We’ve made it to our 40th national park and simply writing that sounds unbelievable to us. Just 3 years ago, we set out to our very first park, on our mission to visit them all. We had no idea what was in store for us, or the challenges and triumphs that awaited in our path. These last 3 years have felt like a lifetime, but they’ve also gone by in a flash. A good friend and mentor described the perception of time on the road as “a rubber band that stretches and stretches, until it suddenly snaps together” Leaving you with so many unbelievable memories but a realization that time still marches on ⏳ After each year of adventure, we’ve come home to visit our families to see time leaving its mark on things we love so dearly. The family dog has a few more gray hairs on his head. The hedge out front is a few inches taller. There’s a few more rust bubbles on our precious van, and I’m sure time has left its mark on us as well. It’s these subtle shifts that remind us how precious this journey really is, not just the miles we’ve driven or the parks we’ve seen, but the life we’re living in between. Each national park has given us something, whether it was perspective, peace, a dose of humility, or a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. And yet, somehow, these vast landscapes have helped us feel more grounded than ever. So here we are, 40 parks in, filled with gratitude, awe, and a hunger to keep going. Because as long as there are trails to hike, stars to sleep under, and lessons to learn out there in the wild, we’ll keep chasing them. Having the time of our lives ✨ #travel #vanlife #vwbus #travelcouple