We ended up heading to Mount Rushmore on Flag Day. Whether the holiday contributed to the crowds or if it is just that busy this year we will never know, but we found ourselves standing shoulder to shoulder at several points during our visit and, quite frankly, we were simply not prepared for that. WeContinue reading “A Crowded Visit to Mount Rushmore, South Dakota”
Tag Archives: toddler
Exploring Badlands National Park, South Dakota
When we started planning our westward adventure, I was most looking forward to our visit to the Badlands. We had planned on boondocking just north of the park along the rim of the Badlands. However, as we made our way west in the midst of some of the hottest temperatures on record, we opted toContinue reading “Exploring Badlands National Park, South Dakota”
Quick Stop at Fort Abercrombie, North Dakota
Since Will and I met, we have made a point of hiking on the North Country Trail when possible. We started on the trails around Pittsburgh but have hiked it in New York and Ohio. And now we can add North Dakota to that list. North Dakota could have eluded us, but when we stayedContinue reading “Quick Stop at Fort Abercrombie, North Dakota”
Beating the Midwest Heatwave at Big Stone Lake State Park, Minnesota
We knew we would have to face the heat at some point, but we were not expecting it to be in early June in Minnesota in the middle of a record-setting heatwave. But after the ice storm in Texas, I cannot say we were surprised. Keeping Cate cool is a chore, and once she getsContinue reading “Beating the Midwest Heatwave at Big Stone Lake State Park, Minnesota”
Checking Off Illinois at Rock Cut State Park
Even though we had driven through Illinois the day before, we had not met our criteria for checking it off our map, so we headed south from our campground in Wisconsin back to Rock Cut State Park just outside of Rockford, Illinois. When we began this adventure, we knew it was next to impossible forContinue reading “Checking Off Illinois at Rock Cut State Park”
Getting Wind Blown at Indiana Dunes National Park
One of the main reasons for our stay in western Michigan was the proximity to Indiana Dunes National Park. It is one of the newest National Parks, only being named such in 2019 after being a National Lakeshore since 1966. The Park is a patchwork along Lake Michigan, with a town, several steel mills, andContinue reading “Getting Wind Blown at Indiana Dunes National Park”
Little Bird Turns 2 at the Zoo
Seemingly without any warning our Bird is 2. She has found rocks and sticks in 27 states and 9 National Parks. She learned to walk in Tennessee and started potty training in Pennsylvania. She is incredibly easygoing and finds joy and excitement in every moment. She is the only grandchild on either side, which isContinue reading “Little Bird Turns 2 at the Zoo”
North Carolina Botanical Gardens, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
We are always up for a visit to a botanical garden, and the gardens at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did not disappoint. It could be that we visited on a most beautiful spring day with pops of color blooming everywhere, but of all the universities we have driven through, Chapel HillContinue reading “North Carolina Botanical Gardens, Chapel Hill, North Carolina”
Hiking with My Bird on the Little Blakely Trail, Arkansas
One of the things I have not done a lot of on our adventure is spend time with Little Bird outside of the camper or campground just the 2 of us. We do a lot as a family, and she and I spend time together at home, but we do not usually go out somewhereContinue reading “Hiking with My Bird on the Little Blakely Trail, Arkansas”
Sightseeing in San Antonio—Part 2: Mission San José and the Japanese Tea Garden
I am embarrassed to say that I did not know much about the missions in San Antonio or the rich history of the area beyond the Alamo, so I was truly amazed during our visit to Mission San José. While there are a total of five missions to visit around the city with a trailContinue reading “Sightseeing in San Antonio—Part 2: Mission San José and the Japanese Tea Garden”
Nurturing Adventure 