When I was in High-school, I remember the State Quarters being released and thinking it was silly. My friends and I all laughed at people that collected them, probably because we were jerky know-it-all teens, AND we because lived in New Mexico. Since they were released in order of statehood it wasn't like we were … Continue reading Parks in your Pocket
Travel Cooking
We've all taken that vacation where we get really caught up in our scheduling and plan a long day full of activities. Only to find the last hour is nightmarish, with children melting down left and right and you are just dreaming of the hotel and praying that it's Harry Potter Weekend. Sweet cable, SAVE … Continue reading Travel Cooking
Antietam NB
With as strenuous as Harpers Ferry was, I wasn't going to push another badge stop. But we got up and were packed, and the kids said "What park are we going to?" I'm not sure if they just expected me to pack another in or if they were genuinely interested, but I offered them Appalachian … Continue reading Antietam NB
Harpers Ferry NHP, Pt 2
I got our Junior Ranger Badge books from an older ranger. He clearly loved the Civil War and he began telling me about many things, while the children ran around this smaller Ranger Station. Wild Thing in particular seemed bent on destruction, so my patient husband chased him, while the other kids stamped their passports. … Continue reading Harpers Ferry NHP, Pt 2
Harpers Ferry NHP, pt 1
Where to even begin? I am going to talk about the park first and then in the next post specifically talk about the Junior Ranger badge, because I wasn't entirely sure what to expect and was met with a vast historical crossroad. I knew about the John Brown revolt, but was entirely fuzzy on the … Continue reading Harpers Ferry NHP, pt 1
Flight 93 NM
We did manage to make it out the door for the last road trip of 2017. Because we were driving past it I decided it was time to stop at Flight 93 National Monument. I had avoided it previously but this year my kids did start asking about 9/11 and terrorism, the news cycle hasn't … Continue reading Flight 93 NM
New Year, Fresh Park?
My husband's job has a use it or lose it policy and this year he had a record 4 days left of leave which left him in the predicament of 11 days off in a row. Rough life, right? It was our initial plan to send the kids to winter camp at our local community … Continue reading New Year, Fresh Park?
Holiday Dreaming
For me National Parks are the purest form of American Idealism. Not that they aren't problematic too, like most ideals, but the idea that everyone should have access to something regardless of personal attributes or characteristics is something most of us can agree on. An exception to capitalism, where wealth does not give you any … Continue reading Holiday Dreaming
How to plan to hit the MOST Parks (with kids)
So you may have noticed that I haven't posted many visits lately. This is because our fall trip to New Mexico fell through due to life things so I missed my 11 parks that I had planned to do with the kids. Now my husband says "11 parks alone with the kids??? Are you crazy??" … Continue reading How to plan to hit the MOST Parks (with kids)
Junior Ranger Curriculum pt 1
As a home schooling family we are always on the look out for opportunities and experiences. To that end we participate in a secular home school group in our area. It's a neat setup, we rent an old catholic school building from the non-profit which currently owns it. We meet once a week for classes … Continue reading Junior Ranger Curriculum pt 1
Free Rangering 