Yellowstone to Teton

We played around with this swan for a while on our way out of Yellowstone and enjoyed the drive into the Tetons. Wow, the vistas in the Tetons are so impressive! We snagged some stamps for our National Park passport and somehow got into the park without paying?! We passed a pay booth on our way out, but nothing on the way in. We stopped to see a grizzly bear with her cub and a moose with her fuzzy baby. We were lucky enough to snag a backpacking permit to the backcountry up an area called Death Canyon. After picking up our bear cans and packing up our brand new osprey packs, we hit the trail. Gorgeous!! A good part of the trail went alongside thundering cascades that commanded respect. We were so pooped by the time we got to the camping zone, we took the first available spot–8 feet from the camping ok sign. Felt SO good to snuggle in.

Tip: If you see people pulled off to the side of the road, pull off too and see what they’re looking at. This is how we saw both the bear and moose.

Drive out and sleeping under the stars.

We hit the road! Off to Yellowstone and a backpacking trip in the Tetons. Pizza on the way and free 7-11 slurpees. We stopped at REI to get our brand new packs fitted and found out that mine was a bit too big! So we drove to another REI and switched it out for a smaller size and it fit perfectly! I love starting at a fancy outdoor store that gets me all excited to go outside and then actually get out there after! We ended up spending the night in our car looking out at the stars under the sun roof–sleeping bag style. Tyler built a whole structure so we could sleep back there. It is so convenient and awesome!!

Tip: Visiting an outdoor store is a great way to boost motivation for adventuring.

Yukkin’ it up in Yellowstone

We jut had a grand ol’ time in Yellowstone! Driving in was absolutely iconic–geysers going off and a huge buffalo running across the road. The unmistakable smell of hot pots took me right back to when we came when I was a kid. Old faithful did not disappoint as it shot off right on cue. I actually liked one called Grand geyser better and we waited for about an hour for that one. We got a kick out of the mud pots that shot globs of goo up to 6 feet in the air with every bubble pop. We had fun trying to mimic the geysers and laughing at the results. We ventured into the northeast end of the park and were blown away by the powerful waterfalls there. Mountains of water just fell off these cliffs with insurmountable force. These big bugs were flying around over the falls and would dive in and get shot out under the water. We spent the evening driving the remote areas looking for animals and saw a bunch of buffalo and just missed a black wolf that folks were watching. An excellent day.

Tip: Don’t try to do Yellowstone in one day. There’s enough to do here for several days.

Visiting Yellowstone National Park with Kids

Tip: Visit the mud pots. The way they burp out tiny bits of mud is comical and kids will eat that stuff up.

Tip: For tiny ones, make sure you have a way to keep good track of them. Many of the boardwalks don’t have railings and with scorching mud and boiling water just a misstep away.

Tip: The waterfalls are kind of a drive and a bit of a hike, but make sure you go to at least one of them. They are magnificent and powerful–sure to leave an impression.

The Narrows, Zion National Park

What a blast!! We took Eric and Rachel to the Narrows in Zion’s and it was incredible! I had never been there before and it was a magical place. The knee deep water felt awesome in the toasty weather. We jumped into and waterfalls. I love the feeling of standing between soaring restock canyon walls. Rachel was a trooper, tackling the canyon with being pregnant and all. Tyler and I saw a vole! Tiny mouse with a long nose swimming around. I’d never seen one before. We hiked long and far and collapsed happily onto the shuttle bus at the end of the day. Played till we dropped. 🤗

Tip: It’s at least a mile hike to get to the “narrows” part of this hike. Keep that in mind.

Visiting the Narrows with Kids

Kids will EAT this hike up! On a warm day, the water is pleasant and the views spectacular.

Tip: The footing within the Narrows is super uneven. You’re basically scrambling over small boulders in the river. This would be difficult with a baby strapped to the front–perhaps strapped to the back would be better.

Tip: It’s a bit of a hike to get to the narrow part of the narrows, but absolutely worth it. After the paved trail runs out, go for at least another half mile and you’ll see what all the hype is about.

Tip: Be sure to bring a ziplock back for waste if anyone needs a substantial bathroom break. People who leave behind their waste in this narrow canyon are extremely inconsiderate.

Bonjour Six Flags Montreal!

We loved exploring this mini French world. Chocolate eclair at a breakfast bakery and she gave Tyler a free warm, flaky croissant. I sat there in that little cafe and Tyler walked past the window outside and came in and said hello–living out my favorite scene in We Bought A Zoo. I looooved it! 😌

We hit La Ronde (French for “round”) and ride some crazy rides. I liked the Titan the best and it was cool to ride all these huge rides on a donut island in a giant river. The bridges were HUGE and felt very European. We joked that we saw Joe walking around everywhere. We went back out in the evening and walked around the old downtown area and saw all the sights and sounds. I mostly just loved being with Tyler in a beautiful place on his birthday.

Tip: It costs more to go to six flags for two days than to just get a membership. The membership comes with free entrance to ANY six flags in North America. So we went to as many as possible! You can hit 5 with a road trip up the east coast.

Six flags Massachusetts

This six flags was SO So awesome! Some big big coasters. We loved the giant Superman ride and the cyclone steel & wood coaster. There were these swings that went Suuuuper high in the air–so high that a swing ride was actually intense. The humid heat was killer, but we didn’t care, we played anyway. We pretty much walked onto every ride–no lines anywhere! It was a dream. We spent a full day there and drove back to NJ. Tyler drove through crazy NY traffic and over bridges and under skyscrapers on an exploding bladder like a champ. 😂

Tip: Pay the extra few dollars to get non drowsy Dramamine. It’s totally worth it.

Six Flags in Maryland

Six Flags Maryland

Check out this coaster! We couldn’t figure it out. Supposedly some kid broke his neck on it once.

We did this entire six flags in two hours and did some rides several times. The place was deserted–so we took full advantage.

In the morning we went to Ft McHenry and had a good time exploring those ramparts we’ve sung about our whole lives. We didn’t know what it was until I was walking around the gift shop plastered with American flags and the national anthem playing nonstop. “Oh… THAT for mchenry.”

Ha ha! It was fun to see.

Olive Garden for dinner–I personally ate at least 3 salad bowls. Watched national treasure in anticipation of DC the next day.

Redwoods at Big Basin State Park

Incredible corners of the world

California has so much to offer! We started our day tucked away up in the redwood forest. Walking alongside these ancient beings is both sombering and edifying. You exit a redwood forest a different person than when you went in. In the early morning, I went on one of the most beautiful runs I have ever seen. Hopping over streams that chuckled down redwood roots, I weaved through the trees. Ferns brushed bright green against the red walls of tree trunk as I streaked by. The rich, earthy smell of old forest filled by lungs with each breath. Massive squirrels that matched the size of the trees chattered at me as I passed. It was a transformative experience.

We filled the rest of the afternoon exploring every nook and cranny of the ocean edge, poking at the beautiful and mysterious creatures that live there. Tyler has the tide pool eye. I can stare at one pool for half and hour and not see the giant pearly seashell that he comes by and pulls out of a crack. Orange starfish stood out stark against purple spiky urchins. Lime green and pink anemones flowed neon in the clear pools. Tide pools are like little windows into another world. Tyler loves them! He gets all giddy and loses all track of time as he pokes around the little pools. I almost like watching him scamper around like the little boy he is more than looking at the pools themselves. 🤗🦀

Visiting Big Basin with Kids

Tip: The visitor center at Big Basin is open later than most– 9am-7pm and has pretty good wifi if you need it.

Tip: The drive up to this State Park is long and windy. Pull over occasionally to give your more carsick kiddos a break.

Tip: The campgrounds are near streams and most sites have redwoods. Perfect for campground exploring.

Big Sur State Park

Highway 1

The drive down highway 1 along the coast of California is legendary for a reason! Winding high above the crashing surf where we spotted whales breaching, it crosses soaring bridges and skirts along waterfalls and winds through regal redwood groves. It was breathtaking. Often Tyler would shout “Whale!” and we’d pull over and watch mothers breach with their calfs. We picnicked at the ocean edge and watched the towering waves explode against the jagged rocks. We discovered waterfalls hiding in the foliage that grew thickly in the mist along the shoreline. Wildflowers grew everywhere, bursting pink out of succulents and poking tall and blue out of bushes. A memorable way to spend a day. 🌊

Tip: Campgrounds inside the state parks are $35 a night. Pricy, but campgrounds outside the parks are $60.

Visiting Big Sur with Kids

Tip: McWay falls is beautiful and super easy to get to. Just pull off the highway for a great view! At the time we went (March 2019), you couldn’t hike down to it as the whole area was closed from a recent fire.

Tip: In the spring, Salmon Creek falls was perhaps much more impressive than McWay falls. It’s a short quarter mile hike to get there and you don’t have to pay a day fee.

Tip: Much of Big Sur is a great big enjoyable drive. If kids get carsick, take frequent breaks on the windy road.

California, Six Flags Magic Mountain

I thought I had ridden some big coasters… but nothing like these! Literally throwing me for a loop, I ended up pounding Dramamine to keep my stomach under control. But I LOVED the thrill! Each time I locked into a new ride, I freaked out a little cause I didn’t know what was coming! My favorite was the white wooden coaster. The line was super long and we were like “why would a wooden coaster be so popular? How fun could it be?” But this was no ordinary wooden ride–it had a steel track and took you on some super unexpected loops and turns. I’m so glad Tyler likes this kind of thing cause I love it! We even got season passes and they’re good for ANY six flags! East coast here we come!

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