TRAVELING SPUD
For the 197th week of "7 QUESTION SUNDAY" we shine the spotlight on another influential individual from the PNW. Katie Williams is a travel and lifestyle blogger making travel attainable and showcasing unique and bucket list stays in Idaho and beyond.
4EVRGRN: Hey, KW! Tell us a little about yourselves.
KW: Meet Katie Williams, the creative force behind TravelingSpud.com, an award-winning travel and lifestyle blog based in Boise, Idaho. With a passion for exploration and a love for her home state, Katie has established herself as an expert in uncovering extraordinary experiences for experienced and aspiring travelers. After leaving her corporate tech marketing job, Katie embarked on a solo journey around the world, immersing herself in the cultures of 45 countries across five continents. With a focus on showcasing unique ways to explore the world, Katie offers travelers insider tips, offbeat accommodations, and attainable travel advice. From road trip itineraries to packing essentials, her blog is a valuable resource for domestic and international travel tips. As an Idaho native, Katie is also passionate about sharing her extensive knowledge of the state. You can follow her travel tips and adventures on www.travelingspud.com or @travelingspud on Instagram and Tiktok!
Why is it important to you to make travel attainable?
KW: I am deeply convinced that everyone should have the opportunity to travel and explore new places if that’s their dream. However, I often witness situations where travel seems unattainable for people. It saddens me when people are enthusiastic about travel yet feel like it is beyond their reach. My goal is to assist and demonstrate to people that travel can be within their grasp. I want to dispel the myth that it is an unattainable dream. I believe in simplifying the process and making it enjoyable, removing any feelings of overwhelm or difficulty associated with traveling. My goal is to show people that traveling can be a feasible and pleasurable experience for everyone!
What’s left on your own bucket list?
KW: Ohhh my! There is so much! Every time I go on a trip, my bucket list gets miles longer. Right now, the top of my list is Antarctica, a safari in South Africa or Botswana, and visiting New Zealand and Australia with my husband!
Most memorable PNW experience?
KW: I’m an Idaho girl, so I’d have to say that my most memorable experience was going on a 7-day raft trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River with Mackay Wilderness River Trips! You get to float down the river through the Frank Church Wilderness and you are the furthest away from a road that you can get in the lower 48 states! It was life changing and so wonderful to connect with nature in that way. I would 100% do it again.
What do you miss most when you’re traveling outside the PNW?
KW: The mountains! I’ll never forget studying abroad in London and all I wanted to do when I got home was go out in nature and hike to an alpine lake! The mountains in the PNW are unlike anything I’ve ever seen in the world, and I always crave them if I’ve been gone too long!
Favorite local product?
KW: I’m a potato lover; hence the name Traveling Spud, and I honestly think my favorite local product is the Idahoan brand homestyle mashed potatoes! I just can’t get enough of them which makes me realize I live in the right state.
Favorite place to unwind in the PNW?
KW: I really am a big fan of Hood River, Oregon. It’s so relaxing but has great food, views, wineries, and breweries. It’s such a special place, and I can’t wait to go back!
What is something everyone who visits Idaho should see or do?
KW: I’m obsessed with the Sawtooth Mountains and Stanley, Idaho. It’s so beautiful and backpacking or hiking through them or around Redfish Lake is a must! There are a lot of hot springs around that area that I love as well. Fun fact, Idaho has over 130 soakable hot springs!
