With the help of our guide, J.D., and the folks at Hot Springs Off-Road Park, we spent two hours bouncing through trails, splashing through ravines, and taking in the views from mountaintop clearings.

If you love hiking, peaceful forests, and the sound of rushing water, Fall Creek Falls State Park absolutely belongs on your list.

Then we were off to pick up Jacob and Holden at the airport. They're joining us for the rest of the trip!

I thought ziplining was the most fun on our trip, but today was even better than ziplining!

Some stops on our journey aren’t just about the miles—they’re about the moments that ground us in love, memory, and family. This one was different. We met up with our son Josh and his fiancee' Ariel at her grandmother’s farm in Rockton, Pennsylvania—a place rich with roots and stories, laughter and loss.

So this post will mostly be a plug for Wolfie's Campground. If you are ever in the area, it's a must-stop and stay.

Our visit to Hannibal gave me a deeper appreciation for Twain—not just as a writer, but as a sharp observer of the world around him. Seeing the Mississippi up close, wandering the same streets that inspired St. Petersburg, and standing where young Sam Clemens once stood made this visit unforgettable. It reminded me why I fell for literature in the first place—and why Twain’s stories always call me back.

Nothing says “vacation” like grabbing your loved ones, your flashlight, and heading to the shower house for shelter in the dark and pouring rain.

We unplugged from our daily routines and plugged into something far more meaningful: shared meals, late-night campfire chats, hiking adventures, music, games, and plenty of laughter.

We’ve hit the road on our first big adventure with Coddiwomple (our trusty pickup), Cat (our cozy RV), and Rita, our ever-faithful travel companion. We rolled out of Belton on June 15, and we’re excited to share the journey—one stop at a time! Stop #1 - Eufaula Cove RV Park, Eufaula, Oklahoma

Our path to this chapter is rooted in reinventing retirement to follow our passions while traveling, living simply, and with purpose.

Quick trip to Philly...hiked a state park forest, toured Independence Hall, ate some cheesesteak and played a lot of 42 with the kids.

Check out the progress to our property and tiny barndominium.

A quick look at my day of grocery shopping and meal prepping for one week.

Pennsylvania back roads through forests and rural townships, along winding roads, with stops at Niagara and Eerie.

Meet some of rural Pennsylvania's finest folks.

Here's a quick peak into my first week of retirement. Expectation vs. Reality.

Read about some of the Jones Family shenanigans.