Eureka, Montana

What better way to end the trip than spending a week lounging with friends? Our final week of the sabbatical was spent outside Eureka, Montana at our friends' lovely cabin on the lake. The girls spent their days swimming, kayaking, and playing non-stop. They only surfaced for food every few hours! After a year on the road, our girls were elated to be in such good company and have their best buddies as play mates. Thank you, thank you, thank you for a wonderful week with the ladies!

Cat in the Hat at Target in Kalispell, Montana

Kalispell Costco Stuffies - Supersized!

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

We bid the Pacific Ocean farewell in Northern California and headed inland. We had cruised along the coast during a previous trip and although we loved coastal Oregon and Washington, summer crowds and a lack of reservations made the inland route preferable. We headed to Crater Lake National Park in central Oregon. We were certainly not the only ones with this idea, as hoards of tourists descended upon this state treasure. The crater is the result of ages old volcanic activity in the area and boat trips are offered around the iconic island offshore. The lake is a stunning marine blue and when the sun strikes it just so, the water is enchanting.

Lakes of Mesmerizing Blue

Iconic Mount Hood in the distance

Redwoods National Park, CA

The tallest living trees on the planet are the California Redwoods and a visit to Redwood National Park in Northern California is a great opportunity to hike amidst these towering giants. We had fallen in love with this stretch of coastline during our six week sabbatical when the girls were 7 yrs old and 4.5 yrs old. This time around, we were able to hike further and explore more. Prairie Creek Campground provides access to some amazing hiking trails and allows you to get up close and personal with nature's skyscrapers. The toppled trees' massive root systems just beg to be climbed up and the cracks, hollows and fissures in the trunks make for the perfect cabins, forts, and secret hiding places. It is a magical place for parents and kids alike.