"Your kids still want to be around you . . . in their adult years, even when they don't have to. . . . and feel the same way about their siblings." Great goal!
Loved the video and the message! I was a very young father who found himself a very young single father by the age of 20. Along with the help from my amazing parents and sister, I successfully raised 4 kids well into adulthood. Along the way, I found an amazing woman who I am proud to call my wife and we've added two additional kids to this mix. Yesterday (Father's day), we ALL went to the Zoo along with SO's, kids/grandkids, and other family members. This week, we are all headed to our 10th Annual Family Camping event which is in the Badlands of SD this year. I made many mistakes along the way and have have some regrets, but my kids seem to still want to be around me and we have some wonderful experiences as a family. I believe they understand that I've always tried to do my best - whether they agreed with it or not. Being a dad is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am always trying to do better and make my kids proud. Hats off to everyone out there that have been dad or a father figure in someone's life - even if you were also the mother.
Nathan Happy Father’s Day! Thank you for being a very good example of being a Dad! Your kiddos are very fortunate! Keep up the GREAT job you BOTH are doing at raising awesome kiddos! 😘🖖🏻👍🏻🙏🏻
When you arrive in the Youth of Old Age, your Old Age of Youth fears dissolve in the reality of a Life Well Lived. Had a dream last night of being compelled to fly home with cloudy/scud and not being qualified to fly by instruments.
What an emotional several minutes, praying for that precious family in their time of grief, and ending up grinning from ear to ear as both my kiddos love spending time with each other and with me (aged 21 and 18)!! Happy Father's Day!!
We tent camped for many, many years. Before the newer tents with removable flies. Even on hot summer days, the nights get chilly. Keep the fly on your tent to keep some warmth in there. We may start without sleeping in our sleeping bag, but we always end up zipping ourselves inside. Also, change into completely different clothes (including socks and underware) before getting into the sleeping bag. They are dry and have no moisture to make you cold. We also carry a few of those hand warmer packs, squeeze and get activated, and put inside the foot of the sleeping bag. Feels wonderful!
Marissa, if you slept in the same clothes that you wore the day before, you will be cold. You MUST change into different clothes. You can wear the same thing each night, but you have to change out of your day clothes. This was something I learned from my Vietnam vet, extreme outdoorsman late husband. Didn't believe him at first, but I learned from first trip in late fall. So I always made sure I had some kind of night wear, whether sweats or pj's and it kept me warm on tent camping trips
You all have the best kids in the world, they adore you, and love when they have special time with dad. You all are always going on adventures and doing incredible things with your kids. I know that you all will make this adventure amazing as all the others you all have been on.
Yep, that sums it up, if you kids still like to be with their mom and dad as adults you did something right as parents. Happy Father’s Day, great video, great experience on the trail!
Greatest title I’ve ever had is dad. A solid tie with Papap. Being a dad after God’s heart is what drives me. Being a grandpa is a gift. My kids are older but no less joyous to hear ‘dad I love you’. Enjoy the days because they grow fast. I got my win-my babies are 28+ and want to come spend rv journeys with us. We love being together and the kids, though in different areas and cities still hang out on FaceTime and when they are together
Hello there. Your kids want to be with you guys. They will remember the good times they had growing up. They will always be around when they are grown up. We took our kids everywhere we went. . Enjoy your time together very important. Thanks for taking us along with you everywhere you go Take care God bless you guys. Happy Father's day 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺👨👩👦👨👩👦👨👩👦
Hiking is amazing. Going on your hike as it shift, amazing. Go family. Time for family HIKING Shoes. Close toed hiking shoes. With amazing socks. Go family. 😊
Such a sweet video. Raising kids to want to hang out with each other when they are older is the best goal! We worked such long hours as our kids were growing up. 😢. We thankfully have a great relationship with them both but now the grandkids!! We want to be the enjoy life not the buy everything grandparents. Thanks for reminding us of the lifelong benefits of God’s plan for family relationships ❤❤
A friend of our family when I was growing up, way back last century, used to say, you raise your kids to get rid of them. Not that they never want to see you again, but so they have the skills and desire to get out on their own and make their own way in the world. I've always thought that was great advice. From the time I was a sophomore in college I spent a grand sum of 3 or 4 months living at my parents, just after I graduated college and got my first job. After that I've been on my own, and that's a good thing. Happy Fathers' Day Nathan! I'm pretty sure you're a good dad. Keep the good stuff coming guys and give the kids a hug for me.
Kids are the best and they love who ever takes care of them. They love even more when they are showed love and your kids are beyond loved. An idea for one show would to give your kids each a camera and let them take their photos, for us to look through their eyes. So fun to see my sons photos and see what he sees. Happy Father's Day from a single mother doing her best for her son.
Marissa, I am so like you. I have worked at the educational rep for the Nature center in the state park near me. I am so NOT a naturalist. I love nature, the trees, the birds, the flowers... but the spider webs in my face as I walk in the woods, the snake that lives near the path, the BATS! OMG. I have learned to endure so much more. This winter I will concur the fear of bats and amphibians. I will be working on lessons on these and learn more about them myself. You guys did great on that hike! The kids are awesome!
TOES .... I did that to my toes when I hiked up a volcano in Guatemala. All of my toenails fell off, but it's ok I got fresh new ones lol. It happened due to the trauma of your toes hitting the shoe constantly when hiking a decline/incline. Sometimes it's due to not having shoes that fit correctly. Some people wrap their feet. It's important to cut the nails extremely short pre-hike in attempt to avoid this.
Loved this vlog and totally agree with you on the importance of building a strong relationship with your kids. That’s something I didn’t have growing up with my mom, but did have somewhat with my dad…just didn’t get to see or spend time with him much. You both are good parents, and it shows in your kids and how they interact with you, each other, others, and the world around them. JJ totally loves you more than the pine cones 😂 - he just may not be able to always express it as much yet…especially when engaged in the moment of being immersed in such a beautiful place with all sorts of cool nature things such as pinecones all around him. Keep doing the spontaneous, challenging things…it’s creating so much life experiences and memories, and teaching them more than they would ever learn in a classroom. 😊. Will be praying for Lindsey and her family.
We have changed a ton since moving into an RV and traveling with our kids. We have conquered fears, we have learned how to parent differently, we have learned how to love each other differently and I have seen my husband flourish as a Dad since going full-time. We love following you and Nathan's journey and showing us that this lifestyle is something people can do.
Oh, Marissa you are not alone in your fear of snakes and nightmares about them, they terrify me! I still go hiking and camping though. My parents always knew growing up when I found a snake because I'd scream so you'd think someone was trying to kill me. (I'm still like that) I am very nervous traveling or moving south because of them and extremely weary when traveling to other states with more dangerous snakes. I just pray and pray we don't encounter them. It's great the kids love doing the outdoors things with you guys. I love it when my boy requests to go camping for his birthday! All the best to you!
I had the same toes. A friend told me to soak them in white vinegar for a hour a couple times a week. Saw a big improvement after one week. now my toe nails are growing again. Give it a try I'm not a doctor but it worked for me and my wife. Being a DAD is one of the greatest things . Enjoy them they grow up fast. Long time follower enjoy all videos.
I would love to have been a fly on the wall when you two had the conversation about this video what to leave in and what to edit out. You two have nothing to worry about all the adventures you're going on your kids will love you forever. 😍
So glad you took JJ with you. He is old enough to know how much fun he had camping with his family. Thank you for sharing your father's day with us. Praying for Lindsey and the family.
I felt like my younger brother and I had good parents. But sadly my brother drifted away and things were never the same. A similar thing happened with my husband's son. We don't hear from him anymore. I like the idea of y'all telling the kids they need to be friends for life. I really hope it sticks. I never thought that misunderstandings or anything would cause a rift like this.
Happy Father's dayNathan... you are both doing great ..🙏🙏🙏 for Lindsey's loss of her father... especially on this day.. a extended family friend lost her father this week too... love that you are teaching your children about God and nature❤
From everything that you and Marissa have shared with us on the Vlog, these many years, you are an incredible father, and incredible husband, and a great person. Thank you for sharing all the wisdom that you do with all of us.
Those are memories that will be remembered for a lifetime by your kids, even when, one day, you are gone. My fondest memories are when my family did al sorts of trips. One even in a pickup truck with a cap and 5 people sleeping in home made beds (my dad made) in the bed of the truck. Embrace it, Nathan.
Awww so sad for Linsey I believe you said. Her family are in my prayers. Marissa I’ve never dreamt of snakes I have dreamt over and over again that I am flying and can’t land. Ouch on your toes. I had to have my big toenails taken off. Btw Nathan I think you are rocking being a Daddy! I never would’ve of thought the rolling hills were in Tennessee. So thank you for introducing me. Happy Father’s Day, Nathan!
Happy Father's Day. And yes Tennessee rocks! I'm from Tennessee also down towards Chattanooga I grew up in Polk County Tennessee. Where the whitewater rafting is at the Ocoee River.
We love the Virgin Falls hike! My husband and I have done this trip overnight twice. You guys are so brave taking your kids. Really inspiring! Sleeping by the waterfall is dreamy.
Love so much of the sentiment in this video. We are not an rv family but we aren’t parenting our children similarly. Our kids attend a school that is part in school and part homeschool which is great because we are both full time working parents but we still have this time together and when the kids are in school they are together despite having big age gaps. Our kids love and play together which matters so more to us than anything! We tell them always that they have a forever best friend in each other!
You two hit the nail on the head !! Nothing more important in life than having time with family ! Kids grow so fast, my husband and I are extremely wealthy, and it has nothing to do with money 😊 You've done incredibly well ❤❤❤
Nathan, Happy Father's Day!!!! You both are great parents😮So many parents are climbing the corporate ladder and don't have much time for their children. I'm a firm believer that at least one parent should be home. You have no idea what you are doing for your kids. Congratulations on such a wonderful life!!!
Happy Father's Day Nathan! You're a great Father, Dad and Daddy. You can still be all three even when your child is far into adulthood. I still called my Father "Daddy" most of the time until the day he died at 92 when I was 53. Prayers sent to Lindsey and her family in this very hard time.
19:02 When you shared how amazing your husband is as a dad, I got teary-eyed. It is great to hear. It moved me to tears because I believe I would be an amazing dad, too, but I don't know if I'll ever get the opportunity to be one. :'(
Pretty sure that was a brownsnake or an smooth earthsnake. Was hoping for a tighter and more clear zoom. Was absent some of the distinctive copperhead markings. Glad the snake was moved from the trail so he could go on about his life and everyone else as well. I have never done that Virgin Falls hike. Usually hiking to the bottom of Fall Creek Falls is about all I wanted to sweat out in the Summer visits out there.
I had a similar experience when in 6th grade my parents took us to Independence, CA for a hike through part of the John Muir trail. As a Boy Scout, I enjoyed shopping for gear at the local "war surplus" shop. My parents grew up on farms in Iowa so they hired a mule to carry our gear. The overall experience was a beautiful memory and made me aware of how lucky I was to have such good parents. PS my dad became the Chief Scientist at Edwards Air Force Base..
I agree. I’m petrified of snakes. Don’t even like to touch pictures of them. But the reward for overcoming your fears… ❤️ And my other thing is wind. Tornadoes. Lightening doesn’t bother me, but I hate wind. I’m proud of you! You are an inspiration.
I'm right there with you concerning your snake and lightning fears. I HATE SNAKES....ALL SNAKES and my brother was struck by lightning when I was young. He survived but I've never forgotten it. Yep, dreams too. You're not alone.
Great episode. I know you are a great Dad and person. Good Job on backpacking . Did that in 1972 in Olympic national park as a SCA volunteer. We we will be at Rock Island State Park in July for our adventure.
Loved this video especially the ending😂😂❤️❤️❤️. I am with you on the snakes. We live in Ontario Canada and we don’t have venomous snakes but that doesn’t mean that I don’t scream when I see a snake slithering along the path when we’re hiking. I am 60 years old and the fear is still there lol. 🐍
Nathan you don’t have to feel bad about your toes. My toes were bad too after I kept stubbing my big toes. I just lost a nail on my toe and grew it back and then stubbed the same toe and the nail is growing back again. Hopefully I’m done stubbing my toes. Lol! Glad you made it to camp and I too am afraid of snakes.
Happy Fathers Day, Nathan! You are an awesome father and making lifetime memories that JJ and Kinsley will never forgot. I just told my Dad yesterday how my best memories of us were the yearly summer RV trips seeing every state. This video brought tears to my eyes lol.. ❤❤❤❤
OMG! First off, Happy Father's Day, Nathan. Secondly, we are raising our kids(14 & 18) in the same vein as you. The four of us are a team and we can only make each other better, stronger and smarter together. Thirdly, Marissa, you are such a trooper! And we have so enjoyed the authenticity of 'all' of the Marissa's... through all the challenges, learning, and growth. You rock!
If you guys ever do an RV meetup in the Cookeville area, let us know! We aren't RVers yet, but it would be great to meet you guys and learn what we could.
We have 6 kids spread out over 12 years. I think you both are spot on about this parenting gig -- nurturing relationships between parent to child and sibling to sibling takes intentionality, time, and work. We've been parenting for 20 years and the 2 keys to this is 1. Include your children in your activities when they are little - even when they are "too little" to do them. And 2. when they become teens learn and do the things they are interested in. If you are lucky they will be the same.
Brave to take a 9 year old and a 4 year old on a hike like that. Even worse, taking a wife who is doing a “cleanse?” Good grief Charlie Brown!! I’ve never dreamed of either. In fact I’ve never remembered my dreams except for one in my whole life! The kids did great. Prayers for Lindsey and her family. I wish I could agree with your theory about camping. Unfortunately that only works if the other party is even remotely interested and cooperates with the plan. Some folks absolutely refuse to join in and take a chance on the experience. When that happens you just have to throw in the towel and sell the RV. I’m trying to get up the nerve to sell mine. Getting rid of it means throwing away what I hoped would be such a great togetherness experience. In 46 years of marriage there wasn’t much of that. Happy Fathers Day Nathan. And to all the dads out there who are trying. As long as you are still in the game you’ll do ok!
"Your kids still want to be around you . . . in their adult years, even when they don't have to. . . . and feel the same way about their siblings." Great goal!
A family that desires to spend time together ❤️
Prayers for Lindsey and her family. Happy Fathers day, you're both super parents Hensley and JJ did amazing on that hike well done.❤🇬🇧
Loved the video and the message! I was a very young father who found himself a very young single father by the age of 20. Along with the help from my amazing parents and sister, I successfully raised 4 kids well into adulthood. Along the way, I found an amazing woman who I am proud to call my wife and we've added two additional kids to this mix. Yesterday (Father's day), we ALL went to the Zoo along with SO's, kids/grandkids, and other family members. This week, we are all headed to our 10th Annual Family Camping event which is in the Badlands of SD this year. I made many mistakes along the way and have have some regrets, but my kids seem to still want to be around me and we have some wonderful experiences as a family. I believe they understand that I've always tried to do my best - whether they agreed with it or not. Being a dad is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I am always trying to do better and make my kids proud. Hats off to everyone out there that have been dad or a father figure in someone's life - even if you were also the mother.
Thank you so much.
That was such a sweet episode! Marissa's tribute to Nathan is precious! ❤ I hope Nathan had a great Father's Day!
Nathan Happy Father’s Day! Thank you for being a very good example of being a Dad! Your kiddos are very fortunate! Keep up the GREAT job you BOTH are doing at raising awesome kiddos! 😘🖖🏻👍🏻🙏🏻
Thanks so much
When you arrive in the Youth of Old Age, your Old Age of Youth fears dissolve in the reality of a Life Well Lived. Had a dream last night of being compelled to fly home with cloudy/scud and not being qualified to fly by instruments.
Happy Father's Day. Your kids are living their best lives.
What an emotional several minutes, praying for that precious family in their time of grief, and ending up grinning from ear to ear as both my kiddos love spending time with each other and with me (aged 21 and 18)!! Happy Father's Day!!
We tent camped for many, many years. Before the newer tents with removable flies. Even on hot summer days, the nights get chilly. Keep the fly on your tent to keep some warmth in there. We may start without sleeping in our sleeping bag, but we always end up zipping ourselves inside. Also, change into completely different clothes (including socks and underware) before getting into the sleeping bag. They are dry and have no moisture to make you cold. We also carry a few of those hand warmer packs, squeeze and get activated, and put inside the foot of the sleeping bag. Feels wonderful!
Marissa, if you slept in the same clothes that you wore the day before, you will be cold. You MUST change into different clothes. You can wear the same thing each night, but you have to change out of your day clothes. This was something I learned from my Vietnam vet, extreme outdoorsman late husband. Didn't believe him at first, but I learned from first trip in late fall. So I always made sure I had some kind of night wear, whether sweats or pj's and it kept me warm on tent camping trips
Good tip, thank you.
You all have the best kids in the world, they adore you, and love when they have special time with dad. You all are always going on adventures and doing incredible things with your kids. I know that you all will make this adventure amazing as all the others you all have been on.
Thank you so much!
Yep, that sums it up, if you kids still like to be with their mom and dad as adults you did something right as parents. Happy Father’s Day, great video, great experience on the trail!
Being Dad is great Being called Papa is a whole new thing
Praying for Lindsay and her family. You have a special bond with your children.
❤❤❤
Greatest title I’ve ever had is dad. A solid tie with Papap. Being a dad after God’s heart is what drives me. Being a grandpa is a gift. My kids are older but no less joyous to hear ‘dad I love you’. Enjoy the days because they grow fast.
I got my win-my babies are 28+ and want to come spend rv journeys with us. We love being together and the kids, though in different areas and cities still hang out on FaceTime and when they are together
Hello there. Your kids want to be with you guys. They will remember the good times they had growing up. They will always be around when they are grown up. We took our kids everywhere we went. . Enjoy your time together very important. Thanks for taking us along with you everywhere you go Take care God bless you guys. Happy Father's day 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺👨👩👦👨👩👦👨👩👦
Thank you.
Hiking is amazing. Going on your hike as it shift, amazing. Go family. Time for family HIKING Shoes. Close toed hiking shoes. With amazing socks. Go family. 😊
Such a sweet video. Raising kids to want to hang out with each other when they are older is the best goal! We worked such long hours as our kids were growing up. 😢. We thankfully have a great relationship with them both but now the grandkids!! We want to be the enjoy life not the buy everything grandparents. Thanks for reminding us of the lifelong benefits of God’s plan for family relationships ❤❤
A friend of our family when I was growing up, way back last century, used to say, you raise your kids to get rid of them. Not that they never want to see you again, but so they have the skills and desire to get out on their own and make their own way in the world. I've always thought that was great advice. From the time I was a sophomore in college I spent a grand sum of 3 or 4 months living at my parents, just after I graduated college and got my first job. After that I've been on my own, and that's a good thing. Happy Fathers' Day Nathan! I'm pretty sure you're a good dad. Keep the good stuff coming guys and give the kids a hug for me.
Thank you.
Kids are the best and they love who ever takes care of them. They love even more when they are showed love and your kids are beyond loved. An idea for one show would to give your kids each a camera and let them take their photos, for us to look through their eyes. So fun to see my sons photos and see what he sees. Happy Father's Day from a single mother doing her best for her son.
Marissa, I am so like you. I have worked at the educational rep for the Nature center in the state park near me. I am so NOT a naturalist. I love nature, the trees, the birds, the flowers... but the spider webs in my face as I walk in the woods, the snake that lives near the path, the BATS! OMG. I have learned to endure so much more. This winter I will concur the fear of bats and amphibians. I will be working on lessons on these and learn more about them myself. You guys did great on that hike! The kids are awesome!
Have not read the book but love to hear Andy Stanley preach and his messages are so right on!
You are doing everything right! Your kids are incredible. They will be friends for life and always revere and cherish you two❤❤❤❤
Thank you.
TOES .... I did that to my toes when I hiked up a volcano in Guatemala. All of my toenails fell off, but it's ok I got fresh new ones lol. It happened due to the trauma of your toes hitting the shoe constantly when hiking a decline/incline. Sometimes it's due to not having shoes that fit correctly. Some people wrap their feet. It's important to cut the nails extremely short pre-hike in attempt to avoid this.
Yes the decline of the Grand Canyon was a bit much.
Loved this vlog and totally agree with you on the importance of building a strong relationship with your kids. That’s something I didn’t have growing up with my mom, but did have somewhat with my dad…just didn’t get to see or spend time with him much. You both are good parents, and it shows in your kids and how they interact with you, each other, others, and the world around them. JJ totally loves you more than the pine cones 😂 - he just may not be able to always express it as much yet…especially when engaged in the moment of being immersed in such a beautiful place with all sorts of cool nature things such as pinecones all around him. Keep doing the spontaneous, challenging things…it’s creating so much life experiences and memories, and teaching them more than they would ever learn in a classroom. 😊. Will be praying for Lindsey and her family.
Thank you so much.
We have changed a ton since moving into an RV and traveling with our kids. We have conquered fears, we have learned how to parent differently, we have learned how to love each other differently and I have seen my husband flourish as a Dad since going full-time. We love following you and Nathan's journey and showing us that this lifestyle is something people can do.
Happy Father's day to you. Have a blessed day. 😎😊🌈😇👍💕
Oh, Marissa you are not alone in your fear of snakes and nightmares about them, they terrify me! I still go hiking and camping though. My parents always knew growing up when I found a snake because I'd scream so you'd think someone was trying to kill me. (I'm still like that) I am very nervous traveling or moving south because of them and extremely weary when traveling to other states with more dangerous snakes. I just pray and pray we don't encounter them. It's great the kids love doing the outdoors things with you guys. I love it when my boy requests to go camping for his birthday! All the best to you!
Thank you so much.
You guys are are ONE when you're all together.❤ Prayers to you all. Take care of your toes Nathan. Happy Father's Day.
Happy Father's Day Nathan from a guy that is not a step Dad, I'm a Dad that stepped up.
I had the same toes. A friend told me to soak them in white vinegar for a hour a couple times a week. Saw a big improvement after one week. now my toe nails are growing again. Give it a try I'm not a doctor but it worked for me and my wife. Being a DAD is one of the greatest things . Enjoy them they grow up fast. Long time follower enjoy all videos.
I think this is the best video you guys have ever made. I so enjoy you and your family ❤
That is very nice, thank you.
I live in Lebanon and did this trip with my brother six years ago. Awesome overnighter!
It really is!
I would love to have been a fly on the wall when you two had the conversation about this video what to leave in and what to edit out. You two have nothing to worry about all the adventures you're going on your kids will love you forever. 😍
So glad you took JJ with you. He is old enough to know how much fun he had camping with his family. Thank you for sharing your father's day with us. Praying for Lindsey and the family.
Thank you.
And I thought I had bad toes 😮. Happy Fathers Day Nathan! There’s nothing better than hearing your child tell you that they love you 🥰.
One of your best-ever, guys! 🎉🎉
May the true Father continue to bless your travels. Keep going!
Thanks! ❤️❤️❤️
I loved the video, ya'll are teaching your children about so many things.
Yall are awesome parents.
Joejoe has matured so much.
Yall are so sweet!
Awesome all of you great video Tennessee looks beautiful 😊
You're a trooper Marissa! You are so right that one of the biggest benefits of that type of lifestyle is getting over your fears.
Thank you.
You guys are amazing parents. I’m amazed how much the kids have grown since I have been following you guy. ❤️
Happy Fathers Day Nathan!
Thank you.
I felt like my younger brother and I had good parents. But sadly my brother drifted away and things were never the same. A similar thing happened with my husband's son. We don't hear from him anymore. I like the idea of y'all telling the kids they need to be friends for life. I really hope it sticks. I never thought that misunderstandings or anything would cause a rift like this.
Happy Father's dayNathan... you are both doing great ..🙏🙏🙏 for Lindsey's loss of her father... especially on this day.. a extended family friend lost her father this week too... love that you are teaching your children about God and nature❤
Thank you ❤
From everything that you and Marissa have shared with us on the Vlog, these many years, you are an incredible father, and incredible husband, and a great person. Thank you for sharing all the wisdom that you do with all of us.
Thank you so much!
Those are memories that will be remembered for a lifetime by your kids, even when, one day, you are gone. My fondest memories are when my family did al sorts of trips. One even in a pickup truck with a cap and 5 people sleeping in home made beds (my dad made) in the bed of the truck. Embrace it, Nathan.
Awww so sad for Linsey I believe you said. Her family are in my prayers. Marissa I’ve never dreamt of snakes I have dreamt over and over again that I am flying and can’t land. Ouch on your toes. I had to have my big toenails taken off. Btw Nathan I think you are rocking being a Daddy! I never would’ve of thought the rolling hills were in Tennessee. So thank you for introducing me. Happy Father’s Day, Nathan!
Thank you, yes eastern Tennessee has a lot of rolling hills.
Happy Father's Day. And yes Tennessee rocks! I'm from Tennessee also down towards Chattanooga I grew up in Polk County Tennessee. Where the whitewater rafting is at the Ocoee River.
We love the Virgin Falls hike! My husband and I have done this trip overnight twice. You guys are so brave taking your kids. Really inspiring! Sleeping by the waterfall is dreamy.
Thank you.
Love so much of the sentiment in this video. We are not an rv family but we aren’t parenting our children similarly. Our kids attend a school that is part in school and part homeschool which is great because we are both full time working parents but we still have this time together and when the kids are in school they are together despite having big age gaps. Our kids love and play together which matters so more to us than anything! We tell them always that they have a forever best friend in each other!
Love that!
Beautiful family, amazing outlook and healthy goals! Be blessed.
You two hit the nail on the head !! Nothing more important in life than having time with family ! Kids grow so fast, my husband and I are extremely wealthy, and it has nothing to do with money 😊 You've done incredibly well ❤❤❤
Thank you so much.
For fathers day I am making kielbasa, peppers and rice.
Yum! 😀😀😀
Nathan, Happy Father's Day!!!! You both are great parents😮So many parents are climbing the corporate ladder and don't have much time for their children. I'm a firm believer that at least one parent should be home. You have no idea what you are doing for your kids. Congratulations on such a wonderful life!!!
Thank you.
Happy Father's Day Nathan! You're a great Father, Dad and Daddy. You can still be all three even when your child is far into adulthood. I still called my Father "Daddy" most of the time until the day he died at 92 when I was 53.
Prayers sent to Lindsey and her family in this very hard time.
Happy Father’s Day Nathan! You are a great dad. This was a special video.
Aww thanks so much ❤️❤️❤️
Happy Fathers Day Nathan!!
Sorry to hear your plans were interrupted but ,I'm happy you were able to work it out and I'm hope you have a great time with your family.
Thank you!
Happy Fathers Day !! Such a sweet sweet family !! 😀😀😀😀
Happy Father's Day to you all. JJ sure is a talker. Have you guys ever
Been to a place twice but in different
Time of the year.
Sure, we have been to Alaska in the summer and the winter. We have also visited other places as well. 😀
19:02 When you shared how amazing your husband is as a dad, I got teary-eyed. It is great to hear. It moved me to tears because I believe I would be an amazing dad, too, but I don't know if I'll ever get the opportunity to be one. :'(
Thank you and best wishes to you.
Pretty sure that was a brownsnake or an smooth earthsnake. Was hoping for a tighter and more clear zoom. Was absent some of the distinctive copperhead markings. Glad the snake was moved from the trail so he could go on about his life and everyone else as well.
I have never done that Virgin Falls hike.
Usually hiking to the bottom of Fall Creek Falls is about all I wanted to sweat out in the Summer visits out there.
I had a similar experience when in 6th grade my parents took us to Independence, CA for a hike through part of the John Muir trail. As a Boy Scout, I enjoyed shopping for gear at the local "war surplus" shop. My parents grew up on farms in Iowa so they hired a mule to carry our gear. The overall experience was a beautiful memory and made me aware of how lucky I was to have such good parents. PS my dad became the Chief Scientist at Edwards Air Force Base..
Thank you for sharing.
Happy Father's day! What a great trip.
Thanks so much
I agree. I’m petrified of snakes. Don’t even like to touch pictures of them. But the reward for overcoming your fears… ❤️ And my other thing is wind. Tornadoes. Lightening doesn’t bother me, but I hate wind. I’m proud of you! You are an inspiration.
Some of my favorite memories as a kid were family camping adventures!
Best video of your channel so far! Lots of good laughs! Thank you, we all needed that!
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.
I SO Miss hearing my sons say “I Love You” the youngest is 37!
I'm right there with you concerning your snake and lightning fears. I HATE SNAKES....ALL SNAKES and my brother was struck by lightning when I was young. He survived but I've never forgotten it. Yep, dreams too. You're not alone.
Happy Father’s Day’s!
Happy Father's Day Nathan
Bravo, Nathan!
Happy Father's Day!
Happy Father’s Day Nathan, praying for Lindsey and her family
Thank you.
Can’t imagine a better Daddy than you Nathan! ❤
That is very nice, thank you.
Great episode. I know you are a great Dad and person. Good Job on backpacking . Did that in 1972 in Olympic national park as a SCA volunteer. We we will be at Rock Island State Park in July for our adventure.
Awesome
Loved this video especially the ending😂😂❤️❤️❤️. I am with you on the snakes. We live in Ontario Canada and we don’t have venomous snakes but that doesn’t mean that I don’t scream when I see a snake slithering along the path when we’re hiking. I am 60 years old and the fear is still there lol. 🐍
Happy Fathers day..... ❤
Happy Father’s Day Nathan.
Great video filled with nature and beauty, family and love, and great insights and knowledge. Good job guys.
Thanks so much!
It also looks like where we live here in north central Arkansas
🥰Love this!!! You guys are sweet souls. Thank you for sharing your journey!!
Thank you so much!!
I just love watching your family!
You are so kin, thank you.
Nathan you don’t have to feel bad about your toes. My toes were bad too after I kept stubbing my big toes. I just lost a nail on my toe and grew it back and then stubbed the same toe and the nail is growing back again. Hopefully I’m done stubbing my toes. Lol! Glad you made it to camp and I too am afraid of snakes.
Happy Fathers Day, Nathan! You are an awesome father and making lifetime memories that JJ and Kinsley will never forgot. I just told my Dad yesterday how my best memories of us were the yearly summer RV trips seeing every state. This video brought tears to my eyes lol.. ❤❤❤❤
Thanks so much!
Omg Hensley is growing up so fast
Happy Father's Day Nathan! That is a great challenge! Uncomfortable brings people closer.
So enjoyed this video! Happy Fathers Day Nathan.
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.
Happy Father's day 🎉
OMG! First off, Happy Father's Day, Nathan.
Secondly, we are raising our kids(14 & 18) in the same vein as you. The four of us are a team and we can only make each other better, stronger and smarter together.
Thirdly, Marissa, you are such a trooper! And we have so enjoyed the authenticity of 'all' of the Marissa's... through all the challenges, learning, and growth. You rock!
Thank you.
Happy Fathers Day. Nathan you are a great dad, I think both of you are fantastic parents ❤
Thank you ❤
If you guys ever do an RV meetup in the Cookeville area, let us know! We aren't RVers yet, but it would be great to meet you guys and learn what we could.
Will do.
You are so good with your children. Congratulations. Happy Father’s Day
Thanks so much
Great thoughts, great parents, wonderful children! Sending you all virtual hugs from New Jersey!
Thank you 😀
Praying for Lindsey and the family. 🙏🙏🙏
Happy Father's Day to Nathan and all dads!
Interesting choice of hiking shoes! 😅. No wonder Nathan’s toes look like they do! Lol ❤. Happy Father’s Day, Nathan!
Thanks so much
I agree on the dad, daddy terminology.
We have 6 kids spread out over 12 years. I think you both are spot on about this parenting gig -- nurturing relationships between parent to child and sibling to sibling takes intentionality, time, and work. We've been parenting for 20 years and the 2 keys to this is 1. Include your children in your activities when they are little - even when they are "too little" to do them. And 2. when they become teens learn and do the things they are interested in. If you are lucky they will be the same.
Thank you.
Happy Fathers Day Nathan! Outstanding message for all parents and it is pretty clear that you are a great Dad!
I appreciate that, Thank you ❤
Brave to take a 9 year old and a 4 year old on a hike like that. Even worse, taking a wife who is doing a “cleanse?” Good grief Charlie Brown!! I’ve never dreamed of either. In fact I’ve never remembered my dreams except for one in my whole life! The kids did great. Prayers for Lindsey and her family. I wish I could agree with your theory about camping. Unfortunately that only works if the other party is even remotely interested and cooperates with the plan. Some folks absolutely refuse to join in and take a chance on the experience. When that happens you just have to throw in the towel and sell the RV. I’m trying to get up the nerve to sell mine. Getting rid of it means throwing away what I hoped would be such a great togetherness experience. In 46 years of marriage there wasn’t much of that. Happy Fathers Day Nathan. And to all the dads out there who are trying. As long as you are still in the game you’ll do ok!
Thank you.
Great job JJ you did the 9 miles there and 9 miles back 18 mile hike
We didn't go that far, but he did great.