Wild Minds Wander

An Adventure of Togetherness

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  • The Burning Questions – Why Tent Camping? How Can You Afford This?!

    Hey everyone! Kyli here, and since announcing our epic “Wild Minds Wander” adventure, my inbox and real-life conversations have been burning with a few recurring questions. So, I figured it was time to pull back the curtain and answer the two big ones: Why in the world tent camping?! 🏕️ and How on earth can you afford a month-long road trip with three kids?! 💰 Let’s dive in!

    Why Tent Camping? My Love Affair (and Necessity) with Sleeping Under the Stars ✨

    Okay, let’s be real. When you picture a month-long national park road trip, your mind might jump to cozy hotels with fluffy pillows and maybe even a pool. Trust me, that sounds lovely! But for this mama on a mission, the answer to “Why tent camping?” is beautifully simple: it’s the key that unlocks this entire dream. 🔑

    Think about it. Accommodation costs can absolutely skyrocket, especially in and around popular national and state parks. We’re talking anywhere from $150 to a jaw-dropping $500+ per night in some of these destinations. Multiply that by 30-plus nights, and suddenly this dream becomes a financial impossibility.

    Enter our portable shelter! The glorious world of campground reservations, where I can usually snag a tent site for a much more manageable $24-$45 a night. The proof is in the pudding: I’ve already booked 19 nights of our trip (and yes, one of those was a fun splurge on a yurt! 🤩), and the total cost so far has been a mere $666.07! 🤑 Can you imagine if I were booking hotel rooms for those same 19 nights? At an average of just $200 a night (and in many places, it would be far more), that would already be upwards of $3800! 🤯 Tent camping makes this adventure accessible. It’s the practical magic that allows me to even consider hitting the road for this length of time. ✨

    Yes, it will require more strategy. 🤔 Yes, there will be patience tested by finicky tent poles and the occasional critter encounter. But the trade-off? Unparalleled access to the heart of these incredible places. Falling asleep under a canopy of stars, waking up to the sounds of nature, and being truly immersed in the landscapes we’ve come to explore. For me, the extra effort is absolutely worth it for that level of immersion and affordability. ❤️

    This deep desire to experience these natural wonders with my kids isn’t new. Back in August of 2021, a small piece of this dream actually came true. Steven had the opportunity to work in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for a week. Without hesitation, I told him we were coming too! So, while he worked, I embarked on a solo adventure with my three kids, then just 5, almost 4, and 1.5 years old, exploring the majestic Grand Teton ⛰️ and Yellowstone National Parks 🏞️ for an entire week.

    Let me tell you, it was a lot of driving. We spent what felt like ten-hour stretches in the car some days, navigating the vast distances within the parks. It was undeniably stressful 😩, juggling three young children on my own in such a wild environment. But it was also, simultaneously, one of the most beautiful and wonderful times of my life. 🥰 I vividly remember sitting at Jenny Lake in Grand Teton, watching my kids play by the water, the towering mountains reflecting in the still surface, and just feeling this overwhelming wave of gratitude and blessing wash over me. Tears welled up in my eyes. 😭 That moment was so incredibly impactful that I literally had it tattooed on my arm – a permanent reminder of the profound joy and connection I felt in that stunning place with my children. That week solidified my yearning for more experiences like that, and it fuels this “Wild Minds Wander” adventure. ✨

    How Can You Afford This? The Hustle is Real! 💪

    This question makes me chuckle a little 😂 because, let’s be honest, how someone manages their finances is usually their own business. BUT! I also really value transparency, especially around the realities of making big dreams happen, especially when you’re a low-income family. So, the short answer? I work my tail off! 😅

    Juggling homeschooling my two oldest amazing (and busy!) boys (my youngest is still enjoying the wonders of Pre-K!) means I’ve had to get creative with income streams. I wear a few different hats: I work a part-time job at VCA , I pour my passion into running my own business, Western Slope Wonder Academy, and I also regularly sell items on eBay on the side. Every little bit helps, and the success of my businesses has been instrumental in building the savings for this trip. 🥳

    We have never been on a family vacation that didn’t plunge us thousands of dollars into credit card debt. While it wasn’t always a specific goal to avoid debt on this trip from the very beginning, it definitely became a strong aspiration as I started saving and planning. The thought of funding this adventure through hard work and smart budgeting (fingers crossed! 🤞) is a massive motivator. My initial budget is around $6,000. 🎯

    (The Universe Has a Sense of Humor 😂) Now, here’s the slightly ironic twist. After I had already booked our first few nights of reservations, life threw a little curveball in the form of an urgent dental surgery that’s going to cost about $5,000. 🦷😬 And here’s where my priorities might seem a little… unconventional to some. I’m choosing the trip. 🤷‍♀️

    Why? Because I’ve been dreaming of a national park road trip like this for years – a decade, in fact! Long before the boys were even born. I kept waiting for the “perfect” moment, for the stars to align ✨, for the bank account to be overflowing. But you know what I’ve realized? The perfect moment doesn’t exist. There will always be something – a medical bill, a car repair, an unexpected expense.

    I’m done letting everything else take priority. I’m drawing a line in the sand! My goal is to create a trip that my kids will never, ever forget! ❤️ To immerse them in the wonder of this incredible continent. 🌎 To make memories that will shape them for years to come. And if that means tackling a dental bill later? Well, so be it. Travel, for me, is an investment in our family’s well-being and their future.

    So, there you have it. Tent camping makes the “how” of this trip overwhelmingly clear, and a whole lot of hard work and a deeply rooted desire fueled by past impactful experiences is making the “why” a reality. Wish us luck! ✨ (and maybe send some tips for pain-free tent setup! 🙏😂). The adventure awaits! 🗺️

  • The Beautifully Chaotic Reality of Planning Our Epic Road Trip (Seriously, Will We Ever Get Home?) 🤪

    Hey everyone! Kyli here, giving you a real peek behind the scenes of our “Wild Minds Wander” adventure. You might be picturing stunning vistas and carefree moments, and while that’s the ultimate goal, let’s chat about the gloriously chaotic reality of getting three energetic boys and me into the wilderness for over a month. It’s a logistical puzzle that’s currently consuming most of my waking hours. 🤯

    Seriously, what started as a simple June 16th to July 13th plan has blossomed into this sprawling, ever-shifting itinerary that now has me low-key wondering if our tent will become a permanent fixture in some far-flung national park, and we’ll just send postcards home for the start of school. 🏕️ The sheer mental gymnastics of trying to experience as much breathtaking natural beauty as possible while also nailing down a tiny square of dirt to call home each night? It feels like a high-stakes game of campsite Tetris played on multiple websites simultaneously. 💻

    Take Washington, for example. The majestic North Cascades National Park is practically within reach at one point, a siren song of jagged peaks and pristine lakes. But the internal debate that plays on repeat in my head: is one precious night there, squeezed into our already packed schedule due to those oh-so-coveted campground reservations elsewhere, truly worth the extra miles and the rushed experience? These are the kinds of tough calls that keep a travel-planning mom up at night. 😩

    And then there’s the Fourth of July. A seemingly innocent date that has become the Mount Everest of campground bookings. The Oregon coast, with its dramatic cliffs and crashing waves? A distant, wistful dream. Now, the very real possibility looms of celebrating Independence Day amidst the throngs of fellow nature lovers at… Rainier National Park. Rainier! On the Fourth! The irony is not lost on me. I didn’t plan this level of potential human density, I swear. It’s just the way the reservation stars aligned (or rather, didn’t). 🎆

    Honestly, I vastly underestimated the sheer brainpower and time commitment this would require. My phone and laptop are practically extensions of my being as I navigate a labyrinth of booking sites and maps. I’m pretty sure I’ve clocked at least 40 hours in the last month on this epic puzzle. It’s a part-time job with little pay, unless you count the priceless memories we hope to make.

    And the packing? Let’s just say the “what if” scenarios are multiplying faster than dust bunnies under the couch. 🧳Seriously, the mental checklist is a mile long. Rain gear for the PNW (because damp boys are the soundtrack of a grumpy road trip). A first-aid kit that could handle a minor wilderness mishap. Jumper cables(because the thought of being stranded with three bored boys and a dead battery is my personal nightmare).

    And the ever-present question of how to keep three wild minds happily engaged in the car for over fifty hours? Audiobooks, travel games, and sheer, unadulterated willpower are currently my leading strategies. 🎧 And yes, those 7 pm bedtimes? They’re slowly but surely becoming a distant memory as trip planning steals my evenings. 😴

    So, to anyone out there who’s tackled a similar adventure, please throw me a lifeline of wisdom! What are the unexpected essentials we should pack? How do you navigate the inevitable disappointment of missing out on incredible places? Any sanity-saving tips for long car rides and extended tent living? Send your best advice (and maybe a secret code for finding last-minute campsite cancellations!). 💡

    Because right now, I’m navigating this beautiful chaos with a detailed spreadsheet and the unwavering hope that it all comes together in the end. But hey, at least our wild minds will be wandering, right? Even if mine is currently stuck in a perpetual loop of campground availability and REI wishlists. 🤪

    More updates (and hopefully some actual packing progress, maybe?) to come!

    Happy (and slightly overwhelmed) prepping!

    Kyli & The Wonder Boys (and our wise old dog, who mostly just wants a comfy spot in the car) 🐕

  • Welcome to Wild Minds Wander. Our Summer Camping Adventure!

    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.