“It’s a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
–J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
Hello! I’m Meg- welcome to Grand Misadventures!
Around here, we believe that the best travel moments don’t always come from perfectly planned itineraries. Sometimes, they show up when you take a wrong turn, follow a last-minute whim, or just let the road decide. That’s why the heart of this blog is summed up in a simple mantra:
Wander Often. Plan Loosely. Find joy in the unexpected misadventure.
And let me tell you- Grand Misadventures didn’t get its name by accident.
It all started on a chaotic trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. On the very first morning, I ended up in the hospital. After driving all night through the parks, we couldn’t find a campsite. Eventually we ended up sleeping in the car since we were missing camping supplies. And as a final twist, we accidentally sprayed ourselves in the face with bear spray.
It was a disaster by most travel standards- but we laughed, we bonded, and somehow, it became our favorite trip ever. That wild, unplanned experience showed us that the misadventures were what made the trip memorable- and they’ve defined how we travel as a family ever since.
It’s always been about the journey. We started out in Utah, where you could usually find us up in the mountains- hiking, camping, or just getting a little lost on purpose. Then came a big shift when we moved to the coast of Florida, where the mountains were replaced by sand, surf, and theme parks. These days, we call Tennessee home, surrounded by rolling hills, weekend road trips, and a whole new landscape to explore.
So here at Grand Misadventures, I share our family’s journey through weekend getaways, cross-country road trips, unexpected detours, and trail-side surprises. Whether it’s hiking in national parks, finding quirky roadside attractions, or navigating travel with kids in tow, I’m here to show that imperfect travel makes for the best stories.
I’ve been writing about our adventures for the last few years- mostly throughout the US, with a few international stops along the way. Over time, this space has grown from a personal journal into a place where fellow wanderers come to get inspired, laugh at the missteps, and maybe plan a few adventures of their own.
Thanks for coming along on the journey with me. Let’s embrace the unexpected- one misadventure at a time.
{want to know the full story behind the name Grand Misadventures? read the post: The Story of Grand Misadventures}
