On November 5th of 2019, five of us from our home church (Parker Memorial Baptist Church - DeArmanville) in Oxford Alabama headed towards the Atlanta airport with northern Uganda as our destination. Four Corners Ministries out of Opelika Alabama has an amazing ministry just beyond Gulu called Abaanas Hope. Evan has been able to travel with the organization for several years and this time a group of us were fortunate to go as well. We flew and swapped planes and flew some more.
Read MoreI had the opportunity to travel to Central Ohio to film a wedding in October 2019. As with many trips, I always try to take a few days to explore a new place. Find a national park nearby, a state park, or really any kind of natural landmark that I can track down. On this particular journey I explored Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Hocking Hills State Park and visited James A. Garfield National Historic Site and Stopped by the First Ladies National Historic Site (which located at President McKinley’s home)
Read MoreTuesday morning we got up and out and headed straight for our reservations to go to the Gateway Arch National Park. The Arch itself is free (and just became a National Park last year) but it costs to go to the top. While we didn’t go to the top of the Space Needle, we wanted the experience of the Arch. It’s a lot like an airport when you walk in with security checks and electronics which fascinated the kids. After being cleared we headed underground to the museum and information area. The exhibits were so well done and fun for all ages, it was easy to tell how new it all was. When it was our reserved time we lined up to be taken to the top of the arch.
Read MoreFriday morning we took it slow getting up and out after the late night. Once motivated, our first stop was the visitors center to collect the junior ranger books and see what they had to offer. There was an active fossil lab to enjoy as well. After we gathered our info we took to a few trails as it began to rain. A fun part of there Badlands is that unlike other parts you are encouraged to explore around outside of the trails. The big kids were so excited to climb the dunes/hills/mounds (whatever they are called) and not be breaking the rules.
Read MoreTuesday we made the short drive towards Mount Rainier National Park and quickly arrived at Mounthaven RV Resort less than a mile from the entrance. And man, what a Haven it was. The park is small with only a few RV spots and some small cabins for rent. The bathrooms are nice and the trees are huge so the entire campground is shaded and cozy. It feels like a slice out of the national park but for your own personal pleasure. With our convenient location we were able to go in and out of the park with ease. On Wednesday morning we got up early and headed in so we could make it to the Paradise Visitors Center
Read MoreWe had NO IDEA that Craters of the Moon National Monument even existed until we started to plan our trip. We looked on the map to see what National Park sights would be along our way and discovered it. We didn’t have much expectation about it but we loved it so much.
Read MoreOh Nebraska, you are… well, you are full of corn and flatness is what you are. We hit the road into Nebraska Wednesday morning and drove. And drove. And drove some more. We saw corn. And more corn. And even more corn.
Read MoreWell ladies and gentleman we are back on the road and gone for almost two months this time. We have been looking forward to this trip since we finished up our last long trip last spring and realize we are beyond fortunate (and insane) to be able to do something like this. Its’ been a total of 72 hours on the road so far and we haven’t turned back yet.
Read MoreAfter traveling through the Amsterdam Airport 7 times and never having left the actual airport, when I found out I was going back to Uganda with Four corners Ministries in June I arranged a layover for a couple of nights to get out and see the city. It’s a really old place and it looks very different from mother other major cities I’ve been to.
Read MoreApril is wonderful time to take a trip to Kentucky…especially when it coincides with a job and a birthday celebration.
Read MoreWinter in Alaska was something I had been looking forward to for quite some time (15 or so years actually). After having the opportunity to go in the summer a few times, I always knew I would be back for winter…I just hate that it took so long. When my good friends Justin and Amy announced the were moving to Anchorage last year I was pumped knowing that adventure was coming.
Read MoreOne of things I love about what I do for a living is traveling to new places. The way that I pack my gear is in a way that I can grab it and go whenever an opportunity arises. Sometimes that’s just going out to check out a waterfall a few mins from home and sometimes that’s getting the call to travel literally to the other side of the world.
Read MoreThe day after we returned from Hawaii we loaded up the kids and the camper and we hit the road for another extended road trip. This trip wasn’t near as many miles as our California trip in the spring but it was a still a few great weeks of National Parks and new experiences.
Read MoreAloha! I can’t believe we actually got to say that to people in a setting where it was expected! On September 11th I departed Alabama and Evan departed Canada. A few hours later we met in Denver and got on our flight headed to Hawaii. What was this life? Who were we? What would we do together without kids for 10 days? It didn’t take us long to settle in and start to enjoy the ride.
Read MoreSeptember was a crazy month and it all started as I (Evan) left home and flew to Kalispell. After a late arrival I picked up my car and like any good traveler, slept in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The next morning I headed towards Banff.
Read MoreKCMO was a a full 14 hours of fun. We were treated to some great BBQ and then went for custard because, duh. We had a few hours of solid family time with some of the Lanier cousins and then slept like bricks. We were back on the road to Arkansas the next morning to start the home stretch of our trip.
Read MoreIt’s been 2 weeks since we left home and now we are leaving our most western point. Every destination from here on for the next 2 weeks and 4 days will slowly return us back to Alabama.
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