road trip

Our Summer Alaska Adventure

by

For the 4th year in a row, we have been so lucky to spend a week of our summer with friends who live in Texas. My son, being an only child looks forward to this week with his two buddies as much as I look forward to having adult time while the kids are occupied.  Not only is it wonderful to get to travel with our friends and share these summer experiences together, it is so amazing to spend time with a family who has the same love for adventure, travel, the outdoors and photography that we do. For me, it really is a highlight of my year, so I hope we are able to keep it up for many years to come.

Our first year, we took a quick 4 day trip to Yosemite Valley. That trip started my son’s absolute love of the National Park System and even more so, created his obsession with being a park ranger when he grows up. Year 2, we went all in with a 10 day road trip through Arizona and Utah. This was a super fun trip that took in so many different landscapes as well as tested our abilities to travel on an extended basis together. Year 3 took us to Oregon where we traveled to the Central and Southern areas of the state. By our kid’s accounts, that trip had the best accommodation options on any of our trips!  And year 4 – a week long (for them, 10 days for us) road trip catching the major sites of Alaska by land.

Read more

Ultimate Guide to Planning a Trip to Ireland in 2023

by

Are you planning a trip to Ireland? If so, you have come to the right place! For the last 20 years I have taken a family trip to Ireland almost on a yearly basis. Because of this, I often get emails asking for help in planning a trip to Ireland. “What should I do in … Read more

13 Affordable But Spectacular Things To Do In Page Arizona

by

Are you heading to Arizona? If so you must visit the little town that has blown up in recent years. There are so many things to do in Page Arizona that you will need to plan a few days to really experience it all. From kayaking to canyon hiking and stunning vista points, there are … Read more

11 Extraordinary Road Trips in California You Will Love

by

California is the perfect destination for families, couples and solo adventurers looking to explore everything from national parks to iconic beaches. California is massive which means at some point or another you will find yourself driving around it. For those looking to get out and explore, California is your ideal destination. Below we share some of our favorite road trips in California and some we hope to take soon.

Read more

The Most Epic Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary (SF to LA)

by

Are you researching for an epic Pacific Coast Highway road trip itinerary? If so, you have come to the right place. This is one of our favorite road trips in the world, especially between California’s most vibrant cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. When we first moved to California we planned to slowly work … Read more

The Old West Revisited in Philipsburg Montana with Mining, Hiking & More

by

Montana is known as a nature lovers paradise and the treasure state, but what it also holds dear are traditions of the past. In Philipsburg Montana you can not only experience beautiful scenery, but also life in an old western town now dubbed as a ghost town full of a rich history worth exploring.  If you only have time for one adventure on your Yellowstone or Montana vacation, this is the place to go! 

Here you can go sapphire mining, stroll through an old ghost town mining camp, go fly fishing and so much more. The adorable town lined with antique storefronts and shops make Philipsburg a picturesque start to any adventure in the state.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Read more

16 Beautiful West Coast National Park Road Trip Stops

by

Ever dreamed of hitting all the big parks on an epic West Coast national park road trip? I know that it’s long been a dream of mine to drive from Seattle down to Los Angeles hitting as many of the national parks as possible. These days we have visited almost all the parks, but no … Read more

Finding Fall Colors in Bishop, California

by

Growing up in Texas and spending most of my adult life in places that do not experience fall, I had had enough and wanted to find some cooler air and pretty fall foliage in Southern California! My nature loving sidekick was game as he has been searching for fallen leaves representing all the colors of fall. So off we went.

You may not think of Southern California as a place to see fall colors, and you are right! To really experience it, we had to drive several hours away. After doing our diligent research, the closest place to Los Angeles to see the true turning of the seasons from hot summer days to brisk cool mornings is in the Eastern Sierras, specifically around Bishop, California. 

Read more

17 Spectacular Things to Do in Death Valley

by

Looking for a spectacular place to visit that feels out of this world? Then, check out our favorite things to do in Death Valley to consider for an out of this planet trip.

What do you think of when you hear Death Valley? Hottest Place on Earth. Yep. Desolate and barren. Yep. Even though Death Valley is synonymous with these images, I think that like most people, I didn’t really have a clear image in my head of what it would look like. I’m not quite sure what I was expecting, but what I got definitely wasn’t it.

The following is our rundown with our thoughts on the best Death Valley things to do, where to stay and eat and one day itinerary suggestions for those just passing through Death Valley on a day trip.

Read more

7 Must Visit Spots on the McKenzie River, Oregon

by

Oregon is renowned for outdoor recreation and the wild and scenic McKenzie River, Oregon is a great place to experience so much the state has to offer. The McKenzie River is a tributary of the Willamette River that runs through this area and is a favorite spot for mountain bikers, hikers, and rafting and fishing enthusiasts alike

On our multi-family road trip to Oregon, we started our adventure on the the McKenzie River located in the lush green forests east of Eugene. This river is not only beautiful, it is special in that it is fed by a network of cold (ice cold!) springs located under lava flows in the Cascade Range. Some of this water has been underground for 7 years! Because of how the river is supplied, even with the epic drought in the West, the river never runs dry.  

From hiking on old lava flows to relaxing in ancient hot springs, the McKenzie River in Oregon is loaded with family friendly fun. The McKenzie River area is one of our favorite spots to visit in the Pacific Northwest. Read on for our recommendations on what to do, where to stay and what to eat while visiting this beautiful part of Oregon.

Read more

6 Epic Natural Hot Springs Near Mammoth

by

Are you looking for the best natural hot springs near Mammoth? If so, come right on in!

If there is one thing that everyone in our family can agree on, it’s our love for hot pools of water! It can be a jacuzzi or a natural hot spring, just as long as it’s hot. On our recent road trip to the Mammoth Lake area, we decided to take some time to hop around to the different hot springs in the area. I knew of a few, but we found so many more – some of which we couldn’t even venture out to see due to the roads being a mess after winter.

I guess we will have to go back in the fall when the leaves are changing colors and the air is getting cooler to check those out. For now, here are some of the favorite hot springs in California near Mammoth mountain that we found.

Read more

10+ Awesome Stops You’ll Love On An Alaska Road Trip

by

 

When you tell most people you are going to Alaska they assume you are going on a cruise. For years I also thought that was the only way to see America’s last frontier. However, the best way to get the full experience is to plan a perfect Alaska road trip itinerary full of stops most cruise ships don’t even see. The drive from Anchorage to Seward has even won awards for being one of the most beautiful drives in the country. During your road trip, you will be showered with breathtaking landscapes, stunning mountains, glaciers and of course wildlife.

While a cruise can provide a wonderful experience, not much can beat an Alaska road trip in my opinion. Road trips allow you plenty of time to explore a destination with spontaneity, allowing you to uncover hidden gems along the way as well as providing the ability to explore breathtaking landscapes off the beaten path. For families, it’s imperative to have flexibility which is another reason we opted to experience Alaska by land.

Read on for all of our tips on creating the perfect Alaska road trip itinerary starting in Anchorage.

Read more

10 Super Fun Things to Do in Red Lodge MT

by

Are you ready to fall in love with small town America? Then you must check out all the fun things to do in Red Lodge MT. On our recent Montana road trip, our first stop was in the adorable town of Red Lodge. This town proves to be the perfect base for the start of a Yellowstone road trip. From amazing restaurants, small town charm and history galore you will not be bored in this cute town. Before you head off on your adventure down the Beartooth Highway onto Yellowstone, here are some really great things to do to inspire you to stay over in Red Lodge!

Read more

Hawaii Big Island Road Trip: A Family Adventure

by

Hawaii Big Island Road Trip: A Family Adventure

When most people think of Hawaii, the image that comes to mind is of laying on the beach, relaxing while the sun sets over the ocean. You can do this on the Big Island of Hawaii, but if that’s all you do, you will miss out on so much more that the island has to offer. The largest of the Hawaiian islands has it all, from active volcanoes and lush rain forests to sandy beaches and snow capped peaks. The Big Island offers something for everyone, making it a great destination for families who love to get out and explore.

Read more

Ultimate Australian Road Trip Ideas

by

Ultimate Australian Road TripAustralia is a destination that has been on my travel wishlist for ages. From the beautiful beaches, the Outback’s barren remoteness to trendy cities like Melbourne, Australia is a dream destination. Being big animal lovers and massive road trip fans, it goes without saying how alluring Australia is with their unique wildlife viewing opportunities and self-drive tours of the country.

Best Road Trips AustraliaA country almost the size of the continental US is not easy to see in a short amount of time, which is exactly why it keeps getting pushed down my wishlist. If I could easily fly between destinations and see it quickly, I would have already visited, but as any Australian will tell you, there is no better way to experience all that the country has to offer than by road. My dream is to hire or buy a campervan for several months and hit the road for the ultimate Australian road trip.

For a little travel inspiration and to keep track of the information for myself, here are the best Australian road trip routes with tips and information how to make this dream a reality.

Read more

Rickshaw Run FAQs

by

Rickshaw Run FAQsIf you have found yourself here, chances are you are considering or have already signed up for the Rickshaw Run that happens several times a year in India. If you have an adventurous spirit and a little bit of the crazy gene, a desire to see India in a way most people don’t and are willing to risk limbs for it, then this is something you should aim to do. Don’t panic though, it will be amazing. Driving an auto rickshaw across India in the name of charity continues to be one of the most adventurous things I have done in my life. And it ruled. Ok. Truth be told, it actually probably sucked more often than it was awesome at the time, but now looking back, it was the most exhilarating adventure I had in my many years of living in India. Even with years of Mumbai living under my belt, the Rickshaw Run is what truly opened my eyes to the greatness of India and her people.

In the years since doing the Rickshaw Run, we have been asked the same questions over and over, so I decided to finally collate my years of emails and share the answers here with you.

Read more

Calico Ghost Town | Perfect Stop Between Las Vegas & LA

by

Calico Ghost TownEver since moving to California I have heard of it’s ghost towns. The few I have on my list to visit haven’t been on any route we’ve taken, so when I happened across Calico Ghost Town on our way back from Utah last summer, I was excited to make a stop.

Calico Ghost Town is perfectly located in the middle of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, making it a great stop over point for a break on the long boring drive. I will warn you though, it probably isn’t quite what you imagine a ghost town to be like, or at least it wasn’t what I thought it would look like. It is super touristy but also provides a real sense for what life might have been like back in the day.

Read more

Our Epic Utah and Arizona Grand Canyon Road Trip

by

Road tripping is the quintessential American summer vacation. We joined the masses this year with a 10 day road trip through Arizona and Utah.  Our epic journey took us to 4 national parks as well as some classic American gems –Route 66, the wonders of the Grand Canyon, rafting down the Colorado River and hiking through a … Read more