Our Journey Begins

Hi there! I’m Emma, a single mom from Northern California with a passion for the outdoors. My constant co-pilot and navigator is my son, Otto. Our story is one of closeness and of reveling in bounty in the face of hardship. Like so many other moms of ebullient and wild children, I feel so lucky to be this kid’s mom! That doesn’t mean that the trail hasn’t been rough at times! Any parent knows that we don’t do this for the glamor! But when you do get to the peak, I believe it’s ok to let go and really enjoy the view and appreciate how far you’ve come. All right! This analogy has been exhausted at this point. Basically, I want to convey that my son and I’s journey is one of daring and discovery—finding joy, adventure, and connection through America’s National Parks.

From Pause to Pursuit

My son and I started exploring National Parks during Covid. Everything was closed except… the outside! We could go OUTSIDE! Since then, we have been to 19 of 63 National Parks together! Life’s challenges led us to pause our travels for a while, but the call of the wild was too strong to ignore. This year, we’re reigniting our passion, setting our sights on exploring every National Park (all 63 of them!), one scenic loop at a time. We are going to revisit a few favorites here in California before we branch out to new parks next year.

What You’ll Find Here

On this blog, we share our experiences—camping under starry skies, discovering waterfalls, hiking in crocs, getting lost (and found) in nature, photographing stunning wildflowers, and marveling at totally awesome rock formations. We aim to provide to you, our dear reader, with:

• Budget-Friendly Tips: We strongly believe that traveling doesn’t have to break the bank.
  
• Family-Centric Advice: Activities and insights for families, especially single-parent adventurers. You can do this mom! Yes, you! It is possible and fun to camp alone with your kids!
  
• Nature Photography: Capturing the beauty we encounter. Wow! Photos are my favorite souvenirs. The natural beauty of this country always surprises and astounds me.
  
• Conservation Conversations: Discussing the importance of preserving these natural wonders. Like many lovers of nature, we want these treasures to stay public, pretty and safe!
  

Join Us on the Trail

Whether you’re a fellow explorer or someone looking to start their own journey, we invite you to follow along. And, in case it wasn’t clear by now, we are issuing the disclaimer that we are not extreme outdoor people. We don’t backpack or do 8+ hour hikes. You are more likely to find us on short interpretive trails, at scenic overlooks, at lakes, rivers and streams, in the museum, and in the gift shop! So, let’s go! Let’s navigate “The Scenic Loop” together, embracing the beauty, challenges, and lessons the road offers.

Stay tuned for our upcoming posts, and thank you for being part of our meandering and fun adventure!