Almost There Adventures

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Almost There Adventures

Unique outdoor travel experiences 🏞️
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🌎 first choices

03/21/2026

Great stays matter.
They matter for extra space for families.
They matter for an inspiring design.
They matter for convenience.
They matter for comfort and to ease travel.
Great stays matter.

*Side note: we stayed in a vacation rental on the amazing La Selva Beach, CA. Staying right on the beach brought us so much joy. Going to sleep hearing the waves and waking to a colorful sunrise with room for immediately exploring or walking with no one in sight.

I find so much joy in surprising my family with our stays and have loved so many of our past picks. If you ever need a stay for large families in a past location we’ve saved in story highlights, please reach out I’m happy to share.

07/01/2025

We’ve been to many places described as the “end-of-the-road”, but McCarthy, Alaska, truly stands apart. Nestled in a glacier-carved valley at the base of three mountain ranges, this off-grid community is the gateway to Wrangell-St. Elias National Park — the largest national park in the US, over six times the size of Yellowstone.
Reaching McCarthy means driving 60 miles down the rugged dirt McCarthy Road, built over old railroad trusses. It’s notorious for flat tires — on our way in, we passed two stranded cars and even stopped to help a couple from Minneapolis. Most rental car companies forbid the drive, though a few will allow it.

Once there, we explored the historic towns of McCarthy and Kennecott, home to a 14-story wooden copper mill, abandoned but remarkably everything still intact. We also took on a challenging ice cave hike, rafted the Kennecott River, and flew out by bush plane.

This was an unforgettable way to celebrate our 40th national park visit. Beyond the wild landscape and adventure, what stood out most were the people—resilient, fascinating locals who chose this remote lifestyle and have incredible stories to tell.

Wrangell-St. Elias is #40!

06/25/2025

Kenai Fjords National Park was our third park in AK located on the Kenai Peninsula in Seward.
🐳🗻
To see this park you need to get on the water as it’s made up of glaciers, mountains, and marine wildlife. The Harding Icefield, is the largest within the US, and there are numerous fjords carved by glaciers over time within the park.

We were looking to experience the park, not just see it from a large boat tour, so we went with Sunny Cove We took a catamaran boat that could carry the sea kayaks on top and got to see wildlife on the way to the glacier. Then we kayaked in front of the glacier for a few hours before returning on the boat. We were fortunate to get to see orcas, humpbacks, sea lions, dall’s porpoise, eagles and so much more.

While in Seward we hiked a lot right out our doorstep. There was a large eagles nest where we could see the eagles fly in and out going to fish along the river. The Glacier overlook trail had year markers for where the glacier used to be compared to where it is now. The recession is significant, and it’s clear the pace of melt is increasing.

We loved the small charming town of Seward.
Kenai Fords is our national park!

06/23/2025

Katmai National Park is next up. 🐻🌋
This park is known for its volcanoes, abundant wildlife, and salmon runs that bring the most brown bears anywhere in the world. The popular spot to view the brown bears is Brooks Falls known for the bear cam and fat bear week. To visit Brooks Falls, it takes two flights, and Brooks Lodge the only accommodation books on a lottery system 1.5 years in advance and comes with crowds and waiting in line to view the bears for a very short time. We went looking for another way to experience this park, and we’re so glad we did.

We wanted something more immersive and to experience the bears in their natural habitat. We worked with the amazing for a bear expedition to the remote Hallo Bay. Again there are no roadways that get you to Katmai, only by air or water. Within Hallo Bay, people are not viewed as a threat because there is an abundant food source, and visitors act in an expected way (strict protocols to follow). It took our very experienced guide, a great pilot, and lots of work to make this amazing experience possible.

We were well rewarded with seeing volcanoes and glaciers on the way in on a rare clear day, and then getting to experience a mother bear and her three cubs along with lots of other bears and wildlife. Due to needing to cross rivers, changing tides, and taking a float plane in/out, everyone wears hip waders, and it’s an adventure getting in/out with the float plane. Rob compared the final trek out to meet the plane to the waves scene in Interstellar.

That’s park #38!

*All wildlife photography done from safe distances with a long lens.

06/22/2025

We’ve taken on some of our most challenging national park planning yet, aiming to make it to four of Alaska’s eight national parks in this trip. First up: Lake Clark National Park!

Like much of Alaska, Lake Clark is completely off the road system—you can only get there by bush plane or floatplane, making the journey part of the adventure. We took a day trip from Anchorage, flying over incredible mountains, glaciers, and turquoise lakes before landing in remote wilderness.

This marks National Park #37 for us—and a great way to kick off our Alaskan adventure!

12/31/2024

Our 12 Favorite Travel and Outdoor Experiences of 2024

This world never ceases to amaze us. From breathtaking travel experiences to everyday moments with family, we look back and appreciate it all. We’re deeply grateful for the adventures—big and small—and remain committed to protecting these remarkable places for generations to come.

As we look ahead, we know 2025 will bring its own challenges, but we’re ready to embrace whatever comes our way. Happy New Years!

1. Whale Tail Beach in Uvita Costa Rica

2. Sloths spotted during wildlife adventure in Corcovado National Park, CR

3. Stroopwafels from the historic Hans Egstorf bakery in Amsterdam

4. Library room at Rijksmuseum

5. Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands

6. Exploring Bruges, Belgium (+ getting to see The Hague on the way)

7. Camping at Gooseberry Falls State Park, MN

8. Whale watching Campbell River, British Columbia

9. Bioluminescence experience on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia (amazing top moment!)

10. Seeing firefly’s at the Landscape Arboretum, MN

11. Experiencing the northern lights for the first time Norwood Young America, MN

12. Mayan ruins and person powered ferry at Xunantunich in Belize

11/29/2024

So thankful for this family and the adventures we get to experience together. From our Almost There Adventures family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for being here.

So much gratitude today and everyday.

📷 credit

10/11/2024

Tonight was simply incredible. This was my first time seeing the northern lights this vivid and it was well worth the wait.

When conditions were looking good in MN to see the aurora I made plans to drive outside the city to a favorite dark sky area.

Did you see the northern lights tonight?

“Once you have tasted the taste of sky you will forever look up.” – Leonardo Da Vinci

07/05/2024

Sharing unique outdoor travel adventures is my passion and this one topped them all and allowed for no real photos to capture just how truly amazing it was.

We had the most incredible experience on a night bioluminescence kayak tour of the remote Sechlet Inlet in British Columbia.

Starting late to ensure darkness, our guides taught us about bioluminescence and about the tribal lands we were on. Paddling in complete darkness (relationship test in a tandem), we saw our kayaks and paddles light up with glowing white lights, resembling fireflies. They gave us “fairy sticks” to drag in the water beside our kayaks and what followed was a stream of glowing bubbles of light that appeared truly magical. Fish and seals swam beneath us, illuminated by bioluminescence.

Bioluminescence, is the light emission by living organisms like plankton, is part of the world’s largest daily mass migration. With a new moon and clear weather, the starry sky and Milky Way enhanced the experience.

Our guides created the most moving natural and spiritual connection singing tribal songs and beating drums to share this incredible natural phenomenon that we’ll never forget. Unfortunately, bioluminescence can’t be captured in photos or video, but the experience is worth seeing firsthand if you ever get the chance.

Remember to protect our water and planet.

Thank you

06/20/2024

For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, summer unofficially begins on Memorial Day Weekend. But the official first day of summer this year is June 20, 2024. This is the astronomical beginning of the summer season known as the summer solstice.

The North Pole will be at its maximum tilt toward the sun, making the sun appear the highest in the sky and giving us the most daylight hours and the shortest night of the year.

Let the energy of the summer solstice help you to balance, release, recharge.❤️

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