through a broad valley carved by glaciers, framed by granite cliffs and alive with wildlife, including moose, marmots and even bears at a safe distance. The further we walked, the quieter it became, until the only sounds were the rushing of the creek beside us and the calls of birds overhead.
Because we traveled in June, the park was covered in wildflowers. Fields of color lined the roadsides and brightened the meadows, adding another layer of beauty to every view. At places like Oxbow Bend and Schwabacher Landing, the flowers framed more memories than miles. When we handed back the van keys, it felt like saying goodbye to a friend who had carried us through it all.
Why We Travel
Looking back, that week in Wyoming was about much more than visiting two national parks. It was about trying something new, embracing a slower rhythm and remembering why we started traveling in the first place.
I often think about those childhood days in Appalachia, exploring the mountains, listening to the steady of trust. A company believed in my ability to tell a story worth sharing. That mattered to me. It reminded me that travel is both personal and communal. It connects us not only to landscapes but also to people, communities and sometimes even to brands that share the same love for exploration.
At its heart, travel is about connection. The places I have been will always hold memories, but it is the people I meet, the stories I tell and the partnerships I build along the way that give those memories meaning.
At its heart, travel is about connection. The places I have been will always hold memories, but it is the people I meet, the stories I tell and the partnerships I build along the way that give those memories meaning.
the mountains so perfectly it felt like nature had arranged them just for us.
At night, we sat outside the van and watched the last light fade behind the peaks. The days were long, hikes were full and yet those quiet evenings might have been my favorite part of all.
By the end of the week, we had logged miles across three states, driven scenic byways like the Beartooth Highway, detoured into Idaho to see Mesa Falls and returned to Salt Lake City with sounds of the river and chasing fireflies at night. Travel then was not about boarding a plane or checking off a bucket list. It was about curiosity and discovery. That same spirit is what carried me to Yellowstone, the Tetons and every other place that shaped me along the way.
This trip with roadsurfer felt like a turning point. When the company reached out, it was not just an invitation to travel, it was a moment
As I write this, I am already looking ahead to what is next. The Dolomites in Italy are on the horizon. More U. S. parks are still on our list. There are trails here in West Virginia we have not yet explored. Each trip is different, but they are all connected by that same feeling I had on a quiet morning in the Tetons: this is why we travel. We have stayed in touch with our friends at roadsurfer since this adventure and are excited about partnering with them again soon. •
Delta Lake at Grand Teton National Park.
Snake River at Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park.
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