Summer is here! We'll be heading out in about a month and we are all beyond ready. Our destinations take us to the diagonal opposite of where we live into Washington State, Oregon, California and many places in between. We will be revisiting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon again as this park is what started it all 8 years ago. And it just so happens it is their 100 year anniversary this year so hopefully we will be able to help celebrate it!
It's a bittersweet time to plan our trip out west this year. This trip will finish visits for the kids to all the 48 contiguous states. Such a feat for a teenager! With this goal reached I'm not sure if we will continue these monster trips. There are a few places we have all dreamed of returning so who knows.
Each year when we return I am always asked what my favorite part of the trip was and I can never answer. There are so many touching or peaceful moments, stunning views, struggles overcome, and belly laughs that I just can't choose! I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to do this with my family though and so thrilled I wrote our daily posts every year. Some days I'm dreading spending the time editing pictures and writing but I make it happen knowing people at home are making sure we are safe and enjoying the pictures and stories.
The photo above is the point where Dave will be joining us - Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. He has opted out of coming along for the trip again this year as it's frustrating to find signals sometimes and to watch us leave on an awesome hike while he stays behind to work. Grammie will be tagging along this year again for the majority of the trip in her RV. She is staying in the woods during some of our city stops but we'll always be pretty close.
We are ready to trade the 90s weather for 60s, sleeping bags for beds, and the Pacific for the Gulf. If only we could have about 10 more hours in our days. See you on the road!
