Since this is (arguably) a travel blog, I thought I might talk about… travel.  You can be forgiven if you have already forgotten what “travel” is.  Perhaps this is where you queue the Dave Matthews Band, The Space Between… or the Eagles, Taking it Easy.

This post in particular is about tweens.  No, not teens, tweens.  Teens are humanoids that should automatically be enrolled in an insane asylum between 13-19 and released when they turn, I don’t know… 30ish.  Tweens on the other hand represent the 80% of travel that is that white space in between home and your ultimate destination.

Anyone can find national parks or other ultimate destinations for your next trip, whenever that may be.  But what about the “tweens” – those in between places?  If time permits on your next trip, take time to enjoy the journey, because truthfully most trips live in the tweens.

This collection of “tween” photos – places that just happened on our way to somewhere else, are just some that we were actually able to capture – there are so many more moments that were funny, interesting, or spectacular that we didn’t or couldn’t stop to photograph.

Don’t expect to know or recognize these places.  Not a single photo in this collection was taken from an interstate highway.  Leave the highways to the truckers – seek the back roads – enjoy the journey.

If you take the back roads and feel a little uncomfortable, always make sure to take a good navigation system like the one we use.  Thank you, Ford Motor Company, for your fabulous navigation system.  Kidding.

Keep in mind that a lot of our tweens are in remote locations, since we tend to “boondock” (stay random places without really having a campground or services).

Some of our tween campsites have been made available by the goodness in others.  In the case below, we were in Michigan, ND and found this “free will offering” campground.  It was offered free by the town, although you could make a donation (we did) if you chose.  How awesome of this farming community.

Speaking of boondocking, maybe a good place to start is Arizona.  There are many spectacular views in Arizona (duh – the Grand Canyon State), but the photos below are from a “campground” located on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands in Bowie, AZ.  The location is great if you are traveling cross country – no services, mind you, and four-wheel drive would be a recommended feature on your vehicle (you practically need an ATV to navigate the road).  It is very private, costs nothing, and offers fabulous views for this area largely used by cattlemen to graze their herds.

There are supposed “fly over” states, and Kansas is a good example.  Some of our favorite photos have come from places people will fly over because they think there is nothing to see in the middle of the country.  If you are on an interstate, that may be true.  If you take the time to use back roads, definitely not the case.

Here are a few more of our tween moments.

See you down the road – someday!