Our 2-Month Family RV Trip Across the U.S. and Canada | Daily Travel Journal
- Dana Shik
- Jun 12
- 24 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Welcome to our Summer 2026 RV travel journal. Over nearly 2 months, our family of six (and our dog) is traveling through 8 states, 2 Canadian provinces, and 9 national parks in our 36-foot motorhome. This page serves as our live trip log, where we share daily updates, campground reviews, favorite activities, wildlife sightings, road trip lessons, and the plant-based meals we're cooking along the way.
Current Day: 28 of 52
Current Location: On the road
Next Stop: Jasper NP, Alberta, Canada
Miles Traveled: 2,486mi
Miles Planned: 5,139mi
National Parks Visited: 6 of 9
States Visited: IN-WI-MN-SD-WY-MT
Canadian Provinces Visited: BC-AB
Banff NP & Canmore, Alberta, Canada - Thursday, July 9th
On our last day at Banff NP, we had a trip scheduled to visit the famous Lake Louise. Since we were camping at the soft-sided Lake-Louise campground, we were only 10 minutes away from the lake, but we've read that parking is very limited, which forces most visitors to use shuttles, either by Canada Parks or using a commercial service. Although we booked the ride, we left early to see if with a disability placard parking near the lake is allowed (as I'm still recovering from a knee injury). This was based on our earlier experience near Emerald lake in Yoho NP, and we were right to assume it'll be similar in this case. Throughout the trip so far, we've visited some impressive lakes, but we all agreed Lake Louise was the most beautiful one yet. We went on a short 1.5mi trail near the lake, and were glad we do not need to depend on rides to leave as soon as we were ready to move on. One fantastic thing about the national parks in Canada is that they allow to bring dogs on their trails, as opposed to those in the States, so we brought Ziggy along with us to all of our daily excursions. As we experienced before, here too the site was heavily packed with tourists, and we were eager to spend the rest of our day away from touristic crowds. Plus, we felt this would be a good time to switch gears to a more urban experience. We decided to drive to Canmore (and dined at Nourish Bistro again on our way there!), as we found out there's a farmer's market that's been held on Thursdays for the past 25 years (!). It turned out to be a fun and laid back experience, with live music, crafts booths and of course, lots of local and fresh produce. We wrapped up with a wall climbing session at the adjacent recreation center, and drove an hour back to our campground for a quiet evening, to catch up on work, and prepare everything for our trip to Jasper in the morning.
Banff NP, Alberta, Canada - Wednesday, July 8th
We had an unusual busy work morning, and our kids surprisingly slept until unusually late, so we ended up leaving home much later in the morning. We considered our options and finally decided to pass on the gondola, primarily since for our entire crew it would have cost about 300 CAD (~220 USD), and we felt that the gain would not be worth it (plus, Chat GPT said it won't be worth the expense given the types of experiences we've had so far, and we tend to listen to his advice 😉). We were all run down too, and were looking to spend our day in a low-energy, laid-back activities, so we drove nearly an hour to get to Two-Jack Lake, which was absolutely beautiful and also has a beach, which was truly all we needed. Our kids were courageous enough to go into the water, and made friends who camped there. Another nice spot nearby is Minnewanka Lake, that didn't differ much from the other lake, so we took a sneak peek on our way back. One of the biggest advantages of extended travel is that we get to set our pace, not rush, take things slower if needed and keep everything flexible. That approach allowed us to change plans for the day, because with 4 kids and 2 full time jobs, things happen, even if nothing major. Later in the afternoon we visited Banff city - which has a charming center. We had dinner there in an amazing Vegetarian/Vegan restaurant "Nourish Bistro", that's rated number 1 in happy cow (a website that lists vegan dining options practically everywhere) and we get why! We got back to our campground for a campfire and s'mores. Today balanced more active days we often have, and we were glad we didn't succumb to the many attractions we could have visited, and slowed down. Balance is the key :)
Yoho NP, British Columbia, Canada - Tuesday, July 7th
When we built our plans for our visit to Canada, we had a bucket of things we wanted to see and explore, but aside from when we needed a bus ride somewhere, we kept things fluid. So given some work constraints and the fact we were all still exhausted from yesterday's drive, last night we decided to drive back to British Columbia and visit Emerald Lake and Takakkaw falls in Yoho National Park. The views were out of this world, and every picture we took felt like a postcard. The one major downside to our experience was that it felt overwhelmingly crowded with tourists. Unlike our experience in Glacier NP, this area is heavily visited during June-August, and we are here at the peak of the season, trying to catch a sight or experience in a quieter mode. I imagine that if you leave early enough things are calmer, but our work constraints, plus our sleep-loving kids make it impossible to start our days early enough, so we're working with what reality dictates, and making the most of it. Thankfully, we managed to book a site in the soft-sided Lake Louise campground - which is right in the heart of the major attractions, such as Moraine lake, Lake Louise, and O'hara, and this makes it easier to reach our destinations even when we leave later in the morning. Other advantages for our stay here at this campground include a beautiful site, free firewood (a pack costs on avg $6 in the U.S.!) and very affordable camp prices (since its a federal campground). Things we wish were different are the train that travels very close a few times a day, and is heard very loudly here.
Tomorrow we're planning on riding the Banff gondola, exploring the summit boardwalk and the Sulphur mountain boardwalk, with a couple of beautiful lakes for dessert. We heard of the hot springs they have here, but given how packed everything here, we will leave that to Miette in Jasper, our next destination!
Crossing to Canada - Monday, July 6th
As in any work day during this trip, we started our (super-early) morning with... work :) But nonetheless, we started our long journey to Banff national park in Canada as early as we could, and either worked on the drive (while the other person is driving) or caught up in the afternoon after we arrived. We made a couple of stops on the way to take a work call, and to print our documents - as it turns out, crossing the border by a motorhome needs to be done with attention to certain details. We had to have vaccination records for our dog Ziggy, registration and insurance for both the motorhome and the towed car, and of course, passports. We also read that they might ask to eliminate any unmarked produce (if there's no tote for example) so we prepared well for any scenario, but at the end, it all went so smoothly and we crossed the border to Canada in less than 2 minutes! The drive started in British Columbia, and it took several more hours before we finally landed in Banff. No doubt, the road there was gorgeous. Somewhere mid-way we stopped at a farmer's market to restock on fruits and vegetables, and munched on many (many!) cherries and blueberries for the rest of the drive 😍
We arrived at the beautiful and the very well-maintained soft/hard-sided campground at Lake Louise sometime in the later afternoon, and let the kids and Ziggy out to stretch their legs and spirits. After dinner, we crashed for a good long night sleep, to recharge before we explore Banff tomorrow.
East Glacier NP - Sunday, July 5th
On Sunday morning we drove nearly 2 hours to a remote lake called Two Medicine in East Glacier, boarded a 100yo boat for a 30 minutes "ride" to a winding trail that led us to Two Medicine Falls. The area is full of history and charm, and the hike did not disappoint. One thing I didn't realize before coming here is that Two Medicine was actually one of Glacier's original tourism hubs. Before the Going-to-the-Sun Road existed, visitors would arrive by train, stay at the historic Two Medicine Chalet, and explore the valley by horseback or aboard the same wooden tour boats that are still operating today. Long before that, though, this valley was a sacred place for the Blackfeet people, who came here for ceremonies and vision quests, making it a place with a history that goes far beyond the national park itself. This experience was a wonderful way to culminate our exploration at Glacier NP. If you ever make it to Two Medicine, be sure to allocate at least half a day. We got back to the campground later in the afternoon, and our evening was all about errands before starting our drive to Canada on Monday morning. As of tomorrow and until July 22nd, we will be exploring British Columbia and Alberta provinces in Canada, with our first stop in Banff NP, so stay tuned :)
West Glacier NP - Saturday, July 4th
Our second day in Glacier was dedicated to the southern end of Lake McDonald. We hiked the 2-mile Rocky Point Trail, which winds through a quiet forest before opening up to several rocky viewpoints over the lake. At nearly 10 miles long and reaching depths of about 470 feet, Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park, and its incredibly clear water makes it easy to see the colorful pebbles below the surface. Our kids finished it by skipping stones and swimming in the lake. The water was freezing-cold, but the experience of swimming in a secluded gorgeous lake was worth it.
After several days of hiking, we were all ready for a slower afternoon. We found a small outdoor activity center with motorized bumper boats that sprayed water, mini golf, a 3D maze, and a go-kart track, and it was exactly the change of pace we needed. By evening, we drove to Whitefish, a vibrant city about 30 minutes from our campground, where everyone seemed to be gathering along Whitefish Lake for the Fourth of July celebration, but because many downtown streets were closed, everyone parked outside the center and took shuttle buses into town. The whole lakeshore was buzzing with people. Boats of every size gathered just offshore, food stands and live music filled the park, and everyone were waiting for the fireworks.
Then something unexpected happened. The fireworks were scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m., but at 9:30 the sky suddenly lit up. A few minutes later, the organizers apologized over the loudspeakers for accidentally launching the show an hour early.. But even after the official display ended, fireworks continued from boats and homes around the lake, so wherever you looked there were bursts of color lighting up the sky. It honestly felt like we were standing in the middle of a 360-degree fireworks show.
Getting back turned into an adventure of its own. The shuttle lines were long, traffic barely moved once everyone started leaving, and by the time we reached our car, we still had over 30 minutes of a drive back to the campground. The roads were completely dark, and we finally pulled into our campsite well after midnight. It was a long day, but one we'll remember for a very long time.
West Glacier NP - Friday, July 3rd
We were truly excited about exploring Glacier national park for the first time - this was one of the few national parks we've never been to before that were planned for this trip (as this was our second visit to Badlands in SD, & Grand Teton and Yellowstone in WY). We begun our day by driving the scenic going to the sun road. This is an hours-long mostly narrow/no-shoulders/on-the-edge-of-a-cliff route, that is rewarding like no other we've been to! Jaw-dropping views that pictures cannot capture. The route lets you pull over many times along the way, to whitness more in details the plethora of waterfalls, rivers, snowy-peaked mountains and potential wildlife we were eager to see. We wanted to hike a couple of trails along the route, but the little parking that was available was entirely packed, so we finally stopped at a trail that offers 3 lengths to walk through, leading to a stunning lake and to waterfalls, if you take a longer walk - we wanted to get to the waterfalls, but the NP service blocked that way with a warning about increased bear activity, forbidding hikers to go on it. The lake was rewarding enough though, and despite the intense winds, we all had a hard time leaving.
On our hour and half back home, we stopped at a little charming town to eat in a sweet spot with 2 food trucks and an outdoor dining area. The vibe was fantastic and it was a fun way to finish our day. We have big plans for tomorrow's 250 independence years celebrations, so stay tuned!
Butte, MT to Glacier - Wednesday/Thursday, July 1st-2nd
On Tuesday morning, we left the Moran area for the second time (this was our second visit to these parks), and started a long drive to Butte, in Montana. Our route took us up north through West Yellowstone, but we never crossed to Idaho. The road was winding and narrow, with little to no shoulders, and on top of that, on the edge of a very tall cliff, which made the driving experience very challenging (shout out to my amazing partner who fearlessly conquered this difficult drive and kept us all safe!). We passed the border into Montana early afternoon, and drove through beautiful views of many water bodies and everchanging landscape. We are using a special navigation system that's tailored to RVs, and it usually does really well, but yesterday we needed a gas station, and it somehow derailed us from our route, so we ended up driving an hour longer than anticipated (which was already long enough to begin with!). We may have made the mistake in programming the route wrong, but we'd like to think it's the software's fault :) We eventually got to a KOA at Butte later in the afternoon, and thanks to the very long summer days, and sunset happening only at around 9:30pm, our kids had the opportunity to unwind at the playground and take a little energy out after a long driving day. We caught up on laundry at the campground and groceries Walmart, getting ready to be fully prepared to celebrate a long 4th of July weekend at Glacier NP! We are leaving to West Glacier today, so stay tuned :)
Grand Teton NP, WY - Tuesday, June 30th
Our day at Grand Teton was meant to be full of easy, yet impactful hikes. I had a vision for how we experienced Alaska in some areas, like Palmer, where the hike would start in point A, and then XX miles later, we're in a secluded jaw-dropping lake. In Alaska the water is often turquoise thanks to the glacial composition, but in Grand Teton, although the water was not as picturesque, the views were still stunning. I know I keep saying 'stunning', but the nature on all its aspects is absolutely marvelous around here!
As I mentioned before, I am recovering from complex knee fractures, and while I'm doing much better at this point, I'm still using a cane to get around, so the plan was to go on easier hikes with minimal elevation. Pavel (my better half) made a mistake and trusted me with picking the trail. I was too "hungry" to go back to hiking the way we used to before my injury, and picked one that hardly made sense with my current abilities. The trail we ended up doing was very steep most of the way, went on for 5 miles (=about 7.5km) and was defined as 'moderate' in AllTrails. It took us about 4 hours out-and-back to conquer it, since construction in part of the loop trail forced hikers to return their steps to reach the trailhead. I was completely defeated by the end of it, and while my family can manage harder hikes too, they were exhausted by the time we got back home. We were glad we visited a few overlooks before we started the hike, or we wouldn't have managed to get a closer peek at the mighty Grand Teton and its entire range. By the time we got back, we had dinner (leftovers from the night before [seitan, mashed potatoes, and peas]), let the kids have a brief screen break, and head to bed early, as we were getting ready for another busy morning at work, followed by a long drive to Montana.
Yellowstone NP, WY - Monday, June 29th
We got to Headwaters campground, near Moran, that sits right in between Yellowstone and Grand Teton, on Sunday afternoon, and was dreading the morning - because we saw snow is expected! and it was indeed snowy!! at peak summer!!! We didn't even pack enough warm clothes (who would imagine we'd need them so desperately?!?), so after wrapping up work tasks, we headed out to Yellowstone, but made an expensive stop at a visitors center. Depending on the elevation, it was either snowy or rainy ALL DAY, so we made the most of the situation, and decided to revisit some geysers we've been to 3 years ago in the lower loop (where the caldera is believed to be), knowing that we'll explore a little of the northern loop on our way to Montana on Wednesday. Back in 2023, we came to the same campground, and planned on hiking Grand Teton and Yellowstone. We had only 3 days then to see what we had planned, and it ended up being stormy and foggy, and we missed out on Grand Teton entirely! So we decided to focus on Yellowstone today, and hike Grand Teton tomorrow, when it should be sunny and warmer. The day was much more successful than we anticipated, as we managed to enjoy the rare and out worldly landscape of Yellowstone. As our kids showed a lot of interest in the geology of the park, we talked about how the geysers are formed, what this used to be (an active super-volcano!), and how it is still active, but has a different "face" now, 600,000 years later. We even spotted rare flora in the geothermal soil, and were truly fascinated.
Our day tomorrow is planned at Grand Teton, which we're all very excited about. Hopefully, there will be no bears on any trail. We had enough of those encounters in Alaska!
Casper, WY - Saturday/Sunday, June 27-28th
We passed the border to Wyoming on Friday afternoon, and spent the next 2 days at Casper, before our long drive to the north-western area of Wyoming, where Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks are. On such a long journey, and particularly before we arrive at remote destinations for longer periods with little to no amenities (because right after that we are heading north to Glacier NP), we focus on everyday things, such as stocking up on groceries, laundry, and rewinding. We already tackled laundry in Hot Springs, so Casper was a good spot for everything else. It was a weekend, so we caught up on sleeping, spending time together, and stocking up on things we won't have access to as of tomorrow. We couldn't pass on THE recommended trail in Casper, and went to hike the Garden Creek Waterfall loop. I reached the fall, and had to go back down to the car while everyone else climbed the rest of the trail, since it was too demanding for my recovering knee, but they all came back saying how it was the right balance of challenge and fun, and the views were well-worth the climb. It is now Sunday morning, and we are getting ready to begin our long travel day. Last time we visited these stunning national parks was 3 years ago, but the weather was extremely limiting and we felt it was hardly enough, so here we are again! Stay tuned :)
Hot Springs, SD - Thursday/Friday, June 25-26th
On our last day at Hot Springs, we took it easy and spent time at Evan's plunge, a spring-fed over 100 years old pool, with a constant temperature of 87 degrees F. It was a rainy day, so having a fun indoor activity was what everyone needed. There's a younger area that my 5 and 7yo enjoyed for the entire time, and my older boys loved the slides and water volleyball. It was easy to spend half a day there, and a perfect ending to our experiences at Hot Springs. Later at the campground, our 5, 8 and 12yo kids played with other campers, while our oldest practiced piano (we brought it with us on the trip) and hung out with us near the fire pit while playing Boggle outside. It was also laundry day, and an afternoon where we did a 'reset' on our living space in our motorhome, getting ready to the long drive the next day.
Thursday morning was crazily busy at work for me, but thanks to the time differences and starting ultra-early, we were able to start driving at around noon. We crossed the border to Wyoming (exciting!), and are spending some time in Casper as a buffer to cut down the drive segment, before we 'climb' to Moran, where we'll spend a few exciting days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone. So many stunning views are yet to come!
Hot Springs, SD - Wednesday, June 24th
This morning, after knocking off many work tasks (we start so early!), we went to Mammoth Site, for a family dig experience, which was truly fun and educational. Our 5, 7 and 12yo kids were 100% engaged, and focused on recovering delicate, yet huge bones from the dig site. The bones are lab-made replicas, that were created with materials similar enough to re-create the texture, weight and color of a real bone. The guide was a paleontologist, so very knowledgeable, and explained of the findings they get on site, and the actual dig process.
After that, we moved on to visit the actual dig site, where scientists work on recovering as many details as they can on the fossils.
After a good number of hours at Mammoth Site, we left to visit Cascade Falls in Hot Springs, and even dipped our feet in the water. The natural spring is at a 67 degrees F year-round (yes, it was cold!!) and it is clear and beautiful. Last, we could not help ourselves, knowing we are only 25 minutes away from the border with Nebraska, and decided to make the drive and at least cross that border :) We didn't really experience anything in Nebraska, but felt accomplished to physically cross to another state we didn't have in our bucket list for this trip. Our evening at the campground was lovely, with a cooked dinner our 14yo son made (he's such an amazing cook!) of peas, rice, corn on the cob, roasted asparagus, chopped salad, and [vegan] burgers! We'll be visiting the thermal water at Evan's plunge, and Wind Cave NP tomorrow, so stay tuned!
Hot Springs, SD - Tuesday, June 23rd
On the 12th day of our trip, we said goodbye to Badlands in SD with heavy hearts, and drove about 2 hours to Hot Springs, about the farthest west in SD you can go. Only 40 minutes away from the border with Nebraska and similar to the border with Wyoming, which is where our next destination is. We had to catch up on work when we got to the campground, so we launched the kids off to play a little outside, but not long after, we packed ourselves and drove to a beautiful lake with a sandy beach only 12 minutes away from our camp site, called "breaker's beach". But a minute before we drove there, we had a little drama in the RV - we found out that we somehow got ourselves locked out, with the keys inside. We were grateful our dog was with us (sometimes we leave him 'home', because pets are not allowed on some trails or public areas) and that our insurance allowed us to call a locks man to get us in. Turns out shutting the door makes the latch lock because of gravity, so it was an easy fix, but one heck of an inconvenience! After we got back from the beach we stopped at a supermarket, and then back home. We caught up on cleaning (the kids and the dishes 😊), grocery shopping, cooking, and some more catching up on work.. Now we are very much prepared to a morning at Mammoth Site for an exciting family excavation, for a visit at a Cascade Falls that has a natural clear spring of 67 degrees F year-round (I wonder who of us is going to be brave enough to go in the water when it's not even warm outside!), and we are tempted to visit the border with Nebraska, since we've never been! Stay tuned 😊
We stayed at Badlands/White River KOA (our rating 10/10; downsides - none! upsides - quiet, clean & spacious sites, very close to the NP)
Sioux Falls - Badlands NP, SD - Sunday/Monday, June 21st-22nd
On the morning of our 10th day of the trip, we left Sioux Falls, and drove over 5 hours to Badlands national park, which is all the way in the west of South Dakota. While it was a rainy day, the drive was straightforward, over 250 miles on road I-90 W, and we were mostly glad we didn't plan another day at Jellystone, or our stay there would have been a little wasted time, since no outdoor activities were possible.
We arrived at Badlands/ White River KOA at 4pm, and went out to explore. We already stayed here last year, and loved the campground for its amenities, its playground & pool, and most of all, for its proximity to the national park. After a very long drive, we all needed to stretch out and be outside, but we saved the hiking for the next day.
And indeed, on our 11th day of the trip, we went hiking on two beautiful trails - Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, an easy 0.5mi loop, and The Window Trail - a 1.2mi out-and-back moderate trail (due to its elevation gain). On the second trail, since it was not on a boardwalk, we took our time exploring, climbing (the kids of course), taking everything in, and looking for fossils. The end of this one requires climbing a ladder, and walking on a high area that we felt uncomfortable letting our 5 and 8yo walk on, and with my knee that's still in recovery, we split and reconnected after to hike back to the trailhead. Not everyone knows that around 70 million years ago, the Badlands area was a shallow seaway with accumulated sediments of clay, that dried entirely when the Rockies formed (which got this area elevate above sea level), and that's what makes the landscape here so unique, and full of fossils. We even found a fossilized jaw with 3 teeth!!!
We stayed on the trail until later in the afternoon, and visited a couple of overlooks on our way back to the campground.
I think it is safe to say our second experience here did not fail, and we will likely return once more on our next trip out south.
Tomorrow morning our visit here ends, so be sure to come back to read about our adventures further west in Hot Springs and Mammoth Site, which will be our last stop in South Dakota.
We stayed at Jellystone Sioux Falls, SD (our rating 9/10; downsides - some scheduled activities were not carried through; upsides - nice layout, very nice activities).
Sioux Falls - Saturday, June 20th
Our 9th day of the trip was our last day at Jellystone in Sioux Falls, SD, so we took our time enjoying the many activities on site. We spent a good chunk of the day doing arts and crafts, gem mining, and mini golf, while the kids also made good use of the bouncy house and jumping pillow.
Later in the afternoon, we headed downtown to explore SculptureWalk and the Arc of Dreams, the iconic pedestrian bridge spanning the Big Sioux River. The bridge is a work of art in its own right, and together with the dozens of sculptures scattered throughout downtown, it turned a simple walk through the city into an experience. Walking through downtown was no small task for me. Covering that distance with a crutch wasn't exactly easy, but I was determined not to miss it, and it was all well worth the effort.
The highlight of the day was the outdoor glow party back at the campground. By evening, the event area was packed with families, music, dancing, games, and more glowing accessories than I knew existed. The kids had an absolute blast and stayed until the very end, making it a memorable way to finish our stay in Sioux Falls before heading to our next destination, Badlands National Park.
Sioux Falls - Thursday/Friday, June 18-19th
On day 7, we crossed the border into South Dakota, which we already visited last year, and felt we haven't seen enough. We're spending this long weekend at Jellystone Sioux Falls, and are keeping a nice mix of campground activities (and there are lots of those at Jellystone!) with some of the wonderful attractions around town.
On our first day at Jellystone (and 7th day of the trip), while exploring the park, our 7yo fell off his scooter and badly injured his arm (likely fracture). This makes it the second time we've had severe injuries on trips but the strange thing is that of all the challenging hikes and activities we've done, those injuries occurred at random, while walking on the street or riding a (regular) scooter.. this time at least, it's manageable!
On our second day in this beautiful area, we visited the butterfly exhibition at the aquarium, had a wonderful vegan lunch at a local Mediterranean restaurant, and went to stroll through the famous and beautiful Sioux falls at Falls Park.
Sioux falls is home to one of the few major waterfalls in the Great Plains, where the big Sioux river drops nearly 100 feet over pink quartzite rock that's more than a billion years old(!). We truly had an amazing time and were all at awe of the falls' powerful sights.
Jackson, Minnesota - Tuesday/Wednesday, June 16-17th
Days 5 and 6 weren't exactly the kind of days that make it into travel brochures, but that's honestly what most long RV trips look like.
We covered another 252 miles on our way west, crossed Minnesota off our list of states we've visited, caught up on work, did laundry, and handled all the little chores that somehow keep multiplying when six people are living in a bus. The kids helped out where they could, which was appreciated, especially on days when both of us were trying to keep up with work deadlines.
Between all of that, there was still time for scooter rides, sprint races, and a lot of pool time. Nothing particularly dramatic happened, but those simple moments are becoming some of our favorite parts of the trip. When you're traveling for this long, not every day is about a national park or a major attraction.
Tomorrow we'll head to Jellystone in Sioux Falls. We're looking forward to settling in for a few days, exploring the area, and finally getting to some of the activities we've been planning for months.
We stayed at KOA Jackson, MN (our rating 10/10; downsides - none we found!; upsides - quiet, excellent activities!).
Wisconsin - Monday, June 15th
Day 4 of our journey started in Wisconsin, a state we've never been to! and it began as an early work day.
One of the biggest question marks before this trip was how we'd manage two full-time remote jobs while traveling with four kids, and now we're finally getting our answer. It's definitely not as simple as working from home, but so far we're making it work.
We're still in the "getting there" part of the trip, where most days are about moving closer to the places we've been planning for months. The flexible schedule helps a lot, and we're slowly figuring out what pace works for us.
We've really enjoyed the KOA in Oakdale. The campground is beautiful, the kids have had plenty to do, and it's been a nice place to stop for a few days before getting back on the road. Tomorrow we'll head into Minnesota, another new state for us. After that, South Dakota is finally coming up. We'll be staying at Jellystone in Sioux Falls, visiting the Mammoth Site for a family paleontology excavation, and returning to Badlands National Park, which we loved on a previous trip.
The more exciting destinations are around the corner, with some major parks in our soon-to-accomplish bucket list.
We stayed at KOA Oakdale, WI (our rating 9/10; downsides - close to a highway (you can clearly hear the traffic); upsides - excellent amenities & activities, very well maintained).
Indiana-Wisconsin - Sunday, June 14th
Day 3 feels like the trip is starting to settle into a rhythm.
We left Indiana late this morning after waking up to rain and deciding we'd rather spend driving time on a Sunday than on a work day as we initially planned for tomorrow. Most of today has been spent on the road, with a quick stop at a rest area where we cooked lunch, stretched our legs, and gave our dog a chance to burn off some energy before getting back in the RV.
One thing we've noticed today is how quickly the weather changed as we headed north. Just a day ago we were dealing with summer heat, and now the temperatures are noticeably cooler as we make our way into Wisconsin.
We're about two hours away from our next stop: a KOA in Oakdale, Wisconsin. We've stayed at quite a few KOAs over the years, which have become some of our favorite campgrounds because they consistently offer the mix of convenience, amenities, and kid-friendly activities we're looking for.
This is also our first time visiting Wisconsin, one of several new states we'll be crossing off our list this summer. The national parks and mountain scenery are still ahead of us, but for now we're enjoying the simple milestones: a new state, cooler air, and another few hundred miles behind us.
Indiana - Saturday, June 13th
Day 2 has started for us at the Oaklake RV Resort in Indiana, a lovely campground with abundant outdoor family games and activities including pickleball, basketball, volleyball, gaga pit and a great playground! We spent a great deal of our day at the beach and in the water. They have a large inflatable water course that's part obstacle course and part jumping pillow, and it kept the kids busy for hours.
With big plans ahead of us, including Badlands, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Parks before we reach the Canadian Rockies, we get to check off a few states we've never visited before, including Wisconsin and Minnesota. We're learning to appreciate the smaller adventures in between, too.
We stayed at Oak Lake RV resort, IN (our rating 7/10; downside - bathrooms and overall maintenance; upsides - activities)
Home to Indiana - Friday, June 12th
Day 1 is officially underway. After a very long morning in our home (Ohio), with many "did we pack XXX??" moments, we finally hit the road and started our summer adventure of nearly 2 months. We're driving our 36ft bus and towed SUV to our first destination - a campground resort in Fair Oaks, Indiana. It's about 4.5 hours drive distance, mostly on highways, which has been fairly calm and manageable so far, and I'm writing this about three hours into the trip. Feeding four hungry kids on travel day is always part of the challenge, and since we haven't had a chance to cook yet, lunch will be simple: pita pockets I packed from home with peanut butter or vegan ricotta and vegetables.
Not everything went according to plan. One sudden stop sent our beloved coffee machine crashing to the floor, and we haven't even started yet 😳 but I know we should focus on being thankful our family is staying safe on this journey. Check out our travel journal for pictures and more live updates as our road winds!
Home - Thursday, June 11th
We are leaving on our journey tomorrow morning to start our 2-month family RV trip and can't believe we're actually there! For months I've been planning this trip while recovering from a complicated knee fracture that still hasn't fully healed, so there is definitely some uncertainty ahead. But after all the planning, packing, and anticipation, we're finally ready to hit the road.
Over the next two months we'll be traveling through 8 states and 2 Canadian provinces in our RV, working remotely, homeschooling summer-style, exploring national parks, and cooking our way across North America.
We'll be sharing updates here every day (with plenty of photos, of course), so follow along as our summer adventure begins! 🏕️🚐
Amazing!!!