The Ultimate Branson Holiday Guide If I am being honest, I didn't really see myself as a "Branson person," whatever that means. I think I thought that perhaps I was too cultured to enjoy a place that leans into its twang. Or maybe it's because I typically resist touristy places because I don't like crowds and feel like going against the grain makes me edgy somehow. Neither one of those thoughts is something I am proud to admit. I don't want to be a pretentious person and I don't want to be...
12 days ago • 4 min read
Spooky Season in the Midwest Spooky season is here. While we love pumpkin patches and apple cider, sometimes it’s fun to add a little thrill to our fall adventures. The Midwest has plenty of haunted legends. I have even experienced a few inexplicable things myself. My spooky story: My husband and I stayed at the Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs, MO for a romantic night away from the kids. We went on the ghost tour that night and they told us before the tour that our room was one of the stops....
19 days ago • 3 min read
Your Midwest Fall Bucket List The temperatures are dropping and fall is coming! 🍂 Personally, I am ready for cooler mornings, leaves crunching, and pumpkin spice everything. Fall is one of my favorite times of year to get outside as a family. This year, I am particularly excited to explore Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan in the fall! My kids and I are taking an 11-day road trip! It's not too late to plan an epic Midwest fall trip! Here's where you should go: My 3 Favorite Midwest Fall...
26 days ago • 3 min read
Pumpkin Patches + Fall Fun for Families Let me tell you a sad story, with a happy ending. Once upon a time, there was a girl who dreamed of doing all the fun fall things she saw in movies, but instead she grew up in the hot land of Texas. Pumpkin patches were just pumpkins on hay bales in grocery store parking lots. The leaves didn’t really change and October never got cool and crisp, it just got less hot. Then when the girl grew up, she moved to the Midwest. She went to a real pumpkin patch...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey Friends, Nebraska is one of those states that people dramatically underestimate until they actually start road-tripping through it. It can seem boring if you don't know to stop at giant fossil beds, ride through Sandhills, or walk through giant weird art installations in the prairie. I will fully admit that I still have SO much more of western Nebraska I want to explore. There is a lot out there and unfortunately, I have only been to a few spots. But the places we have visited, along the...
about 1 month ago • 4 min read
Hey Friends, Last time I shared Crawford County, I told you it was one of those underrated Kansas destinations that deserves an entire weekend. Well, we went back. And this time, we tested it as a day trip from Kansas City. And yep, it works as a day trip too! But here's how to do it: Instead of trying to squeeze everything in, we focused on Frontenac, Pittsburg, and Crawford State Park, including several places that were completely new to us. Our Day Trip to Crawford County: ☕ Downtown...
about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Friends, Does anyone else have a love hate relationship with back-to-school? We spent the last few weeks doing something I call "adventure cramming," which is where you try to fit in as many adventures as possible in hopes that then you'll start to crave routine and normalcy. Let me tell you, it worked. I am feeling ready for school to start, a schedule, and a dedicated time to catch up on everything I have put off the last three months. But I am also feeling bummed the summer flexibility...
2 months ago • 3 min read
Hey Adventure Buddies, I think Iowa might be one of the most misunderstood Midwest states. If you just drive through, you could easily assume it's just cornfields. But if you know where to look you'll find yourself hiking through sandstone canyons, looking for geodes, wandering through a Dutch-inspired town, or reenacting one of the most famous paintings in American history. So, if you are looking for some fun and unexpected Midwest adventures, here are some Iowa spots worth adding to your...
2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey Friends, When they hear Illinois, I think a lot of people picture Chicago and cornfields and that is kind of it. Once you start road-tripping around Illinois, you realize the state is full of weird roadside attractions, beautiful outdoor spots, quirky small towns, giant random objects, and other hidden gems. So, if you are looking for fun family road trip ideas, here are some weird and wonderful Illinois spots worth adding to your list. Weird & Fun Places to Visit in Illinois Casey,...
2 months ago • 4 min read