Road Trips for Families is brought to you by real people who love to take road trips and travel. Every chance we get, we load up and find somewhere to go.
Keegan Williams – Editor and Site Manager
My relationship with the outdoors began at a young age. The countless hikes throughout my home state of Colorado, underscored by the love of nature my parents shared, are some of my most prevailing childhood memories. It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I began to truly appreciate those experiences. After navigating a number of pivotal lifestyle changes, a new love for fitness and rejuvenated passion to explore the world around me emerged.
Once that flame was reignited, I found myself regularly exploring the nearby foothills and mountains, even more accessible after moving from Fort Collins to Denver in 2018. I fully embraced the countless, awe-inspiring destinations around me I’d otherwise ignored through my adolescence and young adulthood. As I prepared for another big move in 2020 while navigating pandemic-imposed limitations, I fully leaned in to explore as much as possible before heading to Los Angeles to start a new chapter.
Now a proud and established Angeleno, I still find immense joy in exploring the vastness of LA. Whether I’m traversing a new part of the city, trying a new hiking trail in Griffith Park, or hitting the road for fresh experiences beyond the City of Angels, the urge to travel and see new sights is now a staple in my day-to-day life.
While I have plenty of chosen family out here, I’m riding solo with no plans to start a family of my own. But make no mistake: I often reflect on my history, the path my parents paved for me in those early years of life, and recognize the pivotal role of road trips and travel within a family dynamic.
I’ve worked as a writer and editor within many distinct niches, but I’m thrilled to offer my experience to Road Trips for Families and provide our readers with the tools they need to seize the magic of travel for themselves!
Vanessa Salvia, Editor and Site Owner
Vanessa and Don on Huahine, an island 66 miles from the big island of Tahiti.
I grew up in a family that rarely traveled. My grandmother, a mother of two, was the really adventurous one in our family. My grandmother broke her arm while skiing on a trip she took to Hawaii with her cousin, and didn’t tell anyone in her immediate family until she came back home. I was about 6 years old when she came back from Hawaii on that trip, gushing about how much she loved it despite not being able to swim with a broken arm. That set me up for a great desire to visit Hawaii and a love for traveling in general. I did end up going to Hawaii, first by myself, then later with my son and husband, Don.
I’ve tried to raise my own two children with a love of exploration and travel. Whether it’s taking a picnic to the lake for the day or traveling three days in a car to see new scenery, I’ll do it, and my family is (usually) up for it. When our kids were younger, our adventures were filled with day trips, camping, hiking (there were often bribes involved for this) and the longer trips when we could. Now, my daughter is an adult and my son is in his late teens. We aren’t traveling as much as a family anymore, but my husband and I get in the car and go, or hop on a plane, as much as we possibly can. Soon, we’ll be traveling with grandchildren and having adventures with young children once again. I work on this site with my husband, Don. We look forward to sharing these adventures with you and finding out all about where you and your family love to go.
Julie Henning, Contributor
My love affair with road trips began at a young age. Civil War enthusiasts, my parents packed up our Dodge minivan and hauled me and my little sister between Michigan and every conceivable battle site above and below the Mason-Dixon line. One summer we took the back roads to Colorado and I still have the rock I plucked from the Continental Divide.
I began writing for RoadTripsForFamilies.com in January of 2010 and have driven countless miles on hundreds of road trips. Contributing to this website has provided me with the opportunity to expose my three children to different regions, cultures, and climates. I’ve made countless friends and acquaintances along the way and have challenged myself as a writer and storyteller.
I have been a member with the Midwest Travel Writers Association, the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers, and the Society of American Travel Writers. My work has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, radio broadcasts, and a book. This job is both my passion and my past time, and I hope you find some ideas that inspire you to travel and make your own road trip memories.