The Venture Log
Adventure stories, destination breakdowns, and travel tips from our family to yours.
Two Weeks in Iceland in a Camper Van with Kids: Our First Van Life Adventure
Four people who had never stayed in a camper van spent two weeks exploring Iceland in a Happy Campers 4x4 XL. Here is what worked, what made us laugh, and what families should know before trying it.
Five Days in Ouray, Colorado: Via Ferrata, Canyoning and the Switzerland of America
Ouray is called the Switzerland of America and it earns it. Here is our full family guide to five days in Ouray, including three days of via ferratas and canyoning with Basecamp Ouray and Canyoning Colorado, plus where we stayed, ate, soaked and hiked with our 10 and 7 year old.
Top 5 Tennessee Experiences to Escape the Crowds
Skip the Gatlinburg parkway traffic. These five Tennessee adventures are the ones our family still talks about, zorbing down a hill, ziplining through the Smokies, mudding in a UTV, kayaking to a waterfall, and jet boating the French Broad.
Tips for Hiking The Narrows in Zion with Kids
Everything we learned hiking The Narrows in Zion with our kids, plus where to stay, how to use e-bikes inside the park, and the safety stuff nobody tells you until you are already standing in the river.
Crazy Travel Stories You'll Think We Made Up
A lost wedding ring, a wetsuit Dutch oven, a lion with bad manners, and a few more reasons Jake says these things only happen to me.
Zip-Lining Across a Glacier Crevasse in Iceland (Yes, Really)
The world's only glacier zipline, a private ice-pick climb, and what we learned booking with Ice Pic Journeys.
Sunset Dune Riding (and Sandboarding!) in Southern Utah with Coral Pink ATV Tours
Why Utah keeps stealing our hearts, what the sunset tour at Coral Pink Sand Dunes is actually like, and the little detail we wish we'd known before we went.
Ziplining the Smoky Mountains with CLIMB Works (and What We'd Do Differently in Gatlinburg)
Our honest first take on Gatlinburg, why we'd skip it next time, and the mountaintop zipline tour with CLIMB Works that absolutely stole the trip.
You Can Dog Sled in Utah, and It's One of the Coolest Things We've Ever Done
Most people picture Utah and think desert. Drive a couple hours north of Salt Lake and you're in a completely different world, aspen groves, deep snow, and a team of sled dogs ready to run.
Iguanas, Nurse Sharks and James Bond Caves: A Family Day on the Water in Exuma, Bahamas
Our kids' first international trip, and our second time in Exuma. The full-day boat adventure with Exuma Water Sports, plus the honest talk on swimming with the pigs.
Meadow Hot Springs, Utah, A Hidden Gem Worth the Pothole-Filled Drive
Why we're obsessed with Utah, what to know before you drive out to Meadow Hot Springs, and two other Utah hot springs worth adding to your list.
How We Became The Venture Seekers (Our Origin Story)
Jake and I grew up as backyard neighbors in a small town. Here's the honest story of how two kids who didn't travel much built a family, paid off our debt, and turned a dream into The Venture Seekers.
Why We Homeschool, The Doubts I Had, and What Actually Helped
Our honest story of how we started homeschooling, the fears I worked through as a brand new homeschool mom, and the resources that opened our eyes to a completely different way of learning.
Iceland Travel Tips: Our Honest Survival Guide
Connectivity, driving, currency, weather, food and the little things nobody tells you before your first Iceland trip.
Yooperlite Hunting on Lake Superior: A Nighttime Adventure in Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Glowing rocks, a UV flashlight, and one of the most magical nights we've ever had with our kids. Here's how to hunt yooperlites on the shores of Lake Superior.