Mission: Wanderlust: Recent Episodes
Sarah Styf
In 2015, Sarah Styf started the blog Accepting the Unexpected Journey. She originally intended to use the blog as a place to reflect on the life changes facing her family and new experiences living in Texas as midwestern transplants, but the blog eventually evolved into a little bit of everything, including travel blogs about all of the traveling that her family did in the years after moving from Indiana to the Lone Star State. Now, she is stepping away from travel blogging to share those adventures, old and new, with a listening audience.
sarahstyf.substack.com
Here are my reflections on Day 1 of our Bourbon Trail explorations. Longer blog posts with photographs and additional information coming soon.
But if you want to know more about Maker’s Mark, here is the blog post from our trip there four years ago.
If you want to get my posts from directly on the Bourbon Trail, don’t forget to subscribe!
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
I didn’t protest in downtown Indy last weekend.
Instead, I went to an author event at a local coffee shop and worked on slowly growing community.
And I believe that is its own kind of protest.
Thank you to everyone who tuned into my live video! Join me for my next live video in the app.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Here are my final thoughts on my slow read of 1984, available for all readers.
And just because you haven’t had a chance to start yet, doesn’t mean the opportunity is past. I will keep those discussion threads open for all paid subscribers and will gladly respond and discuss with you whenever you want.
Below are all of the links to all information related to the slow read and pay attention for news about The Grapes of Wrath, which I will spread out over five months.
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
If you’ve been with me on my writing journey for a long time, you know that I have spent years reflecting on and processing my life as a churchworker’s kid who went into churchwork and eventually saw everything blow up in my face. While I have been writing about it for over a year in my Shifting Sand series, there is so much more work that I have to do as I process those experiences. Writers like Beth Allison Barr have been instrumental in my walk through faith reconstruction.
Today is launch day for her new book, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife. I was blessed to be on the launch team for this book and read an advanced copy. (Seriously, if you ever want a great launch team experience, I cannot recommend doing one through Brazos Books enough.) I may not be a pastor’s wife, but I am so thankful I got to read this book.
From my Goodreads review:
I've questioned the role of women in church leadership for a long time, and as the granddaughter of a pastor and a devoted pastor's wife and as the daughter of a churchworker who became a pastor later in life, I have watched the story of what is expected of pastor's wives play out over and over again.Just as she did with The Making of Biblical Womanhood, Barr brilliantly weaves thorough historical research with the story of the role of women in the American Church in the 20th and 21st centuries. This isn't just a book for members of the SBC. This book is for all women who belong to church bodies that deny us a full seat at the table.
Buy it wherever books are sold!
Join me for my next live video in the app
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you want to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
Check out my RedBubble store for related merchandise.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
So who of you were 80s kids who listened to the children’s musical It’s Cool in the Furnace or It’s Cool in the Furnace II?
I don’t know why people are surprised that I have been never-Trump from day one. I was told to say no to idols when I was a child.
But then, I don’t know if I can say it any more eloquently than Rev. Benjamin R. Cremer did on Notes earlier today.
So let me know in the comments: were you a Cool in the Furnace fan too?
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
It’s Presidents Day and it’s cold outside, so I’m enjoying some time inside writing and promoting my work.
I know that there have been a few emails from me in three days, but this is a rare burst of creativity due to having small windows of time. I promise that this is not the norm.
Even if you don’t make it to the end of the video, please fill out the survey questions below to help me figure out my next steps moving forward.
Join me for my next live video in the app
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you want to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
Check out my RedBubble store for related merchandise.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
I’m working on being more intentional in 2025, and there are some changes that I need to make to be more authentic and intentional with my work. (Psst, make sure you read through to the bottom because I have a special offer.)
First, for those who want to keep subscribing but are trying to also be more intentional about your inbox, here are some screenshots to show you how you can unsubscribe from some of the sections I discuss in the video.
Now for the special offer. I have TEN free codes for my first book available on Spotify. In order to qualify, you have to be one of the first ten people to do the following:
-
Subscribe if you haven’t done so yet.
-
Like this post.
-
Share a favorite blog post of mine on Threads, Substack Notes, or Bluesky, and tag me in the post.
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Email or DM me to let me know that you have done the two items above.
Codes will be emailed out on Sunday.
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Here is the link to my recent piece looking at how I’m thinking about social media right now:
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
For more, here is the link to the related blog post:
Join me for my next live video in the app
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
I really loved Nancy French’s memoir. It is both beautifully written and shares important lessons for all of us as we ask questions about where we are headed as a country.
Here are the many thoughts I had while reading this book this past weekend.
And for further consideration, check out this post in which I discuss how we contain multitudes as human beings:
Join me for my next live video in the app
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you want to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
Check out my RedBubble store for related merchandise.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Some thoughts after my experiences at an author event at a local coffee shop. We don’t have to always think that bigger is better.
Join me for my next live video in the app
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you want to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
Check out my RedBubble store for related merchandise.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Read my thoughts after I finished reading The Mythmakers by John Hendrix.
Join me for my next live video in the app
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
I’ve learned a lot from my self-publishing journey. One very important lesson has been diversifying and not depending on one platform.
You can order a copy of the e-book, audiobook, or paperback here: https://sarahstyf.com/embracing-the-journey-sales
For more about self-publishing, you can read the following posts:
Join me for my next live video in the app
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
The new reports and conspiracy theories and flat-out lies about what is happening with the horrific wildfires in California are all giving me some serious 1984 vibes.
And there’s still time to join me in my three-month slow read of the novel.
And yes, I’m a California baby but a Midwestern girl.
Join me for my next live video in the app
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I talk about my nearly lifetime of needing glasses, problems with contacts, and new vision problems in my 40s.
And my daughter makes a guest appearance asking me if I want chips, because that’s what happens when you go live.
Join me for my next live video in the app
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Some thoughts about seeking health in a new year.
More posts about my running journey.
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We have a snow day and I have some thoughts 😂
Honestly, I’m ok with an e-learning day for the first day of the semester, but I also have a long history of dealing with the good, bad, and ugly of e-learning as a substitute for not being in school.
Here is the blog post I wrote in 2014 when I was SO tired of all of the snowfall.
Remember that you can join me on the Substack app when I go live. Usually I just post to my blog without sending it as an email, but today I’m sending it to your inbox 😊
Join me for my next live video in the app
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At some point, I will talk about my MLM experience when I write about our Fort Wayne years for my Shifting Sand series, but here is a preview.
And here is my piece about being intentional in 2025:
Join me for my next live video in the app
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
I held on for a long time.
It was time to let go.
Part of being “intentional” in 2025 means getting rid of the stuff we don’t use and don’t need. It seems a little morbid, but I asked myself what I would want to replace if we were to have a house fire or a tornado.
The piano didn’t make the cut.
So now we are a couple hundred dollars richer and have a tiny bit more space…and one less place for dog fur to collect.
For my original post about my daughter’s failed attempt at piano, click here.
While you can order the whole book, here is the revised chapter about that experience:
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This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Join me for my next live video in the app
Additional thoughts on being intentional:
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Join me for my next live video in the app
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
School starts one week from today.
That’s right. ONE WEEK FROM TODAY.
But I’m not freaking out about all I have to do to be ready…Yeah, right.
However, my book is finally finished.
Will I find even more to fix as I work on the audiobook? Probably, but those fixes will have to wait for a few weeks while I get the school year under my belt
I'm so excited about this book finally being out in the world. How can you help?
🏕️ Pre-order at this link
🏕️ Volunteer to read an advance copy and write a review
🏕️ Share with your friends
🏕️ Mark "Want to read" on your Goodreads account or other tracking app
🏕️ Sign up for my newsletter so you know when I'll be signing copies in person
I can't do this without my readers, so help me get the word out ❤️
And thank you for joining me on the journey.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
I’m finishing this post in the days following the first Trump felony verdict. It will go live as we leave for our summer vacation and you will probably read this before we make our stop in the Black Hills, just in time for the Fourth of July. But I’ve been working through this post for a long time, because I love my country and I want better for her. I still believe that is possible.
When I prepared for my semester abroad during my junior year of college, my uncle—who had dual Canadian and American citizenship—jokingly offered to let me borrow a Canadian pin to wear on my backpack while I spent two weeks backpacking Europe. Even in 1999, I knew the justifiable prejudice I would encounter as I traveled around Europe, and this was before 9-11, the Iraq War, and 2016. I believed I knew the stereotype of Europeans eyeing Americans with suspicion and occasional disgust. They expected Americans to act brash and lack respect for local customs and culture. They expected pride over humility. They liked the idea of America, but had little use for Americans.
However, with a few exceptions, my travel companions and I discovered beautiful countries with people willing to welcome us to their countries. We did our best to respect the local languages and cultures and our hosts responded by speaking to us in English and pointing us in the right direction. One of the more embarrassing moments was a group of German high school students in a youth hostel in Munich who just wanted to ask us questions about Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. They were fascinated by the political scandal, completely oblivious to the potential constitutional crisis unfolding at home.
And as much as I enjoyed living in London for three months and taking in the history and beauty of France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, and Ireland, I was ready to return home to the United States. Living and traveling abroad taught me that I had a lot to learn from the world around me, but the United States was home. I was ready to ride out Y2K in Michigan. I was ready to vote in my first presidential election. And I was ready to use the lessons I had learned and share them with my future students to give them a better understanding of the world they lived in.
In three and a half months, I learned the US was just one part of the bigger global picture. I learned my country is so young compared to the history of other nations and nation-states. I learned that we don’t have it all figured out. We aren’t the best at everything. There are things other countries do better. I began to see that we weren’t the greatest nation in the world, because the arbitrary metrics for what makes a country the “greatest” belong in the eye of the beholder.
I love living in the United States of America.
I really do.
We live in one of the most naturally diverse countries in the world:
The snow-capped Rocky Mountains.
The misty Smoky Mountains.
The swamps of Louisiana.
The sandy shorelines of the Great Lakes.
The giant Redwoods and Sequoias of northern California.
The Colorado River running through the Grand Canyon.
And that doesn’t even scratch the surface.
We are a nation of immigrants and as a result, American culture is every culture. Each region has its own cuisine, but we can often access Italian, Mexican, Indian, and Chinese-influenced restaurants in the same block. There is a reason we have a month that celebrates nearly every cultural group in the US. Our immigrant history challenges us and makes us better. Our history is troubled. European immigrants pushed indigenous peoples off of their land and wiped out entire populations. Enslaved African peoples lost ties to their cultures and homelands, their families torn apart by the greed of landowners and northern businessmen. Chinese immigrants were denied citizenship while working in horrific conditions on railroads that spanned the continent. Japanese citizens were sent to poorly constructed camps for the duration of World War II, stripped of their wealth and dignity because of their neighbor’s fears. And again, this barely scratches the surface.
I could allow the ugliness of our nation’s past and our cyclical flirtation with fascism lead me to despair. I could choose to only see the United States through the lens of 1619. I’ve struggled with my patriotism. But that struggle is born out of love for my country, flaws and all.
I believe in the promise of America. I believe in what she could be. I believe in the words of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I believe that we have been working toward this goal for 250 years. It’s been halting. We’ve taken many steps forward. We’ve taken steps backward. But the aspirational goal has always been there before us.
I don’t want to live anywhere else. I still believe that capitalism has the potential to be the best economic system in a pile of flawed economic systems. But it needs guardrails to prevent humans from being…human. I still believe that our government is the best form of government in a pile of flawed political systems. But it needs reforms for the modern age. I still believe in the majority of my fellow citizens and their desire for “a more perfect union.” But their voices need to be the ones amplified, not the voices of a hateful minority.
Instead of pledging allegiance to an inanimate object, I want to pledge allegiance to my fellow Americans, our American ideals, the pursuit of the American dream for all Americans, and an embrace of global citizenship.
This year I celebrate the land of the men and women free to worship the god of their choosing and love who they want to love. I celebrate the home of the brave men and women who have fought over and over again to save an imperfect democracy and work to make it more perfect for all. I honor Abigail Adams imploring her husband to “remember the ladies” and Sojourner Truth proclaiming “women together ought to be able to turn (the world) back, and get it right side up again!” I choose to listen to Frederick Douglass asking “What to a slave is the 4th of July?” I lament the words of Chief Joseph, as he told his people “I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.”
Pluralism has always been what has made the United States unique. It should be our strength, not our weakness. We’ve never been able to achieve full greatness because we’ve consistently stopped short of embracing that pluralism. We can still make the table bigger. We can still make more room for more voices.
The United States is insignificant in the grand scope of human history, but she matters to me. In 2026, I want to celebrate a country coming into its own. I want to stand with my neighbors on the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding and believe we are working toward a stronger nation for all of us.
An emotionally and spiritually mature patriotism will see all that a country is, the best and the worst features, and continually seek to do better. So this year, I’m bringing back the red, white, and blue. I’m wearing the star-spangled earrings. I’m decorating the campsite in patriotic colors. I’m looking forward, not backward.
I hope you will join me.
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you want to support my writing but do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
Check out my RedBubble store for related merchandise.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Fire ants are as bad as people say they are. They are the spawn of Satan, and nothing can convince me otherwise.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
I ran the Indy Mini and proved to myself for the second time that I was capable of more than I ever believed.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
As parents, we can delight in our children's growth and success without losing ourselves in the process.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Announcements regarding the Kickstarter launch for my camping memoir. Join in on the excitement by hopping over to Kickstarter and picking your rewards today.
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
When I started writing my camping memoir, The Life I Never Knew I Wanted, I had no idea how the next six years would turn out. And while I wrote about the journey here, I want to give my subscribers brief, direct glimpses into the process over the next month in preparation for the launch of the Kickstarter campaign on May 7.
This week I talk about the benefits of supporting my Kickstarter campaign. It makes you an investor and helps you avoid giving money to big businesses. The money is going directly to the production of the book.
Please consider clicking on the link so that you can be notified on launch. There is no commitment in doing so, and the more people who express interest before a campaign launches, the more attention it gets from the outside 😊
Thank you for being along for the journey!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you would like to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you would like to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you would like to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider a one-time donation.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
When I started writing my camping memoir, The Life I Never Knew I Wanted, I had no idea how the next six years would turn out. And while I wrote about the journey here, I want to give my subscribers brief, direct glimpses into the process over the next month in preparation for the launch of the Kickstarter campaign on May 7.
This week I talk about why I continue to pursue self-publishing and the process I followed with my first book, Embracing the Journey.
Please consider clicking on the link so that you can be notified on launch. There is no commitment in doing so, and the more people who express interest before a campaign launches, the more attention it gets from the outside 😊
Thank you for being along for the journey!
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
January 31 marks the one-year anniversary of my book, Embracing the Journey. To celebrate, I am bringing my book to your ears!
Starting January 31, I will post new episodes of my book for paid subscribers. New episodes will launch on most Wednesdays through the end of 2024. (Note: there will be times during the year that I will not have time to launch new episodes, but I will work ahead to launch them most weeks.)
There are many ways to become a paid subscriber. Wait until the end of the video to find out three ways you can get access to the podcast episodes as they are released.
Support my writing
While most of my work here is free for all subscribers, it is still a labor of love that I fit into the few hours I have when I am not teaching or being an attentive wife and mom. If you would like to support my writing but you do not want to commit to being a paid subscriber, please consider one-time donation and I will give you a one-month paid subscription.
You can also support me by ordering my book or books from my favorite book lists at my Bookshop.org affiliate page.
If you want to be a regular supporter, you can upgrade your subscription from free to paid and get occasional content only for paid subscribers.
And thank you for supporting my journey 💗
This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit sarahstyf.substack.com
Welcome to “Writing in the Margins.” As a high school English teacher who occasionally freelances and regularly blogs, finding the time to do the writing that fulfills me can be a challenge. In “Writing in the Margins,” I offer lessons and tips for improving as a writer when it isn’t your full-time job.
Content for this series is for paid subscribers. While some of the content may be temporarily available to all subscribers from time to time, upgrade your subscription to ensure that you never miss a video or post.
Please “like” by clicking on the ❤ and share this post with your friends so that others can also find their Mission: Wanderlust.
Our 2019 summer vacation out west was a dream trip full of bucket list items for the whole family. It came to a screeching halt just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico when our camper had a major breakdown. I talk about both the breakdown and becoming accidental tourists in the city that was just supposed to be a single-night stop.
I wrote about all of these experiences on Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
A Perfect Vacation Comes to a Screeching Halt
Making the Best of Being Stuck in Albuquerque
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Petroglyph National Monument
Do your own Breaking Bad tour
Explora
Blog post:
One of our biggest fears when we bought our first camper and started dreaming about long trips was the big mishap what-ifs. We would see nightmare scenarios and wonder what we would do if they ever happened to us. We couldn’t imagine how we would handle it.
Then it did happen to us, in the middle of nowhere forty miles outside of Albuquerque.
Early in our marriage, as Jeff and I wrapped up our magical summer vacation tent camping our way to Yellowstone National Park and back, we finally acknowledged a potential problem. Our little Ford Focus, which we had opted to take instead of our truck because we were trying to save on gas mileage, had been riding a little rough, particularly as we wound around the tight roads that run through Yellowstone. We knew that when we returned to Indiana we were probably going to have to deal with the tire situation, we just hoped that we would make it home. We were nearly to the Iowa/Illinois border when it happened.
Bang! Thump, thump, thump.
Instead of getting home to our house in northwest Indiana, we had to ditch our tent and camping equipment and spend the night in a roadside motel while our tire was getting fixed.
The funny thing is, that’s usually the thing I don’t remember about the trip. Until we had kids, it was our favorite vacation together, one that we want to replicate with our kids. We’ve spent years reminiscing about the week we raced our way out west and back, telling our kids about it frequently enough that our son is convinced that we need to go on a family vacation there sooner than later.
Unfortunately, I needed to be reminded of that end note to our early-marriage adventure as we neared Albuquerque, New Mexico on our way back to Texas from Arches National Park.
Our drive from Moab to Albuquerque was already going to be a long day. Jeff’s ideal for a driving day is about 300 miles, maybe a little more. We were going to be pushing it at just over 360 miles. This was after several long days of hiking and late nights, which didn’t help the length of the day because we were a tired crew. All things considered, the travel day was going pretty well, until our son insisted for the second time during the trip that he had to go to the bathroom. With nothing around for miles, Jeff decided to pull over so that our son could use the bathroom in the camper. When I pulled myself into the doorway to check on our son, something smelled off. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I thought it might smell like something was burning. However, it was hot, sunny, and I didn’t see smoke or heat coming off of anything but the pavement. Besides, the camper was hot and it was possible that the smell could have just been a result of the camper being used as a restroom twice while on the road. I decided I would take a closer look at the toilet when we got to Albuquerque.
Except, the bathroom wasn’t the problem. With less than 50 miles to our destination, we heard a sudden thud, Jeff looked in his side mirror, and he pulled off as quickly as possible. We were in the middle of the New Mexico desert with no apparent town or city anywhere close.
Jeff got out of the truck. “The wheel is gone, and it tore up the side of the slide-out.”
“What?” I got out of the truck, warned the kids to stay put, and rushed over to the other side of the truck to see what Jeff was talking about. Sure enough, we weren’t just missing a tire, we were missing an entire wheel. Jeff took off down the road, looking for the missing wheel while I tried to swallow rising panic as I looked for the phone number for the roadside assistance that we had paid extra for when we purchased the camper less than a year before.
Jeff found the wheel with the popped but intact tire attached nearly half a mile down the road. A highway patrolman stopped to see what kind of help he needed and left Jeff his information. As I prayed that God would keep our family safe while we were stranded on the side of the road, a couple came up and helped Jeff bring the heavy wheel and tire back to our camper.
Then we had to deal with roadside assistance.
Our insurance company said that because it wasn’t a tire blowout and was instead a lost wheel with additional damage, it was considered an accident and we would have to pay for the tow and they couldn’t give us a solid estimate for how much it would cost. The roadside assistance that we paid for was just about as helpful as our insurance company.
Our multiple shared conversations with operators trying to help us on July 4 went something like this:
“Are you in a safe location?”
“Yes”
“Can you tell us what happened?”
One of us goes into a long explanation of what has transpired, then, “We can get a tire repair out of you.”
Taking a deep breath, “A tire repair won’t help. There isn’t a wheel to put the tire on.”
“Where are you located? You will have to pay for the tow but we don’t know exactly how much.” Really? I thought roadside assistance was for this very situation!
And then there was the drama of trying to explain where we were without signs right near us. We found the atlas in the truck and tried to explain where we were, just south of the Zia Indian Reservation, and near Zia Pueblo, but the person on the other end couldn’t find it anywhere on the map.
Two hours after the initial incident, Jeff decided that we could just make it to town and we would deal with it from there. Despite the fact that we were down an entire wheel, we were somehow upright, and he figured that if we drove slowly and avoided the highways we could make it to the KOA in one piece. It was better than waiting for several more hours on the side of the road while two different insurance companies failed to actually assist us.
We pulled into the campground late but still intact. We used a separate jack in place of the stab jack but we were still seriously off level, feeling like we were walking through a fun house every time we stepped into the camper. We eventually remedied the situation by getting a second jack on our second day in Albuquerque to prop up the axle, leveling us out even more.
Unfortunately, compounding our troubles was the fact that this happened on a holiday weekend. The next day, several places were still closed for the day after Independence Day. We got through to one mobile tech business, but they were only able to give us a diagnosis: broken axle. We were going to have to wait until after the weekend was over and businesses were back in the office to get answers as to how soon we would be able to get the parts necessary to get back on the road.
The next day included a series of phone calls and emails while Jeff was trying to work from the camper and I was trying to keep the kids entertained in Albuquerque. We're dealing with warranty issues, automotive shutdown (which happens at the beginning of every July), the additional money for staying parked in one spot, the general desire to get home, and a potential storm moving into Houston.
Honestly, the week following the best vacation ever tested our resolve, but I’ve had to put everything into perspective. Our family was safe. We got to our destination with all living members in one piece. Jeff spends a lot of time on camping forums and he saw a handful of situations similar to ours and their outcome hadn’t been nearly as positive. It wasn’t our worst nightmare. Our worst nightmare is a catastrophic accident that destroyed our camper, our truck, and endangered our lives. Our situation wasn’t great, but it could have been so much worse. That is what we kept telling ourselves as we sat in Albuquerque waiting for news, waiting for all of the pieces to finally come together, waiting to be able to return home.
The unfortunate reality was that we had to turn a planned one-night stay into a four-day mini-vacation.
Summer is blockbuster time, but we intentionally left for a vacation away from it all just when some of the most anticipated films of the summer came out. On our first stranded day, after getting a couple of items that we needed to accommodate our situation, we took the kids to see Spiderman. The levity of the film helped us temporarily forget that we were stranded, and we headed back to the camper for a game of mini-golf at the KOA and a late dinner of hot dogs before making decisions for the next day.
Our second full day was just more of the same. We played some mini golf, the kids played at the playground and swam, we waited for news that never came, and then we took the kids to see Toy Story 4, which again offered some much-needed levity while also hitting a little too close to home.
By the end of our second full day in Albuquerque, we were getting a little concerned. We knew the city for two things: the balloon festival and Breaking Bad. Unbeknownst to us, Jeff still had the Waze on his phone set to taking us around highways, necessary when we were limping our camper into town but not necessary once we were "safely" parked. This meant that we were seeing all of Albuquerque, not just the charming old city that is meant for tourists. It didn't help that on our way home we experienced a desert thunderstorm with a downpour that surprisingly temporarily rivaled rains we frequently experienced in Houston. Hamburgers would have to wait. We ordered Dominos and called it a night.
By our third day, we decided it was time to become tourists. We started with heading to Los Pollos Hermanos of Breaking Bad fame. We figured we needed to eat lunch anyway, so we might as well make that a stop. Interestingly enough, Los Pollos Hermanos is actually Twisters, a New Mexico fast-food franchise that sells Mexican and New-Mex fare. While it took us to the outskirts of town and we had to wait for a while for our food, it was really good and well worth the stop. Judging by the number of people taking pictures inside the restaurant, we weren't the only ones making a fan pilgrimage while in town.
Next on the Breaking Bad fan list is a stop in Old Town Plaza to visit The Candy Lady shop, where they sell bags of actual prop candy from the show. Our arrival in Old Town Plaza finally revealed the charming Albuquerque that the travel guides promote. It reminded us a lot of Old Town Santa Fe, which makes sense since they are both New Mexico cities founded around the same time. Our initial stop in Old Town was quick; we had plans to visit another NPS site and the timing window was tight.
Since Petroglyphs National Monument is quite literally in Albuquerque, we decided that it was worth checking out. Besides, the prospect of another Junior Ranger badge was enough to convince the kids that maybe being stuck for a couple of days wasn't that bad. We picked up trail guides and Junior Ranger books and drove the fifteen minutes to Piedras Marcadas Canyon, which is located on the backside of a more upscale and newer Albuquerque neighborhood. It was interesting to hike a trail showing up to 400 petroglyphs created between 400 and 700 years ago by the ancestors of today's Pueblo people and other native groups traveling through the area. The fact that these drawings in volcanic rock are so well preserved on the edge of a residential area is unreal. While this isn't a side trip that we would have normally intentionally put into our trip itinerary, it was a cool addition to our passport books and the kids' Junior Ranger vests, even though it was a race to the finish to make sure they got their books done in time before the visitor center closed.
We headed back to Old Town Plaza, shopped for pottery and jewelry made by local artisans, and generally enjoyed the atmosphere. If we had to become tourists, we were going to make the most of it. Since it was Sunday night, most things were closing by 6, but it was ok. We still got a good taste for what was in the area and since our son had found something that he really wanted in The Candy Lady shop and nothing else would suffice, I knew the kids and I would have to make a return the next day while Jeff did his best to work from the camper.
Our last full day in Albuquerque was a mix of figuring out our situation, Jeff trying to work, and me trying to entertain the kids away from the camper. We headed back to Old Town so that we could get our son's desired souvenir, ate a quick lunch, and then headed over to Explora, the hands-on children's museum in town. It was fairly cheap (they even gave me a teacher discount) and it kept the kids entertained for a couple of hours before we needed to head back "home." It was a really fun place to visit and well worth the side trip.
Our last decision was to leave the camper in Albuquerque and drive through the night straight to Houston. It was a long haul and we hated leaving it behind, but with a window of several weeks before repairs were complete, we didn’t have much of a choice. Eventually, the company and the repair shop agreed to drive it to us in Houston.
We didn't want to become accidental tourists in Albuquerque, but we eventually found the charming side of the city and enjoyed it while we were there. While we would have preferred to have been on the road, it is a worthwhile stop for those who are driving through. It wasn't in the plan, but we got to extend our vacation just a little more before making the final decision to go home.
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Our 2019 summer vacation out west was a dream trip full of bucket list items for the whole family, the final highlight being Arches National Park. This three-day stop included Arches, Canyonlands, and a drive down into Long Canyon on Long Canyon Road. Along the way, we witnessed natural beauty, learned some important parenting lessons, and even got some time away from the kids, thanks to meeting up with family.
I wrote about all of these experiences on Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
Arches National Park: Nature’s Architectural Masterpiece
Canyons, Domes, and Western Night Skies
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Episode Transcript:
Its most famous arch graces Utah’s license plate. The desert climate presents extremes of dangerous summer temperatures and cold, snowy winters. The same natural phenomenon that creates the stunning arches all over the national park has also left its mark all over the western United States, yet it is the over 2000 documented natural arches that gives Arches National Park its name.
Hi, I’m your host Sarah Styf. Welcome to Mission: Wanderlust.
Mesa Verde had been the first “must” of our 2019 family vacation.
Arches was the second.
I’m not sure what has always drawn me to visiting Arches, but I’m sure it had to do with the pictures I’ve seen over the years of red rocks, natural arches towering over visitors, and the mountains in the distance. I’ve wanted to see it in person for years and I was finally getting my chance.
I woke up early and filled all the water bottles, made sure the family ate breakfast, and had plenty of snacks to keep us well fed until we were able to leave the park for a lunch in Moab. I was far from patient while waiting for everyone else to be up and ready to go, mostly because I knew that if we wanted to get any hiking in, we were on a limited time budget before the heat of the day got to be too much for us.
We managed to leave before 9:00 and made our first stop the visitor center where Jeff and I added to our family water bottle holder collection. We had purchased the same style for the kids when we were in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and noticed how well they worked for them. Jeff and I had tried to find similar holders in Mesa Verde but they didn’t have them. Now we decided we weren’t going to pass up the chance again. I could ditch the backpack and just carry my camera and RTIC water bottle with ease.
We were now ready to drive through the entire park to get to the Devil’s Garden Trailhead and work our way back towards the park entrance. Jeff, the kids, and I struggled to take in the rugged beauty of Arches National Park as we traveled to the trailhead. There was so much to see and such a contrast: desert, colorful rocks, and mountains merged together into stunning landscapes that took my breath away. The kids imaginatively described what each rock formation looked like, coming up with different stories for each one while also pointing out every arch we passed.
We finally got to the parking lot, found a parking spot far from the trail, and made sure water bottles were once more full. Then we prepared to hike.
We had been warned. There are signs everywhere telling visitors to drink plenty of water and reminding hikers that heat is dangerous. For over a week we had been bragging about how we could handle the desert heat because it was better than the humidity that we had left behind in Houston.
But that was before Moab.
By the time we hit the trail, we were nearing the 11-3 window that all of the tour guides say to avoid. We started on the Landscape Arch trail, 0.8 miles to where the trail branches off in longer and more difficult trails. It was beautiful and yet we struggled. Our son, who is used to leading the charge, complained of being warm and said his foot hurt from when he fell playing catch with a football the day before. By the time we reached the perfect picture spot for the arch, we were all ready to head back.
On the way back, the trail branched off to our left to both Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch (0.9 miles roundtrip). By the time we finished the short trails at the Devil’s Garden Trailhead, we had hiked nearly 2.5 miles in significant heat. It was time for a break.
As we drove back towards the visitor center, we made a detour towards Wolfe Ranch so we could take a picture of Delicate Arch. We had two options: we could take the 3-mile hike to go directly to Delicate Arch or we could take the 0.5-mile hike to the Upper Viewpoint. We opted for the viewpoint with a zoom lens.
We were past time for lunch and decided to look for a good place to eat on Moab’s main drag. We were all ready for something significantly different from sandwiches. We drove past Zax, where the kids saw signs for pizza and pasta and Jeff and I thought pizza sounded good. We showed up in time to see the women’s soccer team play against England (with a family from England eating at the table behind us) and Jeff and I opted for the salad and pizza bar, finally getting some fresh veggies into our system, besides the ones I had jammed into our fridge.
We headed back to the campground for swimming and relaxation so that we could cool off from the hot morning and early afternoon of exploring. By the time dinner rolled around, I was ready to see what we missed in the park and attempt to catch the sunset from one of the arches. Since the French dip had been cooking all day in the Crockpot, dinner was easy, but I was anxious to leave before everyone else, wanting to hike up to Windows before we ran out of natural light.
Jeff knows me as well as a husband should know his wife. He scarfed down his sandwich and then said, “Grab my socks and boots. We’re leaving.”
So we left our happy kids with my sister-in-law and took off for the park. With the sun going down, the 90-degree temperatures were downright pleasant, and we rolled down our windows down to take in the growing shadows that changed the entire appearance of Arches.
We arrived to a packed parking lot of fellow visitors also trying to take in the arches in the cooler temperatures. The hike around the North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch is only one-mile round trip, and visitors can pick just how far they want to hike and how much they want to climb to see each one. We opted to climb the North Window, making it just in time to enjoy the view before watching the sunset over the Double Arch on the other side of the parking lot.
God’s creation is beautiful, and peacefully sitting under the arch with my best friend while the sky changed to dusk was the perfect end to a beautiful day. In visiting another dream park, I learned that one week wouldn’t be enough to see everything that Arches National Park has to offer, but I had seen enough to be satisfied. And my husband, my best friend, knew that this was how I needed to end my day. For that I will forever be grateful.
We met up with the rest of our family in Moab. They were on a quest to find ice cream, a quest we gladly joined. We finally found one ice cream shop that was open after 9:00 and then dragged the whole family home to go to bed. We had another park to explore the next day, and we all needed our rest before that was going to happen.
Arches was everything I had dreamed it would be and more. Now I was ready to take on Canyonlands.
When I first started planning our trip west, I asked an open question on Facebook: Where else should we visit besides Arches and Mesa Verde?
One of my college friends quickly responded: Canyonlands.
I had never heard of Canyonlands even though it is within easy driving distance from Moab. Arches, which is actually geographically smaller than Canyonlands, gets all of the glory, few people outside of the region making Canyonlands their original destination when they visit Moab. Statistically, Arches sees a staggering one million visitors a year; Canyonlands, only 35 miles away, sees 400,000. The fact that Canyonlands was just an “add-on” in my trip planning put us in good company with most national park visitors.
I had a hard time getting the family moving on the morning after our second late night in Moab, but I still managed to get the family out of the campground by shortly after 9:00. We drove straight to the Arches Visitor Center so that we could get both kids sworn in as Junior Rangers and then we continued on the road towards the Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center.
Something was off. Our son, who is usually up for exploring and gets excited about earning more badges, was sulky and quick with the attitude. When we got to Canyonlands and they started working on their Junior Ranger books he almost fell apart while he and our daughter used a map of the park to answer several of the questions, arguing that map reading (something he was perfectly capable of figuring out) was too hard for him. When we went out to the overlook across the street, our son was nearing an early meltdown and Jeff and I helplessly looked at each other. If we were going to make the most of the day, we had to stay in the park, but could we really do that with a little boy who was falling apart?
Jeff sat down to talk to him and our son lamented the injustice of his sister getting the hiking stick that he wanted and he accused me of wanting to do too much, making me feel like the worst mom on the planet. Maybe I was trying to do too much on the vacation, but there we were. Jeff calmed him down enough to get into the truck and within minutes he was sobbing, “My ear!”
Suddenly everything made sense. He had several ear infections as a toddler (we were one ear infection away from tubes) and difficulties with his ears have always had an impact on his mood. This time, the changes in altitude was wreaking havoc on his eardrums and the pressure had finally popped. We rushed him ibuprofen, made sure he had water, and by the time we reached the Mesa Arch parking lot, he was in a completely different mood.
The Mesa Arch hike is only 0.5 miles round trip, but it is rocky and requires some climbing. The view from the arch is spectacular, the canyons below living up to the name of the park. When we all returned to the truck, everyone was in a positive mood, ready to hit at least one more major stop before saying we had seen the best parts of the Island in the Sky region that we could quickly hike to.
Next, we headed to Upheaval Dome, making a quick stop to take pictures of Whale Rock. There are three different areas in Canyonlands, Island in the Sky being the closest to Moab. Our goal was to see as much as we could reasonably see in a couple of hours, aware that we had expended a significant amount of energy the day before with the hikes in Arches. The temperatures in Canyonlands were considerably more comfortable, the extra 2,000 feet in elevation dropping the air temperature down to the high 80s from the high 90s we had experienced the day before. It made the 0.8-mile roundtrip hike to the first Upheaval Dome overlook doable. This time, our daughter was struggling as we got to the top of the rocky climb, stopping in a small sliver of shade to work on her Junior Ranger book. I left her for a few minutes to see how Jeff and our son were doing and discovered them contentedly working on our son’s Junior Ranger book while sitting in a crater at the top of the overlook.
The crater itself is a spectacular sight, and considerably unusual when compared to other geologic sites in the park. According to the NPS website, “In an area approximately three miles (5 km) across, rock layers are dramatically deformed. In the center, the rocks are pushed up into a circular structure called a dome, or an anticline. Surrounding this dome is a downwarp in the rock layers called a syncline.” The explanation was a little above this English teacher’s paygrade, but it made for a unique view of our natural world. Our daughter finally joined us at the top so that she could work with her brother on their books, and we eventually convinced them to leave their natural workspace so we could get back on the road.
We had considered adding the Green River Overlook to our list of places to visit, but my sister-in-law was ready to head back to Moab and our daughter wanted to join her. Besides, Jeff had his own adventure dreams that he wanted to fulfill, and we had to do a kid switch to make those dreams happen.
We drove straight back to the visitor center, got the kids sworn in as Junior Rangers, and then our family minus one headed towards Long Canyon to see just how well our F150 could handle off-roading down into the canyon.
The road starts out simply enough, just a gravel country road, but then it makes one turn after another, dropping in elevation and then finally dropping into the canyon. The road is rough, the decline steep, and then we reached Pucker Pass.
Jeff had shown me video of the trail, particularly Pucker Pass, people going through the seemingly impassible gap in the rocks only to prove that there really was plenty of room to get through once vehicles are right underneath the rock leaning up against the canyon wall. But the approach is terrifying, especially for someone who is risk-averse, like me. Basically, everything up to our passage through Pucker Pass had me gripping the handle on the door next to me and wondering why I ever let Jeff talk me into it in the first place, while our son and K were in the backseat having the time of their lives.
Then we wove through the switchbacks, finally getting towards the bottom of the canyon, and while we slowly moved along the packed dirt road, the views opened up into something truly spectacular.
When we finally came out of the canyon, we were on a small highway taking us back to Moab, traveling along the swollen Colorado on our right with the red canyon walls towering over us on our left. We stopped at perfectly preserved petroglyphs high on the rocks overlooking the road and then stopped again further down for a close-up of the river, so swollen that there are currently signs underwater.
I had been apprehensive about the excursion, but it was worth every moment. We all returned to Moab satisfied and ready to meet the rest of our group for some ice cream and then pool time back at the campground.
After a rushed dinner of leftovers, we all headed back into Arches National Park so that we could watch the sunset from underneath The Windows. Our daughter had seen our pictures from the night before and she wanted to climb rocks. We laid out blankets and watched the sunset beneath the afternoon clouds, and then watched the stars come out as the western sky slowly faded to black. Our son, ever the bat lover, noticed a small number of bats flying out of the rocks behind us and watched until he couldn’t see anymore.
As Jeff, our son, and I snuggled on the blanket, he asked if we could stay for just one more day. A day that had started with a meltdown accusing me of wanting to do too many things ended with an ardent plea to stay for just a little longer. His day had ended perfectly and it was a feeling that he wanted to hold on to. I felt the same way, but we just couldn’t do it. Our nearly perfect family vacation was coming to an end.
When I made the plans to stay in Moab, Utah, my only goal was seeing natural arches. I had no idea what else we would discover as we traveled around the entire region. What we found was natural wonders that none of us will soon forget. Now it was time to head home.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @sstyfwrites, on Instagram @sarah.styf, or check out my blog sarahstyf.Substack.com
Special thanks to Craig Harmann for the music underscore.
Thanks for joining me and don’t forget to find your wander.
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A visit to Mesa Verde was a dream come true. This national park offers nature, history, and lessons for how we can better live today, all rolled into one. This episode covers our family’s 2019 adventures visiting the park and the surrounding area.
You can read about this trip on my blog, Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
Climbing Into Ancient American History
Downtime Before Getting Back on the Road
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Mesa Verde National Park
Yucca House National Monument
Please “like” by clicking on the ❤ and share this post with your friends so that others can also find their Mission: Wanderlust.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park was one of the early highlights of our summer vacation 2019 as we traveled from Houston to Arches National Park. This stunning national park takes visitors underground to a new world, one which left our whole family breathless.
You can read the blog post this episode is based on, Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Please “like” by clicking on the ❤ and share this post with your friends so that others can also find their Mission: Wanderlust.
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Our 2019 summer vacation out west was a dream trip full of bucket list items for the whole family, but to get there we had to make memorable stops in South Llano River State Park, Monahans Sandhills State Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. All three stops offered unique experiences and beautiful landscapes.
I wrote about all of these experiences on Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
South Llano and Monahans Sandhills
Heading Into the Guadalupe Mountains
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
South Llano River State Park
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Please “like” by clicking on the ❤ and share this post with your friends so that others can also find their Mission: Wanderlust.
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Turning trips for family events into vacations was a way of life when I was growing up. It wasn’t so for my husband. So when I said I wanted to go to my cousin’s wedding in Iowa several years ago, I had to work extra hard to make at least part of the trip feel like a vacation. Wisconsin became the central focus of vacation planning.
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Nelson Dewey State Park
Potosi Brewing Company
Elroy-Sparta Trail
Effigy Mounds National Monument
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One of the Styf family’s favorite camping spots during the years they lived in the Houston area was Lake Livingston State Park. It was a perfect weekend getaway from the city and took them to the beautiful landscapes of east Texas.
You can read the blog post this episode is based on, Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Lake Livingston State Park
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Sea Rim State Park is less than two hours outside of Houston, Texas. This small state park offers a quiet seaside escape from the city with less crowded beaches than those further down the coast in Galveston. The Styf family only went once, but it was the perfect weekend getaway at just the right time.
You can read the blog post this episode is based on, Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Sea Rim State Park
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Sarah and her family lived in the Houston area for six years. During that six-year period, she visited Austin three times. Over the course of those three visits, she and her family experienced the state capitol building, Mexican Freetail Bats, barbeque, a ghost tour, SXSW, and so much more.
You can read about two of those trips on her blog, Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
“Camping and Bat Adventures”
“Spring Break 2019: Austin Adventures”
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
SXSW
Iron Works Barbecue
Driskill Hotel
Please “like” by clicking on the ❤ and share this post with your friends so that others can also find their Mission: Wanderlust.
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When I discovered that I had a two-week spring break, it seemed like the perfect time for a trip away from the kids to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Our second stop was the Big Island of Hawaii. While there we saw historic sites, black sand, and an erupting volcano. It was everything we wanted it to be and more.
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park
Punalu’u Bake Shop
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park
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When I discovered that I had a two-week spring break, it seemed like the perfect time for a trip away from the kids to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. While on O’ahu we toured the southern tip of the island and visited the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial site. I cover those items and more.
Music by Craig Harmann
Links to places mentioned in the episode:
Kono’s Northshore
Polaris Slingshot
Dole Plantation
E Noa Tours
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
USS Bowfin
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Sarah and her family spent Spring Break 2021 camping in Eastern Arkansas. This is what her family experienced at Cane Creek State Park and Arkansas Post. You can read about the trip on her blog, Accepting the Unexpected Journey. Go to the hyperlink to read the post.
Music by Craig Harmann
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Sarah and her family drove through Arkansas several times before they finally decided to make it a short vacation destination. This is what they experienced when they went to Daisy State Park, Crater of Diamonds State Park, and Hot Springs National Park, all in the same short trip. You can also read about it on her blog, Accepting the Unexpected Journey. Go to the hyperlink to read the post.
Music by Craig Harmann
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Sarah traveled to Costa Rica as a chaperone in March of 2020, arriving home just days before they closed the border due to COVID-19. Here are her reflections on that trip, which can also be found at her blog, Accepting the Unexpected Journey. Go to the hyperlink to read the post.
Music by Craig Harmann
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Our first trip to Mammoth Cave National Park was when we were in our mid-20s and childless. Since that first trip, we have returned four times, each new trip an adventure that we are now sharing with our children.
One of my most popular blog posts is about the spring break trip that we took there several years ago, but we have returned since. I cover it all in this episode. Go to the hyperlink to read the post.
Music by Craig Harmann
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In this first episode of Mission: Wanderlust, Sarah talks about her love of travel, the writing she has done about travel in her blog, and her hopes for the podcast.
Subscribe to hear future episodes about specific travel adventures and check out her blog, Accepting the Unexpected Journey.
Music by Craig Harmann
Get full access to On the Journey at sarahstyf.substack.com/subscribe