On July 3rd, we packed up the car and set off on an ambitious summer road trip. Our goal? To explore incredible national parks, connect with friends, and create memories our boys will carry with them forever. Here is how it all went down—the breathtaking, the exhausting, and the utterly unforgettable.
Part 1: The Pacific Northwest Coast & California Redwoods
Stop 1: Cannon Beach, Oregon
I was so hyped for Cannon Beach! Everyone always talks about how magical it is. The iconic Haystack Rock was truly impressive (though we wish we’d finished watching The Goonies before arriving!). The weather gave us a classic PNW welcome—gloomy with a light drizzle. Truthfully? Everything felt pretty overpriced, from the food to our hotel, which didn’t Quite match the price tag. Still, seeing those ancient coastal rocks was a neat way to kick off the trip.
Stop 2: Down the Oregon Coast to Bandon
The next day, we headed down the coast, making essential stops along the way:
- Tillamook Creamery: Delicious ice cream is mandatory on a road trip!
- Sea Lion Caves: We took an elevator down into a massive cave packed with resting sea lions. It was short (maybe less than 30 minutes total), but super cool to see.
- Oregon Dunes: Endless miles of pure sand! Pro tip: bring eyedrops. The boys immediately started rolling down the dunes, resulting in sand-filled eyes and lots of drama, but it was unlike anything I had ever seen.
We rested up in Bandon, Oregon, before crossing into California.
Stop 3: Redwood National Park & Crescent City
On our way to the Redwoods, we took a break at the crystal-clear Smith River for a couple of hours to relax and take in the view. Entering the Redwoods was breathtaking—standing beneath those gigantic, ancient trees completely grounds you.
Later, we biked along N Pebble Beach Drive in Crescent City. It was super foggy, but riding along the ocean with the boys was a blast!
Stop 4: The 12-Mile “Lost Man Creek” Mishap
Then came the ultimate physical test of the entire trip. We took our bikes to the Lost Man Creek Trail. You won’t believe this, but it turned into a grueling, uphill hike where we mostly pushed our heavy bikes up the mountain. We ended up going 12 miles!
I was completely exhausted, but I was so proud of our boys for pushing through. When we reached a point where we couldn’t bike back, my husband stepped up as the ultimate hero: he biked back alone to grab the car while we waited. Unsurprisingly, the boys fell asleep the microsecond they hit their car seats.
Part 2: Caves, Crater Lake, and Boise
Stop 5: Oregon Caves & Crater Lake
Heading back into Oregon, we booked a 90-minute guided tour of the Oregon Caves. (Purchase of tour is required) Full transparency: I watched a terrifying cave movie in the past, so I complained until the very last second before walking in. Plus, it was a freezing 44°F inside compared to 80°F+ outside! But I am so glad I did it. The rock formations were insane, and our tour guide was top-tier.
From there, we drove to Crater Lake National Park. It is honestly one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life—a deep, perfect blue lake with a tiny island in the center, framed by a clear blue sky. Absolute perfection.
Stop 6: A Pitstop in Bend & City Fun in Boise
We stayed in Bend for a night, but hit a slight bump in the road with car trouble. While my husband handled the car, the rest of us took a much-needed rest day.
Car fixed, we drove to Boise, Idaho! We visited Boise two years ago for a friend’s wedding and loved it, so staying a few days to catch up with friends was a highlight.
- Bogus Basin: The boys went wild for the mountain coaster and outdoor activities!
- Barbacoa Grill: If you are ever in Boise, you must go here. Incredible food, amazing service, cool artistic interior, and a great view.
Part 3: Craters, Yellowstone, and Glacier National Park
Stop 7: Craters of the Moon & Yellowstone
On the way to Montana, we explored Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve in Idaho. The pitch-black lava fields felt like walking on Mars!
Then came the grand finale: Yellowstone National Park. It’s a wonderland of bubbling geysers, vibrant blue and orange hot springs, and wild bison roaming freely. (And, bizarrely, a parade of 20+ luxury Lamborghinis driving through the park!).
While near Yellowstone, we treated ourselves to a dinner at Henry’s Fork Lodge—a hidden, reservation-only restaurant along the river with a daily-changing course menu. Highly recommend if you’re ever in the area!
Stop 8: Glacier National Park (My Favorite!)
If I had to pick one place to return to immediately, it’s Glacier National Park. Everything is a brilliant, lush green—it felt like stepping straight into a European fairytale landscape.
- We saw crystal-clear lakes, waterfalls, and wild animals everywhere—including a baby black bear climbing a tree! (We kept our distance!).
- We tackled a wonderful 7-mile family hike (much easier than the Redwood bike nightmare!).
Two days wasn’t nearly enough with all the driving between spots. Next time, I am booking a full week here!
Part 4: Sandpoint, Alpacas & Heading Home
Stop 9: Sandpoint, Idaho & Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch
We planned to visit Lake Coeur d’Alene next, but poor air quality forced a change of plans. Instead, we stayed in Sandpoint, Idaho, a charming little town. We spent a whole day swimming and playing in the sand at Sandpoint City Beach Park.
We also visited Seven Stars Alpaca Ranch. (You can book ranch tour at the website) The owners were so sweet, and you could tell how happy and loved the animals were. The boys loved feeding and petting them!
Stop 10: Leavenworth & Home
Our final stop before reaching home was the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, Washington. We biked around, ate our weight in delicious German sausages, and celebrated the end of an epic journey.
The “Other 23 Hours” Realization (and the Memories That Matter Most)
When we finally pulled into our driveway, our trip odometer read 3,847 miles.
Naturally, I stepped on the scale the next morning: zero weight gain.
In the past, a road trip meant overeating out of boredom, skipping all movement, coming home feeling defeated, and punishing myself with strict diets. But this trip proved my core philosophy: health isn’t a restrictive rulebook; it’s an integrated lifestyle. We ate at amazing restaurants, enjoyed every single bite without guilt, and moved our bodies through hiking, biking, and swimming simply because it was fun.
But honestly? The biggest victory wasn’t what the scale said. It was what happened inside our family.
Looking back at those 3,847 miles, what fills my heart isn’t the calories burned or the miles tracked. It’s the sound of the boys laughing over their Junior Ranger activity books in the backseat. It’s trusting each other through the 12-mile uphill bike struggle on Lost Man Creek. It’s watching their eyes widen at wild bears, black lava fields, and giant redwoods, and spending hours building sandcastles at the beach.
Taking care of our health during those “other 23 hours” didn’t restrict our vacation—it unlocked it. It gave us the energy, stamina, and presence of mind to show up fully for each other every single day.
We created unforgettable memories as a family, and that is the absolute highest purpose of living a healthy life. I can only hope my boys look back on this wild, beautiful summer adventure with the very same joy, love, and pride that I do! 🌲🚗❤️✨
