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These are the stories of our family adventures near and far.
Laugh and learn with us, and share your stories, too!
Notes from the Road - Central Oregon
We are heading west again today, leaving behind the beautiful high desert and dry forests of Central Oregon. We've had high spirits and...
sebracken
Aug 27, 20236 min read
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Notes from the Road - Adventures in Washington
We are more than two months into the trip, and it has been far too long since we posted here. We have had so many adventures! This post...
sebracken
Aug 17, 202311 min read
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Lessons learned at 3 weeks of full-time RV life
June 30, 2023; 10pm PDT It's been three weeks since we left Chugiak. We have seen black bears and emergency rooms; played in hidden creek...
sebracken
Jul 1, 20234 min read
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A bit of anxiety ahead of the big adventure
We're less than three months away from leaving Alaska and embarking on a (nine-month? twelve-month?) road trip to Maine (probably). We...
sebracken
Mar 18, 20232 min read
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Paring Down for Life on the Road
T-minus 4 months. Oh man oh man this move is almost upon us! In the meantime we have a house to sell, and if you've been through this...
sebracken
Jan 31, 20233 min read
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Pushing Through the Winter Blues
There is no doubt that winter in Alaska is beautiful. It is also challenging. It's the cold, yes. But I think it's more the darkness that...
sebracken
Jan 25, 20235 min read
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6 months to go
December is in full swing, and that means the Bracken-Hagler crew is about six months out from leaving Alaska and embarking on what...
sebracken
Dec 18, 20225 min read
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Soaking up Thanksgiving at Chena Hot Springs
Over Thanksgiving Break, we flew north to Fairbanks and then drove the icy, snowy, utterly beautiful 55 miles out to the Chena Hot...
sebracken
Dec 1, 20225 min read
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Porcupine Campground
WEBSITE: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recarea/?recid=6643 LOCATION: Hope, Alaska COST: $23/night RESERVATION:...
sebracken
Nov 30, 20222 min read
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Lessons from our 1st international trip with two (little) kids
We went to France! It was a wonderful trip - great food, beautiful scenery, perfect weather, and best of all, time spent with...
sebracken
Jul 25, 20228 min read
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My new favorite travel backpack (for traveling with all the stuff that comes with kids)
We just got back from an incredible trip to southern France with my extended family. I don't have to say this, but I will - Traveling...
sebracken
Jul 24, 20225 min read
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Williwaw Campground
WEBSITE: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=6604&actid=29 (note: as of writing this on 6/2,...
sebracken
Jun 2, 20222 min read
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Russian River Campground
WEBSITE: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/chugach/recarea/?recid=6647 LOCATION: Cooper Landing, AK COST: $27/night + $8 reservation fee...
sebracken
Jun 1, 20222 min read
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Hometown Adventures: Exploring in and around Anchorage with our kids
Derek is an administrator at a local high school which means we can't go on many big adventures August through May. But that doesn't stop...
sebracken
Apr 23, 20223 min read
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Come rain or ice or snow...Let's get outside everyday
Spring in Alaska is beautiful. The days are longer - by 5 minutes or more each day! - and the sun's warmth brings a smile to your face...
sebracken
Apr 5, 20224 min read
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A Winter(ish) Trip to Washington State
Derek and I are talking about moving to Washington for our "year of adventure" after he retires and before Isaac starts kindergarten. Who...
sebracken
Mar 23, 202210 min read
54 views
1 comment
Indispensable travel cup lids
For our very first gear review, we wanted to tell you about something small but game-changing: stand-alone sippy cup lids. They are 100%...
sebracken
Mar 19, 20222 min read
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Travels with grandma and pop pop
(or how to travel with "outsiders") This month (March 2022) we were fortunate to travel to beautiful Washington state. The kids and I...
sebracken
Mar 17, 20228 min read
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The Hotel can be an Adventure, too
(aka, making an adult trip fun for our kids) We just had an absolutely lovely two nights at Alyeska, a ski resort just an hour south of...
sebracken
Feb 25, 20225 min read
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Eagle River Campground
WEBSITE: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/aspunits/chugach/eaglerivercamp.htm LOCATION: From the DNR website: 12 miles north of Anchorage, 1...
sebracken
Feb 12, 20222 min read
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