A Note from Jada & Tyler
What better way to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America than to write about our love of the Great American Road Trip. The US is full of breathtaking views, a mixture of cultures, and amazing small towns. A road trip gives you the chance to really embrace the different lifestyles in the US.
What better way to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America than to write about our love of the Great American Road Trip. The US is full of breathtaking views, a mixture of cultures, and amazing small towns. A road trip gives you the chance to really embrace the different lifestyles in the US.
The one thing we have learned about road tripping is there's not a one-size-fits-all plan. We've pulled a 19ft camper, we've had a teardrop camper with a rooftop tent, and we've also embraced hotel hopping (i.e. over-glamping). We plan the trip around the adventure and then decide what tools we need to have the best experience.
If you've been dreaming of a road trip and think you need the perfect setup, know that you don't. The best thing to bring is a good attitude and the willingness to embrace the unknown.
With gratitude,
Jada & Tyler
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Brevard, North Carolina
Jada & Tyler
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Brevard, North Carolina
By: Jada Dooling
I love finding a good small town to call homebase for a few days and Brevard, North Carolina did not disappoint. This town is filled with mountain bikes, bluegrass music, and breathtaking waterfalls.
When we stay in a small town, I love to get a spot right downtown, so we can immerse ourselves in the heart of the town. This has worked well for us because we are active during the day and when we get back to homebase we are tired and want life to be easy. I'm always hunting for good coffee, great food, and if there happens to be a bookstore nearby, consider my trifecta complete. I was able to find this Historic Loft in Downtown Brevard, and it hit all the marks for me.
Tyler and our oldest son, Jude, went exploring on their Mountain Bikes in the DuPont State Forest. One of their favorite trails is called Ridgeline. They had to pay the price on the uphill battle for this one, but it was a nice flow ride that they both really enjoyed. After the ride, they were able to stop at the Cedar Mountain Outpost to enjoy a celebratory drink and snack.
While those guys were mountain biking, our youngest son and I went fly-fishing on the French Broad River with our guide, Gavin Griffin, from Headwaters. Our son has voiced his interest in fishing and to be honest, this is not an area we know much about. Gavin was so patient with Parson and myself. We were both able to catch multiple fish and Parson left saying it was one of the best days of his life.
As a family, we spent time chasing waterfalls all around Brevard and got to see the infamous Sliding Rock - the water was only 54 degrees so no one was prepared to take that plunge, but man it looked fun!
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In the Shop
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In the Shop
Last year we attended the National State Park Director's Conference, held at Canaan Valley State Park in West Virginia. We spent several days connecting with state park staff from across the country. We went with a clear goal: connect the Adventure Passport with state park systems across the US. While there, we connected with Pennsylvania State Parks, and we are excited to announce that we have formed a partnership with them!
The Pennsylvania State Parks Challenge is your guide to exploring the state, one park at a time. Log the ones you've visited and keep an eye on what's left.. Our Adventure Badges will be sold in select stores throughout the state.
Pennsylvania is home to some incredible outdoor destinations, and we can't wait for you to explore them. Trust us, it's worth the drive.
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The Adventure Passport
Offline, No Problem.
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The Adventure Passport
Offline, No Problem.
No signal? No problem. We know the best places don't always have the best service. That's why we built Offline Mode into the Adventure Passport app. Save your location or scan a QR code right from the trailhead, and your check-in will be logged and verified once you're back in range. Go have some fun. We'll handle the rest when you get back.
Sharing now Available
Your Adventure Passport is yours first. Your entries, photos, and progress stay private by default, a personal record of every park, trail, and overlook you’ve reached.
But every so often you hit something worth showing off: a first summit, a national park finally checked off, a trail you’d tell anyone to hike. When that happens, you can share an entry or your profile straight from the app, so friends and fellow adventurers can see where the outdoors has taken you.
No pressure to post, just the option there when the moment feels right. Keep it to yourself, or point someone toward their next great trail. It’s your story, your call.
