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WORD FOR THE YEAR: Rooted

12/27/2025

I realized the other day that I’ve been picking a "word" for the start of the year since 1994—the year after Katie was born. Looking back at that list is like looking at a map of my life. Some of those years were great, full of energy and "big" moments. Others were just... hard. I remember the year after my mom died so suddenly, my word was Recovering. Honestly, that was all I had the strength to do back then.

The tradition isn't always pretty. I’ve had years where I had to repeat a word because I clearly wasn't finished with it yet, or years where a single word wasn't enough and I needed a whole phrase. But looking at them all together, they tell the story of how I’ve grown, hit some walls, healed, and just kept going.

This year, the word I’m landing on is Rooted.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’ve learned from the Redwoods. They don't survive the centuries just because they’re big or tall. The real secret is that their roots spread out and actually tangle together. They literally hold each other up through the storms.
That image has really stayed with me. This season of my life isn't about "doing more" or "reaching higher." It’s about holding on deeper to what—and who—actually matters.

In my own family, being rooted means a lot less rushing. It’s about staying at the table a little longer for a conversation, making room for more laughs, and protecting time that doesn’t have to be "productive" to be important. It’s about being a steady place for the little ones and honoring the people who came before us. To me, it just feels like belonging.

This year, I want to grow "down" instead of just stretching myself thin. I want to lean into the work I’m already doing and the people I’m so lucky to serve. Growth doesn’t always have to be something people can see from the outside. Sometimes it’s just the quiet work—the invisible courage, the steady commitment, and the love that keeps every branch of my life strong.

I’m heading into 2026 rooted in memory, in hope, and in the person I’m still becoming.

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Crossing America Went to Grand Canyon National Park!

12/19/2025

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Together, we spent time in one spot—learning that sometimes slowing down allows us to see and feel more. We explored how the Colorado River carved the canyon over millions of years, examined rock layers that hold Earth’s story, and reflected on how people—past and present—have lived, traveled, prayed, and found meaning here. Through Ranger RisingBuffalo’s stories, students learned that this place is not only shaped by geology, but by relationships, memory, and care.

Ranger RisingBuffalo invited students into an important mission:
Design a way for all people to safely and respectfully experience this one place—without harming the land and while honoring the people connected to it.

More than a design challenge, this became a moment of connection. Ranger RisingBuffalo touched us all with his stories, his kindness, and his encouragement to truly see one another—to understand that our stories are connected, that places hold memory, and that when we take time to listen, we begin to know each other as humans first. He reminded us how important it is to remember these stories and carry them forward with respect and care.

We were honored to share this meaningful virtual experience with students across the country and grateful for the reminder that learning happens best when we slow down, listen, and connect.

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Holiday in the PARKS: Season 6 — A Winter Celebration Across America’s Parks

12/12/2025

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This season, something pretty magical happened.

More than 15,000 students gathered—classrooms buzzing, screens glowing, curiosity wide open—to join their ranger friends from across the country for Holiday in the PARKS: Season 6, hosted live from Pearce Elementary School in North Carolina.

Together, we celebrated 19 national park sites and learned alongside 27 incredible rangers, park staff, and volunteers who brought winter to life in the most creative and engaging ways imaginable. From snowy mountain landscapes to coastal shores shaped by cold winds and shorter days, students explored how people, wildlife, and entire ecosystems adapt when winter settles in.

They investigated how snow, ice, and darkness shape daily life in different parks. They listened to stories of winter traditions, seasonal survival skills, and celebrations rooted deeply in place. And they considered an important question together: What does it mean to explore and protect our national parks during the coldest season of the year?

And then—because learning is even better when students get to do—they became designers.

Engineering with Heart and Purpose

As part of our Engineering Design Challenge, students stepped into the role of park planners, imagining accessible and sustainable park features that make national park sites easier for everyone to enjoy. Their designs showed something powerful: stewardship isn’t just about protecting land—it’s about caring for people too. Thoughtful accessibility strengthens parks, communities, and the future of these treasured places.

The joy, creativity, and curiosity from students was unmistakable. Every ranger talk sparked questions. Every park shared a story. And every classroom reminded us why this work matters.

We are deeply grateful to our partners at the National Park Foundation for their continued collaboration and belief in bringing the parks to students everywhere.

If you missed it—or want to relive the magic—you can watch the full archive here:
👉 https://www.crossingamerica.net/holidayintheparksllivestream-120012-720639-725207.html

Holiday in the PARKS isn’t just an event. It’s a reminder that no matter where students live, the parks are theirs—in every season.

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​WORD FOR THE YEAR: Rooted

​Crossing America Went to Grand Canyon National Park!

​Holiday in the PARKS: Season 6 — A Winter Celebration Across America’s Parks

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WORD FOR THE YEAR: Rooted

Crossing America Went to Grand Canyon National Park!

Holiday in the PARKS: Season 6 — A Winter Celebration Across America’s Parks