Finding balance between the day-to-day and the bigger dreams of life, where reality and adventure meet.
Yep, you read that right. We failed the Tetons. Oh, and then we failed Yellowstone. Let me explain. This page may contain affiliate links. This means I receive a commission for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. I only endorse products that I use and enjoy myself from businesses I trust. … Continue reading We Failed Yellowstone and the Tetons
Take a hike! This page may contain affiliate links. This means I receive a commission for purchases made through those links, at no cost to you. I only endorse products that I use and enjoy myself from businesses I trust. For more information, please read my Disclosure Statement. I get asked all the time how … Continue reading Hiking with Kids: What You Need to Know
You aren’t guaranteed to see wildlife in the national parks and anyone who tells you that you are is misinformed. What you are guaranteed, however, is plenty of plants. Trees, shrubs, grasses, and flowers that you don’t normally see in your everyday life. The beauty of the national parks is that nature is completely untouched, … Continue reading Our Favorite Trail Game
Missoula, Montana, was about the halfway point in our trip, and we knew we needed a pit stop there to visit both Walmart and REI. After our snow storm hike in the Tetons, we didn’t want the kids to get stuck out on a hike again without the proper footwear, so it was decided that … Continue reading Missoula Smokejumpers
When we (sadly) left the Tetons, we were optimistic about what Idaho had to offer. However, we weren’t entirely sure what Idaho had to offer. We had a couple of places on our list, such as seeing the Salmon River, but other than that, we were just going to look at the map and go … Continue reading Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
Theodore Roosevelt National Park is the prettiest little national park you’ve probably never heard of. It’s located in western North Dakota, right on I-94, next to the charming little town of Medora, North Dakota. Theodore Roosevelt National Park was not the first national park ever created. In fact, it wasn’t even created while Roosevelt … Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt National Park
I always get really excited this time of year because this is when I start to compile my summer reading list, as well as lists for the kids. I read a varied selection of books, and love to stretch my "reading muscles" by trying topics and authors that I may not usually go for. Further, … Continue reading Summer Reading List
We’re in central Florida this week for Easter break and decided to visit one of our favorite spots: Silver Springs State Park. This place has so much to offer! They have camping, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing, and of course—the iconic glass bottom boats that are just wonderful. If you’re not familiar with this … Continue reading Silver Springs State Park
Last week I wrote about Sanibel Island, one of our favorite beach destinations. This week, I want to talk about another Beach favorite of ours: St. Augustine, Florida. When we visit St. Augustine, Florida, we technically stay just south at Crescent Beach. However, for the purpose of this post, I am going to lump it … Continue reading St. Augustine, Florida: An Oldie but a Goodie
Now that spring break is over, it's time for us to start thinking about and planning for summer, and the trips that happen during those glorious months. We've already got two big trips planned, with other shorter activities in the works, but more on that later. Today, I want to share with you my packing … Continue reading Summer Packing List Essentials
Ah, summer. It's almost here. While our winter has been pretty mild this year, it has been very rainy, and all of us are ready for summer. We're ready for school to be out, we're ready to take the Monkey Barrel on another adventure, and we are ready to end our summer with a fun … Continue reading What the Shell?!? Oh, Sanibel!
On your way from Amarillo, Texas, to Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the lovely town of Santa Rosa. Located on the famed Route 66, Santa Rosa is also home to the Blue Hole, a circular, bell-shaped pool that is a popular destination for SCUBA diving and training. This page may contain affiliate links. This means that … Continue reading Santa Rosa, New Mexico: The Blue Hole
When we set out on our big summer trip last year, Mesa Verde National Park was actually on our list. It was in the general direction we had planned to go, and it was actually one of the few places we visited that was on the original itinerary. Mesa Verde National Park Mesa Verde National … Continue reading Mesa Verde National Park
Because we travel with the Monkey Barrel, we travel with everything AND the kitchen sink... literally! This helps us to stay (somewhat) on track with our normal, healthy eating routines. Sure, we have plenty of s'mores around the campfire, and there are hot dogs and hamburgers to grill. But there are also plenty of salads, … Continue reading How To: Eat Healthy on the Road
When we rolled into Fredericksburg, Texas, this past week during our spring break meandering, we had no idea that we would be spending almost a day and a half at the National Museum of the Pacific War. However, that is exactly what we did, and it was time well spent. Our first day in Fredericksburg, … Continue reading National Museum of the Pacific War
When we first started planning our spring break trip, Kyle heard about Garner State Park from a buddy of his who recommended it. So it was on our minds as we headed towards the Texas Hill Country. This page may contain affiliate links. This means that I receive a commission for purchases made through … Continue reading Garner State Park
The first day on the road is always an adjustment. The stress of our schedules and routines is sometimes hard to let go of, but as the Interstate, walled in by trees and barriers, gives way to open fields and rolling pastures, the stress becomes less burdensome and the possibilities of what lies ahead becomes … Continue reading Texas
Getting out the door for a trip is always an adventure in and of itself. There's the inevitable Case of Too Many Blankets. There's the drama of Saying Goodbye to the Dog. The mystery of What Am I Forgetting? (Even with my lists, I sometimes have this problem.) Today recalled a brief scene from Star … Continue reading On the Road Again
What’s better than a road trip to see friends? A road trip to see friends and visit a national park together! When some friends of ours relocated to Kentucky, we wanted to go see them, but we decided to make a trip of it and meet up with them at Mammoth Cave National Park. … Continue reading Mammoth Cave National Park
I'm always on the lookout for new books for my kids. Not only are the avid readers, but story time, when I read to them, is one of our most cherished times of day. Not only do I want quality books and imaginative stories for them, but for me as well. I don't want to … Continue reading The Best Adventure Books for Kids