In December 2024, we embarked on our second cross-country road trip across the United States. While we didn’t make it all the way to California, we focused on spending more time at each destination, making for a more immersive experience.
This trip marked our first visit to the Black Hills region, where we explored the beauty and history of South Dakota. We also dedicated more time to Arizona and New Mexico, diving deeper into their desert landscapes, cultural sites, and national parks.
In total, we drove approximately 7,930 miles—about 230 miles more than last year’s trip—proving that even with fewer destinations, the adventure was just as exciting and memorable. It was another incredible journey, and we’re already looking forward to the next one!
Just like our last road trip, Anna eagerly participated in every Junior Ranger program she could find, earning an impressive 11 badges along the way. Her enthusiasm for learning about each park’s history, wildlife, and conservation efforts made the experience even more rewarding. It was amazing to see her engage with rangers, complete activities, and proudly collect each badge as a souvenir of her adventures.
Below are the photos, organized into daily posts to capture the highlights of our journey. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed taking them! Each picture tells a story of the incredible places we visited, the memories we made, and the adventures we experienced along the way.
