April 30, 2016 The Arlington Hotel, Hot Springs, Arkansas Anxious to get back on the road, we checked out of The Arlington and were on the road by 8:00 a.m. and entering the Ouachita National Forest within the hour. Deciduous trees lush with spring boasted vibrant green over yellow-green grasses. Finally, after being shrouded in … Continue reading
Hot Springs National Park
Thursday, April 28, 2016 – Holy Springs National Forest, Mississippi It was wonderful waking up in our tent knowing that we had started the second leg of our voyage to Mount Rushmore and that we would be crossing another National Park off of our list today. A slight drizzle fell on the glistening green surrounding … Continue reading
The Road to Rushmore
One of my favorite parts of being a National Park Ranger is hearing the stories of the visitors at Mount Rushmore. Everyone has a story to tell about why they have made to journey to the Black Hills, where they are going next, how long they have been on the road, and the adventures they … Continue reading
Becoming a Ranger
It’s difficult to believe that we have been living in South Dakota for a month now. We have been in the thick of our rangering adventure, allowing little time to reflect on the experience enough to be able to put it in words to share with those of you who have been patiently waiting for … Continue reading
An Unexpected Adventure
A year ago today I would not have imagined where we are right now: sitting on the porch of our dear friends’ home in Georgia, about to begin the second leg of a road trip. It’s time for another life adventure! But first, let me back up a bit… Out of the Woods The … Continue reading
Riding Life’s River – Wilderness Instructor in Training
With the turning of the tide, we hold on and ride… Greetings from the woods! Much has happened in the last several months. I eagerly applied for, hoped for, and was offered a new job. We went through all of our belongings, tried to figure out what we really need, and packed the rest … Continue reading
The Journey Begins – Wisconsin to The Badlands
Wanderlust 2013: 40 Days in Motion Day 1 – July 9th, 2013 Minocqua, WI 10:15 a.m. – 74 degrees It was a hazy, humid July morning when we embarked on our 2013 road trip. After waiting impatiently for a year to once again spend as much time as possible camping, exploring, and traveling in the … Continue reading
Historic Mammoth Cave & A Stop in Nashville
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky June 10th, 2013 Up at 8:00 a.m., we grabbed a cup of coffee at the hotel restaurant and headed to the meeting point for the Historic Cave Tour. This tour provides visitors with a history of the cave as well as a chance to see some of Mammoth Cave’s wonders. … Continue reading
Mammoth Cave National Park
Wanderlust 2013 The Pre-Road Trip Road Trip June 9th & 10th, 2013 Before we embarked on our 40 days on the road, we were able to fit our next National Park into a shorter road trip we took in June. On the move within 48 hours of D’s last day of school, we headed south … Continue reading
Westward Wanderlust 2012 Trip Stats
Now that the story has been told, what exactly did our Westward Wanderlust 2012 add up to? First, the quantifiable stats: Days on the Road – 23 Miles Traveled – 9,185.8 National Parks – 19 National Monuments – 3 National Forests – 26 States Entered – 15 WI MN SD WY MT ID WA OR … Continue reading