It is so hard to believe that it has been 6 years since the inception of this trip. It began as an idea, no a dream, that I would love to spend an entire summer with my two biggest loves in the world, my kids and exploring the country on my motorcycle. The first trip was to be 3 years after the original idea and it was planned for my daughter Haley�s 10th summer. That was the age I deemed perfect for the trip. Old enough to really get into it, self sufficient enough to endure the highs and lows and most importantly, still young enough to ensure we complete the trip before that oh so certain shift of interest as they approach pre-teen.

The first trip was a total success and everything I dreamed it would be (see www.johnandhaley.com). I have to admit that traveling day in and day out, 24x7, 7 days a week for almost 3 months with a 42 year old/10 year old combination most certainly had its moments but it was a fantastic experience. What started out as a dream of a once in a lifetime trip (ok � twice in this case) turned out to be the most important and most significant summer of my life.

Now, 3 years after the first expedition I am preparing to depart on trip number two with my son for his 10th summer. It is a different time, much about our lives has changed very dramatically and the general route is very different yet one thing remains the same. I am once again packing our bags, loading the bike, getting ready to unplug from the chaos of day to day life and begin another adventure with my son and we wonder the continent for a few months and somewhere around 12 thousand miles with only a motorcycle, a few small bags and each other.

Many have asked over the years what I got out of the trip with Haley. Well, the list is long but two things have always stood out. First, if you have children, find a way to spend extended periods of time with each of them one on one. Their interactions are so amazingly different when not paired off with their sibling. Secondly, find a way to create enough space in your life to do some extended traveling and exploring with them where you let down the typical hierarchy of parent child relationships and experience each other on equal ground. It will change your life together.

It has only been 3 years and my kids are still only 10 and 13 yet these trips have already been marked as the most important most significant things I have ever done and maybe will ever do in my lifetime.

Please go follow along during our trip as we share stories and pictures of our travels and send us emails with your must see destinations, stories you want to share or just to say hi.

Carpe diem my friends,

John and TJ