Thanks for visiting – we are excited about working with educators, schools, and parents to raise geography awareness by sharing a variety of information on the places that we visit and providing updates from the road. The Press is an important partner in getting our message out to as many people as possible.

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About Darren and Sandy Van Soye

After 25 years in the IT industry, we took early retirement with the twin goals of seeing the world and giving back. In 2012 we embarked on a 424-day around-the-world journey to raise geo-literacy in K-12 students. Prior to this trip, we traveled to over 40 countries on six continents, most of it using independently organized itineraries. Learn more about Darren and Sandy here.

After our around-the-world journey, we decided to select something closer to home.  In 2016 we completed a 1,828-mile trek along the Pacific Crest Trail.  And we visited 27 U.S. National Parks during 2017, while camping and hiking more than 400 miles over four months.  Our focus was on the lesser-known parks and what makes these public lands unique and thus, worthy of continued government protection.

In 2018, we completed four multi-day treks in Europe, totaling over 500 miles.  As we hiked, we focused on the cultural and natural significance of the places that we visited. Since 2019, we have hiked over 1,000 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail and the Arizona Trail in the U.S. West. We took our final steps on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023, completing the 2,650-mile path.

In 2022 we trekked in the British Isles, hiking about 700 miles over four months in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. And in 2023 we trekked 800 miles on the California Missions Trail, visiting the 21 missions along the historic Spanish “Alta California” network.

Around the World Journey Press Releases

DateTitlePhotos
Apr 8, 2013California Couple Completes Ultimate Around the World Journey using Princess Cruises 
Mar 4, 2013California Couple Completes Twelfth and Final Trek of the Trekking the Planet Expedition 
Feb 5, 2013California Couple Completes Expedition to Remote Amazon Reserve
Dec 14, 2012California Couple Pass 50,000 Mile Mark as they Trek the Planet
Jan 28, 2012Reality to Boost 21st Century Education.docx

Around the World Journey Press Release Photos

Darren and Sandy Van Soye (Click for hi-res photo)
Sandy visiting school in American Samoa
Sandy visiting classroom in Northern Laos
Darren visiting school in Gheling, Mustang, Nepal
Sandy and Darren on the Kungsleden Trail, Sweden
Sandy and Darren on Walking Safari in Kenya
Sandy Speaking at School in Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
Sandy and Darren in Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
Sandy and Darren Trekking in Jordan