Our favorite kind of evening view — wide open skies and no place we’d rather be.
It’s wild how time works out here. Some days it feels like we’ve been gone for months, and other days it feels like we just pulled away from my parent’s driveway. The days have been full, the views have been beautiful, and we’re slowly finding our rhythm in this new way of living.
South Dakota Adventures
Our temporary home among the rugged beauty of the Badlands
Our first travel day was a long one. We wanted to make it well into South Dakota so Derek would have a shorter drive on his first workday. Our glamorous first night? A Love’s parking lot. Not exactly scenic, but it worked — and we all slept surprisingly well.
The next morning, we rolled into Wall, South Dakota, to take in all that Wall has to offer… if you’ve been there, you know!
🌤️ Moments like this make the miles worth it — endless skies, quiet canyons, and time together.
Our main reason for stopping was to boondock near the Badlands. (Boondocking is self-sufficient camping without hookups like water or electricity — often on public lands.) The Badlands Boondocking area did not disappoint. It was absolutely stunning and quickly became one of our favorite stops so far.
Derek’s parents joined us for a night as they made their own way west. We spent our days exploring and hiking, and I already can’t wait to go back. Trygg especially loved this spot because a nearby family had three kids around his age. He made friends instantly, and we happily adjusted our homeschool schedule so he could soak up as much playtime as possible.
Custer, KOAs, and Mount Rushmore
From the Badlands, we continued west to a KOA in Custer. If you know us, you know KOAs and RV parks aren’t exactly our style — but we needed full hookups for a few days (laundry waits for no one!). The bonus was its perfect location near Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and the Needles Highway. We spent a couple of days exploring these incredible spots before hitting the road again.
Roadschooling Update
🎨 Art class with a view – Learning looks a little different out here — fresh air, open space, and creativity inspired by the landscape.
Homeschooling — or roadschooling, as we like to call it — is going pretty well. We still have good days and not-so-good days, but being able to step outside whenever we need a break has been wonderful. Most days, Trygg spends at least five hours outdoors — doing schoolwork, biking, playing, or exploring.
On the tougher days, I’ll jokingly ask if he’d like to enroll in a nearby public school. His quick “No!” always makes me laugh — so despite the bumps, I think he’s loving the freedom and adventure that come with homeschooling.
The hardest part for him has been meeting other kids. And honestly, that’s been tough on me too. When your kiddo is struggling or feeling lonely, you feel it right alongside them. We’re learning as we go and finding new ways to help him connect and make friends on the road.
Looking Ahead
In a few days we will roll into Oregon to spend 18 days with some of our favorite people. Trygg has been counting down the days to see his cousins — he’s absolutely thrilled.
And, in one week, my parents will be meeting us there, too. We can’t wait to camp and explore with them (and a few other family members who live nearby).
Our biggest lesson so far? Long travel days and workdays don’t mix well. Once we leave Oregon, we’ll be tweaking our travel schedule to make things run a bit smoother.
We feel so fortunate to have the flexibility to do that — to work, travel, homeschool, and explore all at once. Two weeks in, and this adventure already feels like exactly where we’re meant to be.
🌅 As the sun set over the Badlands, we were reminded that the best views come after the climb — and the best moments are the ones we share together.
Thanks for Following Along
Thanks for following along on our journey! We’re so grateful to share this adventure with all of you — who cheer us on from near and far. We know this life isn’t always easy, but we know this: every challenge brings growth, every adventure adds to our story, and in the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
Here’s to more miles, more memories, and more stories to tell.