familyTravelsUSA

My husband, on the other hand, recently returned from what has become his annual backpacking adventure with the guys, this time in North Cascades National Park in scenic Washington. The peace of hiking in relative solitude, the joy of finding a pristine mountain lake, or the calm of watching a spectacular sunset or night sky are just some of the reasons he loves to head off into the backcountry. Whether you go with a hiking buddy or off for a family adventure, proper planning and preparation can go a long way to minimizing the challenges you are sure to find along the way. My husband has traveled with both kids and adults over the years, and offers these 5 backpacking tips along with some gear suggestions for novice backpackers.

I’m so excited to say that we just confirmed a 3 day houseboat rental on scenic Smith Mountain Lake. The boats come with great amenities like a sun deck, water slide and barbecue grill, and you can add on waverunners and small boats for extra water fun. Beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, which is the second largest lake in Virginia, is a popular choice offering the opportunity for many water-related activities. Virginia is filled with many places that are dog friendly , and I know my dog would love a change of scenery.

If the first thought that comes to mind when road trip planning is where to begin, then you are not alone. Over the years, we have taken several longer family road trips, along with many shorter ones, and initially the planning was overwhelming. With so many cool places to visit in the USA, it’s hard to even know where to begin. Here’s 5 tips to use for planning your next family road trip.