Whew. April… this is the fastest month that ever monthed, in my humble opinion. One weekend it was Easter, then I blinked and it was May – hence, this post coming out late. We had a large bout of illness in our home that had us exhausted and scared at points; we also traveled a fair amount and we spent time with the people we love. That means we did all kinds fun and good things!
Travel Planning This Month
We’re really mapping out things we want to do on Nomad Summer this month and making some plans. I’m so excited to be exploring a different part of Utah a bit deeper. We’re almost always in Moab – no regrets – but I’m stoked to see another part of it. And we have a few really fun things that we’re starting to plan for the Colorado section too.
I also officially booked my flights for my Ecuador trip that I’m hosting in September (there are still a handful of spots if you’re interested) and that makes it feel even more real. The trip was confirmed in April and I have been doing some of my own personal planning of things I’m going to do for the ladies on this trip to make it extra special! There are still 14 spots left on this trip and it’s $2,429 and only requires 25% down, with financing options available! I’d love to have more ladies on this trip with us. Xx
Travel This Month
My friend Kate and I had a lovely, albeit, not-what-we-expected overnight trip to Tulsa. More on this in the laughs and mishaps, but I will say, she and I discovered we roll with the travel punches really well together! I’m so grateful for her and how much fun we have together.
Charleigh and I had our first ever mama / daughter trip. We spent 3 days down in Arkansas together. It wasn’t exactly how I expected it to go, but it was still a blast. I learned a lot about how I’m mothering her, I learned a lot about how she’s growing and I learned a lot about setting expectations for myself. We spent a good amount of time outside, we crafted and created art together at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and played fairies… a lot. I can’t wait to continue this tradition and to take Liam on our first mama / son trip this fall!
My mom, Charleigh, my mother-in-law and I made the little day trip up to Mansfield, Missouri to visit Laura Ingalls Wilder’s last home and museum. CJ and I have been reading the Little House on the Prairie series together, just like my mom read it to me, and she was so excited to visit! I wasn’t sure how it would go, if she’d be truly interested and I was blown away. Charleigh’s recall for the books was incredible and her interest was adorable. She talked with the tour guide of the house, loved the hands-on exhibits in the museum, loved seeing the large book covers in the museum of the books we’ve already finished and are on. It was so sweet. Also, just a cuteness note, I discovered on this trip that Charleigh thinks Laura’s husband’s name was Alpanzo instead of Almanzo and it’s the cutest thing ever.
*While there are issues with racist commentary in this series, I think they’re a really wonderful first-hand portrayal of the times and have already opened up conversations surrounding race with Charleigh.
We had a really lovely weekend up in Omaha, Nebraska. Matt saw an Instagram reel about their zoo and we immediately booked a weekend trip and invited Matt’s parents to come along! It was a pretty low-key weekend spent with loads of time outside. We went to the zoo, which I cannot recommend enough, we went to Discovery Park along the riverfront park and it was a really cool park that the kids loved! We also ate at a really great burger spot called All American Burger, had ice cream from Coneflower Creamery multiple times (thanks, Kate for the recommendation), and I loved my morning walks to Dundee Double Shot for coffee each morning.
The last day of travel in April was my tattoo session in Rogers, Arkansas. I have about two sessions left on my sleeves and this session Andrea added my latest travel obsession – the Fitz Roy Range in Patagonia.
Travel Laughs and Mishaps
So… the Tulsa trip. I love Zach Bryan, so when I saw he was playing in Tulsa, OK, I asked Kate if she wanted to see him with me. I didn’t do much planning because I’m more of a show up to the venue and enjoy kinda girlie. I had no idea it was an outdoor venue. Turns out it was and for the first time ever, as a headliner, Zach Bryan canceled the show and we didn’t know until we were already in Tulsa. So, we had nothing planned. We grabbed coffee, dinner and then bought snacks and drinks and crafting kits and went to our hotel room and crafted while watching movies. It was an incredibly chill and, honestly, perfect night. Even if I didn’t get to see Zach Bryan and it didn’t even start to storm until after the show would’ve been over.
On my first mama / daughter trip with CJ, we were supposed to car camp and she was all about it! She wanted to sit cozy in the car all night, but as soon as the shades were up and the lights were off, she was scared. Like, terrified. I was proud of her for speaking up and telling me that she didn’t feel safe, but also, it totally changed our entire trip. Even with that, we worked it all out.
Lastly, you all know, we have a camper… well, we also live in the Midwest which means spring equals storms. And at the very end of April we had insane hail. Our camper is stored at my parents’ house and they got insane hail that did quite a bit of damage in to our camper. So, that’s something we have been frustrated with just because we’re so close to Nomad Summer and we need to have it camping ready by May 22nd.
Local Adventures This Month
A lot of local adventures occurred on local greenways, as usual… I hiked or walked on 5 different greenways and did my first solo hike of the spring in my favorite state forest. The kids and I also went to our local zoo this month and Liam almost fed the giraffe! For my monthly girls day with Kate and Shea, we had a lovely brekkie downtown, went for a walk with some fun spring-themed drinkies and saw Devil Wears Prada 2. We’ve decided on a summer theme called “Cheap Girl Summer” where we do budget-friendly activities because, in reality, the point is simply to spend time together.
Plus, my women’s hiking club went on two really lovely hikes this month. We went to Ritter Springs and to Busiek State Forest. I got to meet a lot of really cool new ladies, but also hang out with some of the women who come regularly. It’s wonderful!
Blog Posts from April
March 2026 – A Monthly Roundup – This is a monthly round up, just like this one, but from March.
Laguna de Los Tres – One of the Greatest Views in Patagonia – This post is on our 16-ish mile trek in Patagonia. It was the most incredible hike that we did. I loved it and still can’t believe I was there.
Things to Know Before Visiting Argentine Patagonia – If you’re going to the Argentine side of Patagonia, these are the things you should know. Especially if you’re visiting around the El Calafate and El Chaltan areas.
Quote of the Month
“Adventure isn’t all about rowing oceans or climbing mountains. Adventure in its purest form is simply a way of thinking. Live by that philosophy and you’ll make more of the short time we’ve been given on this rock.” – Sean Conway
What I Read in April
I’ve picked up Journey’s North: The Pacific Crest Trail. It’s a travel memoir that follows 6 hikers along the PCT (written by one of them), what brought them there, and of friendship along the trail. I’m on a huge thru-hike kick right now for reading materials. I think I’m living vicariously through an experience that I missed out on. Who knows… maybe when the kids are in college or grown or something I’ll give it a go. I’m so envious of the bravery this adventure takes and I hope one day to be that brave. I’m still reading it, but I’m bouncing back and forth between this and The Green Heart: The Soul and Science of Forests. This is bringing me back to my reading roots from the last few years of nature-spirit interconnectedness. This book is especially beautiful because it’s a by a woman who had one of the last traditional Druid educations in Ireland and I love seeing a different point of view of a native system’s viewpoints.
Most Popular Blog Post in April
Things to Know Before Driving Shafer Trail in Canyonlands National Park, Utah – I thought this moght get dethroned this month, but it still managed to be the top post in April!
Wild Motherhood Journey
Something I’m learning is that I am someone who wants my kids to have everything, but in doing that I consume a lot. I get them a lot of things and it’s something I try to refocus on a lot, but it does take just that, focus. It’s an easy thing to love to see the dopamine hit of giving them something for them, but honestly, also for me. What I want to curate, though, is a simpler life, a life wanting or expecting fewer things and a life craving experiences. I want to give them this life that I have envisioned so perfectly in my head… maybe I’m romanticizing it too much, but I want a simple life with big adventures. Is that too much to want? I guess time will tell. But I do know that I’m prioritizing moments and memories far more than things at this stage in their lives.
Taking Care of Myself in 2026
I took my first solo night of 2026 this month. I have been working more and I hate not having the time with my kids, but I am learning that I still need that time with my own thoughts, I need to be outside alone, I need to hear the wind and birds, see the plants and touch the creek. I am so grateful that Matt is really understanding of that and gives me the space to do so. In years past, I’ve stayed out most of the evening: hiked, gone to write, etc. But afterward, I just wanted to come home. And that felt like a beautiful headspace to be in. Wanting to be 100% myself and then truly wanting to come right home.
Home and Life in April
Matt, the king of projects, finished my gear closet, and it looks amazing! It’s so much more functional now and I feel like we’re on a journey of getting our home and life a bit more organized – and this is a big part of it. Then, while I was on my weekend trip with CJ, he got all inspired to revamp our backyard. Truthfully, it’s been a bit of a shit-show since we had Charleigh. We had built a lot of beds in 2020. But we let them go. There are a lot of weeds, they’re a little out of control and, honestly, can just be overwhelming. So, he took out some beds, rearranged some bricks to expand a bed and make updates to the one on the other side of our patio he built in 2020. It’s looking so, so good and I can’t wait to see how it grows. I am so appreciative of the handy man he’s become – even if I give him crap about it from time to time.
What’s Coming in May
May is a big travel month for us. We’ll be going camping for Mother’s Day (my idea of a perfect Mother’s Day gift) and I love to go somewhere new for my celebrations (my birthday and Mother’s Day). So I’m excited to explore a state park we’ve never been to before for Mother’s Day weekend. May is also when we start Nomad Summer. So, once the kids are out of school, we’ll take off to the West. This will be our biggest trip yet (with kids). We’ll be spending 38 days living out of our camper and I absolutely cannot wait for that. It’s going to be such an adventure and I can’t wait to see as many incredible things as possible!
I hope you all had an incredible April, and that May is nothing but good to you! And remember that life is precious and beautiful. Don’t let it pass you by.
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