Some vacations help you escape. This one helps you remember.
Our family spent a week crossing the plains of North Dakota by wagon, cooking over open fires, and living like pioneers. It was one of the most meaningful experiences we've shared.
We stepped into a world where life moved at a gentler pace and people were fully present.
Our kids spent their days running, playing, helping with chores, and making friends who felt like lifelong companions by the end of the journey. Watching them enjoy the freedom to roam without the constant worries of traffic, predators, steep cliffs, or nearby bodies of water was a reminder of how childhood is meant to be.
The hospitality was unlike anything we've experienced. Multi-generational farmers, homesteaders, and fellow travelers welcomed us with open arms, and before long, strangers became friends. Our many conversations left us richer than before.
Each day brought simple joys: driving horse teams, reading aloud, crafting, learning about the region, sharing meals, and pitching in wherever help was needed.
As the sun dipped below the prairie horizon, we gathered around the campfire for music, laughter, and stories before drifting off to sleep beneath an endless sky.
I arrived with no expectations and left deeply fulfilled. The week reminded me that some of life's greatest joys aren't found in full calendars or constant distractions. Instead, they grow from living with intention, working together, and making space for genuine connection.
If you're considering the wagon train, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It's far more than a vacation—it's an experience that stays with you long after the trail ends.
