Sometimes I get a little excited when I look at the map and I think WE ONLY HAVE FOUR HOURS to drive. And then I do things. Things like deciding to schedule two stops in 1 day, which is waaay more ambitious than it sounds. Of course, as adults, a two hour drive with a … Continue reading Petrified Forest NP
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
I was really excited about the Tallgrasses. Spoiler.....there weren't actually any Tallgrasses, because well, seasons matter. And sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees, and in all my planning I failed to really consider that the grass wouldn't be tall. BUT THAT IS OKAY. Because there were still Buffalo. And the ranch house … Continue reading Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Saint-Gaudens NHS
This was another one of those experiences where I knew nothing about it and then got there and realized that I actually knew stuff about this and had never put it together. I never really remember things like band names, or songs, or albums, which bothers my husband to no end. Apparently my art history … Continue reading Saint-Gaudens NHS
All these Badges….
Now you have a lot of badges, because you love them. Err, I mean because THE CHILDREN LOVE THEM. And as you go through the house you find abandoned badges and realize that they are going to be lost to the chaos if you don't do something NOW! I made my first display board for … Continue reading All these Badges….
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
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?
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)
Free Rangering 