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2019: A Grand Adventure

Posted: December 31, 2019 by Tricia Hallack

As another new year draws near, we are finding it fun to pour over memories of the past year (well 6 months anyway) as intrepid adventurers. Fortunately, Jason’s photography skills make this walk down memory lane simple and enjoyable. So…here we go, sharing with all of you some of our favorite memories of our Grand Adventure. Selecting a handful of photos (of the nearly 9000) was a bit challenging, but we narrowed them down to those we felt represented our journey this far. Enjoy…we sure have!

Our last few minutes at our home of 12 years in Allendale. A bittersweet day as the kids spent their whole life, up to this point, in this house.
A note found hidden in Ella’s room while doing a last minute sweep of the house. Mom and Dad both cried, wondering if we were doing the right thing.
We pulled out of Allendale and moved to Zeeland for a bit to finish up Jason’s work. Here, the Berrys are joining us for dinner.
A back of the envelope (literally) drawing Ella penned during our first few days.
Ella creating at Jason’s mom’s place. We stayed here for 3 weeks while we prepared for the road.
Liam, Ella, Easton and Bailey dig in the creek that Jason spent his childhood in.
Liam helps put new brakes on the “Beast”. These will make it all the way (or only) to the Pacific Ocean before we’ll need new ones.
Sailing in Muskegon with the Hartmann’s on their new boat.
The kids and cousins at a gigantic slip and slide at Cousin Megan’s.
Hungarian Falls in the UP of MI. This was a favorite place for Jason during his MTU days for camping and ice climbing.
Exploring Adventure Copper Mine with the kids’ new friend Eleanor.
On the ore dock near Kreher Park, Ashland WI
Nothing like delicious water from the Artesian well at Malowski Park, Ashland WI!
WWOOFing for a week at Honeyberry Farm, Bagley MN
Ella, Liam, and Bernis with their prize ribbons at the Clearwater County Fair (Bagley MN)
Liam crossing the mighty Mississippi at its headwaters, Itasca State Park, Minnesota.
Touring the State Capitol, Bismarck, North Dakota.
Kids running across The Mall, Bismarck, ND.
Hands-on with the sturgeon at the Garrison Fish Hatchery, Riverdale, North Dakota.
Leaving a mark of our adventure at the Garrison Fish Hatchery!
Whimsical fun on the Enchanted Highway, North Dakota.
You know a sculpture is big when your kids look small!
World’s Largest Tin Family, near Regent, North Dakota.
Our scenic campsite on Lake DeSmet (near Buffalo, Wyoming).
Early morning hike with Dad in the Bighorn Mountains (Wyoming).
Highest point the Beast has passed over so far this trip (Bighorn Mountains).
Jason contemplates life on the road…literally!
They’ve got the whole world, in their hands!
-Canyon Village Visitor Center, Yellowstone National Park
Stopped by to visit the back-country stable and found a friend! -Yellowstone National Park
Sometimes, the things that divide us actually unite us!
Happy smiles for another visit at Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park.
Old friends still sharing adventures. Jason and Pete at the summit of Beartooth Pass
(near Cooke City, Montana).
Relaxing along Island Lake, after a picnic and hike…so beautiful in the Beartooths!
Pete took us for an epic adventure to the top of Observation Peak
(Yellowstone National Park).
Enjoying the views and calls of the bugling elk at the top of Observation Peak.
Make way…buffalo coming down the path! Where else, but Yellowstone?! 🙂
An afternoon hike down the less-traveled Red Point Trail led to rewarding views
(Yellowstone National Park).
Where hot springs meet the cooler waters of the Gardiner River, the Boiling River is certainly a hot and cool experience for those bathing here! (Yellowstone National Park)
We enjoyed the Boiling River in Yellowstone so much, we visited twice! One of the kids’ quintessential memories of our ~3 weeks in Yellowstone!
“Free” camping at Honey’s Park, Arco, Idaho.
Ella shimmies out of Boy Scout lava tube at Craters of the Moon National Mounment
(near Arco, Idaho).
Running down Inferno Cone at Craters of the Moon National Monument
was MUCH easier than hiking up it!
A rainbow seemingly touches the Beast as we camp in at Honey’s Park in Arco, Idaho.
Sixteen years and still laughing together…dinner out on our anniversary in Challis, Idaho.
All work and no play? Taking advantage of the natural photo frame in the hoophouse during our farmstay at Awesome Acres in St. Ignatius, Montana.
More natural beauty at Awesome Acres in St. Ignatius, Montana.
Our family and our lovely and hospitable farm hosts, the Neskeys (St. Ignatius, Montana).
Free camping at the fairgrounds in Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho.
Liam turns 12 and Ella surprises him with a cow cake she helped bake and decorate
(Farragut State Park, Athol, Idaho).
Getting their phys ed on…awesome pump track in Leavenworth, Washington.
Hanging out at the top of the Space Needle, Seattle, Washington.
Enjoying the views atop Hurricane Ridge with our new friends, the Fethers, as the kids work on learning more about Olympic National Park (Washington).
The kids first touch the Pacific Ocean at Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park.
Noah, Liam, Ella, and Kaylee and jumping for sheer joy in the cool, autumn waters of the Pacific (Quileute Oceanside Resort, La Push, Washington).
Liam and Ella send balsa wood gliders over the side of the Astoria Column (Astoria, Oregon).
Making memories with my free-spirited daughter,
Fort Stevens State Park, Hammond, Oregon.
What’s a grand adventure without some cheese? Fun morning stop touring the Tillamook Cheese Factoy, Tillamook, Oregon.
Exploring the Yaquina Head Natural Area tidal pools, the exquisite scenery, and enjoying another beautiful, Oregonian fall day (Newport, Oregon).
Quite possibly our new favorite State Park…Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, Oregon.
First prize in the costume contest at Grace Lutheran Fall Festival, Crescent City, California.
Junior Rangers in the making at Lassen National Park, near Mineral, California.
Smiling faces in happy places!
Playing an interactive game at the Jelly Belly Factory, Fairfield, California.
Keeping criminals at bay…Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California.
Liam captures the grace of some of the many jellyfish at Monterey Bay Aquarium,
Monterey, California.
Kids’ selfie at Glacier Point, Yosemite National Park.
Make way…Hallacks coming through! Tunnel Log, Sequoia National Park.
On the top of Moro Rock, Sequoia National Park (near Three Rivers, California).
The world’s biggest living thing easily awes. General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park.
“Tanks are full, Clark!” Liam helps empty the grey tank at Mountain Valley RV Park, Tehachapi, California.
Thanksgiving snow in Tehachapi, California.
Lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin,
Death Valley National Park, California.
After nearly six months adventuring, making memories, and taking time to enjoy one another…we are flying back to Michigan for a short “vacation”!

Stay tuned for more…our adventures resume January 6! Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and amazing 2020!
With love, The Hallack Family

Category: Adventure, Blog, Travel

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