• Naomi Fox

Fox June Trip

Road trip time! First stop: Houston, TX for the homeschool convention—so excited! Then we’re off to Dallas to catch a flight to Anchorage, Alaska! Let the adventure begin! Read more
  • Trip start
    June 4, 2025
  • stop: potty, gas, grub.

    June 4 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Buc-ee’s break with Seth and Sky! Clean potties, tasty grub, and leg-stretchin’ fun. Road trips are better with snacks and buddies! 🦫🚗

  • Made it Safe!!

    June 5 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    White-knuckle drive through a Texas storm, but we made it safe and sound to our hotel. Grateful for protection and dry beds tonight!

  • Homeschool Convention

    June 7 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 88 °F

    The homeschool convention was packed with wisdom, hands-on fun, and so much encouragement. We bounced from the physics booth to rocks, centuries, math, and science—every booth brought something new for the kids to explore. Ryan and I had such a great time, and I’m thankful I finally landed on the curriculum we’ll use next year. So cool hearing the speakers and being surrounded by people who truly stand for homeschooling!Read more

  • Waiting for the plane

    June 9 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    This was right before takeoff. We made it through security, but Ryan and Clark’s bags had to be completely dumped because of the them being flagged. After that adventure, we grabbed a bite to eat—which was a good thing, since it would be a while before our next meal. Then we waited… full of excitement!Read more

  • On the Plane

    June 9 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 88 °F

    Alaska, Here We Come!

    We made it! After a long (and I mean long) direct flight from Dallas to Anchorage, we finally touched down in the Last Frontier. The views from the plane were absolutely stunning—so much untouched land, rivers winding like ribbons, and mountains rising like God’s fingerprints across the earth.

    I sat next to a woman who left a mark on my heart. She had just buried her mother days before and was flying back to work with barely a breath in between. She never had children but shared about her beloved dog, who had become her world. It was one of those conversations that reminds you how different our stories are, yet how much we all need someone to listen. I was grateful for that unexpected connection.

    The flight crew had a hiccup—they lost the catering order, so no real meals made it on board. Just a few cookies passed out for couch passengers. I was so thankful we had packed snack boxes for the kids! That small bit of planning saved us from a very hangry situation at 35,000 feet.

    Grateful for safe skies, sweet conversations, and the incredible world God made. Alaska, we’re ready for the adventure!
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  • Arrived at Anchorage airport/ RV

    June 9 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Late-Night Landings & RV Hopping

    We made it to Anchorage—finally! After grabbing our luggage at the airport, we hopped in an Uber and headed toward our home-on-wheels for the next couple of weeks. The RV company had already closed for the night, but they were kind enough to let us stay in our unit on-site for free since our orientation wasn’t until morning.

    Now, here’s where things got a little interesting.

    Picture this: it’s late, we’re all tired, and our Uber drops us off outside a locked gate. So what do we do? Naturally—we climb it. Yep, the boys and I turned into mini ninjas, hoisting bags and ourselves over like seasoned RV escape artists. Not exactly the peaceful arrival we imagined, but definitely one we’ll remember!

    We were just so thankful to finally be safe, in our RV, and settled in for the night. One wild thing? The sun barely goes down here this time of year. At midnight, it still looked like evening, which totally messed with our sleep-deprived bodies.

    Let the RV adventure begin!
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  • Day 1 in the RV part (1)

    June 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F

    Our first leg of the trip was filled with excitement and new experiences. We’ve never rented an RV like this before, so the whole crew was buzzing with anticipation to see how this would all work out. After Leaving with RV, we grabbed a bite to eat and made a grocery run to stock up for the road ahead. Anchorage is lovely in its own right, but once you drive out of the city—the beauty really begins to unfold. It’s breathtaking.

    Ryan did an awesome job as our captain, navigating us smoothly through it all. We made a quick stop at a little ice cream stand that turned out to be a gem—not only was it a perfect place to stretch our legs, but the ice cream was incredible. Everything was homemade, and the cherries in mine came all the way from Oregon. Honestly, it might’ve been some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had! What surprised me was just how many ice cream shops are around—especially in such a cold place!

    One of the most memorable moments from this part of the trip was spotting a moose trotting right down the road. After leaving the ice cream shop, we were telling someone about it and they joked, “Oh yeah, the moose here like to race the cars!” Thankfully, this one kept its distance—but it sure made for a fun story and a wild sight.
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  • Day 1 in the RV (part 2)

    June 10 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Right next to the ice cream shop was a quirky little store covered in chainsaws—naturally, that caught Clark’s eye! He wandered out back and started chatting with the man who had carved all sorts of things with chainsaws over the years. The man offered to let the boys throw some axes, and they were all over that! It was such a fun and unexpected stop.

    From there, we made our way to Homer, which has been our favorite place so far. There’s just something about the view of the boats bobbing in the bay and the daily rhythm of harbor life that feels peaceful and grounding. The people are incredibly friendly too. Everyone we met on the Spit seemed genuinely glad we were there—and even more excited that the sun was shining. They told us the Spit closes in October, so summer is a short and special time here.

    We also tried king crab for the first time—delicious! I ordered Parmesan-crusted halibut served over creamy risotto and squash, and it did not disappoint.

    So thankful for a smooth first day full of fun, flavor, friendly faces, good weather, and good health.
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  • Day (2) in the RV

    June 11 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    Alaska Adventures: Halibut Feasts, Wild Dandelions & Lineups on the Water

    We rolled out of Heritage RV and made our way farther down the Spit—windows open, sun shining, everyone in good spirits.

    Lunch at Captain Patties was one for the books. Fresh fried halibut, crispy prawns, ocean air, and a mountain view so pretty it looked fake. Alex winked at me mid-lunch—his signature “I love you, Mom” move—and yep, I turned into a puddle right there at the table. 💛

    Afterward, we strolled along the water and poked through shops while the boys turned everything into an adventure. The energy was high, the breeze was perfect, and the seagulls were nosy.

    And the dandelions. Oh my goodness, they were everywhere—yards, roadsides, bar ditches. Alaska dandelions don’t mess around. The boys ran ahead, gathering a wild bouquet for me with the longest stems I’ve ever seen. They held them out with proud grins like they’d just picked treasure. Honestly? They did.

    Then on our drive to Ninilchik, we spotted something we’d never seen before—float planes, all lined up on the water like a tiny airport for boats with wings. It stopped us in our tracks. No takeoffs, no splashes—just lined up in a row, ready for whatever Alaskan thing they were about to do next.

    That evening, we landed at camp with Gary and Jessica—good food, camp chairs, and easy conversation. Gary showed Alex pictures of the fish Lucas caught.
    After dinner, Alex was practically pushing us toward our rv—ready for Mom and Dad to go to bed so he could have his own little slumber party with Gary and Jessica. 😂 He had his plans, and zero chill. Meanwhile, Clark stay with us—he needed a little extra rest. The time change has been catching up to him, and honestly, same.
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  • Fishing out of Ninilchik part (2)

    June 12 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    Fish, Seaweed, and Science – A Full Day in Ninilchik

    Alex was in his element—carefully picking bits of seaweed off the fishing lines just to see what tiny creatures he could find. That boy has a built-in curiosity radar! On the ride back, Gary and the boys sat up front, taking in the view. The water was stunning, and it was fascinating to watch how strong the current became as the tide changed.

    Jessica captured a sweet photo of the boys proudly showing off their fish, and we all enjoyed watching the crew break down the catch once we got back to shore. The boys got to help here and there—carrying fish over, dipping them in salt water, and tossing them into the prep bucket before heading off to the vacuum sealer and straight into the freezer.

    One of the coolest parts of the whole process was when the crew showed how to remove the ear bone from each fish. They explained that if you take it home and put it under a microscope, it has rings—just like a tree—that tell you how old the fish is. They even pulled out an eyeball and showed the boys what it looks like from the fish’s point of view. Total hands-on science moment!

    After all that, we grabbed some pizza to-go and made a quick stop at the grocery store for baking soda. We’d heard vinegar and baking soda help cut down the fishy smell—which was needed, especially since a couple of kids loved playing with the fish. (No kisses, but plenty of handling!)

    By the end of the day, we were tired, a little smelly, and totally full—of food, fun, and new memories. It was a full day, but a good one.
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  • On the way to church camp

    June 13 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 45 °F

    We kind of took the long way today—but honestly, that’s half the fun. On our drive from Ninilchik to Palmer, we passed through the little town of Kenai. It’s a spot we hadn’t hit before, so it felt like a fun detour along the way. We left Ninilchik around 11 a.m. and rolled into Palmer just before 7 p.m., with a few stops (and snacks) in between.

    I still can’t get over how many moose-related wrecks happen up here. It’s wild. The scenery, though—just breathtaking. Truly unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Alaska keeps surprising us with these wide open spaces and mountain views that feel like they’re straight out of a movie.

    We passed our favorite little ice cream hut again and couldn’t resist stopping for a scoop. Their Oregon cherry homemade ice cream is still one of the best things I’ve ever tasted—so, so good!

    The boys have been loving RV life overall, but they especially enjoy when we stop on the side of the road to stretch, explore, and just take it all in. At one point today, Ryan spotted some fish and pointed them out to Alex—one of those small but sweet moments I want to remember.

    We did try a Korean restaurant along the way… and well, let’s just say it won’t be a repeat stop. It was funny, though—Ryan and I were kind of pretending it was better than it was, and the kids were trying to figure out if we like it or not. By the end of the meal, we all just started laughing and admitted it missed the mark. No hard feelings though—we made it right with some big cookies afterward and got back on the road with full bellies and good attitudes.

    Next stop: church camp
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  • 1st day of Church Camp

    June 13 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    We made it to camp!
    We pulled in and parked our motorhome right next to the Pittmans—which made it all the more fun from the start. Clark wasted no time and immediately found some construction toys to dig into (literally). Ryan jumped right into catching up with folks, and the boys? They were in heaven at the creek. It’s the perfect natural playground—mud, rocks, water, and endless adventures. So thankful for safe travels and a sweet start to our time here!Read more

  • Saturday - 2nd day of Camp

    June 14 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    Church Camp – Day 2 (But Really Our First Full Day!)

    Today was our first full day at church camp, and it was a good one! We kicked things off with a tasty breakfast, thanks to Bro. Erwin on the flat-top.

    After cleanup, we all piled into Micah and Debra’s camper and headed to Palmer, Alaska for the Settlers Day Parade, celebrating the town’s founding. It had that small-town charm we love:
    • The “walking books” were such a cute idea.
    • The karate kids had the boys thinking Otto would’ve loved it.
    • Clark was fascinated by a float with an actual escalator!
    • Alex’s favorite was the gold mine float.
    • And the bagpipes added a fun twist.

    Right before we pulled into McDonald’s for lunch, a battery exploded in Micah and Debra’s rig. Scary moment, but we’re so thankful no one was hurt.

    After lunch, it was back to camp. The kids raced to the zip line while Bro. Erwin and Bro Gary started smoking meat for supper. The rest of the day was filled with hikes, creek fun, guitar music, and good conversation.

    We tried some smoked salmon—so fresh and delicious! Jerica stopped by, and three more girls arrived. The kids played cornhole while the grown-ups caught up.

    Dinner was a feast: smoked ribs, chicken, corn on the cob, salads, watermelon, and homemade ice cream. We ended the day full, thankful, and ready for church tomorrow.
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  • Sunday - Church Time - part(1)

    June 15 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Sunday church in Palmer

    Sunday morning, we had the opportunity to attend a church service in Palmer. It was a peaceful and refreshing time, and something about sitting in church while surrounded by Alaskan beauty made it all the more special. Last Sunday we were in church in Dallas, and this Sunday found us gathered with fellow believers in Alaska. It’s pretty neat to think about how, all across the country and in different time zones, brothers and sisters in Christ are lifting their voices together .

    The service had the song “Trust and Obey,” which ended up being the theme of the whole meeting. It was encouraging to hear the testimonies and prayers of others. Ryan really appreciated Bro. Erwin’s message—he spoke on the importance of trusting and obeying God, which hit home in such a timely way. Alex loved the singing, and his favorite was “Fill My Cup, Lord.” Clark thought it was pretty cool that church was held right there at the campground.

    After church, we stayed for lunch and were treated to a classic haystack meal—with a choice of beef or moose! The food was delicious, but the fellowship was even sweeter. We enjoyed visiting with the Brown family and getting to know Bro. Erwin a little more. Hannah, Katelynn, and Kayla also shared some of their upcoming plans for their time in Alaska, and it was so fun hearing what’s ahead for them.

    By the afternoon, we were back on the road—thankful for a morning of church, connection, and the reminder that no matter where we are, God’s family is never far away.
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  • Sunday - Part (2) Whittier

    June 15 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 45 °F

    Tunnel Adventures & a Quick Exit from Whittier

    After church camp, Micah and Debra followed us on a spontaneous side trip to a little town called Whittier. We figured it might be a fun detour—something off the beaten path. And well… it definitely delivered. Just not quite in the way we expected.

    To get there, you have to drive through the Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel, the longest highway tunnel in North America, stretching 2.5 miles through solid mountain. And here’s the twist: it’s a one-lane tunnel shared by cars and trains. Yep—cars literally drive over the train tracks. It runs on a strict schedule, alternating traffic flow and letting trains through at their turn.

    We lined up and waited for our window. Let’s just say, driving into a narrow, dark tunnel through a mountain wasn’t exactly a relaxing moment. A little past the comfort zone for a few of us!

    Once we made it through, we rolled into the town of Whittier—a small, quiet spot with just a handful of streets nestled against the water. But then we saw it… a seriously creepy old hotel that looked like it came straight out of a suspense film. Both Micah and Ryan took one look and said, “Let’s get out of here.” No argument from the rest of us.

    We jumped back in line to head back through the tunnel—and just as we exited, we saw the train waiting its turn. Perfect timing!

    With that strange little detour behind us, we turned our wheels toward Seward, ready for the next chapter of the adventure—hopefully with a little less spooky and a little more sunshine.
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  • Sunday - Seward -part (3)

    June 15 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    Tiny Meals, Big Laughs: Southbound Tales on the Kenai

    And just like that—we were off to Seward! The trip’s been going good so far, and we’ve really enjoyed getting to see different parts of the state. Now we’re heading back south to the Kenai Peninsula.

    On the drive , we spotted water flowing straight out of the side of a mountain. Just pouring out like it had always been there. It was one of those simple little things that makes you pause—so unexpected and beautiful. Alaska’s full of those moments.

    Once we rolled into town, both rigs topped off on fuel and we decided to eat out for dinner. We ended up at a little roadhouse… let’s just say the portions were not made for hungry travelers. Alex was the first to say, “I’m still hungry,” and it didn’t stop there. One by one, all the way up to Micah, everyone agreed. We were cracking up. Definitely not the meal to fill a crew our size!

    After dinner, we got parked and walked down to the beach. The kids were busy finding all kinds of “treasures.” At one point, Alex looked at me and said, “This is better than Christmas.” 😂 It was so funny—and honestly kind of true. They were in their element.

    Micah had pushed Grant down to the beach in a stroller, but once we hit the rocks, the wheels weren’t having it. So he just left the stroller and carried Grant the rest of the way. We wandered a good stretch of beach, looking around and letting the kids explore.

    On the way back, a lady asked me if the stroller out on the rocks was mine. I told her it was Micah’s, and she gasped! Apparently, she and another woman had been watching it, thinking someone had left a baby all alone on the beach. They were talking 90 miles an hour, all worked up. It was pretty funny once they realized everyone was fine.

    As we headed back to the RVs, we saw a tugboat pulling in a barge—not something you see every day. Ryan pulled out the camera and snapped a few pictures of me. I’d usually rather be behind the lens than in front of it, but I’m thankful for the memories.

    All in all, it was a pretty great Sunday. Thankful for the laughs, the beauty, and the memories we’re stacking up.
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  • Monday- Aquarium

    June 16 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F

    Coffee, Kids, and a 600-Foot Dive

    We kicked off our Monday in Seward slow and easy—coffee in hand, breakfast with the crew, and kids slowly waking up one by one. Once we got everyone ready, we made our way to the Alaska SeaLife Center.

    The SeaLife Center isn’t just an aquarium—it’s also Alaska’s only permanent marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation facility. Their mission is to care for injured or orphaned animals and return them to the wild when possible. For the ones who can’t go back, they become long-term residents and help educate visitors like us.

    The kids were completely drawn in. They bounced from tank to tank like their own little school of fish—pointing, giggling, asking questions. One of the coolest facts we learned was about the thick-billed murre, a bird that looks pretty ordinary until you hear it can dive up to. It regularly dives around 300 feet, but has been recorded diving as deep as 600 feet—making it the deepest-diving bird in North America.! It uses its wings to swim just like a penguin.

    We watched puffins dive, sea lions glide by, and all sorts of colorful sea life swimming around us. It was fun and educational in the best kind of way—no pressure, just curiosity.

    The SeaLife Center was such a fun way to start the day—and definitely worth the stop if you’re ever in Seward.
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  • Monday Boat Ride part (1)

    June 16 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    Family Fun on the Kenai Fjords Cruise

    We all had such a great time on the boat! The kids were totally into it—on a mission to spot every creature they could. At one point, one of them said it felt like a real-life “look and find” book, and that pretty much summed it up perfectly.

    They were constantly on the move, running from one side of the boat to the other every time the crew announced an animal sighting. “There’s something at 3:00!”—and off they’d go, eyes scanning the water, full of excitement.

    The weather couldn’t have been better. The water was calm—no big waves or wild rocking like we had on the fishing boat earlier in the trip. You could feel a movement, but nothing that made anyone queasy. (Big win: no puking on this ride!)

    They served us burritos , cookies, and nachos, which was a hit with everyone. You could also buy extra snacks, and of course, Ryan treated all the kids to some extras.

    We ended up sitting next to a sweet lady from Belgium -her name was Nicole Laeremans -who was traveling solo. She was 10 hours off from her usual time zone and said her body had no clue what time it was. She stuck close to us during the ride and was really kind and easy to talk to—just enjoying the peaceful boat day right alongside us.

    All in all, it was such a good ride. Calm waters, great views, happy kids, and a whole lot of memories made. So thankful for that time together—it’s definitely a day we won’t forget.
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  • Monday- end of Day

    June 16 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Monday Magic: Wild Wonders & Campfire Chaos

    Monday was packed from beginning to end—education, excitement, and energy all rolled into one long (and I mean long) day. We started at the aquarium, where the kids were all eyes and questions. Then we jumped on a boat ride that had them racing from side to side, spotting sea creatures in the wild like it was a real-life “look and find” book.

    In between all the action, we squeezed in laundry (because someone’s gotta do it), then fished, cooked dinner over the campfire, and stayed outside well into the “night.” Except—since we’re in Alaska—the sun never really went down. Those dreamy adventure photos? Taken around 10 and 11 p.m. with full daylight still glowing.

    The boys loved every bit of it, and we ended the day completely wiped—but with full hearts and memories we’ll be talking about for years.
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  • Tuesday Morning Seward

    June 17 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    Tuesday Travels: Charm, Fish, and a Little Seward Magic

    We were up around 7:30 a.m., though I’m not sure what time my body thought it was—thanks to the 3-hour time difference, my sleep schedule was a bit of a mess. But we rallied, got the day going, and set out to explore Seward.

    This little town had its own kind of charm—coastal and quirky. We spotted the Mile 1 trailhead sign for the Iditarod and the views over the bay that morning? Absolutely breathtaking.

    We drove around a bit and found a place that was open early, so we grabbed a meal that was somewhere between breakfast and lunch. The kids didn’t mind what we called it—they had fun walking to it and were happy it was tasty!

    After that, we stumbled into the cutest little bookstore-slash-yarn shop. Total charm overload. Alex wandered into a plant store and announced, “This is definitely a Kendra store,” which made us laugh. We also spotted a NOAA truck—kinda neat!

    I wandered through Seward’s fish market, which was… well, sticky (as you’d expect). Turns out, you can bring in your catch from the day, and if they think it’ll sell, they’ll buy it right off you. Right on the harbor is a massive anchor and some cool artwork at a nearby four-way stop—little pieces of personality tucked everywhere.

    And with that, we’re back on the road—off to our next stop!
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  • Tuesday - Drove to Denali

    June 17 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    The Drive to Denali

    We hit the road around 4 p.m., saying goodbye to Seward and its salty air and small-town charm. It was hard to leave, but we had new views waiting—and Alaska never holds back.

    The drive was over six hours, but honestly, it didn’t feel that long with everything there was to see. The mountains just kept coming, snow still clinging to their tops even in June. Waterfalls poured down cliffs like something out of a movie, and we passed lakes that looked like glass.

    One of the coolest things about driving through Alaska in the summer is how you’re surrounded by snow and ice, but the roads are totally dry. It’s the perfect mix of “wow” and “we’re not sliding off a mountain.”

    We cruised through Anchorage, grabbed some snacks, and kept heading north. The sun stayed with us the whole way—even after 10 p.m. it was still bright out when we pulled into camp just outside Denali.

    It was one of those drives that makes you feel small in the best way. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings inside the park.
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