Sculpture in the middle of the Oodnadatta in Australia's Outback

Cruisin’ the Australian Outback on the Oodnadatta Track

Micki Kosman
Australia, Oceania, Travel Blogs
19
Cinnamon-red mud splatters the windshield, and our van slides precariously sideways toward the ditch, righting just in time to keep us on the road. We don't dare stop; the thick mud is as slick as ice, and deep enough that we would be stuck in seconds. Charles and I are driving the infamous Oodnadatta Track, which cuts through the heart of Australia's Outback and traces the route of the old Ghan railway. We decided to brave the track, sometimes notoriously rough and difficult, in our 14-year-old, 2-wheel-drive, Toyota HiAce van. We are prepared for the trip: the van carries enough water to float a small navy, food for a few weeks, spare tires and a jack. Still, I'm worried that our van, which we've owned for barely two weeks, won't be up to the trip...
Road Trip Kids Ice Cream The Barefoot Nomads

Roundup: 48 Hours in a Car, Ice Cream, Fun in Mexico and Meat Floss

Micki Kosman
Travel Blogs
4

We've just returned to beautiful BC after a month-long road trip to visit family in Manitoba and Alberta, Canada. In total, we spent over 48 hours in the car (darn you, Canada for being so... large) with our two little ones and our cat, Cosmo. Cosmo was lucky enough to stop for part of the trip and spend a few weeks at Grandma's garden and luxury cat spa (aka my Mom's house) while we drove to Manitoba to hang out at the cabin and play in the lake.

Aside from traveling and visiting family, we've been busy giving interviews (how fun is that!) and writing for some great travel sites. Here are a couple of the other projects you might have missed, including a fun interview with me and an article on finding out of the way things to do in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

I have two words of advice for anyone on a long road trip with little kids: ...

Palm Trees Swaying in the Breeze at Kailua Beach, Oahu

Rockin the Road Trip! Beaches, Fun And Sun On Our Drive Around Oahu

Micki Kosman
Hawaii, Travel Blogs
8
We love the road trip. There's something about being on the road that makes anything seem possible. With the sun on your face, and the wind rushing past, any turn can bring a new adventure. We rented a Jeep, rolled the top down, tossed some sunscreen and swimsuits in the back, and set out to find adventure on a family drive around Oahu. Oahu's coastline has crystal clear water, beaches around every turn and a backdrop of lush volcanic slopes. We spent most of our drive staring out the window going "Oooh - ahhh... look at that!" The scenery alone, which ranged from aquamarine ocean to soaring cliffs to sleepy seaside towns like Waimanalo, made our road trip...