Discover Our Journey: From Vermont Roots to Global Adventures

From Vermont to the World: Our Family's Unique Journey

Growing up in Vermont, my life was deeply rooted in the traditions and landscapes of this beautiful state. With a family history stretching back seven generations, Vermont was not just a home but a heritage. As I ventured beyond its borders, I explored all 50 states and numerous countries, igniting a passion for travel. This journey took a new turn when my wife, Jules, joined the United States Army. Her career has taken us across the globe, transforming our travels into extraordinary adventures. Each new assignment brings a fresh set of experiences, allowing us to discover new cultures and landscapes. Our life is a tapestry of travels, woven with the threads of military life and family adventures.

Outdoor Adventures: Camping, Hiking, and Swimming

Naab River Rope Swing

Jul 13, 2020 | Hohenfels Swimming

If you're old enough you remember those Mountain Dew commercials where the 20 somethings swig their Mountain Dew while swinging into a body of water on a hot summer day, you'll appreciate this swimming spot on the Naab River. For those not familiar with the Naab, some...

Etterzhausen On The Naab

Jul 12, 2020 | Hohenfels Swimming

Just down the road from Kallmunz and before you get to Nittendorf is a swimming spot located in Etterzhausen on the Naab River. For those not familiar with the Naab, some days it's warm, some days it's chilly, and some days its off the coast of Maine chilly. I still...

Rothsee

Jul 1, 2020 | Hohenfels Swimming

Being a kid from Vermont I seek the water. I grew up swimming in lakes, ponds, swimming holes, brooks, rivers, streams, gorges, and quarries. Here in Hohenfels I'm looking for those same water opportunities for my children. That's why on a sunny day with temperatures...

Discover Your Next Adventure

Whether you are looking to head out the door for a morning adventure or your grabbing your passport and waving good-bye to America for a week or two, we’ve got destinations and Jay Peterman stories for you!

International Travel

USA Cross Country

Must-Visit Destinations

Scot Shumski Germany Bayern GERMANY

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Scot Shumski Virginia Mountain Hiking View VIRGINIA

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Scot Shumski Cliff Walk Newport Rhode Island Aquidneck Island AQUIDNECK ISLAND

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Latest Travel Stories

Day 8 ~ Tuesday ~ Independence Day ~ El Paso ~ Las Cruces ~ White Sands ~ Santa Fe

by Scot Shumski | July 7, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 0 Comments

Day 8. On the road again. But first a haircut. As I made my way to the hotel parking lot shirtless, Jules exited the building on her way back from her morning workout. What was I doing she asked. Giving myself a haircut of course. Well if I was going to do that, she...

Day 6 ~ Sunday ~ Carlsbad Caverns

by Scot Shumski | July 4, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 0 Comments

Day 6. Sunday. Not a day of rest. We knew it was going to be a long slog across Texas. We were leaving the Dallas Fort Worth area and headed for El Paso, the border town with not only Juarez Mexico but also with New Mexico. We were going to cross a large portion of...

Day 7 ~ Monday ~ Franklin Mountains State Park & El Paso

by Scot Shumski | July 3, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 2 Comments

Day 7. Full on cross country mode has set in. While eating lunch with the Babbs at Aurelia's Brewery, Hunter mentioned Monday and I stopped for a moment. Was it really a weekday and not a Saturday or Sunday? Yes, I've reached that point where days of the week are...

Day 5 ~ Saturday ~ Weatherford, Texas

by Scot Shumski | July 2, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 1 Comment

Day 5, life on the farm. No expectations for the day other than spending time on the farm with friends and relaxing. And that's exactly what we got. Acadia's favorite things were swimming and fishing in the pond though if pressed I imagine she would also agree that...

Day 4 ~ Friday ~ Washington Arkansas & Weatherford Texas

by Scot Shumski | July 2, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 1 Comment

Day 4 we awoke in the Washington, Arkansas jailhouse with no midnight tales of ghostly visits. However when our 'warden' Star arrived later with breakfast she regaled us with haunting stories she had personally experienced while working in the Inn. [gallery...

Day 3 ~ Thursday ~ Memphis, Hot Springs, & Jail

by Scot Shumski | July 2, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 1 Comment

After one day of rest Jules and I looked at each other and mutually agreed, let's kick this trip into overtime and get our mileage over 1,000 by day 3! And so we did. We knew we had a long way to go on Day 3 and boy did we pack it in--both planned and unplanned. First...

Day 2 ~ Wednesday ~ Rocket City Alabama

by Scot Shumski | July 1, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 1 Comment

Day 2. An opportunity NOT to drive (long distances). Unfortunately NOT an opportunity to sleep in as our thoughtful host and family member Dannah had bought tickets to the US Spaces and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. If we weren't able to sleep in, this would...

Day 1 ~ Tuesday ~ Huntsville Alabama

by Scot Shumski | June 29, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 0 Comments

Day 1. On Day 1 I awoke as I frequently have over these past two years as a spouse to a company commander--too early. I rolled over in bed at HiComm, children in another hotel room, only to see Jules in bed next to me, wide eyed and staring at me. Sheesh. I ask, "What...

Day 0 ~ Monday ~ Fort Gregg-Adams

by Scot Shumski | June 28, 2023 | Cross Country 2023, XCountry Travel | 0 Comments

How Many Miles Will We Log? Day 0 because Jules said the trip shouldn't start without us all together so rather than Day 1, we began on Day 0. Technically, all five members of the family made the same journey on Day 0. We just made it in two separate groups separated...

NFT Opportunities for Beginners

by Scot Shumski | December 27, 2021 | Blockchain NFT Crypto | 0 Comments

There I was in the summer of 2021. Having a casual conversation with my friend Chris when he subtly raised the issue of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are similar to their sibling, crypto currency, in that they are a unit of data stored on a blockchain. If this...