Arriving Home

After getting off the Badger, we realized we didn’t have enough time to make it all the way home. Instead of heading south—or even east—we drove 40 miles north to Manistee, Michigan. We did this intentionally for a few reasons:

1. It’s a beautiful lakefront city where some of our family used to live, and my mom had been there before.

2. Thanks to the way the highways run, it wasn’t much of a time difference getting back home.

3. We found a hotel right on the water.

4. It was a Hilton (and after three months on the road, I’d acquired plenty of points and status).

That meant one last hotel stay, one more free Hampton Inn breakfast, and one final chance to play by the water before officially heading home.

We left the beach in front of the hotel around 10 a.m., which gave us enough time to get GG back between 1 and 2 and to pull into our own driveway before 3. It felt surreal being home after so long. Marley immediately announced he couldn’t help with laundry, cleaning, or putting things away because he had “forgotten where everything is.” When we first arrived, we didn’t unpack at all—we just unbuckled, grabbed the house key, and ran inside. The car didn’t get touched until the next day.

Unpacking was its own adventure. Annie started with the rooftop carrier, which had become my stash spot for dirty laundry (collected in Hilton laundry bags). Then we tackled the suitcases, which had migrated from the carrier to the back of the car somewhere along the way. Somehow, by the time we got home, we had two fewer people, three fewer pieces of luggage, more space from putting down the third row—and still no room left in the car. It took the better part of the morning to unload, remove the carrier, and get the Subaru to the carwash (where I apologized in advance to the poor guy about what he was about to clean).

By the end of the weekend, we were down to one last bag, a handful of souvenirs, and a big stack of maps, programs, ranger books, and other keepsakes destined for the memory box we keep from our adventures.

That gave us time to reflect on what this trip really gave us. At first glance, it seemed like we just looked at a lot of rocks, watched the “nature channel” in real life, or spotted countless cows, horses, and dogs. Or maybe it was just roller coasters and hot air balloon rides. But when we sifted through the memories, we realized it was much more than that. We built a list of places, experiences, people, and stories—and when grouped together, they revealed exactly what we hoped this trip would bring.

Three months in a car together driving across the country produced something remarkable.

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Trip Overview

• Miles Driven: 9,227 (in our Subaru Ascent)

• States Visited: 19 (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Idaho, Iowa, Arizona, Nevada, California, New Mexico, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin)

• National Parks: 9 (St. Louis Arch, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Alcatraz, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, Badlands)

• State Parks: 2 (Custer State Park, Great Salt Lake)

• Lodging: Hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, tents, resorts, family homes, and park lodges

• Cities & Stops: Las Vegas, Cody (WY), Casper (WY), Kansas City, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, Los Angeles, LA suburbs, San Francisco, Denver, Glenwood Springs (CO), Grand Lake (CO), Albuquerque (NM), Route 66 boom towns, Minneapolis, Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Mall of America

• Wildlife Spotted: Bears, rams, deer, moose, elk, foxes, burros, yellow-bellied marmots, buffalo, wolves, coyotes, squirrels, mice, bald eagles, hawks, mariposas, vultures, cows, horses, dogs

• Guests Along the Way: All three sets of grandparents, a priest, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends

• Historical Landmarks: Alcatraz, Pacific Coast Highway, Route 66, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, St. Louis Arch, SS Badger, Deadwood, and many more

 

Skills, Education & Values Gained

• History, Native American culture, and current events

• Zoology, ecology, astronomy, geology, and science in action

• Music, art, and photography

• Sociology: dynamics, friendships, and the value of shared experiences

• Navigation, logistics, and planning

• Athletics and physical endurance 

• Problem-solving, emotional intelligence, facing fears, and resilience

• Social skills with strangers, friends, and family

• Courage, curiosity, embracing the unknown, and the opportunity in change

• Reflection, gratitude, and appreciation

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Individual Achievements

• Marley grew up in big ways—learning to swim, getting in and out of the car on his own, playing with others, and managing boredom.

• Faith showed she’s stepping into adulthood—her sharp wit shone through, she helped care for the family, and she learned how to lead and follow.

• Lainey faced fears head-on—playing piano at a historic saloon, riding in a hot air balloon, braving the most extreme water slide, and striking up conversations with strangers.

• Annie found balance—juggling work, play, travel, and family obligations from anywhere.

• I learned how to truly take a sabbatical.

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Three months, 19 states, 9,200 miles, countless experiences—and a lifetime of memories.

The SS Badger - A steam powered boat ride back to Michigan

This trip has been over a year in the making. When I planned our route home months ago, I knew crossing Lake Michigan on a steamship would be the perfect way to end our journey. We even adjusted our return path north to make it possible. The SS Badger is a 70+ year-old steamship that runs between Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan. It’s a massive, 1950s-era vessel capable of carrying cars, passengers, semi-trucks, and more. Onboard, it has two dining areas, a bar, theater, arcade, and even a bingo hall.

On the drive in, my mom kept trying to tell me details about the boat, but I insisted on being surprised. And it was a wonderful surprise. I couldn’t quite picture a steamship that could carry cars until I saw it in person—and it was enormous. The large stern gate lifts to allow vehicles to drive inside and park beneath the passenger decks. Above, there’s plenty of open space for travelers to relax and enjoy the four-hour trip across the lake.

We had a small stateroom, which wasn’t large but gave us a private space to rest, play cards, and have our own bathroom. It served as a comfortable home base while the kids explored—spending time on the upper decks, watching movies, playing arcade games, and coloring in the playroom.

The four hours passed quickly. As we neared Ludington, I headed to the top deck to take in the fresh air and watch our approach. It was a moment to reflect on our three-month, 9,000-mile voyage—a fitting and memorable conclusion to an epic journey.

The Wisconsin Dells

Once I mapped out our return route, I realized our trip home —taking a more northern path than our trip out—would take us through Wisconsin. Years ago, Kevin and Jeff visited the Wisconsin Dells, and they still talk about it with excitement and a hint of reverence. The more I learned, the more intrigued I became. The Dells call themselves “The Water Slide Capital of the World,” but they’re much more than that. The town has multiple resorts, many with several separate water parks inside. Beyond the water fun, there’s zip lining, laser tag, horseback riding, Wild West shows, ATV tours, go-karts, mini golf, and more.

After plenty of research, I booked us at the Wilderness Resort. This place is massive—eight separate water parks, two go-kart tracks, an arcade, mini golf, a zip line, a sky ride, and even an evening aqua-light walk (which I never fully understood but could hear from our room).

We arrived the night before, just a short drive from the Mall of America. Our two-bedroom condo had a living room, three bathrooms, and plenty of family space—perfect for a two-night stay. But the real fun came the next day: a full day of water slide parks. We started at a wave pool, then floated along a lazy river. While GG played with Marley at the splash pad, Lainey and I went to try some slides. One in particular, called the Hurricane, caught my eye with its giant toilet-bowl-style feature. While waiting in line, I noticed the sign: height requirements, safety instructions, warnings, and a “thrill level.” Most rides we’d done were marked “moderate,” but this one said “extreme.” Lainey was instantly nervous—and with good reason. It was intense. At one point, she screamed—not a fun, excited scream, but a genuine, frightened one.

When the ride ended, there were a few tears and some hesitation. But then something amazing happened. That girl was fearless. She tackled each waterslide without hesitation. She said "If I can do the scariest ride in the waterslide capital of the world, I can do this..." Tt was an instant character building moment, right before my eyes.

The rest of the day was a blur of fun. We hit all four outdoor parks and most of the indoor ones. We didn’t ride everything, but we made time for our favorites. Marley loved the racing slides, Lainey preferred the dual-tube slides, and both kids adored crossing the lily pads on the rope monkey bars. We rode for hours and hours. When I said it was time to leave for dinner, Marley protested, “I thought we were going to ride all day!” I told him, “We did—it’s dinner time.” Lainey chimed in, “What happened to lunch?” We had played straight through.

That night, we slept deeply—me, a little sore from the day’s adventures. One more stop awaited us: the shores of Lake Michigan and our final crossing over the Great Lake.

The Mall of America

Our goal for the day was to make it to Lake Michigan in Wisconsin, but first— a stop at the Mall of America. I’d never been, but had always wanted to visit. Not only is it the largest mall in the United States, boasting towering roller coasters, amusement rides, and over 500 stores, and I read it had an homage to Baseball Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew—a local legend and distant relative.

We knew there was no way to see the entire mall, and we didn’t plan to try. For some people, this place is a multi-day vacation destination. For us, it was just a stop along the way. In our five or six hours there, I estimate we covered maybe 1/16 of it. Even so, it was enough time to enjoy a few rides, let GG shop for her flower girl dress, and give Lainey the chance to spend her Claire’s gift certificates at one of the mall’s three Claire’s locations.

We ate, we rode, we shopped, and we found the Harmon Killebrew sign. Not a bad stop—and a fun way to break up the trip between South Dakota and Wisconsin Dells.

The Corn Palace

After leaving the Badlands, we faced a long drive toward our next destination—the Mall of America. There isn’t much along the route… except for one quirky landmark: the Corn Palace. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not alone. I spoke with people who had visited the Palace, and still claimed they hadn't heard of the place. The town of Mitchell South Dakota isn’t large, but it has one grand claim to fame—a building covered in massive murals made entirely from corn stalks.

I wasn’t sure what to expect walking inside, even though I’d been there before. It was still enjoyable—enjoyable in the way “Snakes on a Plane” is enjoyable. We bought corn balls (a popcorn and marshmallow concoction shaped into balls) and wandered into the main area, which serves as an auditorium, theater, basketball court, and gift shop all in one. We ate our corn balls, watched a short film about the palace’s history (John Philip Sousa played at the original opening), and browsed the shop. I left with cornbread mix, popcorn kernels, and a Corn Palace shirt. Honestly, I’d go back.

The stop was a nice break from the long drive. While we didn’t make it all the way to the Mall of America that night, we did get far enough into Minnesota to be just an hour away the next morning.

The Badlands

After dropping off Annie and Faith, we headed for Badlands National Park—our ninth national park of the trip. On the way, we made a stop at Wall Drug. Lainey didn’t quite understand the hype. Thirty years ago, it was more of a novelty—a sprawling strip mall unlike anything else—but now, you can find similar spots in many places. Still, our guide “Bill” shared the history, growth, and significance of the place. Once there, the kids may not have grasped its fame, but they enjoyed themselves. They bought toys, climbed on the large statues, and saw an animatronic T-Rex. It wasn’t a long visit, but it broke up the drive and gave our little explorers a burst of energy.

Our arrival at the Badlands was spectacular. Wall Drug sits right next to the park’s western edge, and we entered just as the sun began to set. The already dramatic landscape became even more breathtaking in the golden light. With only a few hours of daylight left, we still managed to visit several overlooks, take plenty of photos, and check into the Cedar Pass Lodge before grabbing dinner ahead of the nighttime ranger talk.

Mary Ann had told us not to miss the evening program, though she never explained why. At first, I thought it might be a letdown. The rangers began by discussing the different types of grass on the prairies along I-90—not exactly a riveting topic after spending hours on that road. But I soon realized the talk was just filling time until darkness fell. That’s when the magic happened.

The Badlands are remote, meaning there’s virtually no light pollution. When night came, the stars were dazzling. The rangers used high-powered laser pointers to trace the Milky Way, constellations, and prominent stars. Mary Ann was right—it was an unforgettable experience. We saw and learned so much, even spotting a shooting star. Afterward, they had telescopes set up, perfectly focused for anyone to use. It was nothing short of spectacular, and all just a short walk from our cabin—a cozy two-bedroom with a living room, dining area, and kitchen. I wished we had a few more days there.

The next morning, our first stop was the visitor center to ask one important question: “Where can we climb?” Marley had been itching to scramble up buttes and hills at every park, and I remembered doing the same here 30 years ago. The ranger recommended a few safe spots prefect for ages 5, 9, (and 43). We chose the Door Trail.

The hike did not disappoint. Even before we officially started, the kids were scaling the rocky terrain. One thing that makes the Badlands unique is that climbing is encouraged. Unlike many parks where you’re restricted to trails and boardwalks, this one lets you hike right into the buttes. At one point, the boardwalk ends, and you follow yellow poles set into the hills to reach “the window.” The window itself wasn’t remarkable—beyond its historical significance—but the journey was pure adventure. The kids loved spotting each numbered pole and figuring out the best route to the next one.

It was a short hike, but exhilarating and a bit tiring. Days later, Marley still had a large bruise from sliding down a rocky hill. I’d half-expected an injury before we left the Badlands, so this was hardly surprising. Still, we left mostly intact—only slightly sunburned, happily worn out, and ready for the long drive ahead.

Faith & Annie's Last Day Out West - Donkeys and Deadwood

Today was a bittersweet day. Annie and Faith had to fly home, marking the end of their out west trip. To make the most of the morning, we got up early and headed back to the loop to find the burros. During our jeep trip, our guide mentioned that at the end of each year, the park sells the baby burros for $50. Lainey exclaimed, “I have $50!” and then spent the rest of the trip endlessly talking about how she was going to get a pet donkey and keep it in her room—much to Faith’s dismay.

Finding the burros wasn’t guaranteed. We first went to the spot where we had seen them on the jeep tour, but they weren’t there. Next, we headed to the visitor center to learn where they had last been reported. When we arrived at that location, still no burros. We were just about to give up when we rounded a corner and saw a handful of cars—and a handful of burros. Mom, Annie, and the kids jumped out while I parked the car. During that time, they were able to pet the burros, see the babies, and even offer them carrots and apples. Lainey (and Annie) were in heaven. It was hard to get them back in the car.

Once we’d had our burro fix, we headed north to the famous Deadwood. On the ride, our guide “Bill” regaled us with stories of the town, its outlaws, characters, and current sights to see. While we’d heard of Deadwood and Wild Bill, we didn’t know much else. Even before arriving, Annie and I had plans to watch the HBO show, learn more about Calamity Jane, and stay at the Bullock Hotel. Our time was short, but we managed to visit Saloon No. 10, eat lunch, shop, and stop by the cemetery.

The goal at the cemetery was to see the graves of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock, and Potato Creek Johnny. While we found those “celebrities,” we were also treated to a fitting surprise: a small herd of big horn sheep. As we walked to an overlook of Deadwood, they were resting between gravestones. It felt poetic—when we entered Yellowstone at the start of our trip, we saw big horn sheep fighting; now, as we were leaving this part of our journey, we saw them peacefully sitting. It’s a moment we’ll never forget.

After leaving the cemetery, we drove about an hour to Rapid City to say goodbye to Faith and Annie. There were hugs, tears, and goodbyes, then a quick rearranging of luggage before we set off again. Next stop for the remaining explorers: Badlands National Park!