Our final stop brought us to Natural Bridge State Park in Kentucky—a place with some beautiful scenery, but a few camping caveats we wish we had known ahead of time. We stayed at the Whittleton Campground, and let’s just say this: if you’re towing a big RV, don’t do it. The roads are narrow, winding, and not made for large rigs. Getting in and out was a tight, sketchy adventure all its own. If you're traveling with a bigger camper, we highly recommend staying at Middle Fork Campground instead.

The park also has a hotel, a pool (though it’s $6 per person even for campers), and plenty of hiking options, but we found it a bit confusing to navigate and not quite as relaxing as some of our earlier campgrounds. It wasn’t the best campground to end on after the beautiful places we’d just come from, but we still managed to find adventure.

As for the park itself, Natural Bridge is an impressive sight. We hiked up in the blazing heat to reach it, and although the trail was steep, the view was absolutely worth it. Standing underneath—and then walking across the top of the massive sandstone arch—was a pretty surreal experience. If hiking’s not your thing, there’s a sky lift that can take you to the top instead.

One unexpected gem? The historic Nada Tunnel—a narrow, one-lane tunnel carved through rock that was once used for logging. Driving through it felt like a step back in time and leads you straight into the Daniel Boone National Forest, setting the stage for our favorite experience of this stop.

The highlight of our stay? A wild off-roading Jeep trip. With steep drop-offs, creek crossings, boulder climbs, and tight forest squeezes, it was equal parts terrifying and thrilling. (I only closed my eyes twice, so that’s a win!) Our guide, John, was amazing—calm, knowledgeable, and always on the walkie-talkie talking Jess through every intense obstacle. It pushed us out of our comfort zone in the best way and gave us a truly unforgettable finish to our adventure.

And speaking of water…
The highlight of our time here was, hands down, whitewater rafting down the New River with Cantrell Rafting. It was an absolutely unforgettable experience. Not only did we get to see the gorge from a totally different perspective—on the river itself—but we also got to ride some epic Class III and IV rapids that had us laughing, paddling, and hanging on tight.
We stopped for a lunch break on the riverbank, with plenty of chances to jump in and cool off along the way. One of the most memorable moments? Watching Mia fearlessly leap off Jump Rock, a roughly 20-foot drop into the river. Our guide said she was the youngest kid he’d ever seen take the plunge—and she didn’t even hesitate. Proud parent moment for sure!
We can’t say enough great things about Cantrell Rafting and our guide, Cody. He was professional, knowledgeable about the area’s history and geology, and kept us laughing during the slower stretches of the trip. The perfect balance of thrill, education, and pure fun.
New River Gorge gave us one of the best days of the trip so far—and definitely one we’ll be talking about for a long time.

After the hustle of D.C., we headed for some much-needed nature and relaxation in Luray, Virginia, where we stayed at the Luray RV Resort on the Shenandoah River. The campground is fairly new, and while it could definitely use more shade trees (especially on the scorching summer days we were there for), the location couldn’t have been better.

Back at the campground, the pool was a lifesaver on the hot days. The kids loved the waterslides too! We cooled off and enjoyed some downtime by the water. All in all, this stop gave us the perfect mix of adventure and rest, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

While in Luray, we managed to snag reservations to hike Old Rag Mountain—a trail known for its challenging terrain and epic summit views. We knew it would be tough, but we didn’t expect to be tackling it on a 95-degree day. Determined to beat the heat (and not pass out in the process), we got an early start and chose the shorter 5.5-mile route from the Berry Hollow Trailhead instead of the full 9-mile loop.
Getting to the trailhead was an adventure of its own. As we drove, we quickly lost all cell service, and the paved road gave way to narrow, winding dirt paths. More than once we were convinced we were lost in the middle of nowhere—but we stuck with it, and eventually made it to the trailhead. Just when we thought the journey couldn’t get any more unexpected, a black bear crossed the road right in front of us! It was too fast to grab a photo, but definitely a heart-pounding, unforgettable moment.
The hike itself was grueling in the heat—steep climbs, rocky scrambles, and sweat pouring down—but when we finally reached the top, it was all worth it. The panoramic views from the summit were absolutely breathtaking, stretching over the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains as far as the eye could see.
It wasn’t the hike we planned, but it turned into a wild, beautiful adventure that we won’t forget any time soon.

Cherry Hill Campground
We conquered another big city—Washington, D.C.! This stop was both exciting and surprisingly easy, thanks to our stay at Cherry Hill Campground. Not only is it the closest campground to the city, but it’s also incredibly well-run and clean, with great amenities and a friendly vibe.
One of the coolest parts? Each night, the campground hosts a sightseeing info session all about navigating D.C.—and it was a game changer. Jess and I decided to check it out, and we’re so glad we did. We walked away with a solid understanding of how to use public transportation, plus plenty of insider tips that made our visit smoother and more enjoyable.
From bus routes to Metro cards, they explained everything in a way that made even us small-town travelers feel confident about heading into the capital. What could have been a stressful experience turned into an easy, exciting day full of discovery—and it all started with a well-timed info session at our campground. Cherry Hill truly made D.C. doable!

Months before our trip, we booked a Best of D.C. tour through Viator, and it ended up being one of the most incredible highlights of our entire journey. After a restful night at Cherry Hill Campground, we woke up ready to dive into America’s capital—armed with public transportation tips from the campground’s info session and excited for a full day of history, monuments, and patriotic awe.
Our day began at the Library of Congress, where we met our friendly and knowledgeable tour guide and the rest of our group by the Neptune Fountain. From there, we kicked off an unforgettable adventure.
First stop: reserved entry into the U.S. Capitol Building. We watched a short film on the history of U.S. government before heading inside for a guided walking tour of this iconic building where both the Senate and House of Representatives meet. Walking through the halls of power was nothing short of surreal.

After our time in New Jersey, we rolled into Delaware Seashore State Park for our next stop. At first glance, the campground felt more like a packed parking lot than a peaceful escape; tight sites, close quarters, and not much privacy. But what it lacked in space, it more than made up for in location.

One of the most striking features of this stop was the beautiful bridge that towers over the inlet. Whether lit up at night or catching the sun during the day, it added a dramatic touch to the scenery. We may not have had a lot of space at our site, but the views and easy beach access gave us exactly what we came for: a relaxing seaside escape.

Our time in New Jersey was short. The real highlight wasn’t the scenery or the campground, it was visiting family. After all the miles on the road, reconnecting with family was exactly what we needed. Laughter, stories, and play time with cousins reminded us why this stop was so important.

We camped at Turkey Swamp County Park, which had spacious sites and a peaceful setting. That said… it definitely lived up to its name. It was muddy, sticky, and unbelievably humid—a classic swamp experience. While it served its purpose as a place to sleep, it’s probably not on our “must-camp-again” list. Next time we’re in the area, we’ll look for a spot with a little less muck and a little more breeze.

One bonus was its proximity, just 40 minutes from the South Amboy Ferry and 30 minutes from family. The location made our spontaneous NYC day trip super convenient. Free parking and an easy ferry ride turned what could’ve been a stressful city day into an exciting adventure.

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap:
We also stumbled across a total gem, Tommy’s Tavern + Tap. From the moment we walked in, we loved the vibe. The food? Next-level. Between the poke bowls, sushi, and ahi tuna wrap, everything was fresh and flavorful. The menu had something for everyone, the drinks were great, and we all agreed we’d absolutely go back if we’re ever in the area again. Unexpected finds like this make the journey even better.

New Jersey to NYC: Out of Our Comfort Zone and Into the City That Never Sleeps
While camping in New Jersey, we found ourselves so close to New York City that we couldn’t resist the urge to spend a day exploring. Now let’s be honest, we are not city people. The thought of navigating crowded streets and figuring out public transportation...totally out of our comfort zone. But sometimes the best memories come from taking the leap... and we’re so glad we did.

A Powerful and Unforgettable Stop
Our main goal for the day was to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and the ferry dropped us just a short walk away. As we stood in front of the reflecting pools, surrounded by names and the sound of water, we were struck silent. The museum itself was emotional, sobering, and deeply moving—an experience we’ll never forget and one that was well worth stepping outside our normal routine.

Statue of Liberty and More
Of course, no trip to NYC is complete without seeing Lady Liberty herself. As we made our way toward the ferry ticket line, we were approached by a representative from Big City Tourism, a local tour company. Despite reading some mixed reviews, we decided to go for it—and we’re so glad we did.
Yes, it cost a little more, but it was totally worth it. We hopped on a boat tour that cruised past the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and even took us under the Brooklyn Bridge, all while our fun, energetic, and knowledgeable guide pointed out NYC’s must-see sights and fun facts. For us novice big-city explorers, it was the perfect, no-stress way to soak in the iconic views without getting lost in the hustle.
By the end of the day, we were exhausted, inspired, and proud. We took a leap into unfamiliar territory and made memories we’ll be talking about for years.

Times Square: A Quick Dose of the Hustle
​Our last stop of the day was the iconic Times Square. With Willow waiting back at the camper, we knew we couldn’t linger too long. This was the first moment we really felt the true buzz of NYC...the flashing lights, crowds of people, honking taxis, and non-stop motion. By this point, we were hot, tired, and a little overwhelmed, so it ended up being a quick photo op before hopping in a taxi and heading back to the ferry. In hindsight, we all agreed that next time, we’d skip Times Square and opt for a stroll through Central Park instead. A green space, some shade, and a slower pace? That’s way more our style.

Our Connecticut stop was short but surprisingly sweet! We rolled into Riverdale Farm Campsite, a spot that had us a bit unsure at first thanks to some mixed online reviews—but it turned out to be a total hidden gem. Nestled in a quiet, tree-lined area, the campground was peaceful, clean, and exactly what we needed after a day on the road.
Even with a tight schedule and just an overnight stay, the staff went above and beyond to make things easy. We weren’t sure if we’d arrive early, but they were super flexible and even waived the early check-in fee when plans shifted. You don’t always get that kind of kindness and hospitality, and we really appreciated it.

And of course, Willow was in her element again—this time, it was squirrel central. The trees and open spaces were practically a playground for her nose and ears. She spent the whole evening on high alert, joyfully zigzagging from tree to tree like it was her own personal safari. Watching her excitement added an extra layer of fun to our stay.

Before leaving Connecticut, we squeezed in a visit to the stunning Hammonasset Beach State Park. Even with limited time, this place blew us away. The beach stretched wide and welcoming, and we took our time strolling the shore, hunting for treasures. Between the sparkling sea glass, smooth driftwood, and colorful shells, it felt like a real-life scavenger hunt with the ocean breeze in our hair.
We wished we had more time to soak it all in, but this quick stop gave us a little taste of Connecticut’s coastal beauty—and now we’re already dreaming of a return trip!

Our Rhode Island stop may have been quick, but it packed a punch! We pulled in for an overnight stay at Fisherman’s Memorial State Park, and what a gem! This campground is perfectly nestled just minutes from stunning state beaches, the Block Island ferry, and a slew of local restaurants. The campsites were spacious, and the kids loved burning off energy on the basketball and pickleball courts. We can’t forget to mention Willow, our adventure-loving pup. Out of all the places we’ve camped, this one may have been her absolute favorite. She is completely obsessed with rabbits and squirrels—and this park had rabbits galore. She was on high alert (and high excitement) the entire time, tail wagging and nose twitching with every bunny sighting. Her joy alone made this campground memorable!

We wrapped up our evening with a peaceful walk along Salty Brine State Beach, where the waves gently lapped the shore and the sky painted itself in pastel pinks and oranges. Live music spilled out from the nearby restaurants, giving the entire area a festive, summer-night feel. It was the perfect way to end our short but sweet Rhode Island adventure.

Adventuring with Family: Keene, New Hampshire and Mount Monadnock
One of the best (and sometimes wildest) parts of traveling cross-country with our 5th Wheel RV is the unpredictability. Every stop is a new adventure, and sometimes the adventure starts before we even unpack! Our latest destination: the charming town of Keene, New Hampshire. We set up camp at the peaceful and wooded Ashuelot River Campground, but our arrival didn’t come without a little hiccup—one of our front stabilizers broke while setting up.

After a bit of troubleshooting, we realized it wasn’t a fix we could make mid-trip. So, in true road warrior fashion, we adapted. A quick trip to a nearby tool store for a jack, and we were back in business—leveling the RV manually for the rest of the journey. It’s not ideal, but when you're traveling as a family, you learn quickly that flexibility is everything.

The highlight of our time in the Keene area, though, was Mount Monadnock. As the most climbed mountain in the U.S., we couldn’t pass it up! And wow, what a climb. Over 1,800 feet of elevation gain in just a little over 4 miles round trip. It challenged every one of us—but in the best way.

The weather was perfect for hiking—cool and comfortable—though a little too cloudy to offer the panoramic views Monadnock is known for. If you’re from Wisconsin, imagine Devil’s Lake State Park on steroids. The trail was a mix of giant boulders, natural stone staircases, and playful stream crossings. It was part hike, part scramble, and full-on adventure.

Traveling with family always comes with its share of surprises, but that’s part of the fun. From broken stabilizers to boulder-strewn trails, we’re embracing the journey one stop at a time. Keene, you were a rugged, beautiful, and unforgettable part of the ride.

One of the unexpected highlights near Keene was exploring the historic covered bridges scattered throughout the region. These charming wooden bridges, some dating back to the 1800s, feel like stepping into a storybook. Things got a little tricky, our RV and truck definitely don’t fit through these narrow, low-clearance bridges, thankfully our campsite gave us the heads up! There were also unexpected dirt roads and tunnels, made for a fun adventure.

And we’re off! The long-awaited Family Trip 2025 has officially begun. But like all good adventures, ours started with a little unexpected drama. We had our sights set on hitting the road by 4:30 AM, but just before departure—at 3:45 AM—we heard an unusual ruckus from the chicken coop.
Jess and the kids grabbed a flashlight and rushed outside to find one of our hens had been taken out by a surprise visitor—a raccoon! Of all mornings, right? Jess handled it quickly to make sure the rest of the flock (and our neighbor kids who are watching the animals while we’re gone) wouldn’t wake up to a real-life horror show. Crisis averted and we were rolling our on time!

We’re passing through ten states on this loop out east, and this stop was meant to be a quick overnight—definitely more scenic than a Walmart parking lot.

​The park was a pleasant surprise. Spacious grassy campsites with electric hookups (though no water at individual sites, so we filled up at the station on the way in). It wasn’t crowded at all, and we even had a partial view of Lake Erie from our site. Some spots were even closer to the water.

A short walk took us to the lake’s edge. The main “beach” was a bit underwhelming—lots of algae—but we wandered farther and found some beautiful stretches with no algae, just cool shale rock formations and sandy cliffs. The kids loved skipping rocks and exploring along the shoreline.

The highlight of the evening? A stunning Lake Erie sunset!

• Spacious, grassy campsites
  
• Electric hookups (no water at site)
  
• Lake views
  
• Playgrounds (though the basketball hoop was out of commission)
  
• Frisbee golf course
  
• Quiet and peaceful—perfect for a one-night stay
  

Next stop: Onward to the next state and the next adventure. Let’s see what surprises tomorrow brings (hopefully fewer raccoons).

Ishnala is known for its classic supper club atmosphere, offering a menu filled with delicious steaks, fresh seafood, and homemade desserts. The warm, inviting interior is perfect for enjoying a hearty meal after a day of exploring the fall foliage along Mirror Lake.

​Visiting Ishnala Supper Club in the fall is a delightful way to experience the beauty of Wisconsin while enjoying delicious food. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, it’s a must-visit destination this season. Enjoy the flavors of fall surrounded by nature’s stunning display!

If you're looking for a perfect fall hike, Mirror Lake should be at the top of your list. ​As the leaves change, Mirror Lake transforms into a beautiful canvas of reds, oranges, and yellows. The reflection of the colorful foliage on the calm water is simply breathtaking. Plus, the cooler temperatures make hiking more enjoyable, allowing you to take in the scenery without breaking a sweat.

Whether you’re an adventurer, a photographer, or simply seeking tranquility, Devil's Lake State Park in the fall is a must-visit destination that showcases nature's splendor at its finest. We could not pass up an opportunity to visit Devils Lake this fall. With not a lot of time, we stayed on the lower tumbled rocks trail around the lake. The fall foliage was very close to peak, the weather was gorgeous, and crowds were minimal early in the morning which made this quick stop worthwhile.  

There’s something uniquely peaceful about walking along the shoreline with the sound of waves lapping at your feet and the fresh breeze off Lake Michigan filling your lungs.

Beachcombing is an art of patience and attention to detail. While walking the beach, keep your gaze low and look for small, colorful glints among the stones and pebbles. Beach glass often hides in the soft sand or just beneath the shoreline rocks, blending in with the environment. The fun is in the hunt—there’s something immensely satisfying about discovering a perfectly smoothed piece of glass, shaped by nature.

​Beach glass often comes in shades of greens, blues, and browns—colors from old bottles or broken glassware. On rare occasions, you might find a piece of white glass or even a less common shade of red or purple. Each fragment has a story, its history softened and transformed by the lake’s ebb and flow.

​Here are my 2 favorite locations to find beach glass.

​Simmons Island, located just north of Kenosha's bustling downtown, is one of the city’s most scenic and historic parks. With its iconic lighthouse and stretches of golden sand, it’s a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. But for those who take a slower approach to exploring the beach, it holds a secret treasure: beach glass.

This is probably my favorite spot for a Sunday morning stroll. The Beach House at Simmons Island is a great location to grab food/snacks and also adult beverages. During the summer months the Beach House has live music and is beautiful location to enjoy summer. 

Beach and Lakefront AccessGrant Park is also home to a beautiful stretch of Lake Michigan beach. It’s a perfect place to relax, swim, or beachcomb. Just beware that the beach is much rockier than Simmons Island. This offers a great opportunity for some great glass finds. In my experience, the glass pieces found were bigger than pieces founds at Simmons Island. The beach is easily accessible from the Seven Bridges Trail, making it a popular spot to rest after a scenic hike.

Seven Bridges Trail: A Must-Do HikeOne of the highlights of Grant Park is the Seven Bridges Trail, a nature trail that winds through woodlands, ravines, and over—you guessed it—seven wooden bridges. The trail feels like stepping into an enchanted forest, with lush trees, wildflowers, and the soothing sound of babbling creeks accompanying your journey.
The entrance to the trail is marked by an arched stone gateway with the welcoming message: "Enter this wild wood and view the haunts of nature." It’s one of the most photographed spots in the park, and for good reason—this hike offers one of the most immersive natural experiences in the Milwaukee area.
As you make your way along the Seven Bridges Trail, you'll encounter scenic views of Lake Michigan, especially from cliffside overlooks. The trail is well-maintained and offers both easy and moderate hiking routes, making it accessible to hikers of all skill levels.

Our travels from Port Angeles to Concrete Washington included taking a ferry ride from the peninsula. This was a cool experience and cheaper than I thought. Some locals on the ferry said that they have seen whales from time to time, but we did not have luck. We used the Port Townsend to Coupeville route. It was suggested to reserve your spot, which was a $10 fee online and then it was $21 when we got there. Pretty reasonable I thought. 

Ovenell’s Heritage Inn​-This was a really nice cabin in Concrete, Washington. It was very secluded. It had nice walking paths to the river and a view of Mt. Baker in the background. The cabin itself didn’t have a lot of amenities, but it worked just fine for what we where there to do. Fresh towels and replenished soaps and coffee were brought to us daily. The only downfall is the distance from the national park. In the picture above you can see one of the cabins, how remote it is, and Mt. Baker in the background. 

Thunder Knob
This was a really cool hike if you like hiking. If you are just going for a great view of Diablo Lake, skip it and just go to the overlook. Much better view at the overlook then at the top of Thunder Knob. We enjoyed the trail with the winding trail through the woods, a neat little stream crossing, and definitely a steady incline to the top.

Diablo Lake Overlook​-The Diablo Lake overlook is a must stop. This was the best view and you don’t have to work for it!

Trail of the Cedars and Gorge Powerhouse-Short little trails with cool suspension bridges in Newhalem. 

Maple Pass was so beautiful, even though we didn't get to do the entire loop due to too much snow on the top. We went as far as we could before it got really steep. I would love to do this hike after the snow melt to see all the wild flowers. Lake Ann is breathtaking with the mountains in the backdrop.

Rainy Lake-very easy, flat 2 mile hike that is paved. This trail veered off of the Maple Pass trail so we just combined it. It brings you to this beautiful lake with waterfalls all around it. This lake reminded us all of Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park. 

Ross Lake Dam-This hike was straight down for the first half and then straight back up, about 3 miles total. You could get to the dam and walk all the way across the top. Ross Lake resort is across the lake also. It would be amazing to stay there, you definitely need to reserve earlier than we looked. You have to hike to this resort and take a boat ferry across, would be a fun experience. 

Cascadia Rafting-This was a great experience. We had a blast rafting down the Skagit River. Pretty views and some fun rapids made for a memorable experience. This was mostly class 1 and 2 rapids and a really fun class 3 section. Definitely a great starter rafting trip or if you just want to see the North Cascades from a different vantage point. Nick was our guide and he was really knowledgable about the area and keeping us safe on the raft. He allowed for us to jump into the cold river if you wanted. Not a ton of pictures, I only took my camera out when we were in the "lazy river" section. 

Our next stop was this cool lake house right on Lake Sutherland. The water was very cold, but that didn't stop us from jumping in! Gorgeous sunsets and a great location for the next leg of our trip.

Mount Storm King-This hike definitely made our top 10 list of coolest hikes. This hike was over 2000 feet elevation gain and a steep incline the entire way. It finished with a scramble to the top and a rope to help get yourself up to the summit. Only 2 of the 4 of us did the final leg of the hike. Thankfully the boys took lots of pictures. My fear of heights would not have allowed me to complete this last leg of the hike. 

Marymere Falls-A short hike with a bit of stairs at the end, leads to this beutiful waterfall. We added this on our Mount Storm King hike since it is on the same trailhead.

Hurricane Ridge-This hike was a paved path and steady incline all the way. It was pretty cloudy for us on top, but a clear day would be spectacular. We saw a black bear in the valley on our hike and then we saw another black bear much closer when leaving the parking lot. The wild flowers were just starting to pop too!

Sol Duc Falls-Short easy hike, about 2 miles. This hike was our wettest of all. It was raining pretty hard so the trail was muddy. 

Salmon Cascades-Short stop to a view point of the salmon cascades. No salmon today, but I'm sure it would be cool to see in the fall when the salmon swim upstream!

Devil's Punchbowl-Easy 3 mile hike to this perfect spot to jump in! We did not partake today, due to not being able to check into or next rental spot for a few more hours so we were not prepared to take the cold plunge. We did get to see some people jumping in off the bridge into Devils Punchbowl, it looked really cold. I bet this is a popular spot when the temperatures start rising. Travis is also pointing to the top of Mount Storm King, which we hiked the day before. At least this is where he thinks it was! The tunnel was fun to walk through as well. This path is part of a bicycle trail that goes around Lake La Crescent. Nice trail to check out if you have your bicycles. 

Forks is a small little town known for vampires, Bigfoot, and rain. It is one of the rainiest towns in the US. The vampire popularity is because the fictional Twilight book/movie series was based in the town of Forks. For the big Twilight fans there is even a museum with movie props in town, we skipped that so no reviews here, haha! Although vampires are not up our alley, Mia did enjoy the Bigfoot swag in town. Apparently this area has a lot of claimed sightings. 

Olympic National Park is our next stop on our Washington tour. This park is huge so we split it up into two locations. First stop is Forks, WA. We stayed in a rental very close to the elk conservancy, great location and amenities. At this stop we were able to see some ginormous trees, mossy rainforest, and explored multiple beaches at low tide and a cool sunset!

Worlds Largest Spruce Tree-right on Lake Quinault is this quick stop. 

Hoh Rainforest-There was a little wait (maybe 15 minutes) to get into this entrance because the parking lot is so small. Definitely worth the wait to walk the the Spruce Nature Trail and the Hall of Mosses Trail. Very cool to walk among the giant mossy trees. 

Ruby Beach-We had great luck tide pooling here, low tide is a must. Sea stars were everywhere around the rocks by the big island. Got lucky that low tide just happened to be around 1 pm this day, which was the time we were driving through the area.

La Push-great spot for sunset

Rialto Beach Hole-in-the-Wall-This is about a 3 mile hike on the rocky/sandy beach. Definitely a must to go at low tide. We arranged our day around low tide to make this hike. This was one of the busiest spots on our trip due to the fact that everyone has to go at low tide. 

Our family trip this summer was a little different than in the past. We usually travel via truck and 5th wheel camper, however, the Pacific Northwest was a little past our range in the time frame we had to travel. 

Our first stop along our PNW tour, is Mount Rainier! Wow was she showing off for us. We were a little nervous with weather, not knowing how much snow was still left on the mountain. I decided to make room for our microspikes, just in case. It paid off! 

The Paradise entrance was the only entrance open June 11-13 while we were there. The road to the Sunrise entrance was not open yet due to snow. You also need a timed entry for this park and make sure to purchase the correct entrance. The drive up to the Paradise Visitor Center was beautiful and you could see gorgeous views of Mount Rainier and surrounding mountains the whole way. Like I said, we really lucked out with the weather and views.

This is the view point at Reflection Lake. As you can see the lake is still partially iced over. Still got a little reflection today! 

Perfect day to get some great shots of Rainier on our way up to the visitor center.

This was definitely one of our top 10 hikes! We wore micro spikes which helped a ton. This was not easy, with 1,115 feet of elevation gain. The mileage was only 3 miles total, but that elevation gain in snow was no joke. 

We did not get to finish this hike all the way due to melting snow. Rangers were stopping people at Glacier Vista because of the dangerous conditions up to panorama point. Although, we didn't get to complete the entire hike...it was still in our top 10 for difficulty and gorgeous views.

Narada Falls-quick stop and short walk

Trail of the Shadows and the Longmire Museum-easy little walk to see some really big trees

We stayed in a mountain view cabin in Packwood. It was a great location and very cozy. We had elk right out our window in the morning. 

Sand Boarding at the Dunes
For a small fee you can rent sand boards near the National Park, they do not rent inside the park. We rented for a the day and really had a blast around sunset. There were clouds rolling in, which gave us some nice shade. Definitely go early morning or near sunset, because the sand is super hot!! We went again the next day around 11 am and we didn’t last very long. The sand was unbearably hot!

Zapata Falls
Short, easy, rocky hike to the creek. If you follow the creek upstream you will come to a beautiful waterfall. The water is ice cold! This is not in the National Park, but just down the road from the park entrance.

Such an interesting National Park. Lots of history and some neat views of the ruins. Many pit houses and cliff dwellings. I would highly recommend booking a tour of a cliff dwelling. We weren’t so lucky. You have to book online at 8 am, exactly 2 weeks in advance. I missed it by a day and looked daily for openings with no luck. They no longer take day of reservations for tours, everything is done online…pretty disappointing. A guided tour is the only way to see the ruins up close. There are no more self-guided tours at Spruce Tree House. I does look like they have plans to renovate it in the future, so I really hope that happens.

Also, summer of 2023 the park was doing road work. We were only able to see half of the park. We tried to make the most of our time at Mesa Verde even though we were unable to see the whole park and also missed out on a guided tour.

​Petroglyph Point Hike
This was a really fun hike. It was advertised as strenuous, and it was. You could walk just the top half to climb down to see the petroglyphs and go back, but I would suggest doing the whole thing. It was a beautiful hike!

We stayed at many dark sky parks on this trip, but Mesa Verde was the best view of the stars due to a full moon at the other parks. I never figured out how to take a night sky photo with our Cannon camera, so my iPhone is all I could get! 

Page, Arizona is a beautiful town. So much to see and do in the area. Some of our favorite excursions were near Page! Hiking The Wave, touring Antelope Canyon X, seeing Horseshoe Bend at sunset, and swimming at Lone Rock were all such fun experiences! 

This was definitely a bucket list hike! Months in advance I applied for a permit for this hike and somehow won! They only allow up to 20 groups and 60 people to hike per day. I really didn’t realize how hard it was to get a permit until we were here. Many locals were shocked we got one and said they knew people that were trying for years!

The day before the hike, we attended their safety meeting. Road conditions, safety for hiking in the heat, and trail tips were all covered. Honestly, besides road conditions the rest we were already prepared for. The meeting actually was more of a scare tactic for us, we are pretty experienced hikers and this meeting made us be over prepared.

The hike itself is about 3-4 miles one way, depending on how much you venture off to see surrounding features. I would say the hike is a moderate hike, about 1000 feet elevation gain. There were actually more trail markers than we thought and you can see other hikers tracks in the sand. We downloaded the AllTrails map and had no problems navigating our way. We even went to see some other rock formations that were off the trail.

The hardest part of the hike was beating the heat. We started at sunrise around 5:30 am. It was going to be in the 90’s by 10:30 am so our goal was to be back to the truck by then. A sunrise start was perfect. We were in the shade pretty much the whole way to The Wave.

​Pay $10 for the parking fee and walk about 1/2 mile to see the overlook. We went and sunset and saw some spectacular colors!

We chose to take the Antelope Canyon X Tour because we wanted smaller crowds in the slot canyon. “X” is the same canyon as the iconic Antelope Canyon just a different part. We only had 13 people in our group and were given lots of time to wander around the slot canyon on our own. It was exactly what we were looking for in our slot canyon experience. Our guide was great and took pictures for us and gave tips on camera settings.

​With the heat we definitely needed to cool off. We checked out two swimming spots. Lake Powell is huge, so I'm sure there were more in the area. 

We spend two days exploring the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. 

Cape Final Trail
About a 4 mile trail. Perfect if you don't have a lot of time. Mostly shaded through the forest, perfect for this hot day. The trail leads to some beautiful views!

Bright Angel Point Trail
Easy walk to a lookout, less than a mile. Close to the visitor center.

Cape Royal Trail
Easy paved trail, about a mile. Great views of the canyon and a natural bridge. 

Our UTV guide showed the kids the fun of Spear Grass! All our hikes afterwards involved Spear Grass wars, LOL!

Kanab was our home to see lots of amazing features in this area. We stayed at Crazy Horse RV Campground. It was very small, but had a really nice pool…exactly what we needed in this heat. It was high 90’s and even 100’s while we were there, so a pool was a necessity for our Wisconsin blood!

E-Bikes
About an hour drive from our campground was Zion. We spent one day at Zion National Park. We chose to rent E-bikes from Zion Peddler, highly recommend!!! We picked our bikes up at 6 am and headed on the Pa’Rus trail in Zion. This trail is only for bikes, pedestrians, and shuttles! We didn’t see a soul until we hit the Scout’s Lookout trail! It was amazing! Seeing the park from an E-bike was so cool and so fun!

Scout Lookout
​This is a very challenging trail, 3.6 with over 1,000 feet elevation gain. This is the trail that leads to Angel’s Landing. You can do all of the trail except for the last 1/2 mile of Angel’s Landing unless you won a lottery reservation, which we did not. Highly recommend doing Scout Lookout even if you didn’t get an Angel’s Landing reservation. It has some amazing views!

The Narrows
This is definitely one of my favorite hikes of all time! It definitely lives up to the hype! We chose not to rent the boots, socks, and walking sticks, but its a great option if you don’t have your own equipment. Mia and I wore our hiking boots with wool socks, Travis wore an old pair of sneakers, and Jess wore his Keen sandals. I would say it all depends on your skill level and experience hiking through water. I personally need the ankle support on uneven terrain, so my hiking boots were perfect. Travis and Jess are more agile and don’t have the weak ankles so their choices worked for them.

We hiked 8 miles in total and the further we got the less people we saw. The highest water levels we had to walk through was chest deep, Mia was happy to get a ride from her big brother! It was about 10:30 and a little cooler in the Narrows so she wasn’t ready to get soaked yet. By the afternoon, we were all swimming in the deeper parts to stay cool! The water was actually not as cold as I thought and with my hiking boots, my feet never got too cold. It was a beautiful hike! 

Sand Caves
Fun little scramble up the sandstone to see the Sand Caves. Easy to get to, just park in the lot next to Moqui Caves and follow the path to the sandstone, scramble up and walk to the caves. Make sure to wear good shoes for traction, although my kids did it in their crocs…I wouldn’t recommend!

​Belly of the Dragon
Literally right off of the parking lot, fun little walk for the kids and a nice place to stay cool!

Sunset Point to Sunrise Point
We missed the glow of sunset, I would suggest getting there at least an hour beforehand. The next morning we woke up early for sunrise and it was spectacular!