I’d often heard travelers gush over the towering cave formations and majestic beauty of Carlsbad Caverns, but I had to wonder: Is it worth the hype? On a recent summer road trip through the southwest, we visited the caverns and discovered that they live up...
Teens have a bad rap. Sure, they might have the inclination to break a rule or two, but to balance that, we parents must provide opportunities for teenagers to develop essential life skills such as leadership, critical thinking, and independence (Yes, from...
When it comes to relishing sunny days, starry nights, and glowing campfires, many families turn toward the traditions of camping. But what about families who want to connect with the outdoors but aren’t interested in thin tents and ornery camp stoves? Enter...
In our north Seattle neighborhood, I can count at least six travel trailers parked on sidewalks, in driveways and in alleys on any given day. And every.single.time, I’m jealous. They all look cool and cute at the same time, and lead me to think,...
Forget burnt marshmallows and wet firewood - the real challenge of a family camping trip is trying to sleep in a flimsy tent with a snoring spouse and a toddler who thinks it's morning at 3 AM. But fear not dear reader, whether you have older children, or...
“There’s a bear outside our tent….” Said the author to his bewildered wife. It was around 2:00 AM when I completed a successful night of stargazing and photographing the Milky Way in the Big Meadows area of Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. My family’s...