An Accessible Visit to Little River Canyon National Preserve

 Little River Canyon National Preserve

Alabama

November 2010

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part XV

 

We close out this series of posts with a final collection of Egypt between 2010 and 2020. The following pictures capture dozens of everyday moments and special occasions that together tell the story of an active, adventurous, and deeply loved child. When viewed together, all are classic “Egypt.” 

Egypt is a joyful, confident, and an endlessly curious young girl whose personality shines through every stage of childhood.  Her smile is one of the most consistent features throughout the collection. Whether she is dressed casually, celebrating holidays, traveling, playing outdoors, posing with family, or simply enjoying childhood, she is genuinely happy and comfortable in front of the camera. The images reveal a girl who embraces new experiences with enthusiasm and confidence.

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part XIV

 

Egypt is someone who has always been fascinated by animals, whether they are wild, dangerous, gentle, or simply unusual. Rather than watching wildlife from a distance, she is happiest when she can experience it up close. Throughout the photos, Egypt is confident, curious, and eager to learn about the creatures she encounters. 

From standing near wild alligators and crocodiles in Everglades National Park to observing majestic elk walking through her campsite in Yellowstone National Park, Egypt embraces every opportunity to experience nature firsthand. The pictures also show her comfort with snakes—even welcoming them into her living room—demonstrating that fear rarely gets in the way of her curiosity. Visits to zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks, and nature centers add to an impressive collection of encounters with animals from around the United States.

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part XIII

March 2013

Being born and growing up in Florida meant that Egypt’s winters weren’t full of cold and snow. Most Floridians are happy about this fact, but not Egypt. She wanted to see and play in snow so bad, that I booked a trip to the northern reaches of the Midwest so Egypt could really experience “winter”.

Egypt could barely contain her excitement as we traveled to Minneapolis. She never moved so fast through an airport and as soon as Egypt saw a door to the outside, she took off running. Before I knew it, she was around a corner and in the middle of a pile of snow with the biggest smile her little face could make. The snow and cold was everything and more than she anticipated.

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part XII

The photos in this installment continue to portray Egypt as an energetic, adventurous, and well-rounded young girl who eagerly embraces new experiences. Throughout the collection, she appears engaged in a variety of sports and outdoor activities, reflecting on her willingness to challenge herself whether it's trying rock climbing, playing golf, or spending time on hiking trails. The images also highlight her enthusiasm for sports as a fan, frequently showing her proudly wearing apparel supporting her favorite teams. While the Jacksonville Jaguars are clearly her favorite NFL team, she also enjoys cheering for local Northern California teams including the Sacramento Kings, San Francisco Giants, and San Jose Sharks. The collection also reflects memorable championship moments, with Egypt supporting the Chicago Cubs during their historic 2016 World Series championship and the Chicago Blackhawks during their Stanley Cup-winning seasons. Together, the photos present Egypt as curious, athletic, adventurous, and always excited to explore new activities while sharing her passion for sports.

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part XI

 

The many looks of Egypt

Egypt's appearance changed constantly between ages 2010 and 2020, reflecting her energetic personality and each stage of childhood. She wore everything from tiny toddler curls and short natural styles to longer hair with braids, twists, ponytails, puffs, buns, beads, barrettes, colorful bows, and headbands. At different times her hair was neatly styled for school or special occasions, while other photos captured a carefree, windblown look during family adventures. As she grew older, her hairstyles became more varied and expressive, matching her growing confidence and individuality. Despite the many changes in length and style, her bright smile, expressive eyes, and playful spirit remained unmistakable throughout the decade, making it easy to see the same adventurous little girl evolving into a confident preteen.

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part X

 

Disney Adventures

and other assorted Characters

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part IX

 

Egypt has crossed paths with celebrities of varying degrees over the years, including some of her favorite singers at the time. 

MattyB

Houston, TX

February 11, 2018

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part VIII

 

Egypt Visited and Hiked at Least One Trail in all 50 United States by her 8^th Birthday

Alabama

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - VII

 

Egypt and Kellisa

Sisters Forever

Egypt and Kellisa have a close, affectionate, and enduring sisterly relationship. The selection of images consistently portrays them as they are in everyday life, enjoying each other's company across many years and stages of childhood.

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part VI

 

Egypt Loves the Stage

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part V

 

Early Art Projects

Shark Drawing

Sault Ste. Marie, ONT Canada

3 years, 4 months

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part IV

Egypt ran away from us the first time she saw a pool and jumped right in the water. I took off right behind her and her head had already emerged with a gigantic ear to ear grin. She was a natural in the water. Since that day, Egypt has never passed up an opportunity to get wet- ice-cold water, wearing clothes, it doesn’t matter, she never hesitates to jump. I guess that’s not entirely true, spending her first 6 ½ years in Florida, Egypt always asked, “Do alligators live in this water?” before jumping in natural bodies of water.

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part III

 Adoption Day

January 2011

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part II

 November - December 2010

Dancing at Home

Egypt's Path (2010 to 2020) - Part I

Egypt's  Path  (2010 to 2020) - Part II

 HOME

2017 (Kellisa's First 18 Years)

Kellisa Keeps Her Side  and Reaches 18 

After moving across the country in 2016 and finishing our quest to hike in all 50 states, 2017 was still a year filled with many adventures  and fun times.

 

The year started out with some of Kellisa's hiking adventures featured in the new book, families on foot. We also went to Yosemite National Park for the first time, and the girls enjoyed Disney on Ice in Sacramento. Our family vacation for the year was a week in the Pacific Northwest where we visited several national parks and hiked with a large group of wheelchairs. Kellisa really enjoyed not being the only one in a chair on a trail.

 

2016 (Kellisa's First 18 Years)

Our family would relocate from Jacksonville, FL to Sacramento, CA in 2016 for my job. Our plan to move at the end of the kid's school year was changed when Lisa accepted a position that started in mid-January. 

 

After spending many New Year's Days exploring the Okefenokee Swamp, we spent the first day of 2016 at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

 

We were driving Lisa's van to California over the long holiday weekend and chose a route that went through Oklahoma so Egypt could claim a new state visited and knock off another state that both girls hiked together.

 

2015 (Kellisa's First 18 Years)

The little girl who wasn't supposed to survive more than a few hours at most turned 16-years-old in May 2015. Kellisa endured 22 surgeries, countless seizures, and too many medical appointments and tests to count or even make an educated guess before arriving at her milestone birthday. 

 

Left & Middle- Blue Springs State Park

Right- Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Kellisa's first wilderness experience happened on January 1, 2000, with a hike while attached to Lisa in a baby carrier at Blue Springs State Park, FL. 15 years later, to the day, we returned to the park for our first outdoor excursion of the year. We stopped at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge the following day on our drive back home.