Chapter 99 The Summer Promise

• May brought the family's most ambitious vacation yet: a two-week trip to national parks that would combine Emma's first major travel experience with opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring natural environments that matched Grace's botanical interests and James's love of nature's engineering marvels.
• "We've planned stops at four different parks," she said eagerly, "with activities suitable for Emma's energy level and interests, plus opportunities for older family members to pursue more challenging hikes and specialised learning experiences."
• "Emma loves seeing real mountains and forests," stated Phoebe, "and the journey will give her vocabulary and experiences that will improve her understanding of the natural world beyond our backyard garden and local parks."