Ready Set Depart
Want to travel with your family but not sure where to start? You can do it! Really! Whether you're dreaming of a trip around the world or a weekend getaway one county over, Ready Set Depart is here to help. We share real-life tips, planning advice, and ideas to keep kids happy along the way. Let’s make travel doable, and fun, for your whole family.
Episode 16: Road Tripping with Pets: Tips for Traveling with Dogs and Cats
**NOTE: Trooper just got a palette extender put in so that’s why you’ll hear a bit of a lisp today**
Traveling with pets? In this special episode, we welcome our very first guest—my sister-in-law Julie—who’s an experienced dog traveler and shares all her road trip wisdom! We compare notes on what it’s like to travel with dogs versus cats, from carriers and food stops to hotel stays and calming aids. You’ll meet Roca the rescue pup, Roger the giant cat, and hear what’s worked (and what hasn’t) on our pet-frie...
Episode 15: Golden Spike National Historical Park: A Hidden Gem in the Utah Desert
In this episode, we're heading to Northern Utah to visit one of America’s lesser-known but historically rich destinations - Golden Spike National Historical Park. This is where the East and West finally connected in 1869 with the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad.
We’ll talk about what you’ll see at the park (yes, there are working steam trains!), what makes this place so significant, and why it’s absolutely worth the long desert drive. From Junior Ranger programs to hiking trails, dark skies, and even giant grasshoppers (thanks, Trooper!), this episode has all the tips to help...
Episode 14: Is Yellowstone the One National Park You Have to Visit?
If you could only visit one national park in your lifetime… would you choose Yellowstone? In this episode, we’re diving into why the answer should be a big YES, plus what to do (and what to skip) to make the most of your trip. From erupting geysers and massive bison to Junior Ranger badges and wildlife traffic jams, we’re sharing our top tips for planning a day - or more - in America’s first national park.
We’ll walk you through what loop to drive, where to stop, and how to avoid common mistakes that can w...
Episode 13: Cracking the Code at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
If you’ve ever wandered around the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido wondering where all the animals (or people) were—this one’s for you. In this episode, we’re sharing our hard-earned tips to help you plan a cooler, smoother, way-more-fun day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
We cover:
The best day (and time) to visitWhat to bring to beat the heatWhy the African Tram should be your first stopA route that actually makes sense (with a free downloadable map!)Hidden gems like the bonsai garden and locator polesMust-see animals, from okapis a...Episode 12: Pandas, Polar Bears, and No Hills? Your San Diego Zoo Family Guide
Visiting the San Diego Zoo with kids (and maybe a stroller) can feel a bit like a workout. In this episode, we’re sharing how to make your zoo day easier, more fun, and a whole lot less uphill.
We’ll cover when to go, whether to buy tickets ahead of time, why the paper map is still your best friend, and how to hit your must-see animals without wearing everyone out. From insider tips on the best seat on the bus tour to how to actually enjoy the hills (or avoid them), we’ve got you covere...
Episode 11: Flying with Kids - Tips and Tricks
Flying with kids can be intimidating! Believe me, I know! I'm not the calmest flier anyway so the thought of adding a screaming baby to the mix was not my favorite thing. But, through trial and error, we've come up with some tips and tricks that will hopefully make your first time, or 100th time, that much better!
SHOW NOTES:
Stroller Bag for the Airplane
Car Seat Bag for the Airplane
TSA PreCheck
Episode 10: Why you Need to go to Redwood National Park
Why do you need to go to Redwood National and State Parks? Let us tell you 14 reasons why this National Park needs to get put at the top of your list!
Episode 9: Why you need to go to Olympic National Park
You need to go to Olympic National Park!
Why? That’s what we’re going to talk about in this episode.
We’ll give you 12 reasons why you really need to go to Olympic National Park.
I bet some will surprise you!
Have you ever been?
Episode 8: When It All Goes Wrong
Things happen when we’re vacationing that we can’t plan for. Hopefully they’ll just be inconvenient, but sometimes they’re a bit more serious so over the years, I have put together a list of things that I do that calm my anxiety when it comes to travel. Maybe some of these suggestions can help you!
Episode 7: Road Trip Tips
When I say “road trip,” does it fill you with dread or make you excited to come along?
Road trips definitely used to fill me with dread but they don’t anymore. In fact, as long as the weather is good, I actually really like them.
Listen to episode #7 of the Ready Set Depart podcast for 10 tips for your next road trip!
Episode 6: Disneyland is our Happy Place
We have traveled all over the world, and will continue to travel all over the world, but there is one place we will always come back to - Disneyland. Listen in on our love letter to our Happy Place!
Episode 5: In Your Own Backyard
Why travel half way across the world when you can see something pretty amazing in your own backyard? Join us as we talk about the beautiful things that are all around us and how to find them!
You see, during the pandemic when our travel circle grew smaller, we made it our mission to explore things that were close to home that we had never seen before.
What is in your own backyard that you've never seen before?
Episode 4: I ❤️ National Parks
In this episode, we’re going to talk about something that is near and dear to my heart - National Parks. If you’ve listened to ANY of the podcast episodes, you’ve heard me talk about National Parks and today I’m going to give you 10 reasons why I love National Parks, and why you should love them too.
Go to our website for a free download!
Episode 3: Let’s Plan a Trip
My family often jokes with me that my favorite thing about traveling is the planning. Now, this is absolutely untrue, but it is a close second to the actual travel!
I love finding interesting facts or great places to go. I love learning from others' experiences or mistakes. And I love knowing what I’d like to do, but not be too scheduled!
So, let’s plan a trip together!
Show Notes:
Geocaching
Adventure Labs
Juni...
Episode 2: Hawaii - The Big Island
When I say Hawaii, what do you think? Do you think about Waikiki Beach or Pearl Harbor or Honolulu? Most people do.
But in this episode, we’re going to talk about Hawaii, also known as the Big Island.
The State of Hawaii is an archipelago, which basically means that there are a lot of islands that make up Hawaii. In fact, there are 132 islands that make up Hawaii, though only 7 are inhabited. Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau and Hawaii - the Big Island.
Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor and Honolulu are all on...
Episode 1: Why We Travel as a Family
Welcome to our very first podcast! We're so glad you're here.
I’d like to introduce you to me and my family! I’m Ashley, the mom and chief planner of the group. Then there’s my husband Brent who is the Chief driver and all around calm guy. And then we have our son who we will call Trooper who is always up for an adventure.
We are a family of travelers, but not the kind that's been to 100 countries, though that would be cool. We're the kind who have full-time jobs and school and bu...
