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Week 2: USA Road Trip With The Kids


Maximising in-car harmony and reducing waste on our round trip, from San Fransisco to Yellowstone.

I find nothing more exhilarating than the freedom of a road trip. Brings back fond memories of Californian holidays with my family as a teen. With cheap fuel, open roads and stunning scenery, America is perfect terrain. Although I still cringe when I recall my sister and I missing out on the entire Grand Canyon the first time round, preferring to sit in the car, with the air-con on and tunes up. (Sorry Mum and Dad). So here we are many years on, with my own children. Classic road trip just had to be done.


Our family in San Fransisco shared with us, their must see destinations, so after a few settled days, we threw our bags in the back of our Wrangler Jeep and set out on the open road, heading for Yellowstone National Park. I love how our trip so far has been largely shaped by recommendations we've picked up from friends and family on the way. I love showing up in unknown places, and find comfort knowing that others have enjoyed time there before us. So please keep the recommendations coming. We appreciate your inside knowledge.


Day 1:

Setting off on the 80 takes us on straight roads that go on for as far as the eye can see. After the intense build up to the big trip, the simplicity of following a path has been meditative and head clearing. The route passes deserts, farmland and casino towns, alongside magnificent mountain ranges, through deep forests and around shimmering lakes. We stop over at the stunningly beautiful Lake Tahoe in Nevada, where we hiked through the woods to take a cool dip at emerald bay.

Stocking up on food and for lunches and in-car snacks, has helped to keep costs down, steering clear of the need for plastic where possible, by choosing whole foods and reusable cutlery and crockery. Staying in motels on route, we’ve found it hard to avoid the single use plastics at the breakfast bars though. Taking our own utensils has helped to reduce our waste. We also carry our own toiletries, rather than using the single use options available.


Day 2:

On the open road.. tunes on. Amongst our varied playlists (the maximising family harmony bit), we have everything from old school Guns and Roses and Chilli peppers, to Calvin Harris and Sia, mixed in with some Hip Hop and Cuban and South American beats. If in doubt, throw in a bit of Michael Jackson and everyone’s happy.


After receiving some excellent tips from friends, our playlists have expanded to include Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin, Abba, Simon and Garfunkel, Beach boys and Stereophonics amongst many others. What’s your road trip album/ song choice? With many more road trips to come, we’d welcome more of your recommendations.

Day 3:

Arriving at our destination, A magical few days are spent on the grounds of Yellowstone National park. The onsite lodges, are basic, with no breakfast, costing around $200 per night. A cheaper option is to camp, but you'll need to book well in advance. The smell of wood smoke as we pass by the campsite is tempting. We'll aim to do some camping at some point over the next twelve months. In my opinion, there's no better way as a family, to connect with nature, and recharge your soul.

Yellowstone is a truly spectacular place. Residing on the grounds of a super volcano. The dramatic landscape ignites a childlike wonder in us all. The human history of the Yellowstone region goes back more than 11,000 years. Native American Indian tribes camped and hunted in the park, using the hot springs for both cooking and for preparing hides. In 1872 It became a National Park, and was named UNESCO World heritage site in 1978. Kids can get involved in Junior Ranger Programmes onsite, and the NPS Yellowstone app is useful for maps and self-guided walking tours. The staff at the lodges gave us lots of helpful hints too.

Mesmerised by the many geothermal features located around the park. We witnessed Old Faithful, a huge spouting geyser that shoots water high into the sky. Stood alongside bubbling mud volcanoes. Took guided walkways around stunningly beautiful, sizzling hot springs. Overlooked breathtaking deep canyons and plunging waterfalls.

Nature does some crazy beautiful things here, we and all agreed, It was well worth the 30hr round trip.

Dylan was on the lookout for bears, we woke early to drive to spots where there had been sightings, as they are more active at dawn and dusk, we found evidence of their presence on the claw marked trees and bear proof bins were located at picnic spots. Unfortunately we didn't spot bears during our stay, but encountered Bison, Elk and Coyote, and spotted a bald eagle and many other beautiful colourful birds.

We left feeling truly satisfied, our passion for the wonder of mother nature re-affirmed. A reminder of why it is so important that we take steps in our power to connect to and care of our planet Earth.


Water refill station at Yellowstone

Day 7:

Conservation is clearly at the heart of the National Park, which helped with our aim to reduce our waste. After refilling our water bottles at the beautiful copper and shell fountain, we push on. Our return journey takes us south through the Gran Teton area, where we drive alongside mountain ranges with incredible formations, multiple curvaceous summits with the appearance of whipped cream.


Loran and I shared driving, we'd switch up seats, so we all get to sit up front from time to time. At times, we’ve listened to music and sung along, at times we’ve been quiet, needing space. We’ve all had our meltdowns, usually around the times we’re tired, hungry, lonely or stressed, and that's ok, we cool down, pull together and move on.


Well aware, before the trip, that the main challenge will be the close quarters. We are a sociable family. At home we enjoy times with our friends, and have many separate activities. We are now, as our first born reminds us, "stuck together" for the next 12 months.

The trip is a dream Loran and I have shared since our travelling days before kids, so it helps to remember the big picture and be grateful and thankful that we have stepped out of our comfort zone to make the dream a reality. We will find ways to make it work and will be all the stronger for it. However when it gets super intense, I’ve found earplugs and eye masks have come in handy. He he!


This incredible road trip has taken us across the states of California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Moving from state to state, motel to motel, packing and unpacking everyday, takes its toll. Kids struggle with the fluctuating routines and lack of time to wash the few items of clothes that we have in our tiny bags.


We'll slow down soon and find balance and it will be all the sweeter. As my dad has taught me, the beauty of life is in its contrasts. When we finally washed our clothes, after a week of being grubby, there was a noticeable sense of collective cool about us as we set off, feeling sparkly and clean, ready to take on the next step.







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