After leaving the Sahara, we made our way to Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that felt like stepping back in time. This ancient village, built from mud and straw centuries ago, once sat along the caravan route connecting the Sahara to Marrakech. If it looks familiar, you’ve probably seen it in Gladiator, Game of Thrones, or Lawrence of Arabia.
Walking through its narrow passageways felt like traveling through a living history book. I found myself grateful once again for Dr. Grimsley and the OrthoEdge team. Without my new knees, this journey simply wouldn’t have been possible. Seeing a small restaurant named “Mousa” - my father’s name - made me smile. It's been 10 years since he passed away, but it's a reminder that no matter where I go, a part of him always travels with me.
From there, we crossed the breathtaking High Atlas Mountains via the legendary Tizi n’Tichka Pass. Every turn revealed another Berber village, mountain spring, and panoramic view that left Matt and me speechless. The kids, meanwhile, slept through most of it. 😆
We also traveled through the dramatic Dades Gorge, often called the “Grand Canyon of Africa,” before arriving in Marrakech.
And then Morocco once again reminded us just how small the world can be.
Charlie was wearing his Ponte Vedra Sharks football shirt when someone suddenly yelled: “Go Sharks!”
Thousands of miles from home. In the middle of Morocco.
As it turns out, this man lived just a few miles from us in TPC Sawgrass. Between that encounter and meeting another Ponte Vedra family in the Sahara just days before, we started wondering if Morocco had quietly become Ponte Vedra's hottest destination.
Marrakech was electric.
Known as Morocco’s “Red City,” it buzzes with energy, color, and life. While we were there, thousands gathered in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square to watch Morocco take on Brazil in a World Cup qualifier. We'll watch Morocco take on Scotland tonight!
While Matt and I watched from the hotel, Maddie and Charlie joined the crowds. Complete strangers celebrated together. The pride and joy were contagious.
After the emotional roller coaster of volunteering, reconnecting with Wassim, and surviving the Sahara’s “dry heat,” Marrakech gave us a chance to breathe.
One evening we watched the sun set from Nobu Restaurants rooftop as the Atlas Mountains shifted from gold to pink to purple.
The view was spectacular.
But honestly?
I found myself missing mint tea with Fauzia and our host family in Rabat. After experiencing Morocco through the eyes of locals, authenticity became far more meaningful than luxury.
After Marrakech, we headed to Casablanca for the final chapter of our adventure.
There we met “Sidi Ali,” Charlie’s nickname for our favorite taxi driver. Every five-minute ride somehow became a forty-five-minute city tour, and somehow he always appeared exactly where we needed him. He literally was everywhere we were.
We visited the magnificent Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, rising dramatically above the Atlantic Ocean. We also stopped by Casablanca’s Sacred Heart Cathedral, another reminder that Morocco’s rich history includes people of many faiths living side by side.
And yes, we ended our journey at Rick's Café Casablanca.
Because if you’re in Casablanca…you kind of have to.
As our time in Morocco came to an end, we reflected on everything we’d experienced - the beauty, the heartbreak, the laughter, the friendships, and the people whose lives are now forever intertwined with ours.
Morocco gave us mountains, ancient cities, desert sunsets, and unforgettable adventures.
But the greatest gift remains its people.
Without hesitation, all four of us agreed our favorite part of the trip wasn’t the luxe of the Sahara, Marrakech, or Casablanca.
It was volunteering.
It was reconnecting with Le Nid.
It was living with our host family in Rabat and experiencing Morocco as local guests rather than tourists.
On the flight home before losing his passport, Charlie asked:
“Where can we go volunteer next?”
And in that moment, I knew this journey had accomplished something far more important than a family vacation or sightseeing.
If I do nothing else in my life, I will always be grateful that we had the opportunity to reconnect our children with the beauty, culture, history, and people of their birth country.
Morocco will always be part of their story.
And now, it will always be part of ours.
And after nearly three incredible weeks away…there truly is no place like home.
🇲🇦❤️🇺🇸
God bless Morocco and God bless the USA!