Get to know us

We’re a family of four, taking a family gap year to explore with our kids. But how did we get to this point? Let’s back up a little.

My husband and I met in graduate school in 2012, and we quickly realized we both loved to travel—maybe a little too much? Our first trip together was to the Smoky Mountains, where it rained the entire time while we were camping. We dealt with it, but let’s be honest—it wasn’t fantastic.

Shortly after, at the end of grad school, we spent eight weeks in Tanzania and Kenya as part of our schooling. That trip was incredible, and it hit us: we could definitely do this more often. Navigating everything together wasn’t a question, we just made it work.

Next came a six-week, cross-country car camping road trip, from Maryland to Arizona—the longest route possible. Those trips really made us appreciate our time together and showed us how we could handle anything life threw our way. Our determination to make things work, even when things weren't ideal, became a cornerstone of our relationship.

When we decided to start a family, we knew one thing for sure: we weren’t going to give up traveling, despite what everyone said. After 10 years in high-stress jobs that were rewarding but pulled us away from our kids, we wanted something more. We wanted to spend more time with our children while they’re still young. We wanted to explore the world together and see what we could make work for our family.

So, after a life-changing trip to South Africa, we decided to go all in. We didn’t plan every detail of this gap year, but we made sure we saved up the money we needed and had the mindset to make it a success. We embarked on this adventure to show others that the 9-5 grind until retirement doesn’t have to be the only way to live or to spend quality time with your kids.

We hope our journey inspires you to chase your dreams and explore the world with your family. Drop your email to stay updated on our latest experiences and get all the tips you need for your next family adventure.