The Trip That Became a Turning Point

In 2023, I packed up my Chevy Traverse, loaded my tent, my dog Buster, my camera gear, and what felt like a million unanswered questions — and hit the road.

I didn’t know it at the time, but this 7,200-mile road trip over two and a half months would quietly change the course of my life. What began as an extended road trip turned into a season of confirmation, trust, resilience, and countless reminders that God was guiding every step.

This journey planted the seed that eventually led me to choose full-time travel, faith-centered living, and a life of listening closely to where God was leading next.

👉 If you’re new here, this trip is part of a bigger story:Why I Chose the Road: Faith, Healing, Travel, and Living the Life God Is Calling Me To

The journey started in McGregor, Minnesota, heading south with my son and his friend along for part of the adventure.

Our first major stop was Wisconsin Dells, where we spent a fun, carefree day at Noah’s Ark Waterpark. It was laughter, memories, and a reminder that sometimes joy is found in the simplest experiences.

From there, the boys were determined to visit Six Flags in Chicago, so they spent the day riding roller coasters while I explored the Field Museum. That night, we stayed at a campground on the outskirts of Chicago.

The plan was to spend the following day at the Shedd Aquarium, but the Lord had other ideas, one of the first lessons learned on the trip.

The next morning, both vehicles ended up with dead batteries — an unexpected setback that led to replacing them before we could continue. It was one of many reminders on this trip that flexibility would be essential.

Note: Charge your portable jackery charger while you're driving, not overnight. That way you won't drain your car battery at night...lesson learned!

Once back on the road, we headed south to Indiana, where we stayed with a friend for the night, shared dinner, and enjoyed spending time with her for her 70th birthday before moving on again.

From Indiana, we drove to Nashville, where we visited the Aquarium Restaurant before continuing south into southern Tennessee. I was also working on my Associates in Digital Photography on the trip. One of my school assignments was to create a video of a place I traveled to. Check out my YouTube video of the Aquarium Restaurant.

I took the long way down and drove through the 100 mile drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway. It was so fun stopping at all of the sights and points of interest. Buster had a blast checking them out too!

I stayed with an old friend and business colleague over the Fourth of July weekend in southern Tennessee, while my son and his friend spent time with family nearby. After a while, the boys headed back to Minnesota for work — and from that point on, the journey became a solo adventure with just me and Buster.

That shift marked a turning point in the trip.

Next came Missouri, where I stayed at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Campground. I hoped to spend more time exploring her museum and homestead, but I was dealing with computer issues — and I was also working on my associate’s degree in photography while on the road.

That urgency sent me rushing toward Kansas City for an Apple Store appointment. Along the way, I made brief stops at a tiger sanctuary, a creation museum & the famous Bass Pro Shop in Missouri!

I didn’t get the full experience at any of them — and while that felt disappointing at the time, it planted a desire to return someday and explore them more intentionally.

After getting my computer fixed, I headed to Milford State Park Campground and arrived just before sunset.

The campsite was perfect — midweek, quiet, and right on the lake. With no campers nearby, Buster was able to roam freely, and the lake came alive with fish jumping everywhere like sharks on mackerel.

I grabbed a brand-new retractable fishing pole that had been passed down to me after my stepdad passed away and hurried to get my line in the water. I caught the tail end of the frenzy, landing one striper that evening & another striper and an unidentified fish the next morning.

It was peaceful, grounding, and healing.

From there, I headed to Colorado, staying with my step-sister and then joining my step-family on a camping trip.

One afternoon, we were out on my step-brother’s pontoon boat when strong winds suddenly rolled in. The conditions became so dangerous that park rangers had to flag us down and force boats to dock along the shoreline. Another boat capsized nearby — a sobering moment that reminded us how quickly things can change.

That night, storms rolled through as we hunkered down in our tents, played cards, and waited it out.

After returning to their house, I planned to head out — but my car needed a new radiator, requiring a few extra days. I was reminded again why I had chosen tent camping instead of buying a camper before the trip — after months of research, I simply hadn’t felt peace about it yet.

Once my car was fixed, I drove through the Rocky Mountains, wishing I could stop at every breathtaking campsite along the way — but I was still on a timeline.

That night, I boondocked near a lake in Walden, North Park, where I captured a stunning sunset and took Buster kayaking the next morning. It was one of those moments where everything felt aligned.

From Colorado, I headed to Salt Lake City, where I attended a three-day Color Street conference and stayed with a cousin I had never met before, and a fellow military friend and her family.

On the way to the next destination on the trip, I stopped in a canyon to rest for the night...word of caution: don't sleep in a tent in a canyon! The winds got so high Buster and I had to stay on my bed holding the tent down nearly all night without hardly any sleep. The tent stakes came out and the whole time Buster & I on the air mattress were the only things holding the entire tent setup down. Even our bags & cooler were whipping around inside the tent. It was scary to say the least! The tent was just whipping over our heads to the left, right, all over the place. If I were to try getting in the car, the tent and all my equipment would've been gone. Lesson learned, don't ever sleep in a tent in a canyon!

Then came Reno, Nevada, visiting my mom and my best friend from high school. I even went camping with her family near Susanville, California, before finally making my way to the California coast.

This was Buster’s first time seeing the ocean, and he absolutely loved it — running the beaches, playing with other dogs, and soaking it all in. He even got about 10 feet from a sea lion hanging out on the beach. He was so curious but kept his distance. It was so cool getting to see the sea lion so close!

I also took him to the Sequoia Park Zoo, where he had a blast curiously watching the unusual animals he'd never saw before.

Near Klamath Falls, while walking Buster on the beach, my keys slipped off my pinky and disappeared into the ocean as a wave swept them away.

Within moments, my trip came to a halt.

I had to have my car towed just one mile to an overpriced campground, where I stayed four days waiting for my son to mail my spare key from home.

Another God moment unfolded when my insurance tried to charge me an outrageous towing fee — but the campground hosts allowed me to use their AAA, saving me hundreds of dollars. Apparently, it's not a quick trip for a tow company to make it up to the Redwoods.

God provided again.

One night, a bear walked past my tent, breathing heavily as he passed by. I wasn’t scared — just amazed. Everything was properly stored, and he caused no harm. It felt like another reminder of being held and protected.

After Klamath Falls, I stayed with a friend in Medford, Oregon, then headed to Crater Lake National Park, followed by several beautiful campgrounds where I captured some of my favorite photos of the trip.

Eventually, I made my way to Glacier National Park, driving Going-to-the-Sun Road. Fog obscured much of the mountains at first, and I felt disappointed — but as I descended, the fog lifted and revealed breathtaking views just in time.

That morning also included nine miles of construction and massive potholes, which caused a mysterious issue with my car that I never fully resolved.

At one point after leaving Glacier, I ran out of money and had to stay put at a campground for a few days until I got paid. I didn't mind it though. It allowed me to slow down and rest from packing and unpacking so much.

[Insert another God moment] While there, I met a couple visiting their daughter. When I mentioned I didn’t have food, the man — a pastor who does free auto repair for people in need — invited me over to look at my car.

His daughter gave me a bag of food, and his wife shared vegetables from their garden while letting me help pick them. Though the car issue remained, the provision, kindness, and timing were undeniable.

God showed up again.

After receiving a call about my 94-year-old great-great aunt falling & breaking ribs, the rest of the trip became more rushed. I passed through Montana, stayed one night with military friends in Minot, North Dakota, and finally headed home.

There were highs and lows, exhaustion and beauty, uncertainty and joy — but through it all, I felt God’s guidance, protection, and discernment.

I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

That trip confirmed something deep in my spirit:

God was leading me toward a life of travel, faith, and intentional living.

And here I am — answering that call.

Over 2.5 months on the road and over 7,200 miles driven, I learned quickly what made life easier, safer, and more comfortable. These were some of the most helpful essentials I brought — or wished I’d had sooner.

📷 Camera – to capture the quiet moments, landscapes, and memories along the way.

🛏️ Air mattress + 2” memory foam topper – made tent sleeping comfortable enough for long-term travel. I just rolled them up and used a strap to keep the roll together for easy setup & tear down.

🐕 Comfortable dog bed – helped Buster rest well and feel at home in new places.

⛺ Pop-up tent (1-minute setup) – quick, easy, and a lifesaver after long driving days. The 1 minute setup tents are an absolute game changer! So nice to have. I also got a waterproof tarp to put down first to protect the tent from getting unnecessary damage. Sturdy tent stakes were essential too...the flimsy ones most tents come with don't last long. Don't forget a hammer to get the stakes down otherwise you'll be searching for something to get the stakes down.

🍳 Portable stovetop – allowed me to cook simple meals and eat in a way that supported my body without having to eat out so often.

⚡ Portable Jackery Charger - allowed me to air up my air mattress and charge my phone, laptop & essentials while I was hanging out in the tent.

🔋 Portable battery starter & air compressor combo – peace of mind for unexpected dead batteries & low air in your tires.

🧰 Basic car tools – flashlight, roadside emergency kit, first aid kit and a basic car tool kit.

🚿  Joolca HOTTAP Nomad Kit - allows you to get instant hot water just tapping it into any river, lake or ocean...take showers, do dishes, all the things!

You don’t need everything to start — but having these few reliable essentials made the long road trip far more enjoyable and sustainable, especially when it was a LOT of loading and unloading!

There are so many places I can’t wait to return to — places I rushed through, places I haven’t yet seen, and countless experiences still waiting.

✨ Stay tuned.

📸 And be sure to explore my photo galleries — many of the images you see throughout this site were captured along this road trip.

My Challenge to YOU: Go somewhere new, heal the way God designed, and give Him all the glory in all you do.

About Sharla

Hi, I'm Sharla—a veteran, traveler, empty nester, dog mom to Buster, and follower of Jesus. Through Sharla's Wanderlust Adventures, I share faith-filled travel experiences, Christian retreats, natural wellness, Bible studies, and the lessons God teaches me along the journey.

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