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The Global Dispatch (#3): Mountains, Lava & Wild Wonder
Updated: 6d
Hi Everyone, from turquoise lakes and mossy rainforests to steaming geysers and star-filled skies, our family adventure has taken us across some truly spectacular corners of the American West. What a ride!
Click the picture below for a quick overview video of our road trip...
MOUNTAINS, RAINFORESTS & TIDE POOLS
In Washington, we explored North Cascades, Olympic, and Mount Rainier: three parks, three completely different worlds. We hiked to turquoise Blue Lake, wandered beneath the moss-draped trees of the Hoh Rain Forest, and watched marmots among Rainier’s wildflower meadows.
Eva and Jordan searched tide pools, learned about glaciers and volcanoes, and tackled Rainier’s Skyline Trail, their toughest hike yet. At Olympic, they also earned an Ocean Steward badge by observing and recording what they found along the coast. We came away with muddy shoes, big smiles, and a new appreciation for how landscapes come to life.
WATERFALLS, COUSINS & LAVA
The Columbia River Gorge brought waterfalls, hands-on history, and a wonderful week with cousins, including Jordan’s ninth birthday! We explored Native history, followed the story of Lewis and Clark, and watched fish make their way upstream at Bonneville Dam. We also hiked to Wahclella Falls and celebrated Jordan with a day at Portland’s science museum and his requested birthday tacos. Back at the house, card games and water-balloon fights kept all six cousins busy.
In Idaho, Craters of the Moon delivered lava caves, a climb up a cinder cone, and a night under the stars, followed by a 1:00 a.m. scramble to put the rainfly on our tent. The black lava landscape felt like another planet, and the kids loved learning that Apollo astronauts had trained there. Worth it!
GEYSERS, WILDLIFE & JUNIOR RANGERS
Yellowstone and Grand Teton brought geysers, bison, moose, grizzlies, mountain views, and Eva’s 11th birthday. We watched Old Faithful erupt, learned to spot wildlife on a guided drive, and saw Saturn’s rings through a telescope at a ranger program. Eva and Jordan even got to fly fish on the Snake River with Grandpa, a big highlight of the trip.
Along the way, Junior Ranger programs turned parks into classrooms, and the kids kept asking the best questions. From animal tracks and tide pools to volcanoes and wildlife, the activities gave Eva and Jordan a reason to slow down, observe, and share what they learned with a ranger.
Across our western adventure, we logged seven nights in a tent and 28 hikes. Alternating campgrounds with a hotel or lodge gave us time to recharge, do laundry, and get ready to hit the next trail.
FROM THE BLOG
For further reading, with stories and practical recommendations from all our stops in the American West, check out:
- Our route through glaciers, rainforest, beaches, and a volcano.
- Waterfalls, family time, and a hands-on look at the region’s layered history.
- Lava tubes, cinder cones, and one unforgettable camping night.
- Geysers, wildlife, mountain trails, and our favorite ranger programs.
- How 18 programs helped make the places we visited into classrooms.
- Our trail totals, camping lessons, & tips for keeping the whole family moving.
LOOKING AHEAD: LATIN AMERICA
After the American West, we headed abroad for our first international stop in Mexico! We’ve already had so much fun, from exploring Mexico City and cheering at a lucha libre match to discovering Oaxaca’s food, art, and traditions. Our first Worldschooling Hub has brought new friends and hands-on learning for Eva and Jordan, and we’re looking forward to Día de los Muertos this weekend.
There’s so much more to share about our time in Mexico, but we’ll save those stories for later. For now, here’s a hint about what comes next: Peru! We can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.
QUICK LAST ASK...
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2) Please don’t be shy, and reach out to us anytime with words of encouragement, suggestions, or advice for our trip (just hit reply). We’d love to hear from you! 🥰
