In the summer of 2012, I hit the road with my two girls (ages 4 and 8, at the time) to explore the beauty and diversity of the United States, with a special interest in its breathtaking national parks. Since that time, we have visited 22 states and 5 countries, explored 22 national parks, traveled thousands of miles, hiked many trails, traversed a few caves, run out of gas (twice!), shared lots of laughs and, most important, connected in ways that are priceless. Below is a chronicle of our adventures.
Asheville & Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Smoky landscapes, a 469-mile parkway carved through rugged mountains, valleys and national forests, a hip and progressive Southern city and the largest private home in the US, combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Amsterdam, Paris & Étretat
With canals, art museums, a 100-meter tall swing, cafes, fashion, alabaster stone cliffs, a rich history and so much more, the Netherlands and France offer a diversity of experiences to suit everyone. A truly amazing adventure!
London & Italy
History, architecture, culture, and a hip neighborhood in London, plus ancient ruins, art, gastronomy, rugged coastline and hiking in Italy, equals a fabulous European vacation.
Civil Rights Tour
A deeply moving and educational journey through the American south and pivotal points in the Civil Rights Movement.
South Dakota & Chicago
Grasslands that give way to forests of ponderosa pine, an awe-inspiring landscape left desolate by water and wind, the shores of Lake Michigan, iconic architecture and numerous other points of interest. This is South Dakota and the Windy City.
British Columbia & The Canadian Rockies
An urban oasis, incredible mountain vistas, surreal alpine lakes, majestic glaciers, and miles and miles of hiking trails. This is Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies.
Cruising Alaska's Inside Passage
A network of waterways that snake through some of the most beautiful wilderness in the world -- beautiful bays and harbors, old-growth forest, snow-capped mountains and glaciers galore!
Anchorage, Denali & Kenai Fjords
With mountains, forests, glaciers, wide-open spaces, eight national parks, abundant wildlife and many small towns, each with its own character, Alaska is breathtakingly beautiful!
Colorado
With four national parks, fifty-eight 14,000-feet mountain peaks, 8 national monuments, 2 national recreation areas, and numerous other historic sites, forests, trails, wilderness areas and wildlife refuges, Colorado is a playground for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The Island of Hawaii
From beautiful sandy beaches to waterfalls, volcanoes, exotic flowers, and miles and miles of scenic drives, the Big Island is an island like no other. Oh, and we swam with dolphins!
Maui
An incredibly diverse island, offering miles of perfect beaches, lush green valleys, breathtaking sunsets, and treks across moonlike terrain.
Wyoming & Arizona
An unforgettable experience exploring red rock formations, miles of hiking trails, and the awe-Inspiring beauty of two national parks -- Grand Teton and Grand Canyon. And, we finally saw a moose!
Big Sky & Yellowstone
The spectacular beauty of the world's first national park and an outdoor playground, complete with a zipline adventure, rafting, and horseback riding.
Utah & Idaho
Snowfall in June, natural limestone caves, a high-altitude wilderness drive, cascading waterfalls, surprising conversations, and more!
The Oregon Coast
Lewis & Clark, Sea Lions, a Magnificent Drive along the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway & More!
Crater Lake & Redwood National and State Parks
Brilliant blue water, plus towering redwoods, equals two magnificent national parks.
San Juan Island & Portland
With whale watching, endless hiking trails, a breathtaking scenic loop and a delicious food scene, it's the pacific northwest at its best.
Seattle
A giant ferris wheel, an aquarium, zoo, garden and glass museum and lush, green parks are just some of the features that combine to make Seattle a vibrant and very kid-friendly city.
Montreal & Niagara Falls
A whirlwind tour of an incredibly vibrant and kid-friendly city, followed by an exploration of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Acadia National Park
The oldest national park east of the Mississippi River and the only national park in the Northeast also has the distinction of being the first national park we ever visited. It was love at first sight!