Wild Minds Wander

Hey there, fellow adventurers and nature lovers! Kyli here, and I’m bursting with excitement to share some HUGE news! This summer, my three amazing boys and I are embarking on a month-long, tent-pitching, s’more-roasting, wildlife-watching adventure of a lifetime across the majestic landscapes of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Alberta, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Nevada!

That’s right, you heard it! We’re packing up our trusty tent, loading the car with sleeping bags and hiking boots, and hitting the open road to explore the wonders of these incredible places. Think towering mountains, sparkling alpine lakes, ancient forests, and maybe even a glimpse of some furry (and hopefully friendly!) locals. And you can follow along with our journey right here at Wild Minds Wander

.For me, this trip is more than just a vacation; it’s a dream years in the making. Growing up, our family trip to Missouri was a cherished annual trip, and while I hold those memories dear, a part of me always yearned to see more of this vast and beautiful country. I wanted to experience the grandeur of the national parks, the diversity of the landscapes, and the sheer wonder of the natural world. Now, as a mom to three incredible and neurodivergent boys – each with their own unique way of experiencing the world – this dream feels even more significant. I want to show them the world, in all its diverse beauty, and create experiences that cater to their individual ways of seeing and interacting with it. This adventure is about embracing our differences and letting our wild minds wander through new landscapes and experiences together.

I’ve waited for the “perfect” moment for a trip like this, but you know what? The perfect moment is now. Life is too short to wait for someday, and with June 16th fast approaching, our adventure is about to begin! We’ll be letting our wild minds wander on hiking trails and in campgrounds across these amazing states and provinces.Adding a fun little twist to our grand plan is the fact that I’m not exactly a seasoned tent camper! While I embrace the idea of being close to nature, there will undoubtedly be a steep learning curve involved in setting up camp, battling the elements, and mastering the art of campfire cooking – all while ensuring three energetic boys with their own special needs are happy and engaged. So, along with the breathtaking scenery, expect some honest tales of our (hopefully not too disastrous!) camping rookie adventures and the creative problem-solving that comes with traveling solo with my amazing crew as our wild minds wander into the world of tent camping.

This trip is about experiencing these incredible places together, learning from them, and growing through the challenges. It’s about teaching my boys the resilience that comes with setting up camp in the rain, the wonder of discovering a hidden waterfall, and the importance of respecting the incredible natural world around us. It’s about disconnecting from screens and connecting with each other and the planet in a truly immersive way, allowing our wild minds to wander and make sense of the world around us. I’ll be sharing our journey right here, on Wild Minds Wander! Expect tales of our camping escapades (the good, the slightly soggy, and the hilariously unexpected!), glimpses into how I navigate travel with kids, photos that hopefully capture even a fraction of the beauty we encounter, and maybe even a few tips and tricks we learn along the way for traveling and camping solo with kids (and novice tent mom!), one campsite at a time. So, buckle up and join us for the ride! We’re counting down the days until we hit the road, and we can’t wait to share our adventures with you all, as our wild minds wander across the country and into Canada.