About

Hi, I’m Carmen—a full-time itinerant teacher of students with visual impairments (you can also visit my other website at www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com) and a part-time road tripper. I created Itinerant Joy as a way to combine my passion for teaching with my love of exploring the beauty and stories woven across America.

The name Itinerant Joy reflects both of my worlds: my role as an itinerant teacher and my belief in finding joy—even in the small, unexpected places. Life isn’t always easy, and joy doesn’t always arrive when or where we expect it. But through all the twists and turns, I’ve learned to laugh, grow, and keep searching for joy—even in the messes and mistakes.

I’m on a mission (with my husband along for the ride!) to experience the best of what this country has to offer—and to bring back sensory souvenirs to share with my students. We especially love discovering National Parks, National Historic Sites, and the hidden gems that make each region unique.

Here, you’ll find travel stories and highlights, road trip itineraries, planning tips, must-see spots (from iconic landmarks to hidden gems), along with travel hacks and lessons we’ve learned along the way. Since I continue teaching full-time, we travel mostly during summers and school breaks—often keeping trips to 10 days or less—so our goal is to make every moment count.

I hope you find something here that sparks your curiosity—whether it’s a new destination, a fresh idea, or simply a reminder to keep looking for the joy that’s already around you.

Thanks for stopping by!
Carmen

cartoon drawing of a man and woman in a car with the woman looking at a map and the man behind the wheel