the trip that changed everything
We’re the Storms, a family of five who sold our home, packed up our life, and hit the road to chase freedom and adventure. After building our online businesses, we realized the real dream wasn’t more stuff, it was more living.
Now we travel full time, exploring national parks, small towns, and hidden gems across the world while showing that freedom, family, and adventure are always worth it.
finding magic in the mountains
Exploring the Wild Beauty of the Wichita Mountains
You ever have a moment where life feels like it’s quietly nudging you toward something bigger?
That’s exactly what our family trip to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma became — the trip that started it all.
What began as a spontaneous opportunity turned into a defining chapter in our story.
We were selected for a family photography model call in the Wichita Mountains, and without hesitation, we said yes. It felt like an adventure waiting for us. We packed up as soon as the girls finished school, loaded the car, and hit the road for what would become one of the most magical and eye-opening trips of our lives.
Camping, Hiking, and
Our First Real Taste of Freedom
From the moment we arrived, the Wichita Mountains greeted us with golden light, wide open skies, and a sense of calm we didn’t even realize we’d been craving.
We camped beneath the stars, cooked our meals over a crackling campfire, and spent every day exploring the trails, wildlife, and hidden gems tucked within this incredible refuge.
We hiked down to the Forty Foot Hole, wandered through Medicine Park (the most charming little town straight out of a storybook), and followed local recommendations to a tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served the best comfort food we’ve ever had.
The Wichita Mountains are known for their rugged beauty — granite peaks, endless views, and wildlife everywhere you turn. We saw tarantulas, rattlesnakes, buffalo, longhorn cattle, prairie dogs, and more insects than we could count. It was wild, breathtaking, and exactly the kind of adventure our hearts had been missing.
The Photo Session That Became an Adventure of Its Own
We went for family photos and ended up with an entire story. During our shoot, we came across a rattlesnake on the trail, heard coyotes howling in the distance, watched a herd of buffalo wander close, and even had a minor cactus mishap (sorry, Emmie! of course it was Emmie).
But despite the chaos, there was this overwhelming peace. We watched the sunset that night — glowing pink and gold over the mountains — and both knew, deep down, something had shifted.
The Moment Everything Changed
That trip reminded us how fleeting time is with our girls. How easy it is to get caught up in routines, responsibilities, and “somedays.”
Somewhere between the hikes, the laughter, and the quiet nights by the fire, we realized that living wasn’t something we wanted to keep putting off.
We wanted to see the world together now — not later.
What we didn’t know at the time was that this trip would be the spark that led us to sell our home, downsize everything we owned, and start preparing for full-time travel as a family.
It wasn’t an overnight decision. There was back-and-forth, plenty of doubt, and a lot of “can we really do this?” moments. But deep down, I think we both knew, this was it. The Wichita Mountains were where our new story began.
Why the Wichita Mountains Will Always Be Special to Us
This wasn’t just another trip. It was the reminder we needed that time is the most valuable thing we have — and how we spend it matters.
The Wichita Mountains showed us what it means to be present, to live with intention, and to make space for the kind of memories that shape your life forever.
If you’re looking for a place that blends natural beauty, adventure, and family connection, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a must-visit.
It’s where our family found freedom, peace, and the courage to start building a life that truly feels like ours.
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