We are Ryan and Monica Hoffmann, proud parents of special needs children. It took a long time to get here, but we have been to 33 US states in the past 4 years and we are just warming up.
We are so happy you are here! There are so many places on the internet you could be right now, and you chose to spend a moment with us. Thank you!
We are the Hoffmann’s, a family of six from Seattle, Washington.
Our conundrum is this: As individuals, Ryan and Monica love to travel, but as parents, we have two boys with autism and two more kids with ADHD. True story. We also have careers, own a home, and our parents aren’t getting any younger.
These aren’t the easiest years to wander planet earth, but this is exactly what we feel inspired to do!
UPDATE: WE PULLED IT OFF! WE ARE NOW LIVING FULL-TIME ON THE ROAD!
If you want to read our story and get to know us, click here!
We started this website for three primary reasons:
1. It will make an amazing scrapbook for our family.
2. Our research, planning, and photos seem to inspire those around us.
3. We want to share what we’ve learned about traveling with special needs children. Maybe your children aren’t special needs, but it’s still hard to take them in public. We empathize.
Honestly, we have surprised ourselves by creating this website. If you would like to know more about why and how we did it, you can read about how Hoff to See the World became a blog.
Being on the road as a family gives us ample opportunities for teaching moments. We believe in making mistakes — it’s how we learn and keeps us laughing. Over the past five years we have figured a few things out by spending so much time away from home. Here are our Ten Guiding Principles on the Road.
In a word, honesty. We really try to avoid hyperbole as much as possible — it is wholly unavoidable, but it can be tempered. If it is awesome, we’ll gush. If it sucks, we’ll outline exactly why it sucks. Just ask Detroit. Or Deadwood. Or Myrtle Beach. They all know.
Most of our recommendations will be about the things we find interesting: National Parks, Monuments, and State Parks; Lakes, Caves, Mountains, Hikes, and Beaches; Museums, Mansions, Botanical Gardens, Ghost Towns, and Military Relics; Roller Coaster Parks, Candy Stores, Arcades; Stand-Out Local Cuisine; and anything else that is extraordinary in a region.
Our recommendations will never include: Wineries, Breweries, or Bars; Hotels; Rental Car Agencies; Tourist Trap establishments like go-karts, putt-putt courses (unless they are truly amazing), small waterslide parks, and ridiculous restaurants serving “fun” atmosphere over good food.
Here you will find information about places to visit and things to do:
Things to do on the Oregon Coast
Here you will find a mix of things we’ve learned that we think is useful information.
Don’t be Afraid to Buy a Motorhome
5 Good Reasons to Begin Roadschooling
Our Ten Guiding Principles on the Road
Here you will find blog posts about our experiences parenting, adventuring, and organizing a life on the road with special needs children.
Feel free to reach out anytime! Email address: hofftoseetheworld@gmail.com
And be sure to get our Free E-Book.
Is the Sedona Vortex Real?
Las Vegas With Kids?
An Honest Review for Visiting Detroit
Full Time RV Life: One Year Later
Traveling with Children is Hard
Atalaya Castle and the Naming of Things
How to Argue on a Hawaiian Beach
An Honest Review of Deadwood, SD
Coast to Coast USA: An Interstate 40 Odyssey
Ten Guiding Principles on the Road
Learn our skills for traveling as a family. Get our free e-book PDF and jumpstart your family's journey.
I first found your articles about Charleston and found them so helpful in planning our trip next May. I couldn’t believe you would be so generous and spend so much time helping others, especially with a family requiring so much special attention. And then I read that we belong to the same church – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It all makes sense and made me very happy and tearful. Thank you, thank you, for your service! Now I can’t wait to read all your tips about other vacation possibilities.
This makes me so happy, Cheryl. Thank you for the affirmation. You are correct that writing these articles takes a good deal of time — the family is supportive of it, mostly, as long as the testimony of family and Christ is clear. We absolutely loved Charleston and we hope you feel the same way. Our ward in Ladsen, SC was one of all-time favorites. Thanks again, Cheryl. God bless you! Let us know if you have any questions.