Friendship, One National Park at a Time

Some friendships don't need daily phone calls or living in the same city to stay strong.

Sometimes, all they need is a trail to meet on.

For Sarah and her friend Kristy, friendship has spanned four decades, countless miles, and a shared love for adventure. Since meeting in the mid-1980s, they've made it a tradition to choose a destination, meet somewhere in the middle, and spend long weekends exploring together.

A few years ago, while visiting Zion National Park, they made a promise that turned into a dream: visit all 63 U.S. National Parks by the time one of them turns 63.

Since then, every trip has become another chapter in a story they've been writing together. Sometimes they hike side by side. Other times, life pulls them in different directions, but the goal never changes.

Sarah recently checked off Great Basin National Park, bringing her collection to 39 parks. Kristy, balancing travel with raising her children, continues adding parks whenever she can. They already have plans to dive together in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and one day, they hope to make the journey to Alaska to experience all eight parks there.

One of Sarah's favorite memories happened in Acadia National Park. They woke up before dawn to watch the sunrise, only to find themselves surrounded by thick fog. The view never appeared.

So they laughed... and kept hiking.

Those are the moments that matter most.

Kristy first introduced Sarah to The Wander Club with a set of National Park tokens. Today, Sarah's growing collection reminds her not only of the places she's explored, but of the lifelong friendship behind every adventure.

Because the best journeys aren't measured by miles or checklists.

They're measured by the people who keep showing up, year after year, trail after trail.

Sarah, thank you for sharing your story with us. Your collection is a beautiful reminder that some adventures begin with a destination, but the memories we treasure most are the friendships that make every journey worthwhile.

Who has been by your side on your greatest adventures?

We'd love to hear your story. Share it through our Wanderer of the Week form, send us a DM at @thewanderclub, or email hi@thewanderclub.com for a chance to be featured in a future Wanderer of the Week.