Tag: National Parks

1 min read

Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument

Jenn

1 min read

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1 min read

I was only three years old when Mount St Helens erupted killing 57 people. It was a few years after the fact, that my child’s mind could process deadliest eruption…

I was only three years old when Mount St Helens erupted killing 57 people. It was a few years after the fact, that my child’s mind could process deadliest eruption in the United States.

Natural disasters are strange mixture of terror and fascination. It was one of the first times I remember learning that nature can be volatile. That there was more to it than baby bunnies and daisies. Not only could the earth open up and swallow or whirring funnels reach down from the sky but the earth could explode and pour hot lava for miles. Mount St Helens was a landmark of my childhood.

Thirty four years later, Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument still bears scars of her volatile and harsh past.

But there are also wildflowers and animals reminding us that following devastation there is rebuilding and rebirth.

It’s a place of education and beauty.

After a few hours of learning and contemplating, we walked back to the car and I couldn’t help but notice the daisies.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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2 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

A Blur of Bits and Pieces

Jenn

2 min read

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2 min read

The next few days after finding out we were expecting another baby were somewhat of a blur. Between the shock of the news and trying to decide if we were…

The next few days after finding out we were expecting another baby were somewhat of a blur. Between the shock of the news and trying to decide if we were going to keep traveling, taking along our camera was the last thing on my mind. Fortunately, I rarely forget my phone but even then I was too distracted to take many photos.

After leaving Oceana, we make a quick stop at the Long Beach Thousand Trails to meet up with friends, Nikki and Jason from Gone with the Wynns. Like I said, I wasn’t much for documenting pictures but if you are wondering what there is do see and do in Long Beach check out Jason and Nikki’s post and video on the area.

Nearby the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park commemorates the journey of William Clark and Merriwether Lewis and their team of explorers known as the Corps of Discovery. In November of 1805, over a year and a half after leaving Missouri, Lewis and Clark spotted the Pacific Ocean. Early winter they set up a camp, Fort Clatsop, that would be their home for the next three months.

Had my mind not been so preoccupied I would have spent more time researching the area and taken the boys to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center as well as some of the nearby state parks. As it was a visit to the Fort Clatsop replica and a short hike along the river was all we managed to do.

As food truck fans we couldn’t pass up a”food boat”. It was a perfect ending to our day in the funky town of Astoria.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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2 min read

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A Crazy 24 Hours

Jenn

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2 min read

It was a driving day with our final destination a mere 4 hours away. However 4 turned into 12 because… You can’t pass up climbing a tree that looks like…

It was a driving day with our final destination a mere 4 hours away.

However 4 turned into 12 because…

You can’t pass up climbing a tree that looks like it’s from Endor.

Nor could we pass up a quick stop at the Hoh Rain Forest, a part of Olympic National Park and one of the largest temperate rainforests in North America. To tell you the truth, I didn’t even know there were any rain forests North America.

Or a stop at Ruby Beach where we stacked rocks and had dinner.

Finally around 10 pm the real adventure began when we arrived at our campground. We try really hard to not get into places after dark because once the sun sets there seems to be holes, poles, fences, guard rails, zombies, you name it, appearing out of nowhere.

We took a turn too tight and the wheels of the trailer got stuck in a ditch that appeared out of nowhere. Thankfully there wasn’t any major damage to the trailer, just a small crack, and a dent on the bed of the truck. However, to prevent further damage we decided to call a tow truck to pull us out backwards. It was 2 am before the trailer was out and we got to bed.

As if that wasn’t adventure enough. The next day we needed to decide if we were going to buy our season passes to go back to Breckenridge for the upcoming winter. We had mixed feelings. On one hand we really wanted to go but on the other we weren’t sure if we should spend the money.

As it turned out the decision was made for us when I decided to take a pregnancy test that afternoon “just in case” because I was a few days late.

And…

=

Two pink lines.

Guess we wouldn’t going back to Breck. I’m adventurous but snowboarding while pregnant? No thanks.

To say we were surprised would be an understatement but as the news soaked in we got excited. We weren’t the only ones excited. My dad sent me this super sweet text.

And here I am 9 months later on his due date and still waiting for this little guy to arrive!

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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1 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

Throwback Thursday – Valley Forge, PA

Jenn

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1 min read

Bear with me as we hitch up our time machine and head back in time for Throwback Thursday. The amount of pictures we take borders on absurdity and it’s impossible…

Bear with me as we hitch up our time machine and head back in time for Throwback Thursday. The amount of pictures we take borders on absurdity and it’s impossible for me to keep up without an assistant. So until the boys can be trusted to pick the best pictures of me, I’ll have to do all the photo management which could be a full time job in and of itself.

Anyway back to Valley Forge.

Valley Forge National Historic Park was the Revolutionary War encampment where the continental army lead by George Washington survived the long winter of 1777-1778. By the end of the winter, nearly 2500 soldiers had died from exposure, sickness, and starvation. And we felt like we “survived” the winter in Breckenridge in our RV.

The visitor center, like most national park visitor centers, was filled with information and hands on exhibits. We learned about the sacrifices and hardships the soldiers of the Continental Army endured in their fight for our country’s independence.

And away we go!

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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1 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

Hiking Hurricane Hill at Olympic National Park

Jenn

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After a few days of exploring Seattle we were ready for a change of pace. Olympic National Park, located in the Olympic Peninsula, was a perfect place to slow down…

After a few days of exploring Seattle we were ready for a change of pace. Olympic National Park, located in the Olympic Peninsula, was a perfect place to slow down and take in the beauty of God’s creation. The highlight of our visit was hiking the Hurricane Hill Trail. I’m not sure which was more beautiful the views of the ocean and mountains or the fact that our boys hardly complained the entire hike. Perhaps the abundance of wildlife kept them smiling. It’s hard to have a bad attitude when a curious marmot is following you from a distance or when you stumble upon a heard of mountain goats.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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1 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

Hiking in North Cascades National Park

Jenn

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1 min read

While we are searching for a new RV and before we get busy taking on next year’s adventures, I’m going to finish catching up on our travels from over the…

While we are searching for a new RV and before we get busy taking on next year’s adventures, I’m going to finish catching up on our travels from over the summer.

July was a perfect month to spend in Washington. The skies were blue, the weather mild, and the foliage lush. And what better way to take advantage of the spectacular weather than by spending a day exploring North Cascades National Park.

North Cascades is home to over 300 glaciers, approximately 1/3 of all the glaciers in the contiguous 48 states. We were surprised to learn that there are more glaciers in North Cascades National Park than in Glacier National Park. Although many of the glaciers can’t be seen from the parts of the park that are easily accessible.

We spent our day driving the North Cascades Highway with stops at the visitor’s center for a ranger talk, Diablo Lake Overlook to take in the sweeping vistas and to hike Thunder Knob Trail.

It was a beautiful day and to put the cherry, or rather the blueberry, on top, we passed Cascadian Farm on the way home where we picked over 8 pounds of organic blueberries and raspberries as the sun set around us.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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2 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

Glacier National Park: So Worth the Drive!

Jenn

2 min read

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2 min read

After traveling for two years full time in our RV, one of the questions we get asked most often is “What’s your favorite place?” Each of us has a different…

After traveling for two years full time in our RV, one of the questions we get asked most often is “What’s your favorite place?”

Each of us has a different answer but there is no question (Except for maybe Thing One who at this point of teenagedom tends dislike everything we like. Don’t tell him that Brent and I actually like New York City or New Orleans or else he’ll change his mind.) that Glacier National Park is in our top ten favorite places. Or maybe even our top 5.

I imagine a visit to Glacier is perhaps the closest thing you can get to wilds of Alaska without leaving the boundaries of the lower 48. We stayed in Glacier for a week and could have easily stayed another week. The first few days were spent outside the park at a RV resort with other full time families, families we had met in Yellowstone. A few days later we moved to Apgar Campground within the park boundaries. Our “backyard” was the kind that makes the RV life so appealing. A large private site under a canopy of trees with a path leading straight to the shores of Lake McDonald where we watched the most glorious sunsets and even one sunrise.

We spent the afternoons in Glacier exploring the park. We drove the Going to the Sun road for stunning vistas and wildlife sightings. We hiked to Avalanche Lake for a picnic lunch. We rode bikes through the forest on roads still closed for the season. We spent an afternoon wishing we had a 4×4 truck when we took a dirt road to Bowman Lake. We went back in time at the Polebridge (a “town” of less than 500) Mercantile where we ate delicious homemade pastries. We the boys swam in the cool clear water of Lake McDonald.

Like all places of beauty and magic the week passed too soon and we found ourselves on the road again heading west. Thankfully, we have pictures to remember these days of serenity and adventure.

Glacier we will return!

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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1 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

Nomads in Wonderland – Yellowstone National Park

Jenn

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1 min read

Steam rises and swirls in a dance with the wind. White mud bubbles and boils like living pots of paint. Geysers explode from the earth daring to touch the clouds….

Steam rises and swirls in a dance with the wind. White mud bubbles and boils like living pots of paint. Geysers explode from the earth daring to touch the clouds. Water rages through the canyon and trickles out of cracks. Rings of yellow and orange surround crystal clear springs filled with water so turquoise, it makes you wonder if you have ever seen turquoise before.

It’s every bit as magical and mysterious as I expected. And more.

We are in Yellowstone National Park.

It is the first, most famous, and most visited national park in America.

A giant caldera is responsible for the dynamic geothermal shows. Deer, bear, bison, elk, and many other animals make this natural wonderland their home.

And for 10 days we made it our home too.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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1 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

Stopped in Our Tracks at Grand Tetons National Park

Jenn

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Some places you don’t know what to expect. To be honest, we only stopped at Grand Teton because it was one our way to Yellowstone. We hadn’t even looked up…

Some places you don’t know what to expect.

To be honest, we only stopped at Grand Teton because it was one our way to Yellowstone.

We hadn’t even looked up pictures of Grand Teton National Park on the internet.

But as we drove in through Jackson Hole, we were stopped in our tracks.

There are no foothills to make introductions.

Like teeth of a great beast trying to chew its way out of the earth, the mountains jut abruptly out of the ground without apologies.

Unfortunately most of our photos from Grand Teton were lost but thankfully there were a few left to remind us of this majestic place.

Thing 2 watching an elk with his scope.

What a lovely and powerful place to make home for five days.

Love and Laughter,
Jenn

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2 min read

Family on the Road National Parks

Arches and Adventures in Moab, Utah

Jenn

2 min read

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2 min read

When we hit the road in 2011, we each had the places we most wanted to see. Brent was excited about Maine. Thing One couldn’t wait for New York City….

When we hit the road in 2011, we each had the places we most wanted to see. Brent was excited about Maine. Thing One couldn’t wait for New York City. And Thing Two insisted we go to Egypt. Maybe someday, Thing Two.

Utah was my promised land. No, we aren’t Mormon but I had seen enough pictures of red rock arches and sheer cut canyons to know I would love it. And I did.

Moab was crazy beautiful.

Our home for the week was a desolate spot on BLM land. This may be my favorite “backyard” yet.

We spent a few days exploring Arches National Park. Arches National Park is known…well…for its arches. There are more than 2000 in the park.

Thing One wasn’t that into standing under arches after seeing the movie at the visitor’s center. He kept saying matter of factly, “You saw how that thing was formed. That (pieces of rock falling) could still happen.” It was just an excuse to not have to walk so much. Nice try, buddy.

He was, however, into trying to shove me into a mud puddle. Anything to avoid hiking I suppose.

We did hike to Delicate Arch, the most famous arch in the park. We couldn’t let the Utah license plate be our only view of the arch.

While in Moab, we also spend a day in Canyonlands National Park with full time RVing friends, Rachel and Spencer, who we met in Breckenridge. Canyonlands is divided into four districts most of which are not easily accessible by car. Just another reason to come back, next time with a 4-wheel drive.