A Quick Recap of our 2025 travels
January
After starting the year in Tucson, Arizona, we put Baby Beest into warp drive (because a winter storm was chasing us) and quickly transported ourselves across the country to Florida. There we helped Doug's dad downsize and relocate back to Michigan. Afterwards we joined some of our favorite volunteers for another Dade City Habitat for Humanity build.
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February
The other reason we traveled back to Florida was to visit a few more national parks on our travel "bucket list" ... Biscayne Bay and Dry Tortugas. The chance to hang out in the Florida Keys, check out Miami Beach, and attend another Hymer meet-up added even more sweetness to the deal. We ended the month with a trip to the US Virgin Islands in order to visit the Virgin Islands National Park.
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March
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April
April’s travels beautifully reaffirmed why we love this wandering life ... we get to plan our route around family, friends, historic sites, and vibrant cities. From Jacksonville Beach to Cumberland Island, Savannah to Richmond, Washington DC to New York City, New Jersey to Philadelphia, Cuyahoga National Park to the Midwest ... Indiana, Michigan, Chicago, and Milwaukee ... each stop offered celebration, adventure, and more than a few memorable meals.
May
June
We kicked off summer in Minneapolis, happily spending time watching our grand-pup, Peter the Pug while enjoying many of the attractions of big city life. From there, we continued into central Minnesota where family and friends invited us to enjoy some relaxing time at their lake cabins. In mid June we continued our northern migration across the border into Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, where we visited each provincial capital, a number of their beautiful national parks, and, of course, a few local breweries.
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July
Wildfires cannot destroy the beauty or community spirit that we found still radiating strong when we got to Jasper National Park and the Columbia Icefields. From there, we reached the beginning of the Alaskan highway, which led us through mountains, past hot springs and on to the Inside Passage of Alaska where the cute towns of Skagway, Juneau, Gustavus, and Haines greeted us. Highlight: four days of nature's amazing beauty when we visited Glacier Bay National Park.
August
After our visit to Glacier Bay, we decided to head into the Interior of Alaska in order to visit the other four "difficult to get to" national parks in Alaska. We made it to the tip of the Kenai Peninsula where a sea plane tour took us from Homer to Katmai and Lake Clark National Parks. Afterwards, a pesky "check engine" light appeared on our van and filled us with doubt as to whether we would be able to reach the final two. With Doug's temporary fix holding, we parked the van in Anchorage and flew to the Arctic Circle village of Kotzebue, where another bush plane tour allowed us to briefly step foot in Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley National Parks. When we returned, we contemplated how to fix our engine while taking in the scenic beauty of Denali National Park before we finalized our plan and shipped our van to Tacoma, Washington.
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September
After flying to Tacoma and picking up our van at the port, we drove a short distance to San Juan and Orcas Island off the Washington coast and attended a Hymer meet-up in Port Townsend before Baby Beest's "spa" appointment in Vancouver, Washington. Four days later, we were a tad bit poorer, but a whole lot happier as they were able to quickly outfit her with a new engine. The test run excursions to Mount St Helens, Portland, and the Columbia River Gorge area were beautiful as well as successful.
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With more confidence that Baby Beest's fix would hold, we set off to repeat one of our all time favorite journeys down the spectacular Oregon Coast. Crossing into California we hung out for a few days under the redwoods along the Avenue of the Giants. Another short visit to one of our favorite cities, San Francisco, followed before meeting up once again with some Hymer hippies at a meet-up in Morro Bay. We welcomed hundreds of migrating monarch butterflies while hanging out at Pismo Beach. Taking a hint from those southern traveling creatures, we continued south to spend time with friends on the outskirts of Los Angeles before camping along the Pacific Ocean at Laguna Beach.
November
We parked Baby Beest in Palm Springs, California and flew to Minnesota for ten days of Midwestern autumn beauty with family and friends. Upon our return, we once again savored the natural hot spring pools in Desert Hot Springs, California before expanding our horizons with a short trip across the border to the seaside resort town of Puerto Penasco, Mexico.
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December
Crossing back into southern Arizona, we explored a few desert treasures with visits to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Kitt Peak National Observatory, and Saguaro National Park before settling in for "a long winter's nap" at Far Horizons RV Park in Tucson, Arizona.
By the Numbers
Gas Prices
Our Nightly Hangouts
AirBnB/Hotel: 46 nights = 12%
Boondocking: 44 nights = 12%
Cruising: 9 nights = 3%
Campgrounds: 172 nights = 47%
Harvest Host/Boondockers Welcome program: 18 nights = 5%
Mooch-docking: 76 nights = 21%
❤ Special thanks to ❤
Mary and Daryl
... for making us feel right at "home"!
❤❤
US State/Territory Capitals
Canadian Provincial Capitals
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National Parks
We visited 8 new-to-us national parks in the US for a grand total of 61 out of 63.
Dry Tortugas
Virgin Islands
Glacier Bay
Katmai
Lake Clark
Gates of the Arctic
Kubuk Valley
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We visited four new-to-us Canadian national parks for a grand total of 22 out of 44
Grasslands
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Not National Parks, but Equally Impressive
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Habitat for Humanity Builds
Dade City, Florida
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And the Winner Is ...
Favorite Campground
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To add more "sweetness" to the deal, the Canadian national parks didn't charge for admission this past summer and also gave visitors a 25% discount on campsites.
Favorite Boondocking Spot
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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The boondocking app, iOverlander, had a lot of positive reviews describing a free overnight parking lot located a half mile from Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and we're happy that we decided to try it out. It was walking distance to all the Revolutionary War historical sites, yet situated in a residential neighborhood so that it was quiet at night.
Jespersen Farms; Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
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The Harvest Hosts program allows RVers to park overnight at museums, breweries, farms, and private homes, so on our way west out of Edmonton we nestled in for the night under the tall silos of this family farm. As luck would have it, their "small" patch of strawberries was ripe for the picking.
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Initially, I wasn't quite sure where I would store, or how we would eat the 5 pounds of berries that we picked, but that proved to be a delicious problem that was quickly resolved in just a few days.
Favorite Home Improvement
Starlink
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As we were traveling through Canada, we found that we didn't have cell service in some of the "sweet" but remote boondocking spots that we passed. So when we reached Anchorage, Alaska, we decided to invest in a popular RV gadget ... the Starlink Mini. Using a suction device that Doug found on Amazon, it now resides in our skylight, ensuring that we can be connected with the outside world wherever our travels lead us.
Favorite Restaurant
Cayo Caribe; Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
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While replacing a van engine is not the best reason to Vancouver, Washington, this tasty food truck located near the repair shop and next to a brewery made this a win-win! Their El Gobernador taco, a delicious combination of shrimp, veggies, spices, and melted cheese served on a crispy tortilla, quickly became Doug's "Scooby snack".
Favorite Home-cooked Meal
Mexican Fiesta at our Friend, Melissa's New Apartment
Favorite Bakery
Good Company's Doughnuts and Cafe; Washington DC
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I love when Doug's search for a perfect morning latte leads us to the perfect doughnut! Good Company's handmade pastries ... specifically, the mocha espresso doughnut, made this the perfect place to fuel up before beginning an active sight-seeing day in Washington DC.
Favorite Coffee Shop
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This small chain that has coffee shops scattered throughout the southeast, not only delivers a delicious latte, but also promotes the human rights of all people by employing over 450 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As soon as we walked through the door, we realized that we had entered a place where people with disabilities are not only valued, but also given the chance to do meaningful work.
Local Cuisine That Didn't Live Up to the Hype
Philadelphia's Philly Cheesesteak
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When we travel, we like to try out some of the local culinary delights. So while visiting Philadelphia, we found that Woodrow's Sandwich Shop received high marks for the local classic ... the Philly cheesesteak. Let's just say that we were a bit underwhelmed by the sandwich that seemed to have been smothered to death by the cheese whiz.
Favorite Craft Brewery
Rogue Ales; Newport, Oregon
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Google Maps usually does a good job of leading Doug to all the local craft breweries when we visit a new city. But when visiting a friend in Newport, Oregon, she happened to mention a local brewery that wasn't on Doug's radar. He was in "brewery tank" heaven as he wandered through the huge production area of Rogue Ales and found the small, intimate tasting room.
Favorite Craft Brewery that just happens to be a Harvest Host location also.
4th Meridian Brewing; Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada
It's always a bonus when the co-pilot happens to find a local brewery that allows us to boondock overnight. Added points if they have a couple of good Hazy IPAs to try. And take the top prize if they have a tasty sushi restaurant right next door. Yes, I scored big by making 4th Meridian Brewing an overnight destination.
Favorite Large City
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Favorite Small Town
Pismo Beach, California
We found this quaint beach town, whose motto is "Not The Bay and Not LA", to be the perfect place to hang out for a few days. It's the winter home for tens of thousands of migrating monarch butterflies who hang out in the Eucalyptus trees surrounding Pismo State Beach campground. We loved walking the beach, watching a group of frolicking whales off shore, and spotting a few of the early-arrival butterflies.
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Just a mile from the campground, downtown Pismo Beach won us over with its laid-back surfing vibes and famous clam chowder.
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Favorite Beach
Honeymoon Beach on Water Island, US Virgin Islands
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Because of their beauty, all of the beaches on St Thomas can be quite crowded during the winter tourist season. But we found that a quick ferry ride across the bay led us to a hidden gem ... Honeymoon Beach. Here, Dingy's Beach Bar and Cafe serves up tropical drinks, local cuisine, and sweet island vibes.
Favorite New Experience
Catamaran excursions and snorkeling in the southern Caribbean
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Favorite Road Trip
The Oregon Coast
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Spanning 363 miles of national park-quality scenery, it was an easy choice to repeat our favorite road trip. Beaches, cliffs, sea stacks, and endless vistas serve up jaw-dropping views mile after mile.
Favorite Natural Area
Glacier Bay National Park
From the guided boat tour to the nightly ranger talks to the ranger-led hikes, we were surrounded by natural beauty during our four day visit to Glacier Bay National Park. We got up close and personal with tidewater glaciers, orca whales and sea otters, but thankfully, none of the bears who also call this remote area "home".
Favorite Tourist Attraction
Bioluminescence Tour
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A bioluminescence bay is a very rare body of water where certain microscopic organisms glow when stirred up, creating a magical light show on water. Puerto Rico is home to three of these bays, and we were able to do a nighttime tour in two of them while we were there. We highly suggest La Parguera on the south side of the island.
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It's hard to capture the glow in photos, but the magic colors and shapes will most definitely remain etched in our memory.
Favorite Stop for the History Fanatic
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia
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Somehow, I must have dosed through the lessons on the American Revolution when I was in school. Or, perhaps, I just needed to have it presented in a more exciting way like the curators did at the Museum of the American Revolution. Presented in a time line format, the displays helped me understand the struggles and sacrifices that the people of this new country had to overcome in order to gain their independence.
Favorite Stop for the Science Nerd
Kitt National Observatory, Arizona
I have to admit ... I didn't think that our stop at the Kitt National Observatory would be that exciting, but I was wrong. During the 90 minute tour, the docent explained in terms that even I could understand how this 4 meter telescope is being used to study "dark energy" ... a mysterious force whose actions will determine the ultimate fate of the universe.
Favorite Random Art Gallery
Bombay Beach, California
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It was pretty crazy to see an abandoned desert town be transformed into a mecca for random works of art. As we walked through the streets of Bombay Beach, what would be considered junk to some was transformed into beautiful works of art for others.
Favorite Combination of History and Art
"Sister Act" at Ford's Theater; Washington DC
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How memorable to be able to see a live theater performance just across from where Abraham Lincoln was seated 160 years earlier.
Most "Over-Rated" Tourist Attraction
West Edmonton Mall
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OK, maybe I am just a little biased because I grew up near the Mall of America, but we weren't overly impressed when we visited the West Edmonton Mall. this mall is huge, with many different types of entertainment venues, like hockey rinks, water parks, and amusement centers. But because it was so spread out, my walking partner called it quits after an hour, so I suspect that we didn't see the majority of it.
However, watching part of a pee-wee hockey game was definitely entertaining ... they start them young in Canada!
Favorite Bike Ride
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That's a tough choice, but I'll narrow it down to two ...
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Seven Seas hike to Escondida Beach; Puerto Rico and ...
Favorite Tree/Plant
Denali's Mushrooms
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Our walks and bike rides through Denali National Park were never dull when these interesting fungi greeted us and kept us guessing as to whether they were edible or not.
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Favorite Wildlife Viewing
Brooks Falls; Katmai National Park, Alaska
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The bears were diligently working to put on weight during the salmon run at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park.
And while we were able to watch them chow from the safety of a viewing platform, we needed to be at high alert as we walked the mile and a half to get to and from the viewing area. Some of these big fellows were more interested in just hanging out along the path while they enjoyed a rare sunny day in Alaska.
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Favorite "Warm and Fuzzy" Moment
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Maxie, the furry companion of our friend Maria in Alaska, was the perfect stress reliever when we were trying to decide what to do about Baby Beest's engine troubles. We're grateful for moments like this when family, friends, and their furry pets bring clarity to our lives and a smile to our face.
Favorite Roadside "Angel"
We're also grateful for this complete stranger whose quick thinking and kind actions really helped us out. While driving in Florida, we developed a coolant leak, so Doug had to pull over on a busy two lane road. While he was starting to problem solve the situation, I noticed a car pull up behind us. Our roadside angel had arrived. Although he wasn't a professional mechanic, Michael's practical knowledge helped us to quickly isolate the hose leak and repair it. After expressing our gratitude, Michael continued on his way to catch some fish for his family. I sure hope that he caught the big one that day!
Our Favorite Place for Making Memories
Although it wasn't in our original travel plans, we were grateful that we were able to be in Florida this past January to assist Doug's father in his move back to Michigan. Saying good-bye to the condo was hard, but we will always cherish the memories made on that front porch ... a place of story telling ... a place of laughter ... a place of family bonding.
Favorite Photo of the Year
"The best view comes after the hardest climb"
We are Grateful for Another Year That Has Taught Us to ...
embrace life's "potholes"
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our journey together.
What Will 2026 Have in Store for Us??
Now that Baby Beest’s engine is purring happily again, our winter plans include time in the Southwest ... Arizona, California, and hopefully Baja California before heading back to the Midwest in the spring. We still love life on the road, but we’ve also started to imagine what “settling down” might look like … or at least having a small home base to store our stuff as international travel takes on a bigger role in our future. We just have to figure out where.
And as always we'll keep on enjoying the journey as we
collect memories
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one destination
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at a time.
Wishing You a Happy and Healthy 2026
