Mission Hills, KS July 2026

Make healthy skin a priority in your life and schedule a visit today.

THIS SUMMER, BEAUTIFUL SKIN IS IN.

Kelly A. Croci, MPA, PA-C Dermatology Physician Associate

Ascentist Healthcare would like to announce dermatology as the newest addition to our team. Ascentist Dermatology is led by Kelly A. Croci, MPA, PA-C. With over 6 years of clinical dermatology experience, she has a proven track record of success, making it her mission to provide exceptional, patient-focused dermatologic care to all patients age 10 and above.

Ascentist Dermatology

4550 W. 109th St. Suite 200

Overland Park, KS 66211

Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

The Art of Exploration

Fashion columnist and editor Diana Vreeland famously said, “The eye has to travel ,” referring to her belief that inspiration depends on seeing, exploring, and exposing oneself to new and diverse people, places, and experiences.

Our cover photographer, Jessica Roark, discovered a new world when she began creating work underwater. She shared, “I am drawn to photographing in and around water because it trans forms reality. Light becomes fragmented and ethereal, movement becomes weightless, and the noise of the world disappears. Underwater there is a profound stillness that allows us to reconnect with ourselves—to hear our own voice instead of the clamor of expectations, opinions, and distractions.”

Whether we venture overseas or simply explore a new corner of our own city, discovery has a way of shifting our perspective and renewing our sense of wonder.

This month, our pages are dedicated to the joy of exploration, with stories from local business owners, food enthusiasts, and travel advisors who share the places, experiences, and ideas that continue to inspire them. From a local coffee shop here in Kansas City to extraordinary destinations around the globe, we hope these features encourage you to see the familiar with fresh eyes and to seek out something new.

BECCA SPEARS, SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

July 2026

PUBLISHER

Sarah Johns | sarah.johns@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Victoria Moore | victoria.moore@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Rebecca Spears | rebecca.spears@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Katie Bode | katie.bode@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Dulcinea Herrera, Alana Muller, Bev Weidner

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Anna Petrow, Emmalee Rathsam, Jessica Roark, Becca Spears, theRYEstudio, Bev Weidner

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich

LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

inside the issue

The Drink Powering Messi

Kansas City’s

Sprinkle Some Spritz into Summer

Poolside hangs

mocktail recipes

Twelve Days in China

Barb Wright experienced the best of China’s past and

Jewell Vold rediscovered her

inspirational European

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

The THRIVE, Health & Wellness Event, hosted by Mission Hills City Lifestyle. | 1: Mission Hills team with Keynote Speaker Dr. Spencer Eagan and Manifestation Experience provider, Seraphine Naeymi 2: Community connection & engagement 3: Molly Wiskur, with Chiefs Fit, engaging with attendees. 4: Mission Hills team with Hailee Bland-Walsh. Owner of City Gym and MC of THRIVE. 5: Keynote Speaker Marisa Burdolski. Owner of Dew Aesthetics and Wellness. 6: Breathwork + Movement Experience provided by Molly Wiskur with Chiefs Fit. 7: Charcuterie provided by Jewells Jamzz

The Drink Powering Messi

Kansas City’s Cafe Corazon highlights their cultural connection to Argentina during the World Cup

What if your daily energy ritual could be more than just a cup of coffee?

For people living in Argentina, that answer has always been yerba mate.

Yerba Mate is traditionally made by steeping dried yerba leaves in hot water inside a gourd called a mate and drinking it through a metal straw called a bombilla . It has a very earthy, herbal flavor profile that’s completely different from coffee, and it gives a smooth, natural energy without the crash. People pass the mate around in a circle and share conversations, stories and moments together.

For CEO & Co-Founder of Café Corazón Dulcinea Herrera, the storytelling and cultural element of yerba mate is similar to the culture she has infused into each of her Cafe Corazón locations throughout Kansas City.

“Beyond the taste, it creates an experience. Most drinks are something you grab and go, but mate is something you slow down and connect over,” she said “In Argentina especially, it’s deeply tied to community and connection. We honor that tradition while also introducing people in Kansas City to the culture behind it.”

At the last World Cup, the team brought over 1,100 pounds of it to Qatar, not as a luxury, but as a necessity. It’s how they started their mornings, centered themselves before matches, and stayed connected as a team. When Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup trophy, his mate was right there beside him, which became one of the mostliked photos in history.

At Café Corazón, that story isn’t a trend, it’s lived.

“People are becoming more interested in the traditions behind the sport because of the World Cup in Kansas City, and mate is such a big part of that identity,” Dulcinea said. “We’ve naturally become a gathering place for that excitement and cultural exchange, which has been incredible to witness.”

Co-founder Miel Herrera, who is Argentinian, grew up with yerba mate as part of his daily life. Café Corazón sources their yerba mate directly

ARTICLE BY DULCINEA HERRERA AND VICTORIA MOORE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECCA SPEARS AND ANNA PETROW

from partner farms in Argentina, honoring not just the product, but the people and traditions behind it.

“Café Corazón has always been about creating cultural bridges. Argentina has such a beautiful culture centered around passion, community, art, music and connection values that deeply align with who we are as a company. Seeing people from different backgrounds come into our cafés, share mate, watch matches together and connect through culture is exactly why I started Café Corazón in the first place,” Dulcinea said.

Dulcinea and Miel have enjoyed weeks of these connections with people from all over the world, of course, with yerba mate at the center of it all. Each sip carries culture and connects drinkers with over 1,000 years of history.

“Honestly, it feels surreal,” she said. “Kansas City already has such a strong soccer culture, but having Argentina come here is something incredibly special for our community, especially for the Latin American community. My team is thrilled because it feels like a moment where the world came to Kansas City.”

T h e r a py th a t

S u p p o r t s

th e W h o l e

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Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy for children birth through adolescence.

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RISE

A ROOFTOP RIDE & STRENGTH EXPERIENCE AUGUST 29, 2026

SPRINKLE SOME SPRITZ INTO SUMMER

POOLSIDE HANGS JUST GOT TASTIER WITH THESE FRUITY COCKTAIL AND MOCKTAIL RECIPES

ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE AND BEV WEIDNER

AND BEV WEIDNER

SIMPLE ROSÉ SANGRIA

Ingredients

• 2 bottles rosé, one still, one sparkling

• 1 cup brandy

• 4 oranges, two juiced and two sliced

• 2 peaches, pitted and sliced

• A few sprigs of mint

Instructions

1. In a large carafe or pitcher, add the brandy and fresh orange juice. Then add the sliced peaches and oranges. Pour both bottles of wine over the fruit, and violently shove two large mint sprigs down in it. Chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

2. Fill glasses with ice and pour the sangria into each glass. Garnish with fresh mint and throw.it.back.

3. Makes a TON.

CONTINUED >

WATERMELON SPRITZERS WITH LEMON AND HONEY

Ingredients

• 2.5 pounds fresh watermelon (seedless if you can get it)

• 3 lemons (seedless if you can find them), for the juice

• 2 Tbs. honey

• 1 cup chilled seltzer (more or less)

• Lemon balm, for garnish (totally optional. mint is fine too!)

Instructions

1. Place the watermelon, lemon juice and honey in a food processor. Process until smooth.

2. Strain into a large bowl, pressing the juice out of any seeds or pulp that remains.

3. Pour into a large pitcher and chill until you’re ready to drink.

4. Serve with a splash of seltzer and lemon balm or mint, if using.

5. Add alcohol, for the love.

6. Makes about six cups.

BAR B WRIGHT EXPERIENCED THE BEST OF CHINA’S PAST AND PRESENT

ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY

PROVIDED

TWELVE DAYS

IN CHINA

As a destination advisor and business owner, Barb Wright has researched and organized one-of-a-kind trips across the globe that leave an impact on her clients forever. Every so often, a trip gives her that same feeling.

In October 2024, Wright traveled to China for a 12-day familiarization (FAM) trip. With a very open mind, she embraced everything the Middle Kingdom had to offer.

From city life to countryside exploration, Wright gained a true taste of the best food, lodging and culture, including checking off one of her bucket list items–visiting the handcrafted terracotta warriors.

Out of all of the places her business has taken her, she admits only two have brought her to tears when it was time to depart. Israel was one, and China was the other.

“Both times, I went with people I didn’t know and made connections with those people and with the people there. I truly left a piece of my heart in both places,” Wright said.

“It is almost a spiritual connection to China.”

Wright relived her experience day-by-day and is excited to send future clients on this same, life-changing trip.

DAYS 1-3: XI’AN AND SHANGHAI

Wright loves to incorporate historical sights into her trips. The Xi’an TerraCotta Soldiers, uncovered in 1974, was the first stop. No two are alike and 8,000 of them stand guard over Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb. She also visited The Hanyang Mausoleum, the final resting place of Emperor Jing of Han and the Jewish Quarter in Shanghai. Wright was surprised to learn what a large influence Jewish culture has there. Her group enjoyed the culinary selection and people watching.

“The meals were all phenomenal. We ordered the chicken with the head on it, but I wasn’t really wild about that. That kind of grossed me out. So, I ate the chicken, but I didn’t touch the head.”

DAYS 4-5: CHENGDU

It wouldn’t be a trip to China without seeing the pandas! In Chengdu, Wright took a dumpling cooking class and spent an entire day with pandas, feeding them bamboo and making cakes for them to eat. This is also where Wright took in a signature, Sichuan Opera, where performers instantly swap vividly colored masks to portray character emotions.

“I thought it was going to be really boring, but it was really cool. You’re sitting with mostly locals who between scenes, or acts, would go get their ears cleaned.  Strange experience, but I stood in line for my turn too. You could order peanuts. They bring peanuts to you and wine.” CONTINUED

DAYS 6-9: YANGSHUO AND LONGSHENG

These two stops in the countryside offered breathtaking views and glimpses into everyday life of the villagers. Longsheng is known for its rice terraces where rice is harvested grain by grain, and rafting along the river in Yangshuo was a highlight for Wright. She was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcomes they received.

“As you are going along, you see people doing their laundry on the side of the water. There’s all these nuances that you see from a different angle when you’re out there rafting down the river. When I create trips for others, I want them to have those cultural immersions, so you get to know the people.”

“I was shocked at how friendly the people were. We were bike riding along the Yellow River, and a woman said, ‘American selfie!’ And she grabbed her camera and took a selfie with all of us.”

DAYS 10-12: BEIJING

Wright’s time in Beijing was eye opening. She experienced Chinese culture in the best and hardest ways, seeing the disparity in how the government treats different groups of people. She walked inside the Forbidden City and hiked along the Great Wall, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

“When we got to the top, a Taichi master met us there, and we did Tai Chi on the Great Wall. After that, we all had champagne toasts. I couldn’t even imagine what it would be like. To think, ‘How did these people do this?’ It’s mind blowing. It’s like looking at the pyramids in Egypt.”

For more information on booking a trip to China with Barb, you can book a discovery call online: travelwrightwithbarb.com

fresh flavors for a fresh start

Jewell Vold rediscovered her love for simple flavor from inspirational European travel

Jewell Vold’s journey with Jewell’s Jamzz is rooted in resilience, community, and a deep love for fresh, intentional flavors. Her business was born during a pivotal chapter in her life, as she rebuilt after leaving a domestic violence situation. What began as small-batch jam-making quickly grew with the support of her restaurant family and local community.

Jewell steadily built a loyal following at local farmers markets, and over time, she earned a highly competitive spot at the nationally ranked Overland Park Farmers Market, an opportunity that marked a major milestone for her business.

Like many small businesses, Jewell’s Jamzz paused during the pandemic. With encouragement from her husband, she reopened with a renewed vision: expanding beyond jams into charcuterie, desserts, and full-service catering. Today, her brand is known for creating memorable, elevated food experiences that go far beyond traditional offerings.

Her appearance on The Blox reality show helped amplify that growth, bringing new visibility while staying grounded in the same passion and creativity that started it all.

ARTICLE BY VICTORIA MOORE AND JEWELL VOLD PHOTOGRAPHY BY BECCA SPEARS AND PROVIDED

Many of her favorite flavor combinations can also be traced back to her travels through Europe, including Italy and Greece. The influence of these experiences continues to shape her approach to food, emphasizing simplicity, quality ingredients, and thoughtful pairings.

WHAT IS INSPIRATIONAL ABOUT THE WAY EUROPEANS VIEW FOOD?

Call it cliché, but when you’re walking through different parts of Europe, you can smell lemon trees and the wild sage and thyme growing there. People go out onto their rooftops and harvest their herbs and vegetables for what they’re going to cook that day. The very first sandwich I had there was just freshly baked bread and Capocollo, which is a kind of sausage, and that was it. There was no schmear. There were no vegetables. It was just bread and meat, and it was probably one of the best things I ate the entire trip. It’s essentially farm to table, and it helped me fall back in love with that.

Whole pieces of fruit can be a meal essentially. You don’t have to have a bunch of extravagance. A lot of the cuisine there is very basic. You’ve got pasta, a sauce, meat with it and cheese on top. You could just have a simple salad and that’s it. That’s dinner. I think getting back to the simplicity and elegance of that was really cool.

WHAT WAS THE BEST THING YOU ATE WHILE YOU WERE THERE?

I mean, the limoncello there! The lemons are the size of grapefruits. They’re huge, and the sweetness is unmatched. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s really good stuff.

The time before we made mozzarella in this lady’s backyard. This time, we watched gelato being made. That was cool because gelato is between ice cream and sherbet. It’s got that really creamy flavor.

A fun thing after one of my son’s soccer matches–they just gave us some Nutella on toast with pieces of fruit, which sounds silly. It was very simple, and it reminded me to just slow down and enjoy

CONTINUED >

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO IMPLEMENT WHAT YOU EXPERIENCED INTO THE WAY YOU OPERATE JEWELLS JAMZZ?

I made an olive oil cake for a Mediterranean luncheon last week. It’s a cup and a half of olive oil, which sounds crazy! But with the lemons and the sugar, it made this very dense cake that was delicate at the same time. You tasted the olive oil, and you tasted the lemon. You didn’t really taste anything else. It was a nice nod to that Greek region because I think those are two of their biggest exports.

Going back to the simplicity of flavor–that’s what I love about charcuterie. You can pair this cheese with this meat or this fruit with this cracker, but just remembering the flavors on their own are really good.

“Travel is one of the best teachers.”

WHAT HAS TRAVELING TAUGHT YOU ABOUT THE POWER OF FOOD AND FLAVOR?

Travel is one of the best teachers. You can have a college degree all day, but you really learn when you immerse yourself in a different culture.

We’ve got some really cool ethnic places throughout Kansas City. One of my favorite coffee shops is Café Cà Phê, a Vietnamese coffee shop in Columbus Park. Then, there’s Café Corazón, which is Hispanic. One of my favorite things from there is a Mexican mocha. It’s a chocolate based latte, but they use cayenne pepper syrup, and it is unreal.

I think it’s so important to glean from different cultures and to make your food authentic. That’s what I try to do in my cuisine. That’s why I really love having my own business. I’m not just going to do a Caesar salad, a lasagna and some grilled chicken for your catering.

I want to do the things that will make your event stand out. Especially for weddings, one of the things I always ask my couples is: “What did you like or didn’t like about the food?” Most of them say, “I don’t really remember the food.” I’m like, “What? Why? How do you not remember the food?” I want to make you remember it.

Jewell

Vold

Visit  jewellsjamzz.com to book Jewell’s Jamzz catering for your next event or party.

You can also shop Jewell’s full selection of jams, cakes and charcuterie online.

Ask the Expert

Human connection is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Research consistently affirms what most of us already sense intuitively: The quality of our relationships is one of the strongest predictors of how happy, healthy, and resilient we are. Yet so many of us drift through life collecting acquaintances while quietly longing for something deeper.

The good news? Finding your people is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned and practiced.

It starts with intention. Meaningful connection rarely happens by accident. It requires us to show up, consistently and authentically, in spaces that reflect who we actually are and who we wish to become. The best relationships grow in the soil of shared values, genuine curiosity, and mutual generosity.

In my work helping people build and strengthen their relationships, I have seen a simple truth play out again and again: The most connected people are not the ones who work the hardest to impress others. They are the ones who focus on being genuinely interested rather than merely interesting. They ask good questions. They listen deeply. They follow up. They give without keeping score.

Finding your people also takes courage. It means being willing to be seen, to say “I would love to get to know you better,” and to invest real time and energy in relationships that matter, rather than spreading yourself thin across ones that do not.

Here is what I know for certain: Your network, at its finest, is not merely a collection of contacts. It is a community of belonging. And belonging, I would argue, is one of the most deeply human experiences there is. When we feel truly known and genuinely connected, something settles within us. We feel less alone, more grounded, and far more capable of navigating whatever life puts in our path.

Start where you are. Now is the time. Reach out to someone who has been on your mind. Be the connector. Show up. Be present.

Happy Networking!

Business networking coach and author Alana Muller shares the power of human connection

ARTICLE BY ALANA MULLER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY THERYESTUDIO

Waymaker Awards the ™

congratulations to our 2026 waymaker awards finalists:

employee campaign manager (ecm) of the year

An ageless spirit lives within all of us. Addington Place of Prairie Village is the perfect place to discover youthful energy and forge meaningful connections with kindred souls. Our vibrant Assisted Living and GLOWSM Memory Care community offers chef-prepared, homestyle dining, personalized care, and a myriad of engaging activities such as weekly book club and morning yoga, ensuring hearts stay forever young and days brim with excitement. Join Addington Place of Prairie Village, where life becomes a celebration of the young at heart.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES

MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE

The 10% Target Mindset

Jen Cohen ON THE PRACTICE OF ASKING FOR WHAT YOU WANT

Winnipeg in the winter, and a 17-year-old waits 45 minutes in the cold for Keanu Reeves. Her fingers are numb. She is not there for an autograph. She is there to ask him to appear in her audition tape for MuchMusic, Canada’s MTV. When he finally agrees, she writes her number on a gum wrapper with a borrowed lip liner.

He calls days later.

That 17-year-old was Jen Cohen — fitness expert, host of the Habits & Hustle podcast, and best-selling author. She has built a career on the premise her frostbitten afternoon proved. She calls the practice the 10% Target: 10 attempts at whatever you want most in life.

The premise is simple. Most people never make one attempt. Almost nobody makes two. The math works in favor of the person who keeps going.

The top-rated Habits & Hustle podcast has logged hundreds of conversations with high performers and the people who study what the body does to the mind. Her TEDx talk, The Secret to Getting Anything You Want in Life, has traveled widely inside Fortune 500 sales-training rooms. On the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Cohen sits down to share the working rules that are the foundation of her latest book, Bigger, Better, Bolder.

“You have to be the CEO of your own life.”

FEATURING JEN COHEN

Discover the full 10% Target Mindset framework.

1 2

MAKE TEN ATTEMPTS

The door opens, or another door does. The unmade attempt and the refused one leave you in the same place — except one of them teaches you something.

STACK THE DECK

Cohen frames her habits as a wager: How do I stack the deck so I win more than I lose? The workout happens first, and the food decisions follow. The email follow-up gets sent, and the answer arrives. The choices compound in a single direction.

3

DISCIPLINE IS A PRACTICED SKILL, NOT AN INHERITANCE

No one is born with it. The people who look disciplined are running a routine they have rehearsed long enough that it no longer feels like effort. The reps are the skill. Miss them, and the skill fades, the same as any other.

4

SELF-TALK ONLY WORKS WHEN THE BODY BACKS IT UP

Confidence does not arrive by repeating the word. It arrives after the body has done the thing — the workout finished, the cold walk endured, the email sent. The mind takes its cues from what the body proves it can do. Talk follows action, not the other way around.

5

NEVER MISS A MONDAY

The first decision sets the slope of the rest. Skip the Monday workout, and the rest of the week tends to follow. Hold the line on Monday, and the slope tilts the other way.

escape to France

A LEISURELY BARGE CRUISE ALONG FRANCE’S CANAL DU MIDI OFFERS A QUIET LUXURY ESCAPE

THE SOUTH

of

There is something a bit magical about the South of France. It conjures images of rolling hills set along the Mediterranean, vast vineyards and olive trees swaying in the breezes. The images come to life when you book a luxury barge cruise with European Waterways ( EuropeanWaterways.com). It offers the perfect opportunity to experience the region’s slow pace.

Canal du Midi is a 330-year-old canal that runs from the Mediterranean coast inland through the famous Languedoc wine region. This is an opportunity for a true escape from everyday life.

WHAT IS A BARGE CRUISE?

Barges, originally used to shuttle goods along the inner waterways throughout

Europe, are now floating hotels. European Waterways operates b arges from April to October.

One of three boats to traverse Canal du Midi, Enchanté is an “ultra-deluxe” converted barge with four cabins for up to eight passengers. Each suite on Enchanté features an ensuite bathroom. All suites are on the lower level, while the salon,

CONTINUED >

dining room, open kitchen and sun deck are above. The rooms are comfortable and quiet, the staff accommodating and the pace of the barge allows you to slow down and unwind. In fact, the barge moves slowly along the canal, giving passengers a chance to stroll along or ride one of the onboard bicycles.

THE BARGING EXPERIENCE

The barging experience is not anything like other cruises. With only eight passengers (although some boats have the capacity for 10 to 20 passengers), it provides a quiet escape.

Each day, you cruise slowly along the canal, going a total distance of about 50 miles over one week. The day’s leisurely routine begins with a sit-down breakfast and specially prepared dishes from the chef. You either cruise in the morning and take a short excursion in the afternoon, or vice versa.

Lunch is a gourmet 3-course meal paired with local wines. Dinner is a beautiful production with appetizers, main course, cheese course and dessert. Again, everything is paired with both a white and red wine.

EXCURSIONS ALONG THE WAY

Throughout the cruise, there are small stops along the way. This area of France is filled with gourmet delights and history, and you have a chance to explore both during your cruise.

You’ll visit l’Oulibo, a high-end olive oil producer growing Lucques olives. Enjoy a tasting of the oils and the olives, and pick up a few to take home. Another day, you’ll taste local balsamic vinegar. This is a real treat and a unique experience sampling a variety of flavors.

During the barge cruise, you’ll have a chance to visit three of what may be the most beautiful towns in France: Minerve, Lagrasse and Carcassonne. Lagrasse is an artisan town surrounding an 8th-century Benedictine Abbey. Minerve is home to a 12th-century Cathar fort with spectacular views. Carcassonne is a medieval fortified city with 52 watchtowers and portcullis.

There is also an excursion to Narbonne, once a Roman capital. There, you’ll have a chance to wander through Les Halles de Narbonne—the indoor food market—with the chef, picking out items for him to prepare once back onboard Enchanté.

European Waterways offers the ideal escape to the South of France and other destinations across Europe.

realty report

LET’S HIT THE ROAD

ARTICLE

BY VICTORIA MOORE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMMALEE RATHSAM AND PROVIDED

TRAVEL AGENT KRISTIN SMITH BREAKS DOWN SOME PRACTICAL TIPS FOR MEMORABLE FAMILY ROAD TRIPS

“It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 miles or 1000 miles.”

A grand vacation is not the only way to create lasting memories with your family. Sometimes, it is the journey to the destination that leaves the greatest impact on your time together. Road trips are a fun way to incorporate the best of both worlds– adventure and pleasure.

Moments of Magic Travel agent Kristin Smith is an expert in magical destinations but also in making the trip there an enjoyable one.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 miles or 1000 miles–location does not determine the joy in a destination, and my goal is to help create those moments for families, whether it’s in our backyard or across the country, land or sea,” she said.

Within her own family, she has experienced the joy of road trips and compiled valuable lessons to help other families plan their ideal vacations.

Some of her recommendations for nearby destinations include Omaha, Branson, St. Louis and Des Moines. These cities offer family-friendly activities with zoos, kids museums, and sports

teams. By adding a few hundred miles to your radius, Smith highly recommends Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Eureka Springs is quirky, fun and unexpected for everyone. Nature is woven into the town and there are no big box stores, which makes it unique to me. I like Tulsa because it’s easy to navigate, artsy and gives a low pressure city vibe. This is a good option for a city vacation,” she informed.

For multiple days of car travel, Smith has planned vacations for families near Buffalo National River, Indiana Dunes National Park, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

“Black Hills offers national landmarks, wildlife and outdoor adventure. This trip is definitely for the active family that wants to be on the go for their vacation,” she said. “I’m currently helping a Missouri family plan a trip to the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge area. Last year, they booked a trip to Montana through South Dakota.”

Choosing a reliable travel agent can make road trip planning an easy, enjoyable experience. Smith provides support from the beginning stages of planning until the moment you arrive home. Even down to the details, she researches everything about your ideal location from restaurants and operational hours to how it fits into your travel schedule. Ultimately, she wants to customize a trip that fits your family best.

“Every family enjoys their vacation differently, and it’s important your planner listens to your requests and interests,” she said.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR PLANNING A ROADTRIP

01/

Pick a place that has a variety of activities and allow for downtime. The drive time should reflect the age of your children.

02/

Pick one WOW moment that they will remember. Not every day has to be packed full of big moments. Focus your time and money into one incredible experience that your kids will talk about for years to come.

03/

Pack a go bin that has everything you might need handy. (Wipes, trashbags, extra clothes for young kids and snacks)

04/

Set realistic expectations. Plan ahead for the busy season, traffic (try to miss rush hour) or weather (being prepared for any weather you may experience) is huge. Shift your mindset when you hit a snag. Roll with it mentality.

05/

Strategically plan stops and time out departures. If you know where you are going to eat it makes it less hectic. Even better packing a picnic to be able to stop when everyone is hungry to beat the hangry phase! Stop before you think you need to.