If you’re here, chances are you’re looking for your next adventure – and I’m so glad you stopped by my page! 

Hi! I’m Marina, but my friends and family call me Mo. I created MoGo Outdoors to inspire everyday adventures and help you spend less time planning and more time exploring. Whether you’re searching for a cozy campground, a scenic hiking trail, a quiet place to fish and enjoy the water, or a dog-friendly adventure, you’re in the right place. I’m here to share honest experiences and practical information to help you get outside with confidence.

My Story

I grew up in Arizona, where my parents fostered a strong connection to the outdoors from the very beginning. We didn’t camp often, but we spent a lot of time fishing – everything from local parks to larger lakes for bass tournaments, and yearly trips to Minnesota to visit my grandparents (and yes, to do even more fishing). I collected rocks that I’m pretty sure my mom still has tucked away in my childhood bedroom. Like any good 8-year-old, I went through the classic list of dream jobs: Marine Biologist, Veterinarian, and Park Ranger.

Ottertail Lake, MN. 

As I got older, I was fortunate enough to travel throughout the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest during high school, and those experiences deepened my appreciation for the incredible diversity and beauty of the outdoors. 

I moved to Missouri for college (shout-out University of Central Missouri), where I experienced all four seasons for the first time in my life and because it’s the Midwest, sometimes all four seasons in the same week. It was also in Missouri that I met my now husband, Trevor, who shares my same love and admiration for the outdoors. 

After undergrad, we spent a short time living in Rhode Island while I earned my Master’s degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics. It wasn’t quite the Marine Biologist path I once imagined, but I think little Marina would still be pleased- if she had any clue what economics was. I didn’t have many expectations for Rhode Island (other than that East Coast drivers are a little terrifying), but New England as a whole ended up having an incredibly diverse geographical landscape. For the smallest state, Rhode Island really had it all: cities, farmland, conservation areas, beaches, and forests. 

Block Island, RI. Photo by Marina Gonzales 

RI is also where our little dog, Dutch, joined our lives in February 2019 and quickly became the center of our lives and all our dog-friendly adventures. Dutch has been with us ever since, and he’s a big part of why we seek out the places we do. Our dogs are only a part of our lives, but we are their whole world, and I believe we owe it to them to include them in as many adventures as we can. Not every destination is dog-friendly, but we do our best to make sure he gets to experience this life right alongside us.

Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

I graduated in 2020, and we made the very normal, not-at-all-eventful decision to move back to Missouri during a global pandemic and start new jobs across the country. Since returning to Missouri, we’ve spent much of our free time fishing, kayaking local rivers, camping at state parks, and discovering hidden outdoor gems all across the region. 

Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton, MO

What You’ll Discover

MoGo Outdoors is more than a travel blog. It’s a place for real adventures, honest recommendations, and practical tips from someone who loves exploring the outdoors.

Here you’ll find:

– 🏕 Campground reviews and camping tips

– 🥾 Hiking trail guides

– 🌊 Water adventures, from kayaking and fishing to just relaxing on a gravel bar 

– 🐾 Dog-friendly destinations and adventures

–  📍 Weekend getaway ideas

– 🎒 Gear recommendations and lessons learned along the way

Every destination I share is based on real experiences, honest observations, and the details I would want to know before visiting myself.

Why MoGo Outdoors?

I believe we can all get caught up in our day-to-day lives and the task of planning your next outdoor trip should be one less thing on your to-do list. You don’t always need a long vacation or a plane ticket to experience something incredible. Sometimes all it takes is a free weekend, a scenic drive, and a willingness to explore somewhere new.

My hope is that MoGo Outdoors encourages you to discover new places, revisit old favorites, and create lasting memories with the people -and pets- you love most.

Thank you for being here at the very beginning of this journey. I can’t wait to share my adventures with you, and I hope they’ll inspire a few of your own.

Let’s go outdoors! 

– Mo

This section provides an overview of the blog, showcasing a variety of articles, insights, and resources to inform and inspire readers.