Once upon a time, my husband Craig was an avid nature explorer. Before he met me, he would regularly throw on a backpack, hop on his bike and explore mile after mile of God’s green earth. Sometimes he went on his own. Sometimes with friends. But always with a smile on his face and a song in his heart. It was what he loved.

Then he met me. Between my cooking and my couch potato ways … and our mutual desire to start a family … well, it’s been a while since Nature Boy made an appearance.

But today, that’s about to change. Today we took the first step on an adventure that has us both excited. Craig, because he is going to get to see all the National Parks of the U.S. over the course of the next few years. Me, because there are no porta-potties involved. Wanna see? Here, take a look.

It is the perfect size for our family … and makes us both happy because my husband can fulfill his heart’s desire to see all the national parks in the continental U.S. and I don’t have to give up indoor plumbing. Bliss.

So in April we start our first trip:

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park/David Berger National Memorial (Ohio),
• Shenandoah NP (VA),
• Smoky Mountain NP (TN) and
• Mammoth Cave NP (KY). In between we’ll be stopping at other little historical parks and shrines. I think I feel another book coming on.

Care to join us? I’ll post here as we go … feel free to chime in with any tips you care to share. And if we’re in your area, feel free to give us a shout-out. Like I said, we do have a shower … and a built in picnic shade. It could be a lot of fun!

Feel free to sign up if you want to be on the mailing list. You never know when we’ll be in your neighborhood!

Love, Craig and Heidi, Sandy, Chris and Sarah … and Maddie and Gretta (the last two are dogs).