in together after only a few weeks and getting engaged by five months, spending many a weekend off together running away to the Colorado mountains. We got married in 2019 in Iceland, honeymooned all over Europe, and then used travel nursing as a means to bop around the country and explore new horizons. But after all we’d seen and done, we were without a doubt - our hearts were in Alaska. (Which is where Sam was fortunate to grow up!) So this summer we packed up everything we owned into our cars and made the trans-continental road trip to our first official home in Anchorage. In between work hours, we’ve been spending our time settling into our new space, building / reconnecting with community, and opting outside as much as possible!
Q: Was getting outside part of your story from the very beginning or has it been a building block for connection within your relationship?
A: Oh, it was a very foundational piece of our relationship from the get-go. Each of our Tinder pics were giving “outdoorsy gay,” so it’s something we connected on right away. In fact, our first big purchase as a couple was our double sleeping bag & pad, because our first camping trip was week three and of course we couldn’t bear to not be touching each other constantly. I will say, though, that our love for the outdoors and our skills within it only compounded as we grew as a couple. Together we tackled adventures we never would’ve imagined ourselves doing before the other came into the picture - further remote hikes, longer backpacking trips, harder mountain bike rides, more off-the-beaten-path travel. It’s been really special to feel that growth together, connecting us deeper with every adventure.
Q: The national parks hold a special place in the hearts of many. Can you share a particular moment or experience in a national park that was transformative for you, both individually and as a couple?
A: Well our first thought was to say our first ever camping trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park, which was our first national park together and the moment where we decided we needed that double sleeping set-up and never looked back! But one moment that really stands out is our trip to Death Valley National Park with our (at the time) newly-found friends, Hannah and Sam, another queer couple. As we moved every few months, connections were difficult to cultivate. So we started using social media as a way to meet new people in real life, and it’s since led to some of our greatest friendships. When we invited Hanah and Sam to come camping with us, we weren’t sure what to expect, as we were pretty particular when it came to our camp routines and adventure style. But after the first night it was clear we were all gelling beautifully. We hiked and took photos, giggled around the campfire, took advantage of every sunrise and sunset, and bonded over the shared intrigue of every moon-ish landscape. The final night as we sat side by side, taking in the golden views from a perch at Zabriskie Point, I think we all knew - these are friends for life, these are memories we’ll never forget. The outdoors is bonding that way, especially in its raw form - how it is in our national parks - because everything else is stripped away and you’re all left to just be… human, I suppose. It’s the way we felt exploring the Fiery Furnace of Arches National Park with our pals, Lindsay and Alli, seeing the wonder through their eyes. It’s the way I felt spending Thanksgiving in Joshua Tree with my best friend, Emily, just us and the stars and turkey sausages & corn cobs roasted over the fire. It’s the way we held each other in amazement watching the nighttime lava glow in Volcanoes National Park, and the way we erupted into screams of joy at our first glimpse of the peak up close at Mount Rainier – connected.
Q: Being part of the queer community and the outdoor community can sometimes intersect in unique ways. How has your identity as queer individuals influenced your approach to outdoor exploration and your advocacy for inclusivity in these spaces?
A: As queer folks, we often don’t have an abundance of safe spaces, or places where we feel fully seen. Especially since I’ve come out as trans, I often find myself shrinking - physically and metaphorically - to meet society’s expectations, and frankly, it’s exhausting. But in more ways than one, the outdoors has become a refuge - a place where we feel fully ourselves. Nature doesn’t judge. Nature is a shining symbol of embracing diversity, in all its necessity and beauty. Nature is a breath of fresh air. And on that same token, the outdoors - to be clear, because of the humans that also exist in it - can sometimes be an intimidating place. The question always runs through our brains: am I safe here, in this remote space, with these people who I don’t know walking by my tent? Did they notice we were holding hands? Did they see my scars? Do they have a gun? And similarly, the outdoors simply is just less accessible for marginalized communities, whether that be due to lack of transportation or gear or just geographical location. Resources, education, and visibility (and brand representation!) go a long way towards the important goal of making the outdoors accessible and inclusive. Because, truly, *everyone* deserves to feel the healing, joys, and freedom gained by experiencing the outdoors - queer folks especially.
Q: What’s your go-to road trip album at the moment?
A: Ahhh! To be honest, we have very different road trip audio vibes - which inevitably becomes a tug-o-war of who gets to drive because the rule is: that person controls the radio. If it were up to me (Sam), we’d be belting nonstop Broadway, Backstreet Boys, and 2000s pop punk. Justine tends to hyperfixate on a playlist (hello, ADHD!) for months on end, and so when she’s behind the wheel (which is admittedly 98% of the time) our road trip soundtrack inevitably becomes her “Wigglin & Wanderin” Spotify mix. One album that’s remained a classic in the lineup, though, is her favorite - Greensky Bluegrass’ “If Sorrows Swim.”
Q: Which barriers are still blocking your community's access to finding comfort in the outdoor space whether that’s through the community or the industry directly? How can we, at Parks Project, best keep promoting inclusivity within our brand and the stories we tell?
A: It’s simple but it’s true: visibility matters. Seeing someone that looks like you, that loves like you, that moves through the world like you, in a store or in an ad really makes a difference. Inclusive marketing and inclusive branding and then furthermore, directing charitable efforts towards building up these often overlooked communities means the world when coming from brands we love and want to rep proudly. And in the more practical sense of inclusive - creating inclusive clothing and gear is also so important. Having gender-neutral clothing options and (speaking as a trans person) wide ranges of sizing options to fit all bodies in whatever clothing is most affirming is always so appreciated. As far as within the community goes, I’ll leave it at - when one of us rises, we all rise. Each and every member of our LGBTQ+ community brings something special to this world, and we all deserve to enjoy it to its fullest.
Q: Can you share a particular moment or achievement in your journey as the Wanderful Wives that stands out as a significant milestone in your advocacy for not only getting outside but that aligns with your community?
A: Well just recently we hosted our first ever queer group trip, and it was life changing. We flew all the way to Bali and met up with thirteen other queer & trans folks to explore the wonders of a new land and culture together, bonding over sunrise volcano hikes, waterfall-chasing, hot springs soaks, and hiking more stairs than ever in our lives over the most gorgeous cliffy, ocean views. Being able to have that simultaneous experience of community bonding and community adventure was one we’ve been dreaming about for years, as folks have long seen our photos in the outdoors and responded, ‘I wish I could do that,’ and to that we always would say, ‘You can!’ And there we were, helping to make that magic happen - a phenomenon that we take little personal credit for, because truly when you get a group of queer people together, especially in the powerful setting of the outdoors, the equation will just naturally lead to connection, to that magic. We have our next group trip already scheduled for Costa Rica over New Years, and are in the works of planning another one for next spring. We hope to host many more gatherings like that (possibly even some in national parks around the country!), but also very much so look forward to visits from our friends who we’ll take exploring around Alaska and on their first backpacking trips. Sharing the outdoors and adventure with others is such a passion for us, and we’re so grateful that our platform has made that dream into such a special reality!
