Hi friend,

Last summer, I planned an entire trip… just to see a rock.

Not kidding.

I came across a picture of Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It looked amazing, and I just had this feeling like… we need to go there.

So I did what I usually do.

I started building a trip around it.

We ended up turning it into a full road trip starting on the Oregon Coast, then making our way up to Washington with stops in Leavenworth and Seattle.

But the part I kept looking forward to the most?

Seeing Haystack Rock in person.

And when we finally walked out onto the beach and saw it standing there, it really was just as incredible as I had imagined.

If you’re curious what visiting looks like with kids, I shared all the details here:
​Haystack Rock and Cannon Beach with Kids: Your Easy, Family-Friendly Guide​

And it got me thinking…

A lot of our favorite trips haven’t started with a perfectly planned itinerary.

They usually start with something specific I want to see or experience.
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Sometimes it’s a rock, a certain museum, or a famous (or not so famous) landmark.

Here’s what that usually looks like for me:

1. Start with one anchor​
Something that gets me excited. A place I saw, a hike, a view, an attraction.

2. Build around it​
Where should we stay nearby? What else is within driving distance?

3. Keep it realistic​
I don’t try to do everything. I pick a few places or attractions that feel doable for our family.

That Oregon trip is such a good example of this.

Yes, Haystack Rock was the reason we went.

But it also led to a beachfront condo stay in Seaside, slow mornings on the sand, and a road trip that took us to places like Leavenworth and Seattle. These are experiences we wouldn’t have had if we hadn’t planned the trip in the first place.

If you want to see how it all came together, you can read more here:
​Oregon Coast Trip with Kids: Seaside, Cannon Beach & Astoria Highlights​

If you’re trying to figure out where to go this summer, here’s your reminder:

It doesn’t have to start with a full plan.

Sometimes it just starts with one thing that makes you say,
​“That would be really cool to see.”

Even if the rest of your family isn’t quite as convinced at first 😄

And you build from there.
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Stay tuned for more packing tips, behind-the-scenes travel hacks, and inspiration to make your trips feel doable and fun. I’m all about helping you make family travel as smooth as possible, so you can create memories without the headache.

Thanks for being part of the Travel Tuesday community, and I can’t wait to connect again soon!💕

✨ Want help turning on idea into an actual plan?

My Travel Itinerary Planner was created for exactly this. It helps you take that one starting point and map out a trip that actually feels doable for your family without overcomplicating everything.

Click below to grab it! 👇

May you LOVE your adventure!

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