• 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
  • Wednesday morning to mid day

    June 18 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Denali Dogs & Pay Phone Wonders

    We kicked off Wednesday with a cereal breakfast in the camper and headed straight for Denali National Park. We were feeling adventurous… until we found out you can only drive the first 15 miles into the park unless you’ve got a bus ticket. So—bus tickets it was! We got those booked and made a mental note to come back ready for the full ride.

    One of the coolest surprises of the morning was the sled dog kennels. Denali is actually the only national park with its own working dog team! These pups help rangers during the winter months—hauling gear, patrolling remote trails, and being all-around snow-season superheroes. The boys loved it. Clark wanted to know how fast they could run, and Alex asked if they ever get treats for a job well done.

    As we headed back toward the RV, something unexpected stopped Alex in his tracks—a pay phone. He stared like he’d just discovered a relic from an ancient civilization. “Did people actually use these?” he asked. We were dying laughing. It’s official—we’re old.

    And just when we thought the drive couldn’t get any better, a moose and her baby crossed the road right in front of us on the way out of the park. Such a classic Alaska moment—and one we’ll never forget.

    We wrapped things up by grabbing a late lunch at a nearby food truck and calling it a good halfway point in the day.
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  • Wednesday - Afternoon

    June 18 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    After a morning spent exploring Denali, we headed off on a quiet drive through the forest to a place full of wagging tails and snowy dreams—Husky Homestead.

    Tucked away in the trees, this cozy little farm is home to the legendary Jeff King, a four-time Iditarod champion, and a whole team of hardworking sled dogs. The moment we stepped out of the RV, we were greeted by excited barking—and a bundle of puppies.

    Tessa which is Jeff’s daughter shared what it takes to race across 1,000 miles of frozen Alaska. The dogs run in shifts—six hours on, six hours off—but the mushers? They don’t get much rest. During those “off” hours, they’re melting snow for water, checking every paw for injury, and thawing 10,000-calorie meals for their teams. By the time all that’s done, they’re lucky to catch 45 minutes of sleep before it’s time to harness up and head back out.

    We were all amazed. These dogs are built for this—strong, smart, and born to run. Even as puppies, you can already see which ones are going to lead. They love the cold, prefer sleeping outside, and love working.

    Clark was all about the gear and the race stories. Alex was ready to sign up and start his own sled dog team by dinner. Ryan was very impressed with their set up And me? I just stood there, taking it all in, thankful for the chance to see this little piece of Alaskan life.
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  • Wednesday - evening drive

    June 18 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Denali Surprised Me

    On our way back to the camper, we took a little detour through Denali, hoping to spot some wildlife—and we got lucky! A moose stood off to the side of the road, completely still, like she was posing for someone’s calendar. Naturally, we stopped for a photo shoot.

    I always pictured Denali as this thick forest wrapped in snowy mountains, but the truth is, it’s actually an arctic desert. The mountains around the park get buried in snow, but inside the park itself? It averages just 50 inches a year. The rivers aren’t really rivers either—they’re made of strands of braided streams that shift and flow but never truly fill up.

    And yet, even in this rugged, dry climate, life thrives. Moose, caribou, and grizzlies roam the open land. Dall sheep perch on the cliffs like little white specks. If you’re lucky, you might catch a red fox darting through the brush or see a golden eagle soaring overhead. It’s wild in every sense of the word.

    Just one more reminder that Alaska has a way of surprising you—again and again.
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  • End of Wednesday

    June 19 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    We rolled back into camp just as the light started to shift—that golden Alaska kind of dusk where the sun never really sets, it just softens into a quiet glow. Right before we pulled in, we crossed a river that caught my eye. The water sparkled in the light, peaceful and still.

    Back at the RV, we had everything hooked up in record time. We’ve gotten pretty good at this setup life. Alex was all about helping with the water hose—which, let’s be honest, mostly meant playing in the water.

    After we freshened up, we took a short walk with Micah, Debra, and the kids. Nothing far, just enough to help everyone—especially the littles—shake out that end-of-the-day energy.

    A little later, we passed one of those photo-op boards—the kind where you stand behind it and suddenly you’re dressed like it’s the middle of an Alaskan blizzard. Jane and Alex popped their faces through and looked absolutely bundled for the tundra. I snapped a picture and we all had a good laugh. It’s one of those silly little moments .

    The sun was still up and shining, and they were convinced bedtime didn’t apply. I had to tell them, “If you wait for the sun to go down in Alaska, you’ll never sleep.” That finally got them climbing into bed.

    Once the kids were cleaned up and tucked in, we settled in for a game of Liverpool Rummy. I tried to bring my A-game with a few of Aunt Trish’s sneaky tricks, but Debra came out of nowhere and won the whole thing. She’s like a silent ninja—quiet all game, then boom, she lays it down and leaves the rest of us stuck with 150 points per hand.

    Another full day, and another one I’m so thankful for. These are the kind of memories that stick—the quiet walks, the silly photo props, the water hose “help,” and the laughter around a card table long after midnight with the sun shining on us.
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  • Thursday- Denali Bus ride

    June 19 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Day on the Denali Bus – Tundra, Wildflowers, and One Curious Kiddos

    This morning we crossed the street from our campground and boarded the Tundra Wilderness Tour bus—Denali’s version of a safari. It’s about a 5½-hour ride into the heart of the park, and even though we didn’t make it the full 92 miles (the road is currently closed at Mile 43 due to a massive landslide), it was still incredible.

    The park is huge—over 6 million acres—and the views? Unreal. We drove past sweeping tundra, thick patches of wildflowers, and mountain ranges that looked like they were painted in. The fireweed and lupine were in full bloom, and they added this unexpected pop of color to everything.

    Wildlife sightings were a win too! Moose, Dall sheep perched up high, arctic hares darting around, and even the biggest crows and ravens I’ve ever seen. We spotted a black bird with white markings (pretty sure it was a magpie), and the boys were all about it.

    Speaking of the boys—pretty sure we were the youngest family on that bus by a good 20 years. The boys was full of questions, and at one point the older passengers just started laughing at how many they could come up with. Thankfully, most of them were the kind of folks who love chatting with curious kids and were happy to see families enjoying the park.

    We did get a rare treat—Denali (yes, Denali—locals will let you know real quick it’s not called Mount McKinley) was out and showing off on our way into the park! She’s often hidden behind clouds, so seeing her standing tall was one of those “we’ll never forget this” moments. On the way back though, she was totally tucked away again, as if she had clocked out for the day.

    Our guide was fantastic—shared all kinds of wild facts. Denali is the tallest peak in North America at 20,310 feet. It takes most climbers 3 to 4 weeks to summit, and only about half make it. And yes—everything that goes up (including human waste) comes back down. They really do work hard to keep this place wild and untouched.

    The tour ended in silence—literally. Our guide told us she’d be quiet for the last 20 minutes so we could just take it all in. But with the gentle rumble of the bus and the calm of the tundra, a lot of people (including a few of us) totally fell asleep. 😂

    We stepped off that bus a little sun-kissed, totally worn out, and so, so thankful. Denali is unlike anything else. Quiet, wild, and deeply humbling.
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  • Thursday - Crepes, Ice Cream, and Fish T

    June 19 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We packed up from Denali Grizzly RV Park and rolled into town for a few last-minute stops. Clark spotted a whole bunch of bears carved from chainsaws and was totally impressed. I had it in my head that crepes sounded fun for lunch—well, let’s just say that didn’t land on our “best food in Alaska” list. 😂 While we were sitting there laughing about it, a squirrel literally ran into the restaurant! One of the servers—who looked maybe 10—chased it out like it was no big deal. Micah and Ryan were dying laughing.

    Right next door was an ice cream shop that made up for it all. Ryan tried fireweed flavor (a flower that pops up after wildfires), I had rhubarb, Alex got Alaska berry, and Clark went classic with mint chocolate chip. All winners.

    Back on the road, we drove over Geysers Gulch—way down below us, but so gorgeous. We didn’t go far before pulling into our next stop at Montana Creek. That’s where we called it for the day.

    As soon as we parked, everyone jumped out and got their fishing poles ready. The kids headed straight for the water. Little Grant took a few tumbles (the boy’s going home with more bruises than souvenirs), but he’s a trooper and just kept going. They were wet, stinky, and so happy. Alex—our little stinker—was the only one to catch a fish. Actually… three of them. Or maybe the same one three times. 😂 He kissed each one before tossing it back in and doing it all over again.

    The land was beautiful—wildflowers, ferns, and that peaceful hush that only comes with water running through the woods. We grilled dinner back at camp and made Frito chili pies. A full, happy, messy, wonderful day.
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  • Fishing, Burgers, and Back to Palmer

    June 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Friday morning came early… or maybe I should say late? These Alaska nights stay bright forever, and they’re starting to catch up with me—I slept in a bit while Ryan, Micah, and the boys got up and went fishing before we packed up camp.

    They didn’t catch anything this time, but they still had a blast being out there together. I stayed behind and got some sweet pictures of the Pittman crew—fresh clothes, fresh faces, and some seriously cute kiddos.

    Before we hit the road, Ryan fired up some charcoal and made some burgers for lunch. Then we packed up and rolled out, heading back toward church camp in Palmer. Slow, simple, and full of those little moments that make you smile.
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  • Friday- Ice Cream & the Reindeer

    June 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    Back in Palmer! First stop: a good ol’ gas station run to dump the trailer and fill up on water. As glamorous as that sounds, the fun kicked in quick when we ran into Gary, Jessica, and Caleb. They had just walked over from The Big Dipper—one of Alaska’s many proud homemade ice cream spots. (Seriously, Alaska has so many ice cream shops, and they’re all about that local flavor life.)

    So, of course, we backed the RV into a spot and made the very responsible decision to walk across the parking lot and get ice cream before anything else. Priorities. 😎

    One thing I love about Palmer—there are little bookcases all over town where you can take or leave a book for free. Such a cool community touch! We wandered into a plant shop next door that immediately reminded me of Kacie and Kendra. They would’ve loved it. It was full of leafy joy and smelled amazing. They were selling grapefruit lemonade, so we grabbed one to share. It was delicious—and made your face pucker in the best way.

    Before heading back to camp, we made a stop in nearby Butte to check out a spot Jessica told us about: the Reindeer Farm. The Reindeer Farm has been family-owned since 1987 and is home to way more than just reindeer! The kids loved the tractor ride (complete with music that came and went), and I was crying laughing because—of all things—the banjo kicked in. If there’s one thing Ryan cannot stand, it’s banjo music. It’s basically his musical kryptonite.

    After that, we let the kids loose in the play zone before exploring the rest of the farm. They had yak, over 120 reindeer, elk, a reptile house, highland cows, a couple of moose, a turkey named Lurkey, bunnies, Alpacas, Bison, chickens, and honey bees. Fun fact: they have to buy bees every spring because they can’t survive the harsh Alaska winters—so every year, they start fresh.

    We learned that reindeer and caribou are actually the same species but reindeer are the domesticated version. And fun fact: both male and female reindeer grow antlers, but the females keep theirs through the winter. So technically, Santa’s reindeer are probably girls. 😉

    We spent a couple of hours there just soaking it all in. Kids running wild, animals doing their thing, and grown-ups trying to dodge the banjo. Eventually we loaded back up and headed to church camp, full of ice cream, sunshine, and a whole lot of laughs.
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  • Friday -Secret Clubhouses & Memories

    June 20 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    We made it back to camp, and the kids were pumped! They wasted no time jumping back into their favorite things—digging around and discovering old train parts, building secret clubhouses, and inhaling chips and watermelon while playing a few wild rounds of Uno with Sis Jessica. 😂

    The food was tasty, but honestly, the fellowship was even better. We got to visit with old friends and meet new ones. The Browns and Bro. Ewin came out, and Hannah Easter brought a couple of girls to join in the fun. So thankful to get time with more brethren and to share a little slice of Alaska life.

    Ryan worked on his walking stick (he’s been slowly carving away at ), and Alex had a very specific mission: he wanted a slow-mo video of himself drinking a pop. Priorities. 😅

    The kids ran wild—exploring every inch of the property, giggling, and making the most of the evening. We even snuck in a quick game of corn hole. The weather was perfect, nobody got hurt, and the laughter was nonstop.

    So grateful for the good food, good weather, and the best kind of community.
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  • Saturday- Yard Sales & The Butte

    June 21 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Saturday morning started slow and sweet—breakfast ar camp, with the kids being their usual hilarious selves. Sometimes it’s just the best thing to sit back, sip coffee, and listen to them be kids.

    Later, Jessica, Debra, and I snuck away to hit a few yard sales around Palmer. Gotta love a good treasure hunt! When we got back, we decided to take on The Butte—a local favorite hike in the town of Butte, Alaska.

    It’s not a long hike, but it’s a climb! The trail gains over 800 feet of elevation in under a mile, so it’s a steady uphill push the whole way. It took us about 45 minutes to get to the top, and 35 minutes back down. But oh, the view was worth every step—panoramic views of the Matanuska Valley, snow-capped peaks, riverbeds, and open sky in every direction.

    I was especially thankful my knee held up the whole way. Honestly, just grateful for God’s mercy to be able to move, climb, and take in all this beauty.

    It was one of those mornings that felt simple but full—good laughs, good views, and the kind of moments you want to bottle up and keep.
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  • Saturday- Seafood Feast & Sweet Reunions

    June 21 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    After our hike up The Butte, we got back to camp and started prepping dinner—and not just any dinner… a full-on Alaska seafood feast!
    Jessica showed us how to cut up the halibut we caught earlier in the trip, and from there, it turned into a full spread. On the menu:
    – Bacon-wrapped halibut on the grill
    – Fried halibut, breaded two ways
    – Grilled salmon and cold-smoked salmon
    – Fried calamari
    – Shrimp salad, cocktail shrimp, and a tangy lemon cream dip
    – Hushpuppies, French fries, and coleslaw to top it off
    It was a feast, and such a treat for us Oklahoma folks—fresh-caught and homemade, it doesn’t get better.
    But the highlight wasn’t just the food—it was the fellowship. We got to reconnect with Xavier and Jerica Lund, and I honestly can’t believe it’s been years since I’ve seen them. They were just kids back then!
    So thankful for old friends, new connections, and an evening full of good food, laughter, and God’s kindness. A perfect close to a great Saturday in Alaska.
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  • Sunday - Final Goodbyes in Palmer

    June 22 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Sunday morning started with breakfast all together, followed by church at 10 o’clock. We were so thankful for the chance to spend with the brethren in Palmer—they’ve truly carved out a special place in our hearts.

    Even though they’re far from Hobart, it was so encouraging to see fellow brethren . I’m thankful for the prophecies shared, the testimonies we heard, the prayers lifted, and the songs sung with heart. God really does help us in every single way, and being there reminded me just how connected we are, no matter the miles.

    We made some new connections too—ones I truly hope we’ll be able to keep. So grateful for the time spent with Micah and Debra, and of course Gary and Jessica.

    After church, the kids pulled out crayons and paper and got busy doodling. Alex proudly drew his dream treehouse (which seems to grow a little more each time he sketches it). He was excited to show it off to Gary and Caleb. Behind the church, there was a hammock the kids took turns climbing into—it made for the perfect little wind-down moment while we all visited and ate lunch.

    Before heading out, we squeezed in one last game of cornhole—the boys never pass up a chance to play. Then it was time to hit the road. The kids were acting like they definitely weren’t tired (classic), but as we rolled toward Anchorage and got closer to our final RV check-in, I turned around and… both of them were completely passed out.

    Alaska was big. It was wild. It was beautiful. And for us—it was unforgettable.
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  • Monday- Flying out with full hearts

    June 23 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    Monday morning came before it felt like Sunday even ended. We had parked the RV the night before—check-in was by 4 PM—so we camped out in the parking lot for one last night in our home on wheels. We tried to go to bed early, knowing that 2:30 AM would come fast.

    Of course, it never really got dark-dark—this is Alaska in the summer, after all. The sky just kind of dimmed into a dusky glow. It still felt way too early when we rolled out of bed and started packing up groggy and quiet.

    Jerica pulled in at 3:30 AM to take us to the airport (bless her), and she even brought breakfast—such a thoughtful send-off. At the airport, we had just enough time to check bags, clear security, and make one last bathroom stop before boarding started at 5:30.

    The boys, naturally, were not tired. Alex and Clark were poking each other, laughing hysterically, and coming up with ridiculous jokes while we waited. Classic travel-day energy.

    Once we boarded, Ryan was out cold within minutes, but Alex was still wide-eyed and buzzing. As the plane took off, we flew into a gray, cloudy morning—but once we climbed above it, the sky opened up into a soft, endless blue with golden light pouring across the clouds.

    And in that quiet moment, I just felt so thankful. Thankful for the time we got to spend in Alaska—the people we met, the laughter we shared, the beauty we experienced. And just as much, thankful to be heading home. Back to familiar routines, our own beds, and a heart full of stories we’ll be telling for years to come.
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  • Back on the Ground & Feeling the heat

    June 23 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F

    We made it—thankful to have landed safely! The hotel shuttle picked us up, and the moment we stepped off the plane, it hit us… hot, hot, HOT. After weeks in cool Alaska air, the temperature shift felt like walking into an oven.

    We were just thankful to be back on solid ground. We headed straight to the hotel and crashed hard. The kids turned on the TV and, fittingly, landed on an episode of Alaskan Bush People—one last little nod to the trip we had just wrapped up.

    The 3-hour time difference is definitely catching up to us now. But even in the sleepy haze, we’re just so grateful to be this close to home. Almost there. Hearts full, bodies tired, and memories still sinking in.
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  • And just like that… we’re home

    June 24 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 93 °F

    And so, after many miles and many memories, the journey came to an end.

    The road had taken them through mountains and meadows, across waters and sunlit valleys. We was able to see whales swimming, eagles soar, and trout splash in cold, clear streams. We stood in places where the world felt wide and still.

    There were early mornings, sleepy heads, bed hair, and giggles around the breakfast table. There were muddy boots, quiet hikes, and wildflowers standing tall. We had laughed over campfire meals, counted moose from bus windows, and built secret clubhouses with rocks and sticks and imagination.

    We met kind strangers who felt like old friends, and reconnected with faces they hadn’t seen in years.

    And then one morning, long before the sun was ready to rise, we packed our bags, zipped our jackets, and flew up into the sky—away from the land of light and mountains and back toward home.

    The air was warmer when we landed. The sky looked different. But our hearts were full.

    Alaska had left its mark—quiet and deep and lasting. It had become part of this familys story.

    And now, as suitcases seat half-unpacked and sleepy heads found familiar pillows again, we whispered a prayer of thanks.

    For the road that led us there.
    For the people who met us on it.
    And for the joy of coming home.
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    Trip end
    June 24, 2025