This trip has been on my bucket list since before kids. I heard people talk about monkeys, waterfalls and adventures and I was 100% in. So when this opportunity came when we had recently decided to homeschool the kids, we thought “why not now, why not us” and we booked it in 10 minutes. I have found that the best trips and experiences are those that you jump into, go in because of a gut feeling and figure it out on the way. 

So for those reading this and thinking you have to plan trips months in advance…. unless it is Disney and you are trying to get a seat at the princess table with Cinderella… you can literally book a trip in a couple weeks and have a great time. We booked Costa Rica and left 30 days later. It can be done! We had the absolute best trip and I am going to give you all the details so you too can do it!

First, we booked with JetBlue because it was cheaper and it actually ended up being an amazing experience. The plane had TV’s so the kids were excited and happy for the entire ride. When planning our trip, we figured out a couple things that we wanted to do and we made sure those things happens on our trip. We knew we wanted to be at the beach, see monkeys and sloths, see the jungle, see waterfalls and zip line. If you can narrow down the things you know you REALLY want to do and see, you can make it all work. 

Day 1: 

We flew into San Jose (SJO) airport and took the shuttle over to the Toyota Rent a Car. You want to rent something with four wheeled drive. This is one area I would spare no expense and just do it. The Costa Rican roads were totally unpredictable. One minute they were paved and the next you were driving up a road that looked like no one else in the world had passed over it. 

We drove straight to Puntarenas-Paquera Ferry. You can get in line for the ferry when you get there and then drive right on. We booked a night in the most amazing boutique hotel Hotel Vista las Islas. The pool had the most amazing views and this hotel was exactly what I had been imagining when I thought of coming to Costa Rica. Looking back, I would have booked a couple nights there and really soaked in that great hotel. 

Days 2-6:

We drove to Santa Teresa and stayed in the Blue Surf Sanctuary. This was a super cute town that had the beach, surfer and laid back feels. 

The kids actually enrolled in a surf camp and had the best instructor, Toro. This was super convenient for us. The hotel had a pool, an outdoor community kitchen area, the most beautiful little bungalows and Toro came directly to the hotel to pick up the kids and walk them down to the beach which was less than a three minute walk, to do their surf lessons. 

The kids had an amazing time! Highly, highly, highly recommend both the hotel and the surf camp. The surf camp was in the morning, so in the afternoon we had all the free time to explore and go on adventures. 

Things we did in Santa Teresa:

1. Visited Montezuma Waterfalls. We drove to the top, hiked to the top two waterfalls then made our way down to the bottom where the biggest one is. When you use the man-made steps to hike up and down, there is someone who will give you a wrist band and you pay about $2. There you have the opportunity to jump off into the falls and swim. Then we went to Butterfly Brewing Co. & Imago Brew Pub (which is right outside of the Montezuma falls) and had the best sandwiches, beer, fresh pina colada and the kids had passion fruit soda which is made there at the brewery. 
2. We went to lunch at a little restaurant in Manzanillo called Atardecer Dorado. It was off the beaten path, no one spoke english, but it was a restaurant that was a stones throw away from the ocean, the best view, the best guacamole, margaritas and by far the cheapest meal we had in Costa Rica. Grab lunch then go to the little store right next to the restaurant and grab a Trits dessert (trust me, you will thank me later) and walk down to the beach and relax and have dessert. 
3. Have dinner or lunch at any of the awesome restaurants on the beach. There are many to choose from and the sunsets on the beach are epic. 

Day 7: 

We drove our longest drive of the trip to Hacienda Guachipelin Volcano Ranch Hotel & Hot Springs in Liberia. This hotel offered free breakfast and free access to all of their waterfalls and hot springs on site. This was super worth it to stay here. The hotel also had a pool, animals, great staff and was very comfortable. 

We made sure to visit each waterfall on site and do the hot springs as soon was we got there. We highly recommend participating in the mud bath at the hot springs. It was messy but great! 

Day 8: 

We did the La Leona Waterfall tour with Offi, make sure to download WhatsApp or text him directly at 506-8899-8149. You can message him before you come and set up a day and time for your tour. This was a highlight of our trip. The tour was amazing, Offi is incredible. Everyone helped with our little one who was six and made her feel comfortable and safe. The guides were every bit of amazing. Not to mention the waterfall and the water holes on the way are breathtaking. 

After the waterfall tour, we had dinner/lunch at Soda Donda Yara. Again, no English but we did our best to understand each other and it was the best meal! Anytime you see a “SODA” that is a local Costa Rican restaurant, usually a small, mom and pop open air restaurants that serves only traditional Costa Rican food.

Day 9 – 12:

We took a drive to our next home for a couple days, at an amazing Airbnb in Tierras Morenas near Lake Arenal. This was magical! This Airbnb was everything we could have ever dreamed of. It was a renovated school bus that had the most amazing view and the most epic sunset. 

We fell in love with this place. Not to mention that the owners are just as sweet and amazing. They were so welcoming, showed us around the incredible, efficient bus, even set us up to tour the farm that their family owns that was next door. And had the opportunity to see how and where the yogurt is made that they make. Check out everything from Tisú Farm!

Things we did around Lake Arenal:

1. We went to the Finca La Amistad and did the “From Seedling to Chocolate Bar” Combined Tour. We were able to make our own chocolate and it was so good. Definitely a learning experience. We were actually here for Thanksgiving, so we practiced gratitude as family over some fresh chocolate. It was perfect! 
2. We went to the most incredible hike of multiple waterfalls at Viento Fresco Waterfall. This area was basically untouched and we were alone to enjoy each one and get incredible pictures. The hike was strenuous and we had a lot of positive “you can do it’s” in there but wow it was amazing. We then went to an amazing pizza place close by called Restaurante y Pizzería Donde Jossy. It quaint, very small town, no english speaking, but incredible service and food. 
3. We did a sloth walking tour at Ranas Bijaguas. We had the best tour guide and the best experience. We would have never been able to find the sloths without him. He had an amazing eye for all animals and it made the whole experience. 

Day 12 +:

This is where the trip gets crazy. We drove to Volcano Lodge in La Fortuna right near the Arenal Volcano in hopes to do zip lining and see epic views of the volcano. The hotel we stayed in was awesome, the pool was incredible, the hot springs were awesome and the food was great. However, we checked the weather and saw that it was going to rain for the next three days of our trip. We asked some locals to confirm this information and then quickly made a 10-second decision to change our plans. 

We jumped in the car and headed to Jaco, found a great Airbnb on the beach at Hotel Jaco and we were able to avoid the rain for the couple days. The Airbnb had a great pool, beautiful beach views, awesome food and drinks in the hotel lobby and super friendly staff. 

Things we did in Jaco:

1. We had an incredible meal at Restaurante Vista Hermosa. High recommend coming here for a sunset view and dinner on the beach. 
2. We went zip lining and ATV riding at Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park. This was a highlight of our trip. The staff was incredible, they took great care of our littles. Our daughter was only six years old and going upside down on the zip line. The staff made her feel super comfortable and encouraged both kids to be brave. The ATV part was absolutely worth it. They took us to a waterfall with a natural slide. That was so much fun for the whole family! 

We ended the trip driving back to a hotel outside of the airport where we ordered uber eats, watched movies and got ready to head out. 

Honestly, this whole trip was amazing. We would do this whole itinerary over again in a heart beat. 

Our family tips to your family:

1. The people are absolutely incredible. You do not need to know Spanish to understand their hospitality and generosity. They are extremely grateful people and we adored everyone we met. 
2. Eat anywhere off the beaten path. The food is usually cheaper and it is always so good. 
3. Download Google Maps for offline use.
4. Be prepared to drive on roads that are not paved. Some of the roads were a bit challenging including loose rocks and river crossings. We think you would need a 4X4 vehicle. 
5. Stay in Airbnb’s or authentic lodging, get to know the culture, go out to different places, different foods, and meet new people. 

Reach out with any questions or tag @farindoran on Facebook or Instagram if you go to any of these places. Would love to hear if this helped you or where you went! 

We have decided to make lemonade out of lemons this year and we are finding new places to discover as a family. Right now that is the beauty of homeschooling, we can take our kids where we want, when we want. We decided to take a trip to Florida to soak in the warm weather and get to see some places we haven’t seen before.

At the beginning of the school year, we told our kids to pick out the top places they would want to see. If we were going to have this time to be with them, we are going to make the most of it. They chose some beautiful national parks and some amazing beaches…. and they also chose to see The Gator Boys. They have been watching The Gator Boys on TV and they heard from the show that they had an actual place in Florida. So, we decided to make their dreams come true and visit!

We mapped out some other Florida destinations to stop on the way there and the way back!

First up… Amelia Island

So many people recommended an expensive well-known hotel but we did our research and found the perfect spot, the Seaside Amelia Inn, on the beach that would not break the bank. You are just steps from the beach and you can see it from your hotel room. 

Tip: I recommend waking up early and heading to the beach to see the most beautiful sunset. Then you can grab your free breakfast and coffee from the hotel and sit on your room’s balcony. 

There is so much to see and do while in Amelia Island which is actually only four miles wide at its widest point. For the foodies and the mommas reading that can’t wait to get away, try new food, take a break from cooking and have a drink….. I have a plan for you!

After you check into your hotel, take your family downtown. It’s is a super quick drive to The Decantery which is a premier wine, craft beer, and cocktail lounge. Because let’s be real, momma just had a long drive, probably a long week, and she can use a cocktail! (But don’t worry, there are things for your children there too!)

There are actually couches and the cutest little setups that make it perfect for families. They have the absolute best charcuterie boards and homemade desserts that I am sure will make everyone happy. While the craft beer is a great choice, I also recommend asking the bartender for a signature cocktail. Not only are the cocktails amazing but they also are super Instagram-worthy. 

Now that the parents have treated themselves, you can surprise your children with some extra fun. Walk on over to Timoti’s Seafood Shak and if you get there before the sun goes down, there is a pirate ship playground in the back. There are picnic tables and it is very welcoming and relaxing. The food is also incredible! There is something for everyone there. 

Next, take a super quick walk over to Gregor MacGregor’s Mini Links & Drinks. Yes, you read that right…. A mini-golf spot that also has drinks for you. Your kids will be so excited to play a round of mini-golf (which was a great little course) and you can walk around with a beer in your hand. Mom is happy, dad is happy, and the kids are happy!

Before you leave, if you have some time to sit and relax, go to the top of Gregor MacGregor’s and there is an amazing overlook of the golf course. There are couches and televisions and you can take drinks and food up there to hang out. This was a highlight for us because everyone was happy, filled, and tired for a nice sleep at the hotel which was only minutes away. 

For other day plans, I suggest going to Fort Clinch State Park which is actually very close to the Seaside Amelia Inn. There is so much to do at the state park! You pay just $6 a vehicle to get in and you can go birding, fishing, geocaching, hiking on a ton of trails, picnicking on the beach and look for shark’s teeth, and swimming. Plus at the end of the road is the famous Fort Clinch.

We love taking our family to these historic places, reading all the signs, learning about American history, and experiencing new things. There are also amazing views from the top of the fort with the ocean behind you that you can take all sorts of family photos. 

The state park alone could have been almost an all-day adventure. When you leave, across the street is the Pirate Playground which you probably wouldn’t notice if you were driving by. It is a super cute playground and perfect for kids of all ages.

By this time you are probably famished and we highly recommend you going to Amelia Tavern. When in Amelia, right? The tavern is exactly what you would think it is and it is filled with beers. You can even take beers with you, and if you plan ahead and you are going to Amelia Island for something special, you can preorder a custom growler. You can pick the font, the words, everything! 

I was personally impressed with the flights. I loved the Madison Cherry Sour and the Creamsicle Hardcraft Seltzer. I also love that they make everything in-house. The food was amazing and beer matched it perfectly. Tell your spouse you are taking him to a brewpub after taking him to a historic fort and he will be a happy man. 

Next up… Ft. Lauderdale

Our next stop was Ft. Lauderdale where we stayed two nights and saw a ton of gators. We went on an airboat ride and went to Everglades Holiday Park where we saw the people from the show and made my kid’s day. It was a highlight of their trip!

And the finale…. St. Augustine

On our way home we had to incorporate some learning along the way so we stopped in St. Augustine, which lays claim that it is the oldest city in the US. While we were there we made sure to take in all of the sights, sounds and scares that we could with Old Town Trolley Tours. It started on our first night there as we cruised the streets on the Ghosts & Gravestones Frightseeing Tour which gave us some great history of the city and the people who made it what it had become. I highly recommend the Trolley Tour and jumping on and off of it. Not only does the trolley take you around the city to all of the fun stops, but you learn history along the way.

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The next morning we set off on another adventure with some of more of the state reptile of Florida, you guessed it! More gators! We made our way to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park via the free shuttle from Old Town Trolley Tours, make sure you snag the multiple day package, right outside of our hotel. Once home to the legend of Gomek, the legendary giant saltwater crocodile, the park has alligators from all over the world on display for people to see and read about them along a path that covers the entire park. There were plenty more to see and do than just alligators, they have a theater where they put on different shows throughout the day as well as a full zip line and ropes course that carries you through the treetops of the park below.

As we made our way across the Bridge of Lions to downtown, we started to look for a place to grab a bite to eat. We passed so many cute restaurants along the water with fancy outdoor tables in front of brightly panting houses until we rode past one that had a porch off of their upstairs level flying Ireland and Guinness flags, needless to say my husband was sold! Meehan’s Irish Pub & Seafood House is the perfect place to eat for everyone in the family. Great food, great atmosphere, great service, inside, outside, and backyard seating. We had one of our best meals there!

Tip: Make sure you try their homemade Irish cream, it is delicious and the perfect way to end the night.

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After dinner, you can walk down to Mayday Ice Cream for the best ice cream. Make sure you read the story behind the name, and always ask for sprinkles because they are FREE! You can grab your ice cream and walk around the old streets, stop in some of the shops and get to know the little town.

Being that we are homeschooling, we took ever opportunity to learn, stop and read the different plaques, to stop at all of the historic sites and go into the buildings. We went to the Old Jail, the Oldest Store Museum, and Whetstone Chocolates… everything we could do, we did it.

This was by far one of my favorite cities. The second we left, I told my husband that we need to come back. There is so much to see and do in this super cute town.

Off to the next adventure…. but before you go, check out our video recap!

When I told my friends that I was going on another trip, they said “you just came back from one”. Yea, it kinda feels that way. It feels like we are going on trips, coming back, settling and then going again. But, thats exactly what we want to do for our family. We want to go on adventures, see as much as we can in this life and get the most out of every single day. 

So we packed up and headed to a brand new location for us, Wyoming! Actually, we flew into Utah, headed to Wyoming and also drove through Idaho on our way back. 

Each trip we have been on has been completely different and makes it that much more special. I love the United States because each state is so unique and has so many different things to see and do. 

I have gotten so many messages about asking for an itinerary and giving all the fun spots, so I thought a blog would be the best place to collect all the information for you!

If you find value and end up taking the trip or seeing some of the places, would love for you to tag me and let me know this helped you! Can’t wait to see where you go!

Day 1

We flew into Salt Lake City, Utah and grabbed a rental car from Rugged Rentals. This was the best deal we could find for a rental car. It was off-site but it was super easy to hop on their shuttle and get to. We immediately started off on our trek to Wyoming. We stopped at the Wal-Mart in Evanston, WY to grab food for the week. Some of our go to food staples are: fruit, crackers, s’mores ingredients, water, peanut butter and bread, trail mix, granola bars, pop tarts and we get dinner for our cabin one night. This time we got burgers, red potatoes and a salad. 

We met up with our friends, the AdventurtunityFamily, for dinner who were staying at the Star Valley Ranch RV Park. For those with an RV, this was a great little spot with an amazing view, pool, pickle ball and playground. The only downside we heard of was that the WIFI wasn’t working very well. 

Then we checked into our cabin on the Rockin M Ranch in Alpine, WY. We could not say enough good things about this ranch. Highly recommend to anyone traveling here. There were fishing rods available, a stocked pond, streams, horses on site, the sweetest ranch dogs, wood cut and ready for your fire pit, a grill with a full propane tank, the cleanest, best smelling cabin that included everything we needed. Not to mention, waking up, stepping outside on the porch and having a clear view of the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking. 

Day 2

We drove to Grand Teton National Park and hiked the infamous Jenny Lake. Since I first looked up the Tetons, I heard about the hike to Inspiration Point. I knew that was something I wanted to do so we hiked around Jenny Lake and about midway, we saw the most amazing waterfalls and then continued up to Inspiration Point. 

Tip: You can actually take the boat from the entrance over to the bottom of Inspiration Point and then hike it up and either walk back or take the boat back. Having little kids, I would have probably taken the boat across and then walked back. 

After the waterfalls, we questioned if the hike up to Inspiration point was worth it. The kids were tired and we had already walked a good distance but we decided to keep going and yes it was worth it. You cannot come to these places and not do all of the things. You didn’t come this far, to just come this far. 

Tip: If you are going to be visiting any National Park and have a fourth grader, make sure you sign them up for the Every Kid Outdoors program. The program gives them free access to all of the National Parks in the country starting September 1 to August 31 during the year that they are in fourth grade.

On the way back down, we decided that we wanted to take the longer way so we could see more and not go back on the same trail. This ended up being a way longer hike than we expected, hiking back around Jenny Lake, getting to String Lake and then making the full loop back. The Jenny Lake hike along is 7.9 miles and that isn’t including around String lake, and the hike up Inspiration Point. 

Overall, super worth it and it is a story we will continue to talk about. 

Another tip: Bring a ton of water. We actually ended up using all of our water and had to ask someone at String Lake who was leaving if we could have some of theirs. At that point, we had three miles left on our hike and wanted to make sure the kids had enough to get them there. 

One more fun tip: When hiking up inspiration point, stop at the first landing and wait for the chipmunks to come out. Your kids will think it is the greatest thing. The chipmunks come up so close, you can grab a super cute picture! 

Wait, there is another tip: Bring BEAR SPRAY! We did see a black bear while we were walking on the trail. Every other person on the trail had bear spray so it is a must. Grab it, know how to use it and keep it on you.

Day 3

We went into Jackson Hole, to Teton Village. We have heard about these famous waffles at the top of the mountain and we had to try them. You can order tickets for the gondola ahead of time and save money. When you get their, go to will call, grab your tickets and you can take the gondola up the hill where there is a restaurant and bar. 

Note: Usually people take the Jackson Hole Aerial Tram and enjoy Corbet’s Cabin’s delicious freshly-made waffles at the summit, but it was actually closed for repairs, so for now, you take the gondola up and get about the same experience. 

Once you get up, grab some pictures of this amazing view and then grab a table. Go into the restaurant and you can choose from some unique waffles, get a pizza, a frose, beer, etc. We got the cinnamon toast crunch waffle and the peanut butter and bacon one. Sooooooooo good! Nothing better than sitting at the top of a mountain, with an amazing view, eating a waffle and drinking a frose in the middle of the day. 

We headed down into the Teton Village to the playground and let the kids play around while we snacked. 

Tip: Bring lunch and snacks with you. You can sit down and have a snack, have a drink and watch your kids play around on the playground and through the water play area. There is also shopping, rock climbing, trampolines and other activities. 

Day 4

We made a two hour drive from Alpine, WY to the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Yes, the drive was a bit longer than I would have wanted but I couldn’t come this close to Yellowstone and not go see it. Plus, new roads mean new views and it was beautiful. 

We left early in the morning so we could get the most in. We started taking a picture at the Yellowstone sign as you pull in. Then make sure you grab a map from the ranger as you are driving in. There is so much to see and the map will help you get to everywhere you want to. For our day we decided on a loop which took us to everything that we wanted to see. It started by traveling along Highway US 89/191 – Grand Loop Road, then a slight right to continue on Highway US 89, then a right on to Norris Canyon Road (closed during winter months), then back on to Grand Loop Road (closed during winter months) until you reach the south entrance again.

We started with Old Faithful. Bring lunch and grab a seat. Old Faithful erupts every 60-70 minutes, so no matter what time you get there, you can have a seat, eat lunch and wait so you don’t miss it. 

Tip: You can go to the visitor center and ask a ranger when the next eruption is set to go off. Also, if you have kids, head to the visitor center to get the junior ranger patch and learning book. There are activities in the book that the kids can do while throughout the whole park. One of them is about Old Faithful which would be great for the time you are sitting and waiting for the magic to happen. 

We hopped in the car and went to the Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone’s Midway Geyser Basin. These hot springs were super cool to see and feel the heat. 

Next, we drove to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We started out hiking to the lower part of the waterfall. There are switchbacks that take you down and you end up at the top of the lower waterfall. It felt unreal to be there, you were so close to the top of the water fall, it was amazing. The waterfall and the view into the canyon were beautiful. 

Drive down just a little farther and park and you can walk to lookout point which is just a super short walk. You are able to see the waterfall from the other side which is totally worth it. 

From here, you can drive back towards where you entered Yellowstone and drive through Hayden Valley. This is a great place to spot bison and other wildlife. 

There are so many places to stop and see in Yellowstone, so if you see something you want to stop for, do it. 

Day 5

We took a short drive to Idaho and had a lake day at Palisades Reservoir. Our friends actually had blow up paddle boards so we were able to use those on the lake. There are so many places you can rent kayaks, tubes, paddle boards, etc from if you just look them up. 

You can also just have a lake day and go swimming. We brought lunch, snacks, drinks, music, played in the water in the tube, on the boards and just enjoyed the view. See the picture for the exact location of where we went. It seems a little off the main road but it was super easy to get in and out and feels like a best kept secret location. 

That night we went to the Jackson Hole Rodeo. Make sure you get your tickets ahead of time because they only do it twice a week. We absolutely loved the rodeo. We didn’t get there early to grab seats but actually loved sitting on the fence even better. We were closer to the action and we were able to move around. 

Tip: The food at the rodeo was awesome. The soft pretzels were one of the best I have had and the elk chili was delicious. You can plan to eat there at the rodeo. 

Another tip: Plan to stay after the rodeo, go see the bulls and then if you have kids, let them ride the mechanical bull. The lines aren’t as long and the sun is down so it is a lot cooler. 

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Day 6

We drove back into Jackson Hole and the Tetons and made it a day of exploring. You can go into Jackson Hole and get a picture in front of one of the infamous antler arches, have lunch in a signature Jackson Hole restaurant, grab some gifts/souvenirs at one of the stores and if you have kids, stop to see the sheriff on the horse and ask about being a junior deputy of Jackson Hole. He will do a whole pledge and give your kids an official pin. 

We also made sure to stop at the Grand Teton Visitor Center to pick up junior ranger badges for the kids with more activity books. We also pulled off on some streets to see the amazing views of the Tetons. 

There is a little lake and a new wooden sculpture built in Rendezvous Park that we stopped to see. You can walk around, have snacks, swim in the lake and get some good pictures. 

We had dinner at our cabin this night. We grilled on our porch, saw the sunset with the most beautiful sky, had a fire, roasted marshmallows and got in the hot tub.  

Day 7

We booked a two-hour trail ride on the ranch’s horses. It was so awesome being on the ranch and being able to just walk down to the stable and get on the horses. 

This was a highlight of our trip for all of us. The kids loved every second of it. The ride took us back into Idaho, into the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and across three different streams. 

We came back to the cabin and Jeff ran out to Delish Donuts & Coffee. This is a can not miss donut place! The donuts and coffee were amazing and I wish I got more. 

Our ranch had everything we needed to have a great day staying on the ranch. We used the ranch’s fishing rods and fished into the ponds and streams. The kids played with the ranch dog in the stream having him fetch sticks. We went for walks, checked out the horses, set up the fire, got in the hot tub and ate at the cabin. 

Tip: Book the trail ride earlier in the week. Our kids wanted to go again and we probably would have done it again if we had more time to book it. We also would have booked the combo trip that the ranch offered which included fishing and trail riding. 

Day 8

We stayed at the cabin as long as possible and enjoyed the horses, dogs and fishing again. We drove back into Salt Lake City, Utah and took the Idaho route so we were able to see more. We even stopped at a roadside beef and elk jerky stand.

We ended our night with heading to Topgolf for the first time and we loved it. 

We booked the Tru by Hilton Salt Lake City Airport and it included airport transportation and free breakfast which made it super convenient. 

We absolutely loved this trip. This was one the that the kids were super sad to leave. They loved the simple outdoors life and the cabin. They loved seeing horses daily and being with the ranch dogs. 

We loved the opportunity to see so many new animals that we haven’t seen before. We loved exploring together as a family and getting the most out of our days together. 

Overall, this was an amazing trip. Every single day we did something incredible. We woke up each day a wrote in our Live Inspired Gratitude Journal and of course we had so much to be grateful for.

Buy the Live Inspired Gratitude Journal on Amazon Prime!

A big part of our homeschooling was wanting the opportunity to go where we want when we want. We knew there is so much greatness to see in this county and in this world and we want to be apart of it. 

We want out kids to have the most incredible memories of the most amazing places. We want them to learn by going to places and standing in those spots in the books and learning while they are there. 

Wyoming, you were beautiful and taught us so much about nature and the simple life… and we cannot wait to come back!

I hope you find value, you can always ask me questions and when you go to these places and if you do some of the same things, tag me @farindoran so I can see your adventures!!

Items to bring:

1. Water bottles:
   A. Adults – Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle
   B. Kids – MIRA 12 oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle
2. Carabiner clips for your water bottles – 6PCS Carabiner Clips
3. Kid journals – Emraw Neon Color Cover Composition Book
4. Leggings – Any with pockets (for your easy phone storage) – use code: FARIN10 for 10% off at Clothed In Radiance.
5. Hiking backpack – JanSport SuperBreak Backpack
6. Extra battery charger – Mophie Powerstation Plus XL with Built in Micro USB and Lighning Cables
7. Hiking socks – MERIWOOL Merino Wool Hiking Socks for Men and Women
8. Hiking Boots:
   A. Jeffs – Rax Men’s Wild Wolf Mid Venture Waterproof Lightweight Hiking Boots, Light Khaki
   B. Peyton’s – Merrell Kids’ Unisex M-Chameleon 7 Access Mid A/C Wtrpf Hiking Shoe, Grey/Blue
   C. Sawyer’s – Hawkwell Kids’ Outdoor Mid Hiking Boots Trekking Walking Shoes, Burgundy Mesh
9. All-natural, family safe, hydrating drink mix – Message me on Facebook or email farintea@hotmail.com for more information on what we drank every single day

It seriously feels like a dream to be able to take my family on an incredible bucket list vacation. We were able to see so many amazing places, get so much fresh air, practice so much gratitude and really live life to the fullest.

During a crazy year, and then deciding to homeschool our children for a year, we asked out children to look up the top places in the country and pick out their bucket list places. Every time we would see a screensaver on the TV showing a beautiful place, the kids would yell and point out the places they wanted to go and see and would look it up and tell us. So when this trip opportunity came up and more than half of their bucket list places were on the itinerary, so we knew this was a MUST!

We are a family that loves adventure, we love exploring, we love seeing new places and being together, so this trip was perfect for us!

I have gotten so many messages about asking for an itinerary and giving all the fun spots, so I thought a blog would be the best place to collect all the information for you!

If you find value and end up taking the trip or seeing some of the places, would love for you to tag me on Facebook and Instagram and let me know this helped you! I cannot wait to see where you go!

So we flew into Las Vegas, Nevada, rented a car (I recommend one with four-wheel drive so you are not limited where you go) and drove over four hours to Page, Arizona.

We stayed at the Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell, 1126 North Navajo Drive, Page, AZ 86040, which was the perfect location for our first couple days. It has a pool, outside seating with fire pits and you get to see the sun set from the patio.

There is a Walmart near by so you can pack up on some food so you aren’t obligated to eat out all the time. The Hyatt had free breakfast so we were set for that but we did get crackers, fruit, gallons of water (for our hiking days), trail mix, bread and PBJ to make sandwiches.

Day 1

We arrived in Page, Arizona, checked into our hotel and then went with our friends to Lone Rock Beach Campground, Lone Rock Road, Page, UT 86040, where we had a beach fire and dinner. The view down there is amazing and it was the perfect way to start the trip. You should be able to find a place that already has a set up of a rock lined fire pit or you can make your own.

At this point, I believe we were in Utah. Arizona does not participate in day lights savings and Utah was behind our home time on our watch and technically when you drive down to Lone Rock you start in Utah but at some point you could be in Arizona again. At this point, every time was off and switching back and forth on our phones.

Day 2

We went to Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks, 836 Vista Avenue, Page, AZ 86040, (call ahead to make a reservation for this) and checked in for our day drip on kayaks. One you check in, they tell you where to go with clear instructions and you meet them at Lake Powell where they give you your kayaks and send you on your way.

We kayaked down Lake Powell and went onto the path they gave us and got to part of Antelope Canyon. Right now Antelope Canyon is closed however you can get in this entrance and hike into after you get off the kayak.

I highly recommend this. Being on Lake Powell, being on the water, lunching at the canyon and hiking back into a place that only kayakers are there… amazing. You feel like you have most of the place to yourself and so much time to explore.

Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks were so great, they were there to grab our kayaks when we got back and make it super easy.

There is so much sitting space at the Hyatt that we ordered a BBQ feast including chicken, brisket and the best cornbread muffins from Big John’s Texas BBQ, 153 South Lake Powell Boulevard, Page, AZ 86040, and brought it back to the hotel and ate by the fire, watching the sunset.

Day 3

We drove to the Wire Pass Trail, House Rock Valley Road, Kanab, UT 84741, (get your day pass from recreation.gov and search “Wire Pass Day Use”) where there is a place you can park your car, go to the bathroom and get set up before you hike. This was probably one of my favorite trails and also a place you can see the slot canyons. ( I actually think I liked these slot canyons more than Antelope – so I highly recommend you coming here).

You are going to hike 5.6 miles. You want to keep going and you are going to come to an opening that is wide open, where you can hear amazing echos and get incredible pictures. This would be a great place to stop and have lunch.

Then after the opening, you want to make a right and go into the slot canyons of Buckskin Gulch. There are great places to take pictures and it is really cool to see. However, this is the longest slot canyon in the US, so you probably won’t be able to make it all the way through. So make sure you hike a bit through it and then make your way back.

When you get back to your car, make it quick and then put in your GPS Horseshoe Bend, Mile Marker 545, Highway 89, Page, AZ 86040. It is amazing to see at sunset and you will be able to make it there in time, and also not be far away from your hotel at that point. You have to pay $10 to get into Horseshoe Bend. You do not need hiking boots at this point, there is a pretty easy trail. You follow the trail and you will see people there also looking over. This is the one spot that I really had a talk with the kids about staying back and not getting close. There is only one section of rails and the rest you are on your own. You can hike around it and hike to the top of a couple rocks to see even cooler views.

If I could do this all over again, I would take some snacks, maybe a drink and sit there and watch the sunset.

Day 4

We checked out of the hotel and went on our way to Mount Carmel, Utah right outside of Zion Nation Park. On the way there, we stopped and saw the Toadstools. This was an easy hike, only 1.5 miles. They were really cool to see!

Then we checked into our super cute tiny house (#3 if you can choose) at Cliffside Cabins on AirBnB, 600 North State Street, Orderville, UT 84758. This was perfect for our family. A bed in the back for mom and dad and a pull out couch in the living room for the kids. It had good size bathroom, and a little kitchen with stove, coffee maker and microwave. We were super happy with this house. We could actually see the cliffside from our bed since there were windows above.

It was nestled right next to the bottom of a cliff and every morning I would go look out side with my cup of coffee and be grateful.

There was also a fire pit and grill so we were able to make dinners and hang by the fire. I would suggest stopping at the Walmart in Page, AZ before coming and loading up on some food and snacks. There is not a whole lot near the Zion National Park area.

Day 5

Our friends, Adventurtunity Family (follow them on Instagram @AdventurtunityFamily), were staying at the Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort in their RV, so we had a brunch, hot tub, tour the campground, dinner kind of day. Also make sure that you follow all of their journeys on YouTube too, click their logo to see their latest videos.

Day 6

The women took on Angels Landing. If you haven’t heard of this hike, do not look it up…. just go! Things you need to know… this is a thrill seeking hike in Zion National Park. This is not a hike for kids…. I say that but I did see some kids on the hike but for me, I would be holding my breath the whole time.

So the mom’s had a day and the dad’s had a day to hike. And the other parents kept the kids. Getting to the Angel’s Landing – So you can either reserve the shuttle that will take you up to the Grotto Trail (which takes you up to Angels Landing), or you can rent a bike from the bottom of Zion National Park or you can walk it the two miles up.

We didn’t know about the shuttle or bikes at the time, so we parked at the bottom, on the street, across from the sign that says shuttles only (on the road that takes you up) and then we started hiking up the road. This was an easy walk up and you were able to walk along the water most of the way and get some pretty views. I recommend starting early in the morning. We started about 9:30am.

Once you get to the top, you will see a sign for Grotto Trail. Stop, go to the bathroom, have some snacks, get some water and get prepared before you go.

You are going to walk over the bridge and then start hiking up. The hike up is not bad, the paths are wide besides feeling my legs burning from the walk up, I felt fine. There are plenty of places to stop, turn around, enjoy the view and take a rest.

Once you get to the top of that hike, you are going to be at Scouts Landing and you can sit, eat again, get some water in. This is the point that some people chicken out and decide not to go all the way up. I will say that looking at the little people hiking up, I was intimidated and my heart was racing. But, I made it here, I was watching other people do it, I knew that I could, so why not now? There are chains for you to hold onto which gives you the extra sense of security.

When you make it to the top – WOW! Just WOW! We packed two mini bottles of champagne and popped them at the top. My only regret is that I did NOT pack more food. I wish I had a four-course dinner up there after the hike I just did. All the pizza, doughnuts, steak, all of it.

Recommendation: Wear good shoes, pack champagne, all the good foods and an extra battery charger for your phone. (You probably will not have service, so put your phone in airplane mode).

The hike down went fast and even though I though the was going to be the scariest part, it was actually better than going up.

Tip: Do the hike. You came all this way. Just do it!

Day 7

My husband woke up early and went to the Kanab Center Gym, 20 North 100 East, Kanab, UT 84741, where he entered the lottery to get the chance to go to The Wave, which is one of the most sought after places to see. Only 20 permits are given out a day. You can either do the lottery four months ahead of time at home or you can come in the day before and hope to get picked.

They only pick either 16 more people or 4 more permits on the day of and my husband won!

Recommendation: If you want to see The Wave, you can enter the lottery from home for the days you know you will be there. If not, you can start trying to enter the lottery and go there every morning and try to get in.

We spent the rest of the day hiking places in Zion National Park. You can pull over just about anywhere and just get out and walk around. The kids loved hiking over the rocks, discovering new little areas and jumping all over the place.

Tip: If you are going to be visiting any National Park and have a fourth grader, make sure you sign them up for the Every Kid Outdoors program. The program gives them free access to all of the National Parks in the country starting September 1 to August 31 during the year that they are in fourth grade.

Day 8

The Wave! This was an incredible day. If you win the lottery for a permit to hike there, start early. You can either meet the guide at the beginning of the trail or you can make it on your own. They will give you a map of where to go, however the map only has landmarks, there is not a specific trail.

It was incredible to be out there and for miles there was only allowed to be a certain amount of people. We hiked 2.8 miles there and it was amazing. If you ever have the opportunity to go there, do it! We took so many incredible pictures, just sat in awe and really took it all in.

What was really amazing, was being able to take my son who would have been at school that day and instead was with me, hiking and seeing something that only a certain amount of people will ever be able to see.

Now, if you get here – you want to keep going. The mountain behind the wave is where you want to go. If you went with a guide, then ask them where to go. If not, your goal is to basically walk to the second wake and then go past that a little and then up the mountain.

There is Melody Arch and a Sandy Alcove which is absolutely worth seeing. We went up to the Sandy Alcove and stopped to have lunch and take in the amazing view. You will walk down on the other side (not the side you came up) and then make your way around.

Recommendation: Good hiking boots, bring plenty of water and plenty of snacks.

I run monthly fitness groups and I told the girls in my group every single day how grateful I was for them, the groups and the home fitness I have kept up with because I felt in shape to be able to accomplish so many amazing hikes. (Click to join my next group!)

Day 9

The husbands went on their Angel’s Landing hike and we had a low-key day around our Tiny House and then had dinner at the RV.

Day 10

We actually woke up to snow on this day but we still went to Bryce Canyon National Park. It was beautiful and the snow was on and off. Go up to the different observation points (Bryce and Inspiration) so you can see from really high up. Then make your way to either the Sunset Point or Sunrise Point and make your way down through the Queens Garden Trail. You will be able to walk down into Bryce Canyon, see amazing views, little alcoves and have a great hike.

We got pizza from Sammie’s Chuck Wagon, 115 East State Street, Orderville, UT 84758, and had pizza, a fire and s’mores.

Day 11

We drove back to Las Vegas, Nevada and spent one night at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino. We stopped at Pinkbox Doughnuts, 10251 South Eastern Avenue, Henderson, NV 89052, because it was highly recommended. The doughnuts were huge and the kids loved the different unique doughnuts. We also went to see the Seven Magical Mountains, which is large-scale public art installation.

If you end up in Las Vegas and want to go to any restaurants, I would make a reservation way in advance before you go. A lot of the places in Las Vegas were booked up and traveling with hungry kids became a little difficult.

Overall, this was an amazing trip. Every single day we did something incredible. We woke up each day a wrote in out gratitude journals and of course we had so much to be grateful for.

We feel so incredibly blessed that we have the opportunity to take our children to these incredible places and show them there is so much in life to do, see and to be.

Again, I hope you find value, you can always ask me questions and when you go to these places and if you do some of the same things, tag me @farindoran so I can see your adventures!!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”“

Mark Twain

Items to bring:

1. Water bottles:
   A. Adults – Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle
   B. Kids – MIRA 12 oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle
2. Carabiner clips for your water bottles – 6PCS Carabiner Clips
3. Kid journals – Emraw Neon Color Cover Composition Book
4. Leggings – Any with pockets (for your easy phone storage) – use code: FARIN10 for 10% off at Clothed In Radiance.
5. Hiking backpack – JanSport SuperBreak Backpack
6. Extra battery charger – Mophie Powerstation Plus XL with Built in Micro USB and Lighning Cables
7. Hiking socks – MERIWOOL Merino Wool Hiking Socks for Men and Women
8. Hiking Boots:
   A. Jeffs – Rax Men’s Wild Wolf Mid Venture Waterproof Lightweight Hiking Boots, Light Khaki
   B. Peyton’s – Merrell Kids’ Unisex M-Chameleon 7 Access Mid A/C Wtrpf Hiking Shoe, Grey/Blue
   C. Sawyer’s – Hawkwell Kids’ Outdoor Mid Hiking Boots Trekking Walking Shoes, Burgundy Mesh
9. All-natural, family safe, hydrating drink mix – Message me on Facebook or email farintea@hotmail.com for more information on what we drank every single day

Tucked within the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a small town that is just two miles long by five miles wide which makes for the perfect backdrop to a weekend getaway. Roughly 350 miles or six hours, from Charleston, South Carolina, Gatlinburg, Tennessee has miles of hiking trails in the mountains and tons of dining and attractions.

Our route took us almost the exact same way as our previous trip to Asheville, NC, but due to wanting to stop and see another South Carolina State Park, it took us a bit off course. Our first stop on our adventure took us to Croft State Natural Area, 450 Croft State Park Road, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302, where we stretched our legs, took our dogs for a walk through one of their trails, let the kids play on the playground and watch some of the other visitors load, unload and ride their horses in the practice ring and along the numerous trails for horseback riding.

Once we crossed into Tennessee, we made our way to our Smoky Mountain Rustic Log Cabin w/Furnished Patio! that we booked through AirBNB, use my code and get $65 off of your first booking, where we dropped our bags and way our way downtown to explore things for a bit. This cute, quiet and quaint cabin fit our family of six (two adults, two kids and two dogs) perfect! With an enclosed bedroom, loft bedroom, full kitchen, bathroom and living room with a front and back porch complete with a gas fireplace inside and an outdoor fire pit.

Our first stop Gatlinburg SkyBridge so that we could get a birds eye view of the picture perfect town. Located at the top of the iconic SkyLift, on Crockett Mountain, in the Gatlinburg skyline stands the 680′ of suspension bridge where in the middle has over 30′ of glass flooring overtop of the 140′ drop below. From the SkyDeck you can take in the great views of the town and a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The next morning we woke up early to enjoy a cup of coffee on our front porch before heading out for a day of hiking at Alum Cave off of Newfound Gap Road. We absolutely loved the hike with its flowing stream running along side the beginning of the trail with bridges to take you across when needed, views from many points along the climb to take in the surrounding mountain ranges and Arch Rock with the first real steps heading towards to the top of Alum Cave. On our way back through town we stopped to the Cataract Falls Trail which was a small hike right outside of downtown Gatlinburg. After that we took the kids home for a night cooking on the grill, enjoying the outdoor fire pit with s’mores and a movie inside snuggled around the fire place.

The following day we expected rain to be falling and came prepared with some fun, indoor activities that we knew our kids would love! We took advantage of the Ripley’s Combo Pass that included the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and two other attractions. We gave our kids each a choice in the other activities and our son chose the Super Fun Zone – Laser Tag and our daughter chose the 5D Moving Theater, both were perfect for the time that we had for the day. After the activities we settled in to grab a bite to eat at Crawdaddy’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 762 Parkway #5, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, where we sat overtop US 441 to watch everything happening outside.

It was a great few days away form our normal hustle and bustle, and we will be back because we definitely want to make sure that we hike some more of the trails that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer and some fun restaurants and areas to explore!

Packing up our family of six, two adults, two kids and two dogs, for our first adventure we were so excited to see our first new city since moving to South Carolina. With over 260 miles between the two cities there is so much to see and do before you get to your hotel, AirBnB or campsite. Heading Northwest, from Charleston, up I-26 W just over four hours away lays a small mountain town that acts as a fantastic backdrop for exploring.

Heading to Asheville we made sure to include some stops so that we could stretch our legs, allow our two dogs to explore and eat along the way. Our first stop was the Battle of Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, our third South Carolina State Park out of 47, where we ate lunch, hiked the 1.0 mile British Camp Trail and learn along the way. We made a point to have our kids read each sign and discuss what we learned. We asked questions, talked about it and made it a learning experience. We made it a point to have the kids read every sign, ask questions and make it a true learning experience. Take extra time and maybe even pack a bathing suit for the quick walk. Along the path you will see a stream where you can walk out on the rocks and get wet if you want. You can also fish while you are there.

From there we made our way into North Carolina to Sky Top Orchard to pick our own apples, indulge in their apple cider doughnuts and sip their hard cider in both apple and cherry. First, get tickets to the apple cannon and buy an empty bucket to fill with apples. Make your way down to the apple cannon and see some animals while you are there. Then pick your apples on the way back up the hill. Check out the store with all the yummy snacks and then if you have children, one adult take the kids to the big playground and the other get in line for cider and donuts. You can sit there at the picnic tables, enjoy your hard cider, the kids enjoy their non-hard cider and you can eat donuts while everyone plays.

From there we booked it to Pisgah National Forest where we took in the natural wonders of Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Rock. The water was cold but wow was it amazing. The Looking Glass waterfall was so beautiful to see and you could get right up next to it and swim. Only a couple minutes away was Sliding Rock. It was super easy to get to, a super quick walk and you can go down the natural waterslide. The whole family did this even though I am sure all of us were terrified. Tip: Don’t wear flip flops going down the slide – with a quick plunge into the water, I lost my shoes and had a quick panic. After that we picked up dinner from the Universal Joint Asheville to take to our Retro Camper that we booked through AirBNB, use my code and get $65 off of your first booking!

We decided that now was a great time to try something we have never done before, so renting a camper was perfect. Basically we were glamping, and it was perfect for the short amount of time we were actually there.

While in Asheville, we went to the Biltmore Estate. You could make a whole day out of this visit alone. We saved money and toured the house without getting the audio tour. With little kids, it would be hard to make sure everyone was listening and paying attention. So instead, we used the guide that was provided for us and read it aloud in each room. We talked, asked questions, reiterated everything we learned and helped the kids to understand what this was all about.

The Biltmore has a cafe you can eat in after the tour or you can go onto the next spot on the estate. We drove on and toured the estate and stopped to see more shops, a winery and a little animal farm. There is also a playground there and you have the opportunity to sit back and let the kids play and see animals. A must see there is the train garden which was AMAZING!

We were eager to see downtown Asheville and we have heard so many good things about local breweries so we visited Wicked Weed Brew Pub and loved it. We had amazing soft pretzels to start, a great cider and an IPA. The kids even loved their meal. Just a couple minutes walk from the pub was a unique coffee and dessert place called Double D’s Coffee & Desserts. You order right out of the double decker bus and you can sit in the little garden patio area and eat and drink.

And then because we are full of energy, crazy and we knew we had time in the day left, we decided to head to Craggy Pinnacle and see the most amazing view and sunset. If there is anything that I recommend doing, DO THIS. Go here. Find something in your life that you want to celebrate, grab some champagne and take it to the top and toast to just being alive. I could have stayed up at the top for the longest time so I wish I brought a snack and drink there so I could sit back and enjoy view and the sun setting longer.

For those with kids, it is an easy hike. Wear closed toed shoes if you can, drive to the top and you will see signs for it. The hike isn’t far at all and it is mostly shaded along the way. It was a good hike and you will see big rocks and water streaming down so it makes it enjoyable. This part of our trip was our highlight and it made my kids want to take more hikes to see more beautiful views.

Overall, Asheville was a great trip. There is a lot to do, a lot of good food, good brews, history and hiking.

If you go and remember something I said, tag me on IG @farindoran – I would love to see your adventures!!

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The Doran’s are officially a HOMESCHOOL family!!!! 😁📚

We are trading normal school days for more pool days, field trips and family time 💕

We have thought about this decision for awhile…
And we feel insanely lucky and blessed that we are able to stay home with the kids more and be able to give them a super cool homeschool experience.

With the uncertainty of schools…
We thought now is a better time than ever to take our kids traveling, learn together, experience nature, history and explore. 🏕🏝

This isn’t our forever plan…
But it’s our plan right now. 

We have BIG goals for this family 
And the kids are excited for the journey and to share here in this blog!

We are taking ANY and ALL advice from you homeschool mommas (and poppas) 🤗

We can use all we can get!! 🙌🏼