In My Mom Era

Sometimes the best family memories start with a full tank of gas and absolutely no plan.

There’s something about fall that makes me want to load everyone into the car and just GO. Maybe it’s the changing leaves. Maybe it’s the cooler weather. Maybe it’s the fact that we’re raising five kids and sometimes getting out of the house is an adventure all by itself. 😅

Whatever it is, fall road trips have a special kind of magic. But here’s the thing: you don’t need an elaborate itinerary, an expensive vacation, or even a hotel reservation to make incredible memories with your kids. Sometimes you just need to get in the car.

We’re a Road Trip Family

If you’ve been around In My Mom Era for a while, you already know that traveling is practically our second language. We have five kids. FIVE. And yes, that includes toddler twins.

Has that stopped us from traveling? Absolutely not. Our twins went on their first road trip when they were only about two months old, and we’ve been taking the kids on adventures for years.

We’ve driven across state lines, visited quirky roadside attractions, explored places we’d never heard of, and taken detours just because something looked interesting. Do things always go according to plan? HAHAHAHA. No. But that’s half the fun.

Our Recent Adventure to Paducah, Kentucky

Take our October 3rd road trip to Paducah, Kentucky, for example. No weeklong vacation. No elaborate schedule. Just a day to explore somewhere different and see what we could find. And we found plenty!

A Walk Through History at the Paducah Floodwall Murals

One of our stops was Paducah’s beautiful riverfront, where we explored the city’s incredible floodwall murals. Known as the Wall to Wall Murals, they’re enormous works of art depicting the history and heritage of the area, transforming an ordinary floodwall into an outdoor history lesson.

And you know me. Give me history, art, and something interesting to investigate, and I’m going to stop. 🤣 There’s something special about experiencing a little piece of local history without ever stepping inside a museum.

A Little Playground Break at Noble Park

Of course, traveling with five kids means making time for the things THEY want to do, too! Enter Noble Park in Paducah, Kentucky.

And when I say this park is huge, I mean HUGE! The park covers approximately 135 acres and features a beautiful lake, bridges, walking areas, and multiple places for kids to play. There were playgrounds everywhere!

While we were there, families were even taking Homecoming photos beside the lake and bridges. Meanwhile, our crew was busy climbing, sliding, running around, and exploring. The kids had an absolute blast.

Sometimes all they need is a playground they’ve never seen before.

And, Of Course, There Was Ice Cream! 🍦

Because what’s a family road trip without a stop for something sweet? While exploring Paducah, we stopped at Forever Sweet Creamery. And naturally, all seven of us went inside!

The shop itself was adorable, with its charming storefront, exposed brick walls, and old-fashioned atmosphere. Exactly the kind of little local business I love discovering when we’re exploring somewhere new.

And judging by the pictures, the kids were pretty happy with this particular stop. 🤣 Sometimes it’s not the big attractions that make an adventure memorable. Sometimes it’s five kids enjoying ice cream in a little shop in Kentucky. And honestly? Those are the moments I love most. ❤️

The Magic of the Unexpected

One of my favorite things about traveling is discovering something we didn’t even know existed. A little town with a beautiful historic building. A library tucked away on a side street. An unusual museum. A scenic overlook that makes you stop and stare. Or a playground where the kids can burn off some energy while Mom figures out where we’re headed next.

Our Paducah trip was a perfect reminder that you don’t need to travel halfway across the country to find something worth experiencing. Not every stop needs to be famous. Not every adventure needs to cost money. And not every family memory needs to be perfectly planned.

Five Kids, One Life, and a Whole Lot of Places to See

I know traveling with children can be exhausting. I know it’s easier to stay home. And believe me, packing for seven people can feel like preparing for a small military deployment.

But here’s what I keep coming back to: We get one life. One chance to show our kids how incredible this world can be. One chance to watch them discover something new. One chance to turn an ordinary Saturday into a story they’ll still be telling years from now.

I don’t want my kids to grow up thinking adventures only happen when you have a lot of money or two weeks of vacation time. I want them to know that sometimes adventure is only an hour down the road. Or a few hours away in Kentucky. 😉

Planning Your Own Paducah Adventure?

If you’re looking for a family-friendly day trip filled with history, art, beautiful parks, local businesses, and a little something sweet, Paducah is worth adding to your list. We barely scratched the surface! For more ideas, check out Visit Paducah, the official tourism website.

So Where Are We Going This Fall?

Honestly? I have no idea. 🤣 And that’s kind of the point. Maybe we’ll chase the changing leaves. Maybe we’ll find another historic town to explore. Maybe we’ll stumble across a bookstore, a museum, or something completely ridiculous that we absolutely HAVE to stop and see.

Whatever happens, we’ll be making memories. And probably stopping for snacks. Lots and lots of snacks.

Are you a plan-every-detail traveler, or a get-in-the-car-and-see-what-happens kind of person? Because around here, the road is always calling.

Welcome to In My Mom Era. ❤️

Kelly – I M ME