What’s on your bucket list? Maybe it’s hiking towering mountains, visiting every National Park, or spending entire days out on the water. Those dreams can feel pretty far away when you’re juggling school pickups, grocery runs, and approximately 900 other things. But adventure doesn’t have to disappear just because you became a parent.
Susan Kikuli isn’t waiting until her kids are grown to show them the world. The Las Vegas mom of two and creator behind @mama_and_minis_adventures has made exploring part of her family’s routine. Whether they’re camping under the stars, paddling across a lake, or chasing down another trailhead, she’s raising Christopher, 9, and David, 11, to believe there’s a whole lot more waiting for them than whatever’s on a screen.
“I want my kids to feel that the outdoors is their playground,” says Susan, whose love of nature began as a therapeutic outlet when her boys were babies. “It’s a win-win situation because they thrive outdoors just as much as I do.”
Of course, saying yes to adventure is a lot easier when you have a vehicle that’s just as game as you are. For Susan, that’s the Ford 2026 Explorer ST. Ranked among the highest in initial quality among mainstream brands by J.D. Power, it gives her family the capability and confidence to keep chasing whatever’s around the next bend. Here’s how it’s helping her raise two adventurous little humans.
She Treats The Outdoors Like A Classroom
Sure, fresh air has the magical ability to tire kids out before bedtime. But for Susan, that’s just a bonus. It’s where some of her kids’ biggest life lessons happen.
“The outdoors provides a unique environment to develop problem-solving skills and resilience,” she says. Over the years, Christopher and David have learned to adapt when plans change, solve problems together, and tackle challenges as a team. Some of that comes from leaving room for the unexpected.
“I encourage unstructured play and — every once in a while — the absence of routine,” Susan says. Giving her boys space to wander, imagine, and explore has made them more creative and more comfortable navigating unfamiliar places. She recalls how one unexpected family detour made for one of the best memories.
“Once, I accidentally took the wrong road, and we discovered a beautiful park. We spent hours there, had a picnic, and explored a nearby trail. Though unplanned, it ended up being a highlight of our trip.”
With the Ford 2026 Explorer ST serving as home base, wrong turns have a funny way of becoming the best part of the trip.
That’s thanks in part to six standard drive modes built for whatever the day throws your way. They include Eco to maximize fuel efficiency, Sport for quicker accelerator response, Slippery for better control on ice, water, or loose gravel, and Trail to help maintain momentum on dirt and mud. Along with Normal and Tow modes, they give Susan the confidence to adapt to whatever road lies ahead instead of letting the terrain dictate the journey. Every new trail becomes another opportunity to show her sons what curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to try something new look like in real life.
“My goal has always been to show them what it looks like to tackle life with curiosity, resilience, and a sense of ‘yes,'” she says.
She Knows Preparation Creates More Freedom
While spontaneity is part of every adventure, Susan says the secret is actually planning ahead. The whole family gets involved before they even leave the driveway, with everyone choosing one or two stops they want to make along the way. Then comes the packing. Parents know this isn’t a suitcase. It’s a small-scale logistics operation.
“I literally must know where everything is ahead of time,” Susan laughs. “I plan everything in advance so I don’t leave anything behind.”
Emergency supplies, first-aid kits, snacks, water, toys, adventure gear, sports equipment, inflatable paddleboards — it all comes along. Thankfully, the Ford 2026 Explorer ST has room for everything, along with smart storage compartments that help keep it organized.
Even better, available third-row seating for up to six passengers (or seven with the second-row bench) gives everyone enough personal space to spread out. Christopher and David stay busy with journals, games, and activity books, and Susan says the extra room means fewer sibling squabbles along the way.
Which means less time digging through bags and muttering, “I know I packed it,” and more time actually enjoying the trip.
“My hope is that my kids always remember that I was present,” she says, “and that I was having the best time of my life raising them and exploring this beautiful world with them.”
She Trusts Her Vehicle To Go Wherever Curiosity Leads
Everyone has their happy place. For some people it’s the couch. For others it’s a beach. For Susan, it’s wherever the next adventure with her boys begins. For Susan, it isn’t home or the office. “I tend to feel most like myself when I’m out having a good time exploring with my sons.”
The Ford 2026 Explorer ST helps make those moments possible. Its sport-tuned suspension delivers sharper handling, while the performance brake system helps Susan stay confident and in control wherever the road takes her.
Because when you’re not worrying about whether your vehicle can handle the road ahead, you have a lot more room to soak up the memories happening inside it. And with a clear head and presence in the moment, memories are made.
“Having the Explorer has enabled us to try new things, new trails, and new experiences, and given me the confidence to take on any terrain,” Susan says. “One of the biggest things that gives me peace of mind is knowing that my vehicle can handle it all.”
Learn more about the Ford 2026 Explorer ST.
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