Category Archives: Travel Destinations

Best RV Stops: Family-Friendly Children’s Museums Across the U.S.

05 Wednesday Mar 2025

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When our son was younger, we would make a point of visiting children’s museums wherever we went. Now that our daughter is old enough to appreciate these museums, they are making their way back into our travel plans.

In this article, we will discuss the best children’s museums we’ve seen so far. Choose one from this list when planning your travels, and you really can’t go wrong!

The Magic House

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis is home to a number of great attractions. There is a free zoo that is amazing, as well as a free science center, a history museum, and an art museum. The city is also home to the incredible City Museum, which should be on every traveler’s must-see list. Another favorite St. Louis spot of ours? The Magic House.

I have fond memories of visiting the Magic House when I was little, and was pleasantly surprised to find that the museum met my expectations all these years later. The place plays host to climbing structures, sand- and water-play areas, an outdoor play area, and the crown jewel: a kid-sized city where kids can try out different occupations for a while.

Houston Children’s Museum

Houston, TX

Houston is another city with lots of wonderful museums to choose from. The Health Museum is fantastic, as is the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Of course, you definitely don’t want to miss the Houston Space Center, nor do you want to skip the amazing Houston Children’s Museum.

The latter museum features one of the bigger kid cities I’ve seen, and the city is complete with currency, meaning kids can get “jobs” and earn “money” to go spend at the businesses in the tiny town. Other cool things in this museum include a huge outdoor play area, an awesome indoor climbing structure, and a super fun maker space where kids can create new inventions.

Children of Gettysburg

Gettysburg, PA

One of the more unique children’s museums we’ve seen, Children of Gettysburg is small, but it has a very specific purpose, and it does its job well. The purpose? To present the story of Gettysburg in a way that kids can understand and appreciate.

The museum follows a set of children from various backgrounds through the events of the Battle of Gettysburg. Everything is explained in a way that kids can connect with and digest, and there are plenty of hands-on activities to engage young visitors and help them dive into the world of the 19th-century children they are learning about.

My kids especially loved the last room where they could care for an “injured soldier” and make a speech as President Lincoln.

Bay Area Children’s Museum

San Francisco, CA

Bay Area Children’s Museum may be a lesser-known children’s museum, but we thought it was absolutely magical. In fact, we loved this museum so much that we returned for a second round of fun a couple of years after the first.

The museum is set up in several different buildings, which I appreciated, as it helped my busy little guy focus on the thing he was doing rather than being distracted by all of the other exhibits. There was a lovely outdoor space between the buildings with the coolest “natural” play area. We really loved the art room at this museum and probably could have stayed there all day long.

How to Save on Children’s Museum Visits

One of the things I don’t love about children’s museums is how expensive they can be. Fortunately, we have found some ways around that:

  • Many children’s museums offer free or cheap days each week or once a month. Look for these days and try to plan your travels around them if you can.
  • Additionally, some museums will offer coupons or Groupons. Search for these before paying full price; you never know what you might find.
  • Lastly, a lot of children’s museums are part of reciprocal museum programs. ASTC is a science museum reciprocal program that offers members free admission to all member museums. ACM is a children’s museum reciprocal program that offers cardholders half-off admission to the museums in their program. Both include plenty of children’s museums all across the country.

As you can see, there are lots of amazing children’s museums scattered across the country, and really, these are just a handful of them. Hopefully, this article inspires you to check out a few of these super fun spots for yourself!

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

The Best National Parks To Visit In The Fall

06 Wednesday Nov 2024

Posted by in The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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Looking for some amazing fall destinations to visit in your RV? Why not pay a visit to some of our country’s national parks? There are several national parks that are ideal during the fall months, making them absolutely perfect fall camping destinations.

Here are the best national parks to visit in the fall.

Acadia National Park

Acadia is amazing in summer, but when the leaves start to turn in September, it becomes absolutely magical. The colors that cover the entire park are stunning, and the hikes up into the mountains give you some amazing views of the colorful trees set against the bright blue ocean. The weather is a bit chilly but just perfect for brisk hikes during the day and crackling campfires at night.

Congaree National Park

Thanks to its southern location, fall hits Congaree National Park a bit later. Usually in October, you’ll see the leaves change to beautiful oranges and yellows that are reflected in the waters that run throughout the park, making for some bright, beautiful strolls. To top it all off, the humidity that fills the air in this park during this summer is cut by crisp, cool weather that I absolutely love.

Cuyahoga National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is in an amazing location right between Cleveland and Akron, making it easy to reach if you happen to live in one of these cities. Fall hits the park in late September, and by October the whole place is a rainbow of yellows, oranges, reds, and purples. I recommend hiking and bicycling during your fall visit to Cuyahoga, as these activities allow you to immerse yourself in the colors.

Grand Canyon National Park

To be perfectly honest, I adore the Grand Canyon all year round. That said, fall is my favorite time of year to be there. During this time, the crowds thin a bit and the temperatures drop, making hiking more manageable. The park doesn’t play host to a whole lot of trees, but there is still a shift in the color palette of the place, creating an extra spectacular experience.

Note: This park has amazing Ranger programs. Make sure to attend one!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

One of the best leaf-peeping destinations in the country, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is another of the best national parks to visit in the fall. Thanks to the 100+ species of trees that call the park home, the color variety in the area during the fall months is nothing short of spectacular. Hiking through the park is one great way to take in the fall colors, but we also recommend driving some of the Blue Ridge Parkway for amazing views.

Shenandoah National Park

Set at the other end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park is another wonderful spot for autumn leaf peeping. In fact, this one can be a great addition to your Great Smoky Mountains trip if you want to drive the entire Blue Ridge Parkway.

Once again you’ll see some amazing colors, but I also recommend hiking to a waterfall for an extra special view. While you’re there, watch out for animals, which tend to be out during the fall months.

Zion National Park

Finally, I must mention Zion National Park. This isn’t exactly a leaf-peeping park, but it is lovely during the fall, and the trees that are in the park do change to nice colors in late October.

Usually packed during the summer, this park sees fewer visitors during autumn, meaning the crowds are much more manageable. The weather is also much more pleasant, meaning you can tackle more of the park’s trails.

There you have it, my absolute favorite national parks to visit in the fall! Which one will you check out this year?

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Debra B. ~ ” You are awesome! My towing bill was paid for before I even got out of the truck! Absolutely hands down the best in customer service, caring, professionalism, and kindness.”

What To Do In The Smoky Mountains With Kids

04 Wednesday Sep 2024

Posted by in Kids and Camping, National Parks, The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations

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Our family’s most recent camping adventure saw us visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We’ve been to this park three times now, and I’m sure we’ll visit again. This is just one of those magical natural areas that calls you back again and again.

One of my favorite things about this area is that there are so many things to do in the Smoky Mountains with kids. This means we can all get outside and enjoy nature together, no matter how young our youngest family member happens to be at the time.

Wondering what to do in the Smoky Mountains as a family? Here are my top picks.

Start in a Visitor Center

I always recommend starting any visit to a national park in a visitor center. For this most recent visit, we chose to check out the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It housed several exhibits about the animals found in the park, which the kids enjoyed.

It was also home to a gift shop where you could pick up Junior Ranger books. We did have to pay a small fee for a Junior Ranger book here, which is unusual, but it was one book for the whole family and was of higher quality than usual, so I was okay with it.

There are plenty of other visitor centers in the park, and all are worth checking out.

Take a Hike

Hiking is one of my favorite things to do in the Smoky Mountains with kids. There is one trail behind the aforementioned visitor center that is just perfect for families. It’s called the Fighting Creek Nature Trail to Cataract Falls, and it winds through the trees, over a creek, past a cool historic cabin, and all the way to a pretty little waterfall.

Other trails that we have enjoyed in the park include the Little Brier Gap Trail to the old schoolhouse, and if you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the Trillium Gap Trail to Grotto Falls.

Hop in the Water

Hot humid weather is the norm in Tennessee in the summer. For this reason, we spent a good chunk of time in the water during our last visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

All of our swimming this time was done in the river from the Metcalf Bottoms Picnic area, where we also saw a few people tubing down the river. That said, there are also some cool swimming holes in the park, including Midnight Hole, which features a waterfall!

Enjoy a Firefly Show

Our most recent visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park just happened to be during peak firefly season. This was awesome because it meant fireflies were absolutely everywhere in the park as soon as the sun started to set.

It also meant the synchronous fireflies were putting on a show in certain parts of the park. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the lottery to see the synchronous fireflies during “peak week,” but we did go to the viewing area the day after this peak time when tickets were no longer required, and we ended up seeing a spectacular show.

Note: If you choose to do this, arrive early. We got there a good two hours before sunset and still ended up in the very last available parking spot.

Take a Driving Tour

Finally, I highly recommend taking at least one scenic drive during your visit. My favorite one is the loop through Cades Cove, which usually allows you to see a ton of wildlife as well as some cool historic buildings, the Cades Cove Visitor Center, and an old grist mill.

We’ve seen several bears in Cades Cove in the past, but this last time, we got to see one on a hiking trail. It was so close we actually had to stop and back up in order to maintain a safe distance. It hung around for several minutes, and it was so cool to see it sniffing around and climbing a tree.

There you have it, 5 awesome things to do in the Smoky Mountains with kids. Now you never have to wonder what to do in the Smoky Mountains again. Instead, simply pick something from this list, head outside, and have an amazing time reconnecting with nature and with one another!

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Karl P. UT ~  “Kurt from Quality Tire was exceptional. He came and pulled both sets of back tires. The inside tires on both sides of our motor home had 0 pressure. Both Valve stems had been damaged for some reason. He replaced the valve stems on both tires, checked and filled all 6 tires to correct pressure. He was a pleasant and pleasurable person to work with. We were called by Coach-Net several times to make sure everything went as it was supposed to. Thank you to all the Coach-Net Representatives and to Kurt from Quality tire. It took something that was a pain and made it a pleasure.”

What We Learned While Camping In Washington

10 Wednesday Jul 2024

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My family was lucky enough to get to spend a couple of months camping in Washington during the summer of 2023. We had a magical time in the gorgeous state and wouldn’t hesitate to return again.

Planning to go camping in Washington yourself? Here’s what we learned during our travels.

When to Go

First, it’s important to note that camping in Washington is very much a seasonal activity. Sure, you could take your RV up there in December, but I guarantee you’d be freezing your tail off, and your RV water system would almost certainly see some damage from the trip. Instead, it is best to wait until the state thaws out a bit before you head there.

We visited during the months of June and July, and for the most part, the weather was beautiful. Even in July it was a bit chilly in northern Washington, so that is something to be aware of. Additionally, the state sees a lot of rain. Make sure your RV is well sealed before you head out!

I’d say June through August are probably the best months to spend time in this northern state unless you like colder weather.

Where to Stay

You’ll also find it worthwhile to explore the many Washington State Parks campgrounds. Camping fees at these parks are relatively affordable and the parks themselves are gorgeous.

  • Little Diamond
  • Mount Vernon
  • Oceana
  • Paradise
  • Birch Bay
  • Chehalis

What to Do

Once you figure out where to stay while camping in Washington, you’ll want to consider what to do during your visit. Fortunately, you won’t have any trouble at all finding fun and interesting ways to fill your time.

Here are some of our favorites.

National Parks

Washington is home to three incredible national parks that absolutely must not be missed. These include Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, and North Cascades National Park.

Olympic is easily one of my favorite national parks out of the 40+ that we have visited, and North Cascades is so underrated it isn’t even funny. Take the time to visit these parks and give yourself at least a couple of days in each. Go on a hike, do some wildlife watching, and have the kids earn their Junior Ranger Badges.

Mount St. Helen’s

Mount St. Helen’s was an absolutely fantastic road schooling experience for the entire family. Our visit included a museum, a visitor center, Junior Ranger Badges, and a completely unguided and unlit hike through the Ape Cave lava tube (a totally cool experience, by the way).

This place is not only beautiful, it’s also an amazing place to learn about the science behind volcanoes, the astounding way nature recovers from huge events such as eruptions, and the importance of being prepared and responding quickly in the face of a natural disaster.

Seattle Attractions

We’ve visited Seattle a handful of times during our travels and we enjoy our time in the city every time (though I am always happy to return to the peace of our campsite outside of the city at the end of the day). The city is home to all kinds of museums, yummy food, and lovely parks.

Some of our favorite things to do in Seattle include:

  • Browsing Pike Place Market
  • Grabbing coffee from one of the numerous (and all excellent) local coffee shops
  • Visiting Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
  • Playing at the “Artists at Play” playground with a view of the Space Needle

Many people also love MoPop, but we have yet to visit this well-known attraction.

Numerous Museums

Speaking of museums, Washington is full of them. We highly recommend snagging a reciprocal museum membership from Kern County Museum before you visit so you can visit ASTC and NARM museums without paying an admission fee.

In some places, it is also possible to get a visitor library card and then snag a free museum pass through the library. We did this in Bellingham in order to visit both the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention and the Mindport Exhibits.

Canada

When we ended up in northern Washington for a few weeks, we knew we had to drive over to Canada. We did it once, had a blast, and ended up driving over the border several more times before our visit was done.

Some of our favorite things to do just across the border included:

Espresso Stands

Last but not least, I must mention the coffee stands found in even the tiniest of Washington towns. These espresso shacks may not look like much, but everyone we visited served outstanding espresso. As an avid coffee fanatic, this was an incredible discovery, and my husband and I made a point of visiting as many espresso stands as we could. If you are a fellow lover of coffee, I suggest you do the same.

There you have it, my top tips for camping in Washington. I hope these suggestions help as you plan your own fantastic adventure to this spectacular place!

May contain affiliate links.

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

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Ray M. ~ “We’ve had a service plan with Coach-Net with 2 different RVs and we’re so glad we do.  Twice in less than a month, we’ve called with tire issues.  Both times your representative helped us to get back on the road in a short amount of time.  Thank you from two happy campers.”

The 4 Best Florida State Parks

08 Wednesday May 2024

Posted by in National Parks, The Great Outdoors, Travel Destinations, We Love It. We Live It.

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One of my favorite things to do while traveling in my RV is to visit the various state parks across the country. Last winter, we spent several months in Florida, and thanks to an annual state park pass, we spent much of that time exploring the state parks. Guys, these parks are some of the best our family has found! 

Here are our favorites!

Homosassa Spring State Park 

This pretty park is a wonderful place to learn about Florida’s amazing animals. It was once a privately owned zoo-like tourist attraction that changed hands multiple times before becoming a state park in 1989. At that point, the park switched focus, providing habitats for injured and disabled animals native to Florida. The exception? Lu, the beloved hippo, is not a Florida native but still calls the park home.  

I absolutely loved the manatee talk offered at this park and highly recommend arriving in time to hear it. It was the perfect addition to our road schooling day, and our whole family learned some new things about these magnificent creatures.  

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park 

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is another privately owned attraction later bought by the Florida State Park System. This one features super fun mermaid shows performed within the spring itself. An underwater viewing theater allows guests to watch the mermaids as they swim and dance in the spring.  

We visited this park with friends. The kids in our group appreciated the mermaid show, and my youngest loved the mermaid meet-and-greet. As a road school mama, I thought the ranger’s talk about reptiles was an excellent addition, and the whole group had fun on the boat tour. 

Note: This park is also home to a small water park. Unfortunately, this part wasn’t open when we visited, but it looked worth checking out, mainly if you see it in the summer.  

Honeymoon Island State Park 

Unfortunately, much of our winter time on the west coast of Florida was chilly. Nevertheless, we loved visiting Honeymoon Island State Park and even went multiple times to see as much as possible.  

Of course, the beach here is absolutely gorgeous. Our four-year-old loved playing on these huge mounds of sand, and watching the sunset over the water was a treat. In addition to the beach, we enjoyed the playground and the many walking trails in the park. 

Our favorite part? We saw owls high up in the trees! 

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park 

Our final favorite state park is in the Florida Keys (actually, we liked a lot of the state parks in the Keys). Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park was probably our favorite place when we went to Key West. This park is home to an old fort with quite the story behind it. Wandering the fort and reading the signage are great additions to any roadschooling curriculum. 

After we explored the fort, we went to the beach area. This beach is a bit rocky, so I recommend water shoes, but on a calm day, there is decent snorkeling out by the big rocks in the water. Additionally, watching the cruise ships leave the port from the beach is pretty magical. 

Note: Other state parks in the Keys are also well worth visiting. Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, and John Pennekamp are particularly excellent! 

If you plan on heading to Florida at any point in your RV travels, I 100% recommend visiting these state parks and any others you may come across. If you will be in the state for a while, the annual state park pass is definitely a worthwhile purchase, but even if you pay to visit a few spots individually, these parks offer incredible value.  

Which one will you check out first? 

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the fantastic opportunity to participate in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area to visit the Disney parks. Still, they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

James O. ~ “All the agents were very friendly and followed up with phone calls to check the service provider’s arrival. This is our third request regarding our coverage, and we have been very pleased with the service!!”

Roadschooling At Disney World

10 Wednesday Apr 2024

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My family absolutely loves being in Florida for the winter months. We adore the fresh air and sunshine, the gorgeous springs, the beautiful beaches, and of course, Walt Disney World.

That said, Disney World isn’t just about fun and games for this roadschooling crew. Nope, we’ve actually found dozens of ways to make these incredible theme parks into our classrooms, taking our roadschooling adventures to the next level.

Want to try roadschooling or homeschooling in Disney World yourself? You’re in the right place!

Roadschooling in Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom boasts a number of opportunities to learn about history and classic fairy tales, among other things. Some of our favorite ideas for Magic Kingdom learning are below.

Fairytale Unit Study

The number of fairytales represented in Fantasyland is just wonderful. Dive into a fun fairytale unit study, reading some original fairy tales and comparing them to Disney movies, and then hop on the accompanying rides.

I recommend Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan.

American History Unit Study

As a history nerd, I absolutely love the historically accurate details scattered throughout Liberty Square, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A. Why not put together an American History Unit study and learn a bit about American history before you visit so you can really appreciate those details?

  • Focus on Colonial history and then visit Liberty Square to look for “sewage” in the streets, shutters attached with leather, and lanterns in windows. Also, make a point of dining at Liberty Tree Tavern and visit the Hall of Presidents to learn about presidents throughout history.
  • Learn about the 1800s and then ride the Riverboat, explore Tom Sawyer’s Island (it helps to read the Tom Sawyer books), ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and wander the historically accurate streets of Frontierland.
  • Finally, spend some time reading about the turn of the century and then enjoy wandering down Main Street, taking in the details. Listen to the Dapper Dans sing music from the early 1900s, visit the ice cream parlor, and then head into Tomorrowland to see the Carousel of Progress and be amazed at how far we’ve come since the year 1900.
  • As an added bonus, try to get over to Epcot to enjoy the American Adventure animatronics show! And speaking of Epcot…

Roadschooling in Epcot

Epcot is easily the most educational of the Disney theme parks. This place is packed to the gills with science lessons as well as some of the best opportunities for learning about geography and world cultures out there.

Walk Around the World

The World Showcase is an obvious winner when it comes to learning opportunities in Epcot. We recommend taking a map along and marking off each country as you visit the corresponding pavilion, as this will give your kids a sense of where each place actually is.

Try a new food from each country and make a point of seeing the shows. Find the Kidcot stations in each country, where kids can color a little card with info on the country represented by that pavilion. There are usually people from the represented countries manning the Kidcot stations. Feel free to ask them questions!

Marine Animal Unit Study

The Seas building is another excellent pick. Yes, you can ride the Finding Nemo ride here, but we also recommend sticking around to look at the various marine animals in their tanks. If you see a Cast Member standing around, take a moment to ask some questions. Many times, there is a booth set up with items kids can touch and read about.

“Turtle Talk with Crush” is also in this building and is often a good way to learn some fun turtle facts in humorous fashion.

Spaceship Earth

This is just a single ride, but it’s worth doing if you have a kid who is at all interested in history or technology (bonus points if they think both are cool). The ride takes you through the history of communication and is a fun learning opportunity that could spark an interest in a variety of niche subjects.

Roadschooling in Hollywood Studios

The learning opportunities at Hollywood Studios are a little less in your face, but they are there nonetheless.

One Man’s Dream

Our favorite learning experience in Hollywood Studios is One Man’s Dream. This is a little museum that chronicles the life of the one and only Walt Disney. It gives kids a fun little peek into the history of one of their favorite things: cartoons!

Beauty and the Beast

We also appreciate the Beauty and the Beast show, as we find it’s a great way to introduce young children to quality live theater without asking them to sit through a long Broadway-style show.

Roadschooling in Animal Kingdom

Lastly, there is Animal Kingdom. This place is jam-packed with chances to learn about animals, of course, but also world cultures. This might just be my favorite park for homeschooling in Disney World.

Kilimanjaro Safari and Animal Walking Trails

One of the best ways to learn about the animals in the park is by hopping on the Kilimanjaro Safari. This educational jeep ride takes you through a variety of habitats, allowing you to view all kinds of animals. The drivers are very knowledgeable and narrate the ride, offering up fun info as they go.

You can also choose to wander the many animal trails that are scattered throughout the park. These boast animals from all over the world, and signage offers info on each species you see.

Wilderness Explorers Program

I absolutely adore the Wilderness Explorers Program! Inspired by the Pixar film Up!, this program gives kids a chance to visit various stations throughout the park to learn about animals, plants, and a variety of other subjects and earn sticker “badges” they can add to a fun little handbook.

The Cast Members manning these stations are always engaging, encouraging kids to chat and ask questions and leading to some very memorable learning moments.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Taking a train over to Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a little bit time-consuming but totally worth it if you are looking to do some homeschooling at Disney World.

Here you’ll find a window into a veterinary treatment room so you can watch how animals are taken care of in the park. There is also a nutrition center where you can watch meals being prepared for the animals, along with aquariums housing reptiles and amphibians. The petting zoo gives kids a chance to pet some of their favorite critters, and the knowledgeable Cast Members are happy to answer questions.

Oh, this area is also home to a fun drawing class, so make sure to leave time for that!

As you can see, roadschooling and homeschooling in Disney World is a fantastic way to enhance your visits to the parks and make school a whole lot more fun and memorable. Which learning experience will you choose first?

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Craig S. FL~ “I am extremely pleased with the service I received. Your representative kept in constant contact with me to make sure everything was going as planned. I never felt like I was in this by myself. Thank you!!!!”

What To Do While You’re In The Florida Keys

06 Wednesday Mar 2024

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One of the very best places to take an RV during the winter season? Warm and sunny Florida, of course! Of all the destinations in Florida, I have to say that the Florida Keys is one of my absolute favorites. This place offers sunshine and a vacation atmosphere even in the middle of January, making it the ideal winter haven.

On top of the amazing weather, this part of the Sunshine State also offers a whole host of amazing activities and attractions. Wondering what to do in the Florida Keys? I’m going to use this article to tell you some of my very favorite spots on these magical islands.

Bahia Honda State Park

Easily one of the best state parks in Florida (and there are several amazing ones), Bahia Honda State Park is an excellent place for playing in the ocean and checking out Sealife. We loved walking on the old bridge to get a good view of the sunset and listening to people play the conch shells to say goodbye to the day.

Curry Hammock State Park

Another amazing state park, Curry Hammock State Park is the place to go for amazing paddling. We absolutely adored the tunnel paddling trail, which took us through a mangrove tunnel. Of course, watching little critters swim through the crystal clear waters on the beach was also pretty fantastic.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

If you have a snorkel enthusiast in your group, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the northern part of the Keys is a must-do. There’s a shipwreck right off of the beach that you can easily swim to. The snorkeling around the shipwreck is pretty incredible, and you’ll almost definitely spot several kinds of fish and other creatures.

History of Diving Museum

Speaking of snorkeling, another must-see for the snorkelers and divers out there is the History of Diving Museum. This is a small, niche museum that does an excellent job of explaining the entire history of diving. You’ll see incredible old diving helmets and machines and learn some amazing facts about diving that you are sure to carry with you for years to come.

Little Conch Island

There are several teeny tiny islands just off the coast of the larger islands. During low tide, it’s possible to actually walk to some of these itty bitty islands—no boat necessary. Our favorite is Little Conch Island.

We leave from the beach at Sunshine Key RV Resort (you must be staying in the resort to use this beach) and literally take a stroll to another island. On Little Conch Island you can see large conches and hundreds of tiny crabs, as well as iguanas.

Sunset Grille & Raw Bar

One of our favorite places to eat in the Keys, Sunset Grille & Raw Bar is more than just a typical restaurant and bar. This place has a large heated pool with an awesome view of the ocean. It’s also situated in the ideal spot to watch the sunset over the water. Both the pool and the sunset views are free with your meal, and the happy hour deals that the restaurant offers make it relatively affordable.

Southernmost Point of the US

No visit to the Keys is complete without a visit to Key West, and no visit to Key West is complete without a visit to the Southernmost Point of the US. This really isn’t anything more than a fun photo op, but I do recommend doing it at least once.

Truman Waterfront Park

This one might seem silly, but our kids absolutely love the Truman Waterfront Park. This park is home to an awesome playground that really is pretty unique. It also has a lovely splash pad that is perfect on a hot day. The park is totally free, as is the nearby Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center. Doing both makes for an excellent budget-friendly day.

Mallory Square

Admittedly, we’ve never actually made it to Mallory Square as a family. That said, my son visited there with my mom, and both parties agreed it was fantastic. At sunset, the square is alive with all kinds of performers, and the sunset from the dock is fantastic. This place is also within walking distance of Truman Waterfront Park, so one could easily add it to their budget-friendly Key West day.

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park

Also in Key West, We loved Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and found it was an excellent addition to our roadschooling adventures. We learned all about the history of the fort and explored the ruins. We also spotted several large iguanas and had a wonderful time playing at the beach and watching the cruise ships leave at the end of the day.

Yes, the Keys are a long way south, but these islands are 100% worth the drive. We have a blast every single time we make our way down there and we know you will too!

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Mike S. ~ “I am very pleased I chose Coach-Net! When I needed you, you were there for me!”

The Best Warm Weather Winter Destinations

07 Wednesday Feb 2024

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Winter is in full swing, and if you’re looking to get out in your RV, you’re probably going to want to head south. You see, while the northern parts of the country are freezing, there are many places in the south that are still enjoying plenty of warmth and sunshine.

If you can manage to get your rig to one of these amazing places, you’ll be able to continue your camping adventures while still staying perfectly comfortable, even in the middle of the coldest season.

Wondering where to find the best warm-weather winter RV destinations in the US? Read on!

Florida

Florida is known as the Sunshine State for a reason. This place is sure to offer plenty of warm weather, even in January and February. On top of that, there are plenty of things to see and do in the state as well, meaning you’ll never get bored even if you stay the entire winter.

Orlando

Orlando may not be the warmest place in Florida, but it is warm enough and it plays host to some of the most amazing theme parks in the world. If you want to spend time in Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, or LEGOLAND Orlando, this is the winter RV spot for you!

Everglades National Park

Prefer more natural attractions? Why not plan a stay in Everglades National Park? This gorgeous park is home to all kinds of amazing wildlife, including hundreds of alligators and all sorts of birds. If you’re an animal lover, you’ll adore your time in this beautiful park.

The Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are always warm and sunny, and the many adventures the islands offer are pretty incredible. Whether you want to go for a hike, spend the day relaxing on a beach, go paddling, or explore a historic site, there is something for you in the Keys.

Southern Texas

Unfortunately, campgrounds in Florida do get pretty full in the winter, so you may not be able to snag any camping reservations at this point. Need another option? Southern Texas is often overlooked as a good winter RV spot, even though there are actually a few good places to keep warm in the state.

South Padre Island

A favorite of many RVers, South Padre Island is generally the warmest spot in Texas. We love that choosing this RV winter location puts you right next to the ocean, and we especially love the amazing surfing community on the island. If you love the ocean, you’ll love staying at South Padre.

Padre Island National Seashore

Another wonderful Texas beach escape, Padre Island National Seashore is ideal for those who prefer a more natural beach area. This NPS site is home to tons of native birds and is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the beauty of Texas nature.

Southern California

Many snowbirds adore spending winters in Southern California. We can’t blame them. The warm and sunny weather paired with the amazing opportunities for outdoor recreation are pretty fantastic. Of course, the cool attractions don’t hurt anything either.

San Diego

San Diego is the place to go if you want plenty to do and some awesome culture to go along with it. Visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo, check out sea lions at La Jolla Cove, or head outside of the city to try one of the many hiking and biking trails in the area. No matter what you do, you’re sure to have a great time.

Joshua Tree National Park

Located not too far from San Diego, Joshua Tree National Park is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle. Camp right in the middle of the park or pick a boondocking spot in the vast wilderness surrounding the park. Either way, make sure to check out as many trails as you can and do plenty of stargazing.

Arizona

Lastly, we can’t forget to mention Arizona. This is a haven for winter RVers for a reason. A large part of the state stays nice and sunny during the winter months, meaning you won’t have to worry about staying comfy. On top of that, you’ll find lots of hiking trails, biking trails, and museums to keep you busy during your visit.

Phoenix

Phoenix offers lots to see and do, making it a great home base for winter RV travels. Some of our favorite Phoenix attractions include the Desert Botanical Garden, the Phoenix Zoo, the Musical Instrument Museum, the Heard Museum, and the Hole in the Rock hiking area.

Saguaro National Park

Another fantastic Arizona winter RV destination, Saguaro National Park is a must-see park that should be on every RVer’s bucket list. While you can’t RV camp in the park itself, there is plenty of RV camping in nearby Tucson, including some free boondocking.

As you can see, there are tons of great places to escape the cold and enjoy some warmth and sunshine in your RV, even in the dead of winter. Which sunny spot will you head to this season?

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Robert S. ~ “The service from Coach-Net is outstanding, based on what I have seen so far I can’t imagine being unhappy with the service. I have used Coach-Net 2 times in 4 years and I was impressed both times. I recommend your company every chance I get online or in person because it’s that good. It’s not very often I will put my name behind a companies service. In my humble opinion, most companies provide lip service to cover up for their poor service that they don’t want to admit to, Coach-Net is the real deal you truly get quality service. NICE JOB Coach-Net.”

Your Guide To Camping In The Everglades

18 Monday Dec 2023

Posted by in The Great Outdoors, Tips & Tricks, Travel Destinations

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Winter is here, meaning those of us who prefer to camp year-round are heading south so we can keep warm. One of the options? Camping in the Everglades!

Located in southern Florida, the Everglades offer a lovely, warm escape from winter snow and ice, as well as some seriously beautiful plants and animals. Here you can enjoy the great outdoors without even breaking out a coat, and you won’t have to worry one bit about winterizing your RV.

Not sure how to begin planning your trip to go camping in the Everglades? Here’s what you need to know.

Best Spots for Camping in the Everglades

First, let’s talk about the best places to stay while camping in the Everglades. These campgrounds are perfect for RVers and offer easy access to all of the amazing things the Everglades have to offer, as well as plenty of amenities to keep you comfortable.

Long Pine Key Campground

Offering both reserved sites and first-come, first-served sites, Long Pine Key Campground is located in Everglades National Park, meaning you’ll be able to reach all the park has to offer quickly and easily. The sites here do not include any kind of hookups, but there is potable water, a dump station, and a restroom with showers.

Flamingo Campground

Want to have hookups while staying in the national park? Flamingo Campground is the perfect place for that. This campground has 27/4 campsites and 41 of those offer electric hookups. There are also dump stations, solar-heated showers, and potable water available onsite. Just be sure you make a reservation in advance!

Midway Campground

If you don’t mind staying outside of the park, Midway Campground in Big Cypress National Preserve is another good option. This campground is about 30 minutes away from Everglades National Park and offers electric hookups, potable water, a dump station, restrooms, and easy access to all the area has to offer.

Our Favorite Things to Do in the Everglades

Now that you know where to stay, the next question is what to do while camping in the Everglades. Luckily there are plenty of options, and it would be really hard to get bored while visiting this amazing place.

Explore the Visitor Centers

I always recommend visiting visitor centers when visiting national parks, and this is just as true in Everglades National Park as it is anywhere else. In my opinion it’s best to start at a visitor center, as this will introduce you to the park and all it has to offer. If you can, visit more than one center, as each one has unique exhibits and different information to offer.

The visitor centers in the park include:

  • Gulf Coast Visitor Center
  • Shark Valley Visitor Center
  • Ernest Coe Visitor Center
  • Royal Palm Visitor Center
  • Flamingo Visitor Center

Take a Hike (or a Stroll)

The best way to really connect with the Florida Everglades? Go on a hike or a walk. This allows you to get up close and personal with the amazing plants and animals that call the park home. We especially love the Anhinga Trail, which puts you on a boardwalk through the wetlands. There are a wide variety of birds found along the path at any given time, and often you will find alligators sunbathing along the way as well.

Attend Ranger Programs

Ranger programs are always a good way to learn more about any given national park. In Everglades National Park, we really like the nighttime ranger walk along the Anhinga Trail. Because it takes place at night, this walk often allows guests to see alligators in their most active state, something you certainly won’t soon forget.

Hop on an Airboat

No trip to the Everglades is complete without a ride in an airboat. Yes, these boats are loud, but the airboat tours offered in the Everglades give you the opportunity to go where visitors cannot normally go while seeing all kinds of awesome animals in the beautiful wetlands.

…or Opt for a Tram (or a Bike)

Don’t want to ride an airboat? You could hop on the Shark Valley tram instead. This tram takes you on a tour of the park, so you can see lots of awesome scenery in a short amount of time.

Alternatively, you can ride a bike along the Shark Valley Tram Road to see the same awesome scenery at your own pace while getting some exercise.

As you can see, camping in the Everglades is an awesome experience that every RVer should have at least once. Why not start planning your trip today?

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Dickie N. ~ “You had us on the road within two hours on Christmas day! The follow-up by Coach-Net to assure we were taken care of was great! Thank you!”

A Guide To Lassen Volcanic Camping

16 Thursday Nov 2023

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My family just finished with a whirlwind tour of several California national parks. This was a fantastic experience and we adored every single park we visited. That said, Lassen Volcanic National Park stood out from the rest, and since that visit, I have been recommending Lassen National Park camping to everyone.

Considering a visit to California and want to visit this park yourself? Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect Lassen Volcanic National Park camping trip.

When to Go

First, it’s important to know that while this park is open year-round because it is at such a high elevation, this place sees tons of snow in the winter. The snow causes huge sections of the park to be closed in the winter and even well into the spring, as the large amounts of snow take a while to melt.

Because of this, we recommend visiting Lassen in the summer or early fall. This will ensure you get to see all of the park. It’ll also help ensure you have the best weather possible while you explore.

Where to Stay

While it is possible to drive an RV as you explore this park, we don’t actually recommend it. Parking lots can get really busy, and many are on the smaller side. On top of that, we found that there were some steep climbs that many rigs likely wouldn’t do so well with.

Instead, we recommend finding Lassen National Park camping spots to park your RV at before you go exploring. Not only will this make exploring easier, but it’ll also give you a chance to stay for a few days so you can see and do everything.

Manzanita Lake Campground

The first RV campground option we want to mention is the official Lassen National Park camping area: Manzanita Lake Campground. This one is run by the National Park Service and is quite nice.

It’s located right by Manzanita Lake, which is great for kayaking and fishing, and the sites are well-spaced and shaded. There are no hookups at the campsites, but potable water, pay showers, flush toilets, laundry facilities, and a dump station are all available.

Mud Lake Trailhead

Hoping to boondock on your Lassen Volcanic National Park camping trip? You’re in luck! The park is surrounded by Lassen National Forest, meaning there are dispersed camping options nearby.

One of our favorite dispersed camping options near Lassen is Mud Lake Trailhead. This one is just up the road from Manzanita Lake Campground and is large enough for most RVs. No, it doesn’t include any amenities, but it is free and in a great location, so it’s a win in our book.

Hat Creek Resort and RV Park

If you need to have hookups, we recommend turning to Hat Creek Resort and RV Park. Unfortunately, this park can be a little tight, but overall it is a good home base for a few days.

The sites have full hookups and the staff is kind and helpful. There are sports courts and a game room onsite, and campers have access to the water. Other amenities include clean restrooms with showers, an onsite store, and laundry facilities.

What to Do

Once you figure out where to stay during your Lassen Volcanic National Park camping adventure, the next question is what to do. Honestly, there are so many things to see and do in this park that one could easily stay busy for a week or more.

Here are some of our favorites.

Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

We highly recommend starting your visit at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Here, you can watch a very informative park video to orient yourself. There are also exhibits about the park, as well as a well-stocked gift shop, a water bottle refill station, and restrooms.

Sulphur Works

Sulphur Works is a quick stop but is one worth making. Check out bubbling mud up close and look out over several other geothermal features from the sidewalk. (Mind the signage about staying on the sidewalk too, because that boiling mud can and will burn you.)

Bumpass Hell

Bumpass Hell was the highlight of our trip to the park and is a must-do while visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park. To get there, you have to take a ~1.5-mile hike, mostly uphill. From there, you can see the incredible field of geothermal features from above.

For a closer look, continue walking down into Bumpass Hell and follow the boardwalk across the field, marveling at the steaming and bubbling happening all around you as you go.

Boiling Springs Lake

Another bizarre place that you really should visit if you have the time, Boiling Springs Lake is a lake of water that contains underwater steam vents. These vents cause the water temperature to sit right around 125 degrees (°F) and the steam rising off the water is otherworldly.

Manzanita Lake

Lastly, we highly recommend spending a bit of time out on Manzanita Lake. This lake is lovely, and as mentioned before, it is an ideal place for kayaking or fishing. Keep your eyes peeled for river otters, which are sometimes spotted here, but keep your distance, as otters can be aggressive.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get started as you plan your Lassen Volcanic National Park camping trip. We know you’re going to love it!

About the author: Chelsea Gonzales

Chelsea has the amazing opportunity to take part in full-time RV living and traveling with her tiny tribe. She homeschools her five-year-old son as they travel, and takes full advantage of their unique situation by using the entire world as her son’s classroom. A group of total Disney fanatics, Chelsea and her family often find themselves in the Orlando area in order to visit the Disney parks, but they have also visited over 25 of the 50 states with plans to see many more along the way. No matter where her travels take her, Chelsea enjoys riding bikes, gazing at beautiful sunsets, finding new coffee shops, Irish dancing, and sitting around a campfire with her family.

You can join her adventures through her blog, Wonder Wherever We Wander.

Don H. ~ “You were able to fix my issue over the phone! amazing!”