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Backpacking the Beautiful Little Lakes Valley Trail (Near Rock Creek)

Little Lakes Valley in the Eastern Sierras is one of the most beautiful hikes in the high sierra and one our favorite backpacking hikes in California with kids and for beginners. This beautiful hike follows along a creek, passes several

10 Unexpected Life Lessons From My 11 Year Old on the John Muir Trail

This summer, I hiked 180 miles of the 211+ mile John Muir Trail (JMT) with my 11 year old son. The JMT runs through the Eastern Sierra mountains in California, starting from Yosemite Valley to the summit of Mount Whitney,

Seeking Out the Beauty of Mammoth Lakes Fall Colors

Did you know that you can find fall colors in California? While New England wins hand down for the best fall colors, those of us on the west coast can also cash in on this fall favorite. Mammoth Lakes fall

Hiking the John Muir Trail: A Helpful Beginner’s Guide

More than 1,500 people attempt to walk the entire John Muir Trail every year. A bit more than half of them succeed in a good year, with less than a third making it through in a year with natural challenges

7 Surprising Reasons Iraq Should Be on Your Bucket List

Bits of conversions and names swirl in my head as I dizzily walk half asleep from one plane to the other. Abu Haider “Shall I follow you” Noor!! Pst pst pst It’s hard to imagine the fear I felt just

5 Reasons You Will Love Uganda: Africa’s Most Underrated Safari Destination

When you think of going on a safari, Uganda most likely does not pop into your head first thing. Instead you are imagining driving along the plains of the Serengeti or through Kruger National Park in South Africa. While this

Everything You Need To Know About Gorilla Trekking In Uganda

We went to Uganda for the sole purpose of gorilla trekking. It exceeded all of our expectations plus some. Seeing these majestic animals in their natural habitat (because they don’t live in zoos anywhere in the world!) is truly a

10 Great Tips to Visit the Galapagos Islands with Kids

One of the most epic vacation destinations in the world is the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador. Even though it’s often considered one of the world’s top places for wildlife-viewing, many families don’t feel it’s a trip to do with their

10 Excellent Tips for Planning a Trip to Uganda

One of the most awe inspiring bucket list trips you can make is to Uganda. Dubbed the Pearl of Africa, this underrated country offers unique and diverse wildlife viewing, year round beautiful weather and extraordinary hospitality. It is a trip

7 Big Mistakes to Avoid in Planning a Trip to Yellowstone

There is a plethora of information on the web about planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, but most of it focuses on what you should do and see. But this guide is different. Here I am going to tell

13 Amazing Things to Do in Oklahoma City

Are you headed out on Route 66 going through Oklahoma City? If you find yourself passing through this vibrant capital city in middle America, make some time to check out all the amazing things to do in Oklahoma City. From

The Ultimate Guide to Exploring Yosemite with Kids

A family trip to Yosemite National Park is the quintessential American summer holiday. Exploring Yosemite with kids while camping (or glamping as it is for us!), splashing through rivers, and spying out some of the best natural scenes in the

Homeschooling for Beginners: What You Need to Start

Homeschooling has become more popular these past few years due to the pandemic, so I thought I would share more about our homeschool journey, including the whys and hows of what we do. – in essence homeschooling for beginners! To

Ultimate Guide to Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail

Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail is a bucket list trail for many in Southern California. Located 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island offers diverse rugged scenery with opportunities for outdoor activities like diving, snorkeling, hiking and