This week felt slower in all the right ways.

There were museum days that sparked big conversations, solo parenting moments that stretched my confidence, tearful airport goodbyes, sweet reunions, and quiet evenings spent watching the girls run through hay fields while the dogs chased after them.

We've been reminded that this lifestyle isn't just about seeing new places. It's about creating space for conversations, for friendships, and for soaking up time with the people (and pets) we love most.

One Last Jellystone Memory ❤️

Before leaving South Haven, the girls squeezed in one final campground craft before it was time to pack everything up and hitch up once again. As much as we love exploring new places, there's always a little sadness when we pull away from a campground that holds so many fun memories.

Our next stop? Just outside Detroit.

After getting settled, life slowed down immediately. The girls spent hours running with the dogs around the campground, racing each other down the roads, and ending every evening with puppy cuddles back at the camper.

With Riley not feeling well lately, we've been especially intentional about soaking up every extra snuggle we can get.

A Quick Trip to the Big House 🏈

John had one request before the week really got started. He wanted to see Michigan Stadium, better known as The Big House.

So we made the short drive over to Ann Arbor, wandered around campus, admired one of college football's most iconic stadiums, and then headed back to the campground so he could finish packing.

The next morning looked a little different than most. John headed out for his first round of golf of the trip while the girls tackled homeschool lessons at the camper.

By that evening, it was time for him to fly back to Greensboro for a quick trip to help new tenants move into one of our rental properties and check on everything back home.

There were lots of tears as Daddy left. And if I'm being honest...I was definitely sad but also a little nervous too. Driving our huge truck isn't my strong suit, so taking the girls on adventures by myself definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone.

History That Matters ❤️

The next morning became our first official girls' day. We spent the day exploring the Henry Ford Museum, and the girls completed a scavenger hunt while making their way through the exhibits.

What surprised me most wasn't what they remembered but the questions they asked. Lowina had several moments where history felt genuinely scary and understandably so (she's still talking about it almost a week later!).

We talked about segregation after seeing a "White Waiting Room" and "Colored Waiting Room," talking about the differences between the two. We sat on the very bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. We learned about women's suffrage, including the imprisonment and force-feeding of suffragists like Alice Paul. We talked about the KKK.

These conversations weren't easy, but they were important ones and came with lots of big, scary "why's" and "how's." One of the most humbling parts of homeschooling hit me this week... having the freedom to pause, answer questions as honestly & age-appropriate as we can, and let history become a conversation instead of just another lesson in a textbook.

Home for a Day ✈️

While we were adventuring in Michigan, John somehow managed to accomplish what felt like a week's worth of work back in Greensboro.

He helped our new tenants get settled, checked on our properties, ran a long list of errands, and even stopped by the girls' daycare to surprise some of our favorite teachers and friends with hugs (literally everyone got a hug!).

The next morning he flew right back to us. The girls practically tackled him when he walked into the camper. Turns out two nights apart felt much longer than it actually was.

Exploring Detroit 🍕

With everyone back together, we spent the next day exploring downtown Detroit.

First stop? Buddy's Pizza where both girls wanted their seat next to Dad. Plus if you've never had authentic Detroit-style pizza...it's absolutely worth the hype.

From there, we hopped aboard the Detroit People Mover for a loop around downtown before finishing the afternoon at the Outdoor Adventure Center, where the girls climbed, explored, and burned off every ounce of remaining energy. We were hoping to explore more of what Detroit has to offer outside, but the rain kept us indoors the majority of the day.

Hello, Ohio 🌾

Our next stop brought us to Ohio and something brand new on our travels so far: Our very first true boondocking experience. No hookups. No water. No electricity.

Thankfully, the weather couldn't have been more perfect, so we left the windows open all week and enjoyed cool breezes instead of air conditioning.

Within minutes of arriving, the girls had already picked their favorite residents. Ernest the donkey quickly became their best buddy after they discovered he loved apples and carrots. Every day they made sure he got a snack (or three!). They also fell completely in love with Cutter, the farm puppy, and spent the first evening feeding fish at the pond.

Some of my favorite memories from this week weren't planned at all. They were simply watching the girls run across more than 60 acres with the dogs racing behind them, laughing as they wandered between the hay fields and the pond.

This is the freedom I was seeking with this adventure, and these are the moments I hope they remember years from now.

Friends You Meet on the Road 🤍

One of our greatest treasures of full-time RV life has been the people we meet. This week we met another full-time RV family that's been traveling for four years and had just moved into a new camper.

Within minutes, the girls were inseparable. They played until dark, made plans for future adventures, and exchanged Marco Polo information before we knew it.

Watching friendships form this quickly reminds me that kids don't care where you live. They just need someone willing to play.

Chagrin Falls & Small Town Charm 🌊

One afternoon we explored downtown Chagrin Falls, and I completely understand why so many people love it. The waterfall right in the middle of town was beautiful.

The girls loved the riverside playground, and we each bought our own flavor of popcorn from a local shop that's been there since 1949, enjoyed an early dinner overlooking the water, and then hurried back to the farm so the girls could squeeze in even more playtime with their new friends before sunset.

The following morning our friends packed up early and continued their journey. The girls were genuinely heartbroken to see them leave.

Thankfully, the day held a few more surprises. We wandered through the farm's country store before receiving an unexpected homeschool lesson inside the sugarhouse, learning how maple syrup is made and meeting the farm's two bee colonies. Proof once again that some of the best lessons happen when you least expect them.

Breakfast from Mrs. Dee ☕

One of the sweetest moments of the week came over breakfast with Mrs. Dee, one of the farm owners we stayed with.

The girls enjoyed Cheerios, homemade blueberry lemon zucchini bread, and hot chocolate. Lowina proudly informed everyone she was also having coffee (For the record...it was a little bit of coffee mixed with her leftover hot chocolate 😂).

We lingered over breakfast, shared stories, laughed together, enjoyed a quick visit with Cutter & Mr. Bill before they went to work, and then headed off for our next adventure.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park 🌿

We headed south to check our 26th National Park off our list: Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Our first stop was the beautiful Brandywine Falls, where a short boardwalk trail led us to one of Ohio’s most photographed waterfalls. From there, we stopped by the visitor center before making our way to the Ira Trailhead to visit Beaver Marsh, where we slowed down and enjoyed the peaceful boardwalk winding through the wetlands. We were searching for otters and beavers in the marsh but the heat & a few hungry kids (plus Dad) brought us back to the car quickly after spotting a huge turtle, a number of smaller turtles, and a lot of different birds.

A Stop in LeBron’s Hometown 🏀

Since we were already nearby, we couldn’t pass up a quick detour to Akron: LeBron James’ hometown.

We had an early dinner at Buckets, and it ended up being a memorable restaurant experience we won’t forget and highly recommend for anyone coming to the area.

Located inside House Three Thirty, a community space created by the LeBron James Family Foundation, Buckets opened earlier this year and is much more than a restaurant. It provides hospitality training and employment opportunities for students, parents, and graduates connected to the Foundation’s I PROMISE program, which supports at-risk students and families through education and career development.

And if you have kids…this place deserves a standing ovation.

Instead of the typical kids’ menu with a couple of crayons, our girls were handed an actual bucket overflowing with toys, games, coloring supplies, and activities. They stayed entertained the entire meal and even got to take home brand-new Plus Plus kits when we left from the hostess who shared she was in the foster system and had a family that looked like ours.

After going from South Africa with the most family-friendly dining experiences to the U.S. years ago, it was a breath of fresh air.

After lunch, we stopped into a nearby gear shop, where we picked up LeBron's new Halloween book and, of course, a little LeBron gear to remember the visit. Then we made a quick stop by the I PROMISE School for a photo!

The school was created for Akron students who were falling behind academically, pairing extra classroom support with resources for the whole family, from job training and food assistance to college tuition opportunities. Seeing a school invest so intentionally in both students and their families was incredibly inspiring

It was a neat reminder that travel isn’t just about seeing famous places. It’s about learning the stories behind them.

Until Next Time… 🤍

As we continue making our way across the country, I’m realizing some of our favorite days aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest attractions.

They’re the days filled with meaningful conversations, unexpected friendships, peaceful mornings on the farm, and little roadside detours that teach us something new.

This week reminded us that history matters, kindness leaves a lasting impact, and home is simply wherever we’re parked together.

Ready to Plan Something Unforgettable?

Thanks for riding along with us this week, and for letting our travels inspire your own. Your next adventure is closer than you think.🤍

Until the next stop,

The Wagner Family