When I was a kid, the ultimate adventure was the family road trip. My elementary school brain assumed flying was for the rich and famous. Our only alternative was to load up the wood-paneled station wagon–basically a rolling playroom–with survival supplies like sleeping bags, books, Oreos, games, and my wrestling partners (aka siblings).
My parents took control of the car’s makeshift cockpit while everything behind their seats was Mad Max’s Thunderdome. Four decades later, our family road trip adventures remain encapsulated in my memory as precious family heirlooms.
COVID-19 effectively grounded the world last year, but it didn’t stop Americans from rediscovered the joys and wonder of the road trip. Traveling in the relative safety of their vehicles, families realized wonder was closer than they imagined. If you’re longing to slow down, get out of your everyday rhythms, and hit the road, here are five of my favorite Wonder Voyage road trip options.
Idaho – Great Potatoes. Tasty Destinations.
A Wonder Voyage to Idaho begins in the capital of Boise where opportunities abound for cultural immersion and community service. The second half of the adventure takes you on a road trip to the incredible beauty of the mountains, lakes, and forests nearby. The tranquility of the outdoors can be therapeutic, and the majesty of creation can draw one closer to God.
Nevada – A World Within
Nevada has miles of unencumbered geological formations and unpolluted bodies of water. From the serene Lake Tahoe in the west to the dramatic red rock formations in the east, Nevada is brimming with incomparable beauty. This road trip allows you to experience the country’s largest alpine lake and journey out to some of the most unique natural marvels in the country.
Southern Tour – A Civil Rights Pilgrimage
Recent times have highlighted the 400-year-old struggle of racism and inequality in America. To make Dr. Martin Luther King’s “dream” a reality, we must educate ourselves about the past and dedicate ourselves to work towards freedom and equality. A Wonder Voyage Civil Rights Pilgrimage leads you on a road trip through Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, following the stories of those who marched, protested, and died in the struggle to shine light upon the inequalities and injustices in the land where all are “created equal.”
Montana– Big Sky Country
Montana is filled with rivers, lakes, plains, and a variety of flora and fauna are a feast for the eyes. Beyond the diversity of the terrain, opportunities for cultural exploration and outdoor adventure abound here. Breathtaking road trip vistas welcome you into an outdoor sanctuary. Wide-open spaces allow you to get away from the hectic part of life to pray, reflect, and experience wonder in a whole new way.
South Dakota– Great Faces. Great Places.
South Dakota is an outdoor museum of prehistoric and presidential proportions. Evergreens cover the mountain region and rugged rock formations make up the south-central area. A Wonder Voyage to South Dakota allows a road trip on open highways, easy connectors to unforgettable sites for exploration. Whatever your purpose, South Dakota is an ideal place for your next Wonder Voyage road trip.
Learn about these and other road trips in our 50 States of Wonder.